A Guide for Formula Feeding Your Newborn or Older Baby

We understand that there are many reasons why you might decide to formula feed your baby. Maybe you need a trusted brand when choosing an infant formula.

You’ll be happy to know that one big reason formula can be helpful is that It makes it easier to share feeding responsibilities with your partner or other family members. Whatever feeding options fit your lifestyle, we’re here to offer our support.

Our formulas are inspired by breast milk and designed to meet the nutrition needs of your baby and to support his growth and development. They provide important vitamins and minerals, and most have our exclusive blend of DHA, lutein, and vitamin E, to help give your little one a strong start.

Similac was the first leading infant formula brand with no artificial growth hormones.^* It’s also the leading infant formula brand with no palm olein oil. This allows for greater absorption of nutrients like calcium, compared to formulas made with palm olein oil.^1,2  

To learn more, check out our What’s in Similac^® formula? page.

While all infant formulas help to nourish your baby, there are many different types. Some are specially formulated to support specific nutrition needs your baby may have.

If you need help choosing a formula, talk to your doctor. You can also compare options with our Formula Finder.

The different types of baby formula

Milk-based, iron-fortified formula

This is the most common type of formula, and it’s often recommended by doctors. If this is your first time feeding with formula, it’s a good place to start. These formulas provide complete nutrition to support your baby’s growth and development. They contain milk-based protein and important vitamins and minerals, including iron. The carbohydrates in these formulas come from lactose, which is the major carbohydrate in breast milk.

Four milk-based formulas to try are Similac^® 360 Total Care^®, Pure Bliss™ by Similac,  Similac^® Organic  and Similac^® Organic with A2 Milk.

Mild-tolerance formula

• Sensitive infant formula
  If your little one shows signs of a sensitive tummy, like fussiness, gas, or mild spit-up, sensitive formulas are designed to help. They contain carbohydrates such as maltodextrins, instead of lactose, making them suitable for infants who may be sensitive to lactose. Try Similac^® 360 Total Care^® Sensitive, a formula created for babies with sensitive tummies.
  
• Partially hydrolyzed infant formula
  If you’ve tried a sensitive formula and your baby is still showing signs of fussiness, gas, and mild spit-up, partially hydrolyzed formulas may help. This type of formula is also good for babies with lactose sensitivity. Similac Pro-Total Comfort^™ has partially hydrolyzed whey protein and is great for babies who have difficulty tolerating other milk-based formulas.
  
• Soy-based formula
  If your baby has fussiness or gas when feeding with other formulas, you might want to try a soy-based formula. Soy-based formulas have been clinically shown to support growth and help reduce fussiness and gas. Your doctor may also recommend a soy formula if your baby has galactosemia. Vegan families often prefer a soy-based formula for their babies. No other soy-based formula has been studied more than Similac^® Soy Isomil^®. If your baby’s fussiness or gas seems excessive, ask your physician about switching.

Specialized nutrition baby formula

If your baby has a food allergy or other specific nutrition needs, specialized nutrition formulas can help meet his needs.

For cow’s milk allergy, your baby’s doctor might recommend Similac^® Alimentum^®. It’s a hypoallergenic, extensively hydrolyzed formula for infants, including those with colic symptoms due to protein sensitivity and food allergies.^3,4

To learn more about food allergies and the formula options, check out our Food Allergy and Colic section.

Similac^® NeoSure^® is specially designed for babies born prematurely to promote catch-up growth on the outside—and on the inside. It’s a nutrient-enriched formula that has increased protein, vitamins, and minerals compared to term infant formula.

For more information on nutrition for babies born prematurely, check out our Preemie section.

Organic baby formula

Organic formulas contain the same ingredients you would find in a standard, milk-based, iron-fortified formula. The difference is that all certified USDA-organic products must meet the USDA’s strict production and labeling standards. To bear the USDA organic seal, 95% of the ingredients must be organic and have no genetically modified ingredients. Learn more about Similac^® Organic.

For more info on our organic formulas, visit our Organic & Non-GMO Formulas page.

Toddler drink

As your baby grows into a toddler and you start introducing new foods, picky eaters may miss out on some important nutrients. Toddler formulas, like Go & Grow by Similac^® HMO, are designed for children between ages 12 and 36 months and can help fill nutrient gaps. Some of the nutrients toddlers may miss out on are iron, vitamin C, and vitamin E.

To learn more about the nutrition needs of your toddler, visit our Toddler section.

While there are different types of formulas, there are also differences in the ways formulas are prepared. Some provide convenience, while others are more economical.

