Transitioning Off Breast Milk or Formula: What, When, and How
Hannah Hargrove, RDN, CLC
This blog was written in paid partnership with Dr. Brown's.
Breast milk or infant formula is an infant's primary nutrition source for the first 12 months of life. With the big milestone of their first birthday comes the transition from a milk-based diet to a solid food-based diet. If your child is drinking formula, or if you're breastfeeding and would like to make the transition off, it's also time to make a change to the milk they're drinking. It's important to note if you're breastfeeding and would like to continue, you do NOT have to stop.
If you're making the change in milk for your little one, how do you know when to make the switch, how do you switch milk and what should you serve?
What Milk Should Be Served?
Not all milk is created equal when it comes to nutrition for young children. The most common milk toddlers drink is whole (3.25% milkfat) cow's milk, but it's not your only option. When we're choosing milk for young children (12-24-months-old), we want it to be a good source of calcium and ideally fat and protein.
Because the transition from a milk-based to solid food-based diet is a BIG change for toddlers, milk can be a nutrient-dense and consistent way they can meet their nutritional needs for growth and development.
It's especially important to serve milk that is a good source of calcium because young children have very high calcium needs: 700 mg/day for 1-3-year-olds (increased from 260 mg/day for infants 7-12 months). Fat and protein in milk add calories and nutrients to support growth. Fat is an especially vital nutrient for brain growth and development and should be unrestricted in children's diets under 2 years old.
Whole cow's milk is the most common milk to transition to due to its high calcium content, fortification with vitamin D and fat and protein content. If you prefer a plant-based milk, there are multiple options to choose from and also alternative animal milks. Below, you can find a chart comparing the nutritional composition of popular milks and milk alternatives.
Whole cow's milk is my go-to recommendation as a pediatric registered dietitian if your child tolerates it.
If you do choose a plant-based alternative, it's important to verify that it is not sweetened with sugar or sweeteners.
When to Make the Change
As previously mentioned, breast milk or formula is an infant's primary nutrition source for the first year of life. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and Centers for Disease Control (CDC) do not recommend offering cow's milk to infants under 12 months as a beverage.
When your child is 12-months-old, you can begin offering their new milk of choice (most commonly, whole cow’s milk). At this time, your child should be eating 3 meals and may also be eating 1-2 snacks. If you have concerns about your child's eating and intake from solids, please talk with their pediatrician or medical provider before making the milk transition.
How to Make the Change
Now that your little one is 12-months-old, you're ready to make the transition. It's important not to change their milk too quickly to avoid any potential belly discomfort. This is a big change for them!
My favorite way to transition milk is to slowly mix the new milk in with their previous formula or breast milk. This helps their taste buds to acclimate and keeps the change slow and steady to allow their belly time to adjust.
For example, in a 4-oz bottle, add 1-oz cow's milk plus 3-oz breast milk or formula. (25% new milk and 75% breast milk or formula.)
If this ratio is well tolerated over a few days (no vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, rashes, etc.), you can increase the ratio to 50/50. (For a 4-oz bottle, add 2-oz cow's milk plus 2-oz breast milk or formula.)
Continue the same ratio for a few days, still monitoring tolerance. If everything is going well you can increase to 75% cow's milk (3-oz cow’s milk plus 1-oz formula or breast milk per 4-oz bottle), and eventually to 100% cow's milk (or other milk of choice).
Important Notes
It's important to know you should continue mixing your baby's formula according to the instructions on the packaging. Powder should be mixed with water, NOT milk.
Formula can be stored for 24 hours in the refrigerator from the time of mixing. So, if it's easier, you can mix a bottle of formula in the morning and store it in the refrigerator to be easily measured and mixed with the new milk throughout the day. Just be sure not to use it past 24 hrs.
If your baby is having a hard time taking to cow's milk, try warming it up if you previously warmed their bottles. Be sure to still use a bottle warmer to warm milk, not the microwave!
Toddlers should not drink more than 24-oz of milk per day. This is to make sure they are not filling up on milk and eating less food at mealtimes, which can cause them to miss out on other important nutrients like iron. Drinking too much cow's milk can also lead to iron deficiency anemia.
It's best to serve milk with meals or snacks to avoid filling up on milk between meals (reducing their appetite and intake at mealtimes).
Sample schedule for 1-year-old (2 naps/day, 16-oz milk/day):
- 7:30 a.m.: breakfast with 6-oz whole milk
- 9:30 a.m.: snack with water
- 10-11 a.m.: Nap #1
- 11:30 a.m.: lunch with water
- 1-2:30 p.m.: Nap #2
- 3 p.m.: snack with 4-oz whole milk
- 5:30 p.m.: dinner with water
- 7 p.m.: 6-oz milk before bedtime
Sample schedule for 1-year-old (1 nap/day, 16-oz milk/day):
- 7:30 a.m.: breakfast with 6-oz whole milk
- 9:30 a.m.: snack with water
- 11:30 a.m.: lunch with 4-oz whole milk
- 12-2:30 p.m.: nap
- 3 p.m.: snack with water
- 5:30 p.m.: dinner with water
- 7 p.m.: 6-oz milk before bedtime
In Summary
Starting at 12 months, your child may be ready to make the transition from formula or breast milk to cow's milk (or other milk of choice). The change should be made gradually to avoid discomfort and allow their gastrointestinal tract to adjust. A maximum of 24-oz of milk should be served per day. Milk should be served with meals or snacks to avoid filling up on milk between mealtimes.
About the Author
Hannah Hargrove, RDN, CLC, is a pediatric nutrition expert with a passion for empowering parents. As a RDN (registered dietitian nutritionist) and CLC (certified lactation counselor), she spent years guiding families on infant and toddler nutrition. Now, after experiencing motherhood firsthand, Hannah has transitioned to a more educational role. You can find her evidence-based advice on Instagram (@tinyeatersnutrition) and her website (tinyeaters.co). Hannah's mission is to bridge the healthcare gap by providing accessible, practical nutrition education for busy parents.