When To Stop Baby Formula

Although these two are somewhat similar, experts do recommend weaning your baby off of stage 3 formulas and onto whole milk.

What Does “Weaning” Mean?

Weaning is characterised when a baby switches from breast milk to other sources of nourishment. It is normal to begin weaning your kids from ages four to six months when they start exploring solid foods; however, the process can differ from kid to kid.

The age of four to six months is an excellent time to start the process of weaning by introducing your infant to solid foods. This is when infants frequently require more nutrients that can be obtained just from formula or breast milk.

When the baby is one year old, stage 3 formulas are designed specifically for toddlers. Even though milk is a safe, conventional, and doctor-approved option, the stage 3 formula is designed specifically for toddlers to fulfil their nutritional needs.

When To Stop Or Substitute A Formula?

At the age of 1 year old, you can completely stop or start transitioning to whole milk. Although it’s not a hard rule, it’s still better to start because continuing to use formulas may limit a child’s desire for food and may cause difficulty in developing likeness for a variety of meals and textures.

Before 12 months, the infant’s digestive system is not developed enough to rely only on solid foods. That is why infants are given breast or formula milk because it’s easier for them to digest. Furthermore, it is not until an infant is roughly 12 months old that they have developed a solid food diet sufficient to wean off baby formula.

Should I Choose Stage Three Formula Or Whole Milk?

Once your child reaches the age of 1 year, you have two options. You can either choose a stage 3 formula, also known as toddler milk, or whole milk. If you choose whole milk, it is better to opt for whole fat milk. A child at this age is rapidly developing their brain and physical structure, and for that, they need higher levels of fat for their proper nourishment.

However, if your toddler is picky and is sensitive to taste, you can continue baby formulas. Stage 3 baby formulas are specifically formulated to provide all the essential nutrients and enable optimal growth activity. It helps the baby to achieve critical developmental milestones flawlessly.

There are a lot of stage three formulas on the market, but the ones that are the best in fulfilling the essential nutritional requirements of your little ones are listed below:

The HiPP Dutch Stage 3 Combiotic Toddler Formula is made specifically to provide appropriate nutrition to your child with all organic ingredients, essential vitamins, and minerals necessary to promote the fast growth of babies entering toddler years.

• Why Parents Love It:
  • All organic
  • Perfect for babies aged 12 months or older
  • It contains prebiotics and probiotics
  • Free from artificial preservatives
  • It contains omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids
  • Sugar-free and natural ingredients

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The HiPP German Stage 3 Combiotic Organic Baby Formula is a delicious formula curated for babies twelve months old or above. It is an ideal substitute for breast milk and is a perfect formula to help start with the infant’s transitioning.

• Why Parents Love It:
  • All organic
  • Perfect for babies aged 12 months or older
  • Free from all GMOs
  • It does not contain artificial coloring
  • Clean formula with no artificial preservatives
  • Includes natural omega-3 and omega-6 DHA and ARA

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The Holle Goat Stage 3 Organic Toddler Formula is famous for kids that just started weaning or babies that need a substitute for breast milk. It is a top-quality formula made with 100% natural ingredients. It is suitable for children that are twelve months or above and makes it easier for them to wean off of formula milk and transition to whole milk.

• Why Parents Love It:
  • Demeter certified organic (Organic ++)
  • Easier to digest due to goat milk
  • Contains essential nutrients like vitamin A, C, D, iron, zinc, etc.
  • The clean formula contains healthy fats like vegetable oil
  • Free from sugar, gluten, and GMO
  • No artificial additives

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The Holle Bio Stage 3 Organic Toddler Formula is one of the best alternatives for breast milk. It is incredible for babies with sensitive tummies and is fantastic for developing strong bones and a robust immune system.

• Why Parents Love It:
  • Free from GMOs, corn syrup, sugar, soy, or any additives
  • 100% natural ingredients
  • Contains DHA for brain development

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The Holle A2 Stage 3 Organic Toddler Formula is perfect for your infant’s developing brain and physical growth. It ensures all the critical nutrients for a healthy lifestyle for your toddler.