• Powder formula

  When you think of baby formula, it’s probably the dry powder form. It comes in a canister, is measured with a scoop, and is mixed with water.
  When not prepared, powder has a longer shelf life than ready-to-feed or concentrated liquid formula, which makes it a good option for those supplementing breast milk with formula.

• Ready-to-feed formula

  This type of formula is convenient and ready to use, and it requires no water or mixing. Similac Ready to Feed is available in 2-fl-oz, 8-fl-oz, and quart-sized bottles. It’s great for traveling and on-the-go, anywhere.

• Concentrated liquid formula

  A type of liquid formula that comes in a can and mixes easily with water—just add one part water to one part concentrate.

Once you’ve found a formula that’s the right fit for you, here are some great tips on How to Make a Bottle.

All babies are different when it comes to how often to feed—and the right feeding amount. That’s why it’s important to learn the cues your baby may give to signal hunger, like rooting for milk, making sucking movements, or putting his fingers to his mouth—even while sleeping. This will ensure that he’s getting the right amount of nutrition to support his health and development.

How to know if your baby is full
It’s helpful if you’re familiar with a feeding schedule that’s appropriate for your baby’s age. Your doctor can help with that. But your baby will let you know if he is full, so look for his signals. He might turn his head or stop sucking. Don’t think that you need to feed your baby an entire bottle.

Feeding your baby too much can cause mild spit-up. That’s why it’s important to keep the following things in mind as you begin feeding:

• Know your baby's eating rhythm
• Follow your baby’s lead
• Feed when he naturally wants to eat
• Note that crying can be a late sign of hunger

Count the wet diapers
A general guide for whether your baby is getting enough food is the number of diapers you change each day. Six to eight wet diapers and 1 or 2 passed stools per day is an average.

Your baby's weight gain
You should notice your baby gaining a small amount of weight each week. But, because babies gain weight and develop at different rates, your doctor can tell you what’s normal for your little one.

If you notice any changes in your baby’s eating habits or digestion, make sure to talk to your doctor.

You can feel confident about the fact that baby formula is among the most highly regulated food products. But here are a few guidelines to follow when buying, preparing, using, and storing it.

• Buying: Check that the product isn’t past the expiration date. Also make sure that the container isn’t damaged.
• Preparing: Be sure not to add too much water. This dilutes essential nutrients and can impact your baby’s nutrition. Once prepared, either feed or refrigerate the formula immediately.
• Using: If your baby is finished feeding from a bottle and doesn’t drink the rest within 1 hour, you should throw it away. After feeding, the formula contains bacteria from your baby’s saliva that can multiply. To help reduce waste, mix smaller portions and refill if necessary.
• Storing: Feed prepared powdered formulas within 24 hours after mixing if you’ve stored it in the fridge. And make sure to follow the storage instructions on the formula label.

Be loyal to one bottle brand
If you find a bottle brand that works for you, it helps to stick with it. That way you won’t need to search through mismatched nipples and rings when it’s feeding time. It also helps with neater storage!

Plan for on-the-go feeding
You won’t always be able to prep formula in the kitchen. Pack your baby bag with unopened bottled water, an empty feeding bottle, and premeasured scoop(s) of powdered formula. When it’s time to feed your little one, pour the appropriate amount of water into the feeding bottle, add the powder, shake, and serve.

Prep bigger batches
Instead of mixing just one bottle of formula every couple hours, save time by preparing a full pitcher in the morning. Keep the pitcher covered in the refrigerator and feed it throughout the day. Just make sure to toss anything that’s left the next morning, since prepared powdered formula is to be fed within 24 hours. Follow the label instructions for refrigeration details.

Alternate feeding to get more sleep
What’s great about formula is that it makes it easier for mom to get help with feeding. Alternate nighttime feedings with your partner so both of you can get more sleep.

Skip the warming step
Some babies will only drink warm milk, but some babies aren’t quite as picky. If your baby doesn’t mind room-temperature bottles, you can use small, 2-fl-oz bottles of ready-to-feed formula and skip that step.

Invest in an electric bottle warmer
If skipping the warming step isn’t an option, consider buying an electric bottle warmer. You can also put your bottles underneath a warm tap or let them sit in a bowl of warm water to heat up. But, at 3 am, this tool will come in handy.

* No significant difference has been shown between milk derived from rbST-treated and non-rbST-treated cows.

References: 1. Nelson SE, et al. J Am Coll Nutr. 1998;17(4):327-332. 2. Koo WW, et al. Pediatrics. 2003;111(5, pt 1):1017-1023.  3. Sampson HA, et al. J Pediatr. 1991;118:520-525. 4. Borschel M, et al. Clin Transl Allergy. 2014;4(suppl 1):P95.