Types of formula

1. First infant formula (first milk) First infant formula is suitable from birth. ...
2. Goats' milk formula. This is suitable from birth. ...
3. Hungrier baby formula (hungry milk) ...
4. Anti-reflux (staydown) formula. ...
5. Comfort formula. ...
6. Lactose-free formula. ...
7. Hypoallergenic formula. ...
8. Follow-on formula.

First infant formula (first milk)

First infant formula is suitable from birth.

First infant formula (first milk) should always be the first formula you give
to your baby.
The cows' milk in formula contains 2 types of proteins – whey and casein.
First infant formula is based on whey protein which is thought to be easier
to digest than other types of formula.
Unless a midwife, health visitor or GP suggests otherwise, first infant
formula is the only formula your baby needs. Your baby can stay on it when
you start to introduce your baby's first solid foods at around 6 months and
they can drink it throughout their first year.
There's no evidence that switching to a different formula does any good or
harm. However, if you think a particular brand of formula disagrees with
your baby, talk to a midwife or health visitor. They can help you decide
whether to try a different type.

When your baby is 1 year old, they can start to drink whole cows' milk or
sheep's or goats' milk (as long as these milks are pasteurised).

Find out more about drinks and cups for babies and young children.
Goats' milk formula

This is suitable from birth.

Different kinds of goats' milk formula are available in pharmacies and

shops. They are produced to the same nutritional standards as cow's milk-
based formula.

Goats' milk formula is not less likely to cause allergies in babies than cows'
milk formula.

Goats' milk formulas are not suitable for infants with cows' milk allergy
(also known as cows' milk protein allergy), as the proteins they contain are
very similar.

Hungrier baby formula (hungry milk)

Hungrier baby formula (hungry milk) is suitable from birth, but ask a
midwife or health visitor for advice first.

This type of formula contains more casein than whey, and casein is harder
for babies to digest.

Although it's often described as suitable for "hungrier babies", there's no

evidence that babies settle better or sleep longer when fed this type of
formula.
Anti-reflux (staydown) formula

Anti-reflux (staydown) formula is suitable from birth but only under medical
supervision.

This type of formula is thickened with the aim of preventing reflux in babies
(when babies bring up milk during or after a feed).

Although it's available in pharmacies and supermarkets, it's recommended

you only use it on the advice of a health professional.

The instructions for making up anti-reflux formulas may be different to

standard formula. The usual guidelines for how to make up baby formula
recommend using boiled water that has stood for no more than 30
minutes, so that the temperature is still above 70C.

Some manufacturers of anti-reflux formula recommend making it up at

lower temperatures than are usually recommended. Otherwise it may get
lumpy. Follow the instructions on the pack or speak to a health professional
for advice.

It's important to take extra care when making up and storing these
products as powdered formula is not sterile and making it up at lower
temperatures will not kill any harmful bacteria it may contain.

Speak to a midwife, health visitor or GP if you have any concerns.

Comfort formula

Comfort formula is suitable from birth, but ask a midwife or health visitor
for advice first.

This type of formula contains cows' milk proteins that have already been
partly broken down (partially hydrolysed). This is supposed to make it
easier to digest and help prevent digestive problems such as colic and
constipation. However, there's no evidence for this.

Partially hydrolysed formula (comfort formula) is not suitable for babies

who have cows' milk allergy.

Lactose-free formula

Lactose-free formula is suitable from birth but only under medical

supervision.

This formula is suitable for babies who are lactose intolerant. This means
they cannot absorb lactose, which is a sugar that's naturally in milk and
dairy products.

Lactose intolerance is rare in babies. Symptoms include diarrhoea,

abdominal pain, wind and bloating.

Lactose-free formula is available in pharmacies and shops, but if you think

your baby may be lactose intolerant, it's important to speak to a midwife,
health visitor or GP.
Hypoallergenic formula

Hypoallergenic formula is suitable from birth but only under medical

supervision.

If your baby is diagnosed as being allergic to cows' milk, a GP will prescribe

an appropriate hypoallergenic infant formula with fully hydrolysed (broken
down) proteins.

Comfort formula is made from partly broken down (partially hydrolysed)

proteins. It's not suitable for babies with cows' milk allergy.

Follow-on formula

Follow-on formula is suitable from 6 months, but ask a health visitor for
advice first.

Follow-on formula should never be fed to babies under 6 months old.

Research shows that switching to follow-on formula at 6 months has no

benefits for your baby. Your baby can continue to have first infant formula
as their main drink until they are 1 year old.

The labels on follow-on formula can look very similar to those on first infant
formula. Read the label carefully to avoid making a mistake.
Soya formula

Soya formula is suitable from 6 months but only under medical supervision.

Soya formula is made from soya beans, not cows' milk. It's occasionally
used as an alternative to cows' milk formula for babies who have cows' milk
allergy.

There are some concerns about the fact that soya contains phytoestrogens.
These are found naturally in some plants.

The chemical structure of phytoestrogens is similar to the female hormone

oestrogen. Because of this, there are concerns that they could affect a
baby's reproductive development, especially in babies who drink only soya-
based infant formula.

Babies' low body weight means they take in much higher amounts of
phytoestrogens than older children or adults who eat soya products as part
of a varied and balanced diet.

Also, soya formula is more likely than cows' milk to harm a baby's teeth.

Only use soya formula if it has been recommended or prescribed by a

health visitor or GP.
Growing-up milk (toddler milk)

Growing-up milk (toddler milk) is suitable from 1 year, but ask a health
visitor for advice first.

Growing-up and toddler milks are marketed as an alternative to whole

cows' milk for toddlers and children over 1 year old. There's no evidence to
suggest that these products provide extra nutritional benefits for young
children.

Whole cows' milk is a suitable choice as a main drink for your child from age
1. Semi-skimmed cows' milk is a suitable main drink for children over 2 who
are eating a balanced diet.

Types of milk to avoid

Not all milk is suitable for feeding babies. You should never give the
following types of milk to a baby under 1 year:

condensed milk
evaporated milk
dried milk
goats' or sheep's milk (but it's fine to use them when cooking for your baby,
as long as they are pasteurised)
other types of drinks known as "milks", such as soya, rice, oat or almond
drinks
cows' milk as a drink (but it's fine to use it in cooking)
Name of brand milk

Goat Milk Hangry Milk

Comfort Lactose Free