• Why Parents Love It:
  • Demeter certified organic (Organic ++)
  • Complete meal supplement for the baby
  • Reduces natural inflammation
  • It contains proteins that improve digestive issues
  • Good for sensitive tummies due to A2 milk
  • Includes DHA and omega 3

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The Lebenswert Folgemilch Stage 3 Organic Toddler Formula is a sugar-free, high-quality formula containing important nutrients such as folic acid and vitamin A. The best part is that it is the most smooth transition since it contains all of the essential nutrients found in breast milk.

• Why Parents Love It:
  • Organic skim milk
  • Bioland organic certified
  • Natural sweeteners

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The HiPP UK Stage 3 Organic Toddler Formula is designed to be gentle on a baby's delicate digestive system. It aims to provide easy digestion and may be suitable for babies with sensitive stomachs.

• Why Parents Love It:
  • High quality organic formulation
  • Nutrition near FDA & USDA guidelines
  • Contains vital prebiotics in all stages
  • No Maltodextrin or Starch
  • Contains DHA and ARA
  • Has no soy, corn syrup, added sugar, or GMOs.
  • Gluten-free and egg-free

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HiPP 1+ Years Combiotic Kindermilk Toddler Formula is designed as a nutritious addition for babies aged twelve months and above, reaching toddlerhood. This Kindermilch is intended for drinking out of a cup, and has an easy-to-digest consistency with a tasty flavor.

• Why Parents Love It:
  • Great for toddlers from 1 year and up
  • No added sugar
  • Prebiotics/Probiotics for healthy digestion
  • No wheat, soy, or peanut ingredients
  • Omega-3 and 6 LCPs (DHA and ARA) for brain development
  • Main carbohydrate is lactose

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HiPP 2+ Years Combiotic Kindermilch Toddler Formula is a natural way to deliver important vitamins, minerals, and essential nutrients as our babies reach maturity. HiPP 2+ Kindermilch is intended to be drank from a cup, and is a high calorie addition that promotes a balanced diet.

• Why Parents Love It:
  • Great for toddlers from 2 years and up
  • No added sugar
  • Prebiotics/Probiotics for healthy digestion
  • Vitamin D for better calcium absorption and bone strength
  • Vitamin A and C for a healthy immune system
  • Calcium for healthy bones
  • Main carbohydrate is lactose

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Kendamil Classic Stage 3 toddler formula has a whey: casein ratio of 20:80, which closely resembles the logical progression of a mother's breast milk as her child grows. It's also made with prebiotics GOS to aid in the development of your baby's natural gut microbiome.

• Why Parents Love It:
  • Toddler milk for 12-36 months
  • Full cream British Milk
  • Palm oil free
  • Vegetarian friendly
  • Vitamins C, A, D, Zinc Fatty acids (ALA/LA)
  • Main carbohydrate is lactose

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Kendamil Organic Stage 3 Toddler Formula stands out as one of the most sought-after and highly acclaimed organic infant formulas, proudly originating from a family-run operation in the United Kingdom.

• Why Parents Love It:
  • Toddler milk for 12-36 months
  • Full cream EU Certified Organic milk
  • Palm oil free
  • Vegetarian friendly
  • Prebiotics plus plant-based DHA and ARA
  • Main carbohydrate is lactose
  • EU and British Soil Association Certified Organic

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Kendamil Goat Stage 3 Toddler Formula is carefully crafted using 100% full cream goat milk, making it the perfect choice for infants intolerant to cow's milk formulas. For parents seeking the most natural ingredients in baby formula, this option fits the bill perfectly.

• Why Parents Love It:
  • Great for toddlers 12-36 months
  • Prebiotics from whole goat milk
  • No Palm Oil (Coconut Oil instead)
  • No added sugars, maltodextrin, synthetic preservatives, wheat, soy, or peanut ingredients
  • No Fish Oil

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Kabrita Stage 3 Toddler Formula is purposefully designed to closely mimic real breast milk using skimmed goat milk sourced from the Netherlands. Kabrita toddler formula offers a digestible and nutrient-rich option designed to help with sensitivity to cow milk.

