Level 1: When can babies start drinking milk powder? For newborns, the best food is breast milk. But if the mother is unable to provide enough breast milk or the baby has special conditions, the doctor may recommend formula. According to the recommendations of the World Health Organization, babies should start sucking on the nipple within the first hour of life and rely exclusively on breast milk for the next 6 months. However, in some cases, your doctor may recommend waiting a few days or days after birth.