How to Switch From Similac to HiPP Formula: A Gentle Step-by-Step Guide (2026)

Short answer: Yes, most families can move a healthy baby from Similac to HiPP. All infant formulas sold in the U.S. must meet the same FDA nutrient minimums, and European formulas like HiPP are made to EU standards. The two keys are picking the HiPP line that matches your baby's age and needs, and making the change gradually. If your baby is on a specialty or prescription formula, talk to your pediatrician before switching.

Plenty of U.S. parents start on a familiar brand like Similac and later look at European organic options such as HiPP — often because they want organic ingredients, a lactose-first recipe, or simply a change for a fussy eater. Switching formula brands is common and, for a healthy full-term baby, usually straightforward. The questions that actually trip parents up are practical ones: which HiPP do I buy, how do I read the stages, and how do I change over without upsetting my baby's tummy?

This guide walks through all of it in plain language. It is educational, not medical advice — your pediatrician knows your baby best, especially if there is a medical reason your little one is on their current formula.

Can you switch from Similac to HiPP?

For a healthy, full-term baby with no diagnosed medical feeding needs, switching between cow's-milk-based formulas is generally fine. Every infant formula sold in the United States must meet the same FDA nutrient requirements for babies 0–12 months, so your baby isn't missing core nutrition by changing brands. European formulas such as HiPP are not reviewed by the FDA; instead they are produced to European Union standards, and U.S. families import them for personal use. Nutrient rules (for example, exact iron levels) and labeling can differ between the two systems, so it's always worth reading the current box.

The one group that should pause first: babies on a specialty or prescription formula — for example an extensively hydrolyzed or amino-acid formula for a diagnosed cow's milk protein allergy, or a formula your pediatrician specifically chose for reflux, prematurity, or a metabolic condition. In those cases the formula is doing a medical job, and you should talk with your pediatrician before changing anything. If you're curious whether importing European formula is even allowed, we cover that in our overview of whether European baby formula is legal in the USA.

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The biggest difference: stages vs. one-size formula

This is the part that confuses most switchers, so it's worth getting straight before you buy. In the U.S., Similac is typically sold as a single infant formula meant for the whole first year (0–12 months). HiPP, like most European brands, is sold in stages tied to your baby's age:

The ages on the box are a starting point, not an expiration date. Stage 1 is a complete formula for the entire first year, so there is no rush to "move up" the moment your baby turns 6 months — many parents stay on Stage 1 longer. If you'd like the full picture of when (and whether) to change stages, see our guide on when to switch baby formula stages, and for the newborn choice specifically, HiPP PRE vs. Stage 1.

So the first practical step is simply: how old is your baby right now? That tells you which stage to buy.

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Which HiPP line matches your Similac formula

Similac makes several versions, and parents often want the nearest HiPP equivalent. The table below is a general starting point by category — not a claim that any formula treats a condition. Recipes on both sides change over time, so always confirm against the current label, and keep your pediatrician in the loop for anything your baby was put on for a specific reason.

A note on the "gentle" options: a comfort, HA, or anti-reflux recipe is not a cure for colic, allergy, or reflux, and HiPP HA is only partially hydrolyzed — it is not a hypoallergenic formula for a diagnosed cow's milk protein allergy. These are feeding choices that some parents find suit their baby better, and responses vary from baby to baby. If your little one spits up often, our roundup of the best formula options for spit-up, including HiPP AR, explains how thickened formulas work, and our primer on what a comfort formula is and who it's for covers the gentler recipes.

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HiPP German vs. HiPP Dutch: which to pick

Most switchers start with HiPP's everyday organic formula, which comes in two popular versions. The quick version:

• HiPP German — HiPP's classic, widely available organic line with prebiotics and probiotics (HiPP calls this "Combiotik"). Stage 1 is a lactose-based recipe for 0–6 months.
• HiPP Dutch — a recipe with lactose as its carbohydrate source and no added starch. Its vegetable oil blend includes palm oil; check the ingredient panel on your current package. It comes in a larger 800g can.

Neither is "better" across the board — it comes down to what you're looking for and what your baby takes to. We break the two down side by side in HiPP Dutch vs. HiPP German, and if you want the UK version in the mix too, see which HiPP formula is best: German vs. Dutch vs. UK.

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How to switch gradually (step by step)

Some babies move straight from one cow's-milk formula to another with no fuss. But because the taste, smell, and texture of HiPP can differ from Similac, a gradual change gives your baby's palate and tummy time to adjust and makes any reaction easier to spot. A common, gentle approach over about a week:

A few practical pointers that make this go smoothly:

1. Prepare each formula separately, then combine the finished bottles. The two brands use different scoop sizes and water-to-powder ratios, so never mix the powders in one scoop. Measure each one using its own box's instructions, then pour the prepared amounts together. Our step-by-step guide to preparing European formula walks through the HiPP scoop and ratio.
2. Go at your baby's pace. The schedule above is a template, not a rule. If your baby is sensitive to change, stretch each step to two or three days. If they take to HiPP right away, you can move faster.
3. Change one thing at a time. Try not to start the formula switch the same week you introduce a new stage, start solids, or change bottles — it's easier to read your baby's response when only one variable changes.
4. Keep a little overlap on hand. Don't throw out the last of your Similac until the switch is complete, in case you want to slow down.