• Why Parents Love It:
  • Great for toddler 12+ months
  • Less allergens than cow milk formulas
  • Right proportion of all essential nutrients, vitamins, and minerals
  • No artificial sweeteners and maltodextrin
  • Beta-Palmitate that helps with calcium absorption

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Nannycare Stage 3 Toddler Formula is based on 100% premium New Zealand goat milk, supporting both infant nutrition and sustainable farming practices. It stands out for being easily digestible, containing A2 Beta Caseins and low alpha S1 Caseins, suitable for sensitive tummies.

• Why Parents Love It:
  • This formula is full of essential nutrients, minerals, and vitamins
  • Uses A2 milk formula with only A2 Beta Caseins
  • No added probiotics and prebiotics
  • Premium goat milk formula that is ideal for gentle stomachs
  • It doesn't contain artificial chemicals, synthetic ingredients, or artificial flavorings

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Aptamil Stage 3 Toddler Formula contains a patented blend of prebiotics sourced from natural origins, which aids in promoting the growth of beneficial gut bacteria. Enriched with DHA, a vital fatty acid for cognitive growth, Aptamil Nutribiotik Stage 3 is intended to provide the necessary nutrition for your child's well-being.

• Why Parents Love It:
  • Great for babies from 12 months +
  • No gluten, wheat, or nut ingredients
  • Contains patented prebiotics
  • Iron-fortified
  • No added sugars
  • Has added DHA for brain and eye development

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Aptamil Gold+ Stage 3 Toddler Formula is a non-GMO cow's milk toddler formula that has been meticulously formulated to align with the changing nutritional requirements of active toddlers. With the inclusion of probiotics, prebiotics, and essential DHA, this advanced formula works together to contribute to your toddler's overall well-being.

• Why Parents Love It:
  • Great for babies from 12 months +
  • Enriched with Vitamin D, Calcium, Vitamin C and Zinc
  • No gluten, wheat, or nut ingredients
  • Contains prebiotics and probiotics
  • Iron-fortified
  • No added sugars
  • Has added DHA for brain and eye development

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How To Switch From Baby Formula To Whole Milk?

Parents should make this transition as gradually as possible since some infants’ digestive tracts take a little time to get used to nutrients and proteins in cow’s milk. It is recommended that you start giving them a few ounces of cow’s milk in between their normal formula milk consumption.

This will help them get used to the taste, and it won’t feel like a sudden shift. When they are 12 to 24 months old, try increasing up to 16 to 24 ounces of cow’s milk every day.

Bottle Or Cup?

Another aspect to consider is the transition from bottle to sippy cup. Bottles eventually can interfere with regular tooth growth. Your baby can start using a sippy cup as soon as they start eating solids, which is usually about six months, or when they can sit up on their own.

To prevent a major mess while transitioning from the bottle to the sippy cup, start by pouring a little water into the sippy cup. It will take some time and practice for your toddler to get used to it, but they will ultimately become a pro

Do Babies Require Feeding When They Wake Up During Night?

When most babies of 12months+ wake up in the middle of the night, they do not need to eat. In general, once kids start consuming solids on a regular basis, they don’t require the additional calories and can sleep all night.

Babies at 6 months of age also have some of their baby teeth developed, so drinking milk or formula at night might cause dental problems. Nighttime feeding might sometimes cause them to be too full to eat throughout the day. However, if your kid is not gaining weight, your doctor may advise you otherwise. Breastfed babies may take a little longer as well because breast milk digests quicker.

When Should You Stop Weaning Off Baby Formula?

The recommended age to stop weaning off baby formula is when the baby reaches the age of 1 since the child’s digestive system is much more developed to digest the complex proteins present in cow’s milk at this age.

Babies under the age of 1 have premature digestive systems which cannot digest the complex proteins; thus, cow’s milk should be given in small quantities.

When To Stop Baby Formula

This is all you need to know about weaning your baby off of baby formula or breast milk. Also, to save your time, we’ve listed the best stage 3 formulas that can help your little one with essential nutrition.

Stage 3 formulas are more suitable for babies as they contain additional vitamins and minerals than the whole milk. Stage 3 formulas contains essential nutrition that facilitates the development of various organs of your toddler and helps achieve optimal growth!

3 Most Popular Formulas For Weaning

1. HiPP Dutch Stage 3 Combiotic Toddler Formula
2. Holle Goat Dutch Stage 3 Formula
3. Lebenswert Folgemilch Stage 3 Toddler Formula