Switching milk formula for babies

(Content revised 02/2026)
  1. Will it affect my baby's health if I switch to another brand?

    Most infant formula is cow's milk-based formula, often called "Stage 1 formula", while some formulas are made from goat's milk or soy protein. The nutritional composition of infant formula must comply with the requirements set out under Hong Kong law. Follow‑up formula must meet the standards established by the country or place of origin, or the nutritional composition requirements listed in the Codex Standard for Follow‑up Formula. Therefore, the ingredients of infant formula products from different brands available on the market are generally similar.

    In general, healthcare professionals do not encourage parents to switch their babies to another brand of formula for minor issues. However, if there is a genuine need, switching to another brand should not affect the baby's health.

    • Birth to 6 months:

      Infants who are currently consuming cow's milk-based infant formula ("Stage 1 formula") can switch directly to another brand of formula also made from cow's milk protein. Since the nutritional composition of follow-up formula differs from that of infant formula, babies under 6 months should not consume follow-up formula.

    • 6 to 12 months:

      Babies can continue with infant formula ("Stage 1 formula") which is nutritionally closer to breastmilk throughout the first year. When the baby is around 6 months of age, a good variety of solid foods should be introduced. Although babies may switch to follow-on formula ("Stage 2 formula") after 6 months of age, it confers no health-related advantages and is not needed. It is important to note that full fat cow's milk is not suitable for infants under 12 months.

    • 1 year and beyond:

      By the age of one, a variety of solid foods in a balanced diet can replace milk as the main source of nutrition, providing children with a wide range of nutrients. Children can drink whole (full-fat) cow's milk, such as pasteurised fresh milk or full‑fat cow's milk that has been sterilised at high temperature (UHT packaged milk).

    • Special formula:

      If infants or young children require "special formula", it should be recommended by a doctor according to individual circumstances.

  2. How exactly should I switch my baby to another brand of formula milk? Is there anything I need to pay special attention to?
    • There is no specific procedure for switching formula milk. If the baby accepts the new taste, parents can directly replace the original formula milk with the new one, or gradually introduce one to two feeds of the new formula milk each day until it fully replaces the original.
    • Different brands of infant formula may have different ratios of water to powder when mixing. Parents should never mix two or more brands of formula milk when preparing feeds.
    • Since the added ingredients in different brands of formula milk (such as iron, probiotics, etc.) may vary, parents may notice changes in their baby's stool frequency, texture, and colour when switching formula milk. These are normal, and there is no need to worry.