Formula milk is also known as 'first infant formula' or 'baby formula'. It's usually made from cows' milk that is treated to make it more suitable for