When To Switch To Toddler Formulas

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For babies that are breastfed, the nutrition in the breast milk changes throughout the nursing experience. Therefore, breastmilk is different when the baby is 6 days old, 6 months old, and 18 months old. These changes usually happen gradually over time. In the same vein, formulas come in different stages in order to address babies' changing nutritional needs as they develop.

Infant formulas are tailor-made to meet the nutritional needs of most infants during the first year. Most kids do better with a drink that isn't quite so rich in the second year.

Toddler formulas usually have most of the same vitamins and minerals in infant formulas. However, the main difference between toddler and infant formulas is that the former contain a greater amount of calcium and phosphorus. These formulas are designed to provide the higher phosphorus and calcium levels needed by kids as they grow, same as the ones found in whole milk.

The benefit of toddler formulas over whole milk is that most of them contain DHA which is an important omega-3 fatty acid that can also be found in breastmilk. One way or another, getting DHA in a baby's diet seems very important in the first two years. If you notice that your child needs formula after the first year, you can switch to a toddler formula to accomplish this as this will provide her with the extra calcium and phosphorus needed.

Also, if you are concerned that your toddler is not eating a proper amount of solids, toddler formula can provide most of her nutritional needs while still experimenting with solid food.

For most kids, it is best not to force them to eat with moving the spoon like an airplane or with music or any sound effects. Kids do have an internal mechanism that tells them how much to eat that you want to keep intact. But if you suspect it is not intact or there are serious food allergies ccompliationz, it is usually best to work with a feeding specialist so as to learn how to encourage feeding while you are still keeping your baby’s motivation strong.

Your kid may be fine with 16 ounces of formula a day now or she may want 24 ounces. But if she consistently takes more or less than that, tell your pediatrician so as to be sure she is getting a good amount for her specific situation. You will get to see on the charts just how she is growing at the one-year physical. And one way or the other, your little one is on the doorstep of toddling into a whole new stage of her life.

It is okay to continue the infant formula, as long as it doesn't contain too many calories for your baby. It is okay for her to eat as much or as little solids as she wants. It will vary day by day.