Formula Feeding Your Baby: What WIC Offers

Every family's feeding journey is different. Whether you offer breast milk, formula, or a combination of both, WIC is here to provide information, resources, and support to help you feed your baby safely.

Breast milk is recommended when possible because of its numerous health benefits, while formula is a safe and important option for many families.

Standard Formulas Offered by Colorado WIC

If you are formula feeding, WIC staff can help you understand which WIC-approved formulas are available for your baby. Please note, you can only purchase the exact can size and number of cans listed on your food benefits.

Enfamil Infant is Colorado WIC’s primary standard formula and works well for most babies. If you have concerns about how your baby is doing with this formula, talk with WIC staff or your baby’s healthcare provider about other WIC-approved formula options listed below.  

Enfamil Infant Formula Can
Enfamil Infant
  • Milk-based.
  • Iron-fortified.
  • Recommended as the first choice for healthy infants.
Enfamil ProSobee Formula Can
Enfamil ProSobee
  • Soy-based.
  • Used for lactose intolerance, galactosemia, or allergy to cow’s milk protein.
Enfamil Gentalease Formula Can
Enfamil Gentlease
  • Milk-based.
  • Iron-fortified.
  • Used for fussiness or gas.
Enfamil Reguline 12.4oz
Enfamil Reguline
  • Milk-based.
  • Includes prebiotics and partially broken down proteins.
  • Used for constipation.
Enfamil AR 12.9oz can
Enfamil A.R.
  • Milk-based with added rice starch.
  • Used for spit up and GERD.

Medical Formulas

If your baby has a medical condition and cannot tolerate standard WIC formulas, Colorado WIC can provide certain medical formulas with a qualifying medical diagnosis and a completed prescription using our Physician Authorization Form.

To receive a medical formula:

  • Medical Need: Your baby must have a qualifying medical condition. The Physician Authorization Form lists medical conditions that qualify for a medical formula.
  • Prescription Required: A healthcare provider licensed to write prescriptions in Colorado must fill out the Physician Authorization Form.
  • WIC Approval: A WIC dietitian or nurse must review and approve the Physician Authorization Form before the medical formula can be added to your benefits. 

Have questions about medical formulas or the Physician Authorization Form? Contact your local WIC clinic to speak with a WIC dietitian or nurse. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I breastfeed and use formula?

Yes! Any amount of breast milk has health benefits for your baby, and the longer you can give breast milk, the better! However, combination feeding can decrease how much milk you make. 

If you would like to feed your baby both breast milk and formula, WIC can provide information and support. For tips, check out our Combination Feeding webpage. 

How do I prepare my baby’s formula?

Always follow the mixing instructions on the formula container carefully. Using the correct amount of water and formula is important for your baby's health. Always add water to the bottle first, then the formula powder. For additional information on safely preparing and storing infant formula, see our Preparing Infant Formula booklet. 

What is paced bottle feeding, and should I try it?

Paced bottle feeding is a way of feeding that lets your baby control how fast they drink from the bottle. It can help your baby notice when they are full, avoid eating too much, and have less tummy trouble. It also makes bottle feeding more like breastfeeding. 

Try paced bottle feeding whenever you give your baby a bottle, whether it has breast milk or formula. Check out our Paced Bottle Feeding webpage for step-by-step instructions and helpful tips. 

What can I expect if my baby needs to change formula brands?

Most babies can switch between similar types of infant formulas without any problems. When starting a new formula, you may want to buy one or two cans at first to make sure it works well for your baby. 

During the first few days on a new formula, your baby may have slight changes in stool color, spit up a bit more, or drink slightly less. These changes can be normal and usually improve in a few days. If you have any concerns, contact your WIC clinic or the baby’s healthcare provider.

Why does WIC only offer certain brands of formula?

Federal law requires each state WIC agency to contract with one formula manufacturer to lower costs, allowing WIC to stretch its funds and serve as many families as possible. Colorado WIC currently contracts with Mead Johnson, the maker of Enfamil, to provide standard formulas.

WIC can only provide the exact formulas that are part of the contract, and cannot provide other sizes or types, even if they are made by Mead Johnson. Most babies do well with the standard formulas Colorado WIC provides. If you have questions or concerns about your baby's formula, please talk with WIC staff. They can help you understand which WIC formula options may be appropriate for your baby. 

If your baby has a medical condition and cannot tolerate standard WIC formulas, Colorado WIC can provide certain medical formulas with a qualifying medical diagnosis. See the Medical Formulas section above for more information.

Why does baby formula contain corn syrup solids? Does Colorado WIC offer formulas without them?

Some infant formulas contain corn syrup solids as a source of easily digestible carbohydrates. They’re mainly used in lactose-free or low-lactose formulas for babies who have trouble digesting regular cow’s milk sugar found in other formulas. 

Corn syrup solids are different from high-fructose corn syrup, which is commonly found in soda and candy.  Colorado WIC standard formulas without corn syrup solids:

  • Enfamil Infant
  • Enfamil A.R.

Note: Enfamil Gentlease, Enfamil Reguline, and Enfamil ProSobee contain corn syrup solids or corn syrup to aid in digestion. Some medical formulas provided with a prescription also contain corn syrup solids, while others do not.