How to Wean Babies From Formula to Milk

The majority of pediatricians recommend that your child can begin to drink cow's milk at around one year old. On the other hand, if a child is accustomed to formula, he might be picky and not want to try cow's milk. Do not worry, because you can ease your child's transition to cow's milk and make the weaning process unnoticeable to him by following a few tips. While your child might resist at first, he should become used to the taste of cow's milk and eventually prefer it.

Instructions

    • 1

      Mix formula the way you normally do. Add the formula to a bottle with whole milk in the proportions of 75% formula and 25% whole milk. If your child does not accept the bottle, try 80% formula and 20% whole milk. In addition, you can try 90% formula and 10% whole milk, because adding any amount of whole milk should help the weaning process.

    • 2

      Gauge how your child reacts to the mixture. If your child refuses to drink the mixture, go back to formula bottles for a couple days. You can reintroduce a mixed bottle of formula and whole milk when your child might be increasingly interested in trying new things as she ages.

    • 3

      Increase the ratio of formula to whole milk by adding an ounce or two of whole milk over time. For instance, you can try 50% formula and 50% whole milk. Decide when to increase the amount of whole milk by the way your child reacts to the milk.

    • 4

      Continue to increase the amount of whole milk. You can try 25% formula and 75% whole milk. Stir the mixture well so your child is not getting gulps of formula and milk separately.

    • 5

      Try a bottle or sippy cup of whole milk with no formula. Your child should have become accustomed to the taste of whole milk during the weaning process. If your child refuses to drink the whole milk, continue weaning by adding in some formula a little at a time.

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