Breastmilk is nature's perfect baby food. But if you can’t breastfeed, or if you’ve chosen not to, formula milk is the next best thing. Scientists and medical experts have spent years developing high-quality formula milks that will provide your baby with the nutrition she needs.
When you’re deciding which formula is right for your baby, you will need to take several factors into consideration. Think about her health and dietary needs, her age, and the cost and preparation time of different formula milks. Our guide to formula milks will help you to choose the right type for your baby.
What types of formula milk are there?
There are three different types of formula:
cow’s milk-based formula
hydrolysed protein formula
soya-based formula
It’s most likely your baby can have cow’s milk-based formula, unless there’s a health or dietary reason why she can’t. Read on to find out more about these types of formula milk.
Cow’s milk-based formula
Most baby formula milks are based on cow's milk, which is modified to resemble breastmilk as closely as possible. Manufacturers modify cow's milk for babies by adjusting carbohydrate, protein, and fat levels and adding vitamins and minerals. There are also special types of formula manufactured for premature babies.
The protein in milk can be broken down into curds (casein) and whey. The ratio of casein to whey can vary according to the type of baby formula milk. There are two main types:
First-stage formula. These milks consist of mostly whey, with a casein:whey ratio of 40:60, which is about the same as breastmilk. They are suitable for your baby from birth up to about a year, and are thought to be easier to digest.
Second-stage formula. These milks consist of mostly casein, with a casein:whey ratio of 80:20. They take longer to digest and are often promoted as being for hungrier babies.
Nutritionally, your baby will only need first-stage formula, although you may decide to move your baby onto second-stage formula as she grows.
Be cautious when changing your baby’s milk. Switching from first to second-stage milk too early can give your baby constipation. Although many milk manufacturers market their second-stage milk as suitable from birth, it’s best to wait until your baby is at least four weeks old. If your baby doesn’t seem content with the formula you first started her on, talk to your paediatrician before changing formulas.
When your baby’s a year old, you can move her on from first or second-stage formula to cow's milk. Cow’s milk is not recommended as a main drink for babies under the age of one because it’s low in iron and vitamin C. But you can use small amounts in cooking for your baby when she’s started solids, or on her breakfast cereal.
Hydrolysed-protein formula
This is a formula milk which is specially designed for babies with an allergy or intolerance to cow's milk. If your baby has a cow’s milk allergy, the protein in the milk will cause an allergic reaction. And if she has an intolerance to cow’s milk, she will have difficulty digesting the lactose, or sugar, in the milk.
Hydrolysed-protein formula milks are based on cow's milk and have the same nutritional value as standard formula milk. But the protein in the milk is hydrolysed, which means it is broken down so your baby is less likely to react to it. These milks are also generally lactose-free, so babies with an intolerance to cow’s milk can digest them easily.
If you think your baby has a cow's milk allergy or intolerance, see your family doctor or paediatrician. Your doctor will be able to prescribe a hydrolysed-protein formula for your baby. You can buy these from your pharmacy, too. You can also buy special lactose-free formulas, which your doctor may suggest if your baby has a lactose intolerance.
Soya-based formula
Soya-based formula is made from soya beans. It is modified with vitamins, minerals and nutrients to make it suitable for formula milk.
Only give your baby soya-based formula on the advice of your family doctor or paediatrician. Even though manufacturers market their soya formulas as suitable for babies from birth, health professionals don't recommend them for babies under six months.
It's not recommended that your baby has soya formula if she has a cow’s milk allergy. Babies who are allergic to cow's milk are often allergic to soya, too.
There is also no evidence that changing to a soya-based formula can help to soothe your baby if she is unsettled or colicky. Your baby may be colicky because she’s intolerant to lactose, and so a lactose-free formula is best if this is the case. Ask your doctor for advice if you think your baby has an allergy or intolerance to cow’s milk.
There are no particular health benefits that your baby would get from soya formula compared to other formula milks. In fact, soya formula milks can actually damage your baby’s teeth over time, because they contain glucose syrup. If you do give your baby soya milk, you’ll have to take extra special care of her teeth.
What kind of formula milk does my older baby need?
There are cow's milk formulas that are marketed for babies from six months, because they are high in iron which growing babies need. However, these milks are not nutritionally necessary. Your baby will be getting the iron and other nutrients she needs from her solid foods. There’s no need to switch to a different milk if your baby is happy with breastmilk or her usual formula.
Milks marketed for older babies include:
Follow-on milks
These are milks with higher protein and mineral content than ordinary infant formula. They are sold as suitable for babies from six months old. Follow-on milks are advertised as more nutritious than cow's milk, because they contain added iron, vitamins and minerals. However, bear in mind that cow's milk is not a suitable drink for your baby until she’s a year old anyway.
Growing-up milks
Growing-up milks are marketed at parents as being better than cow's milk because they contain added iron and other vitamins and minerals. They are promoted to be used for babies from about one year old.
However, growing-up milk isn’t needed, as once your baby’s a year old she can have full-fat cow's milk as her main drink. She’ll also be eating a varied and balanced diet, which should provide her with all the essential vitamins and minerals, without the need for growing-up milk.
These extra formula milks are not really necessary at all. Your baby can get all she needs as she grows by having her standard formula milk alongside calcium-rich and iron-rich foods. You can then move your baby onto cow’s milk when she’s a year old.
The only reason you may want to change your baby’s milk is if you’re raising her as a vegetarian. When your start her on solids from six months, you may find it difficult to find enough vegetarian foods that are rich in iron. So an iron-rich formula may be a good option.
What’s the cost and preparation time of formula milk?
Formula milk does take time to prepare. Depending on the sterilising method and the type of formula you use, washing up, sterilising and making up one bottle could take around 30 to 40 minutes. So if you give your baby six bottles a day, you could spend up to four hours a day preparing your baby’s formula feeds.
Most formula milks are sold as dry milk powder, packaged in tins. You make up the formula by adding scoops of the dried milk powder to cooled, boiled water.
Prices vary by brand, type, and retailer. You generally pay about the same for soya-based infant formulas and lactose-free formulas. Hydrolysed-protein formula usually costs more.
If your baby is a year old and can drink cow's milk, you may like to stop giving her formula milk. Formula milk is more expensive than cow's milk and you may find it a hassle to prepare. Cow’s milk just needs pouring into a beaker, and warming up, if your baby likes it that way.
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