We understand that there are many reasons why you might decide to formula feed your baby.
You may be happy to know that one reason formula is introduced is to help share feeding responsibilities with a partner or family members. Whatever feeding options fit your life, we’re here to offer our support.
Our formulas are inspired by breast milk and designed to meet the nutrition needs of your baby while supporting their growth and development. Similac formulas can help give your little one a strong start and have important vitamins and minerals. Most Similac formulas have our exclusive blend of DHA, lutein, and vitamin E to support baby's brain and eye development and are made with milk ingredients that do not have artificial growth hormones.* Our formulas have no palm olein oil. Our oil blend 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 different types. Some are specially formulated to support specific 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.
Before trying a new feeding option, consult your child’s doctor for a recommendation based on their needs. Infant formulas provide complete nutrition to support your baby’s growth and development and have important vitamins and minerals.
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. The carbohydrates in these formulas come from lactose, which is the major carbohydrate in breast milk.
Our closest formula to breast milk is milk-based Similac® 360 Total Care® formula. Another milk-based option is Pure Bliss® by Similac®, which starts with fresh milk from grass-fed cows and has been imported from Europe since 2016.
Try Similac® 360 Total Care® Sensitive, our closest sensitive formula to breast milk, which was created for babies with sensitive tummies.
Similac Pro-Total Comfort® has partially hydrolyzed whey protein and is great for babies who have difficulty tolerating other milk-based formulas.
If your baby has a food allergy or other specific nutrition needs, specialized nutrition formulas can help meet their needs.
For cow’s milk allergy, your baby’s doctor might recommend Similac® Alimentum®. It’s a hypoallergenic, extensively hydrolyzed protein-based formula for infants with colic symptoms due to protein sensitivity and food allergies.
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 important development 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 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. Products with the USDA organic seal must contain at least 95% organic ingredients 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.
As your baby grows into a toddler and you start introducing new foods, they may miss out on some important nutrients. Toddler formulas, like Go & Grow 360 Total Care® by Similac®, are designed for children between ages 12 and 36 months and can help fill nutrient gaps.
To learn more about the nutrition needs of your toddler, visit our Toddler section.
Different formula types are available and each one has different instructions for preparation.
Powder formula
When you think of baby formula, it’s probably the dry powder form. It comes in a can or tub, 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 feed, and it requires no water or mixing, which is great for traveling, late-night feedings, and when you’re on the go. Similac Ready to Feed is available in 2-fl-oz, 8-fl-oz, and quart-sized bottles.
Concentrated liquid formula
A type of liquid formula that and mixes with water for easy preparation—just add 1 part water to 1 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 their fingers in their mouth—even while sleeping. Using these cues to understand when to feed your baby will help ensure that they’re getting the right amount of nutrition to support their growth and development.
How to know if your baby is full
Your baby’s doctor can help determine a feeding schedule that’s appropriate for your baby’s age. But your baby will let you know if they are full, so look for signals. They may turn their head or stop sucking. You may not always need to feed your baby an entire bottle.
Feeding them too much can cause mild spit-up. That’s why it’s important to keep the following things in mind as you begin feeding:
Count the wet diapers
A general guide for whether your baby is consuming getting enough is the number of diapers you change each day. Six to 8 wet diapers and 1 or 2 passed stools per day is an average.
Your baby's weight gain
Your baby should gain a small amount of weight each week. But, because babies gain weight and develop at different rates, your baby’s 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 baby's doctor about your concerns.
You can feel confident that baby formula is among the most highly regulated food products in the US and must follow strict manufacturing and labeling requirements. But here are a few guidelines to follow when buying, preparing, using, and storing it.
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 makes storage easier!
Plan for on-the-go feeding
You won’t always be able to prep formula in the kitchen. Pack your baby bag with ready-to-feed bottles for convenient, no-mix feeding.
Prep bigger batches
Instead of mixing just 1 bottle of formula every couple hours, save time by preparing a large batch of powdered formula in advance. See our How to Make a Bottle page for more details.
Alternate feeding to get more sleep
If your baby is formula-fed, it's easy to share feeding responsibilities. Alternate nighttime feedings with your partner so both of you can get more sleep. For more nighttime feeding tips, see How to Make a Bottle.
To warm or not to warm your baby’s formula
Baby formula doesn’t need to be warmed, but if you want to warm a bottle, do not microwave it. Microwaving baby formula can cause “hot spots” that can burn your baby. Instead, try one of these methods:
* 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.
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