When Do Babies Stop Drinking Formula? Pediatricians Answer

One minute you’re fumbling with formula scoops at 3 a.m., and the next you’re sobbing over how it’s time to move on to the next stage. I remember feeling equal parts excited and nervous when my babies approached the one-year mark. After all, transitioning to cow’s milk and more solid foods isn’t always a super-smooth process!

Saying bye-bye to formula is a major parenting milestone that comes with a bunch of challenges. So when do babies stop drinking formula, typically? “For almost all infants, one year is really the landmark to transition,” explains Jenelle Ferry, MD, a board-certified neonatologist at Pediatrix Medical Group in Florida.

That said, there are some exceptions. Read on to learn what pediatricians have to say.

Key Takeaways

• Most babies can stop drinking formula at around one year old, but there are exceptions based on growth and development.
• Signs that baby’s ready to stop drinking formula include eating a variety of solid foods, sitting up with good head control and gaining weight appropriately.
• Delayed feeding milestones signal that baby may not be ready to stop formula.
• When babies do stop drinking formula, it’s time to graduate to cow’s milk. It’s best to make this transition gradually by decreasing the amount of formula you give baby, while slowly increasing their milk intake. You can also mix formula with milk to get baby used to it.
• Many toddlers can start drinking cow’s milk, water or fortified dairy-free milk after stopping formula.

When to Stop Formula

When asked when to stop giving baby formula, most pediatricians will recommend one year of age as the endpoint—”or one year old corrected age if they were born prematurely,” adds Grace Hatfield, RD, a pediatric dietitian at Phoenix Children’s Nutritional Rehabilitation Clinic. That’s when baby’s likely developmentally ready to take on more solids, along with other drink alternatives. Stopping formula before the one-year mark typically isn’t recommended because it can impact baby’s nutritional intake during a critical growth period.

Of course, every baby’s different. “Some could potentially be ready after 9 months, but this should always be discussed with a pediatrician,” notes Ferry.

On the flip side, if you’re thinking about continuing formula past baby’s first birthday, make sure to loop in your doctor. “Use of an infant formula beyond one year old isn’t inherently dangerous or harmful,” notes Hatfield. But if baby’s relying on formula instead of progressing to eating more foods, it’s something to flag.

Then again, if baby’s struggling with growth, they may have unique nutritional needs and require formula for longer. “There are also some rare medical conditions that require specialty formulas and would potentially require a longer period of formula intake. This should be guided by your pediatrician,” says Ferry.

Signs Baby Is Ready to Stop Drinking Formula

While the one-year cutoff is a useful guideline, age isn’t the only factor when it comes to stopping formula. Baby’s eating skills and overall growth and development also matter. “An infant should be gaining skills with eating foods and eating enough volume of a variety of food groups to support good weight gain before weaning off formula,” explains Hatfield. If baby’s happily munching on a mix of fruits, veggies, proteins and grains—and their pediatrician is pleased with their growth curve—those are great signs they’re ready to drop formula.

With my two babies, I found that when they consistently finished their plates (rather than throwing most of the food on the floor!), they were ready to transition away from formula.

Signs Baby Isn’t Ready to Stop Drinking Formula

There are a few signs you should wait a little longer before stopping formula. “Delayed feeding milestones, such as chewing or swallowing solid food or poor head control, could be signs that baby isn’t ready to stop drinking formula,” explains Hatfield. If baby isn’t quite there yet, she recommends continuing formula with the guidance of a pediatrician.

How to Stop Formula

Most experts recommend a gradual approach to leaving formula behind. “For most babies, it can be helpful to gradually transition from formula to whole milk by slowly decreasing formula and adding in milk,” advises Ferry. You can offer whole milk in gradually increasing amounts in a separate bottle or cup. (This is also a great age to transition to a sippy cup!) Another popular approach is to mix formula with milk and gradually increase the proportion of milk over time.

“This process can take as little as a week or up to a few weeks,” Ferry says. “The transition helps babies get used to both the change in taste, as well as getting used to digesting whole milk, which contains different amounts of proteins than formula.”

What Comes Next?

Once baby graduates from formula, cow’s milk typically takes center stage. “Whole cow’s milk contains fat, protein, carbohydrates and calcium that are beneficial for babies’ brain and bone development,” says Hatfield.

But some toddlers may not need a lot of cow’s milk—especially if they’re already eating plenty of dairy-rich foods like cheese and yogurt, Ferry points out. “Too much intake can limit their solid intake and lead to iron deficiency,” she cautions. If this is the case, switching to water is also an appropriate option.

For reference, Dietary Guidelines for Americans suggests that children one year to 23 months old eat 1 ⅔ to 2 cups of dairy daily to support growth, which includes foods like cheese and yogurt. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends toddlers drink no more than 16 to 24 ounces of milk per day.

To Sum It Up

The answer to when to stop giving baby formula is fairly straightforward: Most babies are ready when they’re around one year old. But, as with everything in parenting, it’s important to trust your instincts and lean on your pediatrician for guidance. Every baby’s different, and there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. Whether the transition takes a few days or a few weeks, you’ve got this—before you know it, those formula cans won’t be taking up space in your pantry anymore.

Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.