Can I switch formula brands?

Sometimes I am given free samples or have discount coupons for a brand of formula that’s different from the one I’ve been feeding my kids. It is definitely tempting to switch. Whenever I tried to switch brands or introduce a new brand to my kids, hubby and mother-in-law would raise concerns:Is it fine to change formula brands? Would it upset their stomach?

I guess that is a common question from most parents. To answer that and to settle their doubts, I asked my pediatrician as well as did some Google search on this topic. In short,it is fine to change formulas*provided you stick with the same type.

Well, to me, themost challenging partwhen switching my kids’ formula brand is theswitch of taste. I have no other concerns besides themrejecting the milk. There were occasions that I tried to feed them with free samples that I received,without them knowingthat I swapped the brands. The milk just could not successfully pass their taste buds and ended up down the drain!

Ian is particularly sensitive in this. I thought all the brands are the same, but his sensitive tongue is the ultimate judge. Just one sip, and he would say,“Mama, this milk is not nice.”If I force him to drink that, he’d rather go to bed without milk.

Last month I received a can ofFriso Gold 3 and Friso Gold 4 for each of my kids. I really wanted to let them try the milk, because of the claimed benefits.

Surprisingly, this time I didn’t have any issue AT ALL, when converting to Friso Gold! Maybe because Ian is older now, andhe is excited with the new brand of milk– yes, I couldn’t sneakily switch the brand this time as he is big enough to storm around the kitchen to find out and got excited with the new cans of milk.

Both Ian and Isabel accepted the taste without any fuss. I took a sip of it too, and the taste is quite good for a non-milk-drinker like me! Guess that’s the reason for the acceptance?

Anyway, to smooth the transition of changing formula brands, I also adopted agradual switching schedule, just like how we first introduce bottle to fully breastfed babies:

That’s how Friso Gold became my children’s favorite milk in 7 days. Yes, they only drink 3 times a day – right after waking up in the morning, before afternoon nap, before bedtime at night.

Well, that’s the trouble a mother have to go through, to even switch a brand of milk for the kids. Why they can’t be just like us – switching brands of drinks can be so easy: coffee, juices, tea, fresh milk, …?

* Source:Baby Center