Because you buy only what you need for the transition, HiPP is sold here by the single can — so you can try one before committing to a case. If HiPP becomes your baby's everyday formula, Subscribe & Save 10% keeps it arriving on schedule.

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What to expect in the first week

A few changes are common and usually nothing to worry about when a baby moves to a new formula:

• Different poop. Color, firmness, and frequency often shift when the recipe changes — this is normal as your baby's gut adjusts. What's worth a call to the pediatrician is blood or mucus in the stool, or a change that comes with a fever.
• A short adjustment period. Some extra gas or a day or two of looser or firmer stools can happen during the changeover. Going gradually (above) usually keeps this mild.
• Taste testing. HiPP tastes and smells a little different from Similac, and some babies hesitate at first. The gradual mix helps here too.

When should you check in with your pediatrician? If you see signs that go beyond a brief adjustment — persistent vomiting, hives or a rash, significant diarrhea, blood in the stool, poor feeding, or anything that worries you — stop and call. Trust your instincts; you know your baby. (This article is general information and not a substitute for your pediatrician's advice.)

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Who HiPP is a good fit for

Parents often consider moving from Similac to HiPP when they want:

• Organic, EU-standard ingredients. HiPP is a certified organic line, which appeals to families looking for organic sourcing and no GMO ingredients.
• A lactose-first recipe. HiPP's early stages lead with lactose (the main carbohydrate in breast milk) rather than other sweeteners like corn syrup solids — a difference many switchers specifically look for. If that's your priority, what makes a formula most similar to breast milk is a helpful read.
• A clearly labeled oil blend. HiPP Dutch Stage 1 contains palm oil, rapeseed oil, and sunflower oil. It is not a palm-oil-free option.
• Hard-to-find specialty choices. From comfort and HA recipes to goat-milk formula, the European range is broader than most U.S. shelves — useful if you've been hunting for something specific.

It's also fair to name the trade-offs: European formula isn't FDA-reviewed, the stages take a little learning, and it's imported rather than picked up at the corner store. For many families those are easy trade-offs; for others, staying with a U.S. brand is the right call. If you're weighing the bigger picture, our overview of European organic formula vs. U.S. brands lays out both sides.

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Frequently asked questions

Do I have to switch gradually, or can I change over in one day?
Many healthy babies handle a direct switch between cow's-milk formulas fine. Going gradually over about a week is simply gentler on the tummy and makes any reaction easier to notice. If your baby is sensitive, slower is better.

Is HiPP FDA approved?
No infant formula is "FDA approved" — the FDA does not approve any infant formula before it's sold, including U.S. brands like Similac. U.S. formulas are regulated by the FDA to meet nutrient and safety requirements, while HiPP is made to European Union standards and imported for personal use. It isn't FDA-reviewed, so check the current label for specifics.

Which HiPP stage do I buy if my baby is 4 months old?
Stage 1 (or PRE) — both are from-birth formulas suitable through about 6 months. There's no need to jump to Stage 2 until your baby is around 6 months and starting solids, and even then it's optional since Stage 1 covers the whole first year.

Can I mix Similac and HiPP in the same bottle?
Prepare each formula separately using its own box's scoop and water ratio, then combine the two finished bottles. Don't mix the powders together with one scoop, because the brands use different measurements.

My baby's poop changed after switching — is that normal?
A change in color, texture, or frequency is common and usually just your baby's gut adjusting to a new recipe. Call your pediatrician if you see blood or mucus in the stool, or changes alongside a fever.

Will switching fix my baby's gas or reflux?
A new formula isn't a treatment for a medical issue, and results vary from baby to baby. Some parents find a comfort or anti-reflux style recipe suits their baby better, but if gas, spit-up, or discomfort is ongoing, your pediatrician is the right person to help you figure out why.

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Recommended HiPP formulas

Related articles

The bottom line

Moving your baby from Similac to HiPP is very doable: match the stage to your baby's age, pick the HiPP version that fits what you're looking for, and ease the change over about a week. Go gradually, change one thing at a time, and keep your pediatrician in the loop — especially if your baby is on a formula for a specific medical reason. Because HiPP is sold here by the single can with fast, tracked U.S. shipping (typically 2–5 business days), you can try one before you commit, and switch to Subscribe & Save 10% once it's your baby's everyday formula.

Sources

Nationwide Children's Hospital — How to Choose a Baby Formula (formula regulation, cow's-milk vs. sensitive vs. specialty, European formula not FDA-regulated).
U.S. Food & Drug Administration — Resources for Parents and Caregivers (Imported Infant Formula) (FDA regulation of U.S. infant formula and guidance on imported formula).
Product details and availability from current EuromallUSA listings; always confirm formulation on your box's current label, as recipes can change by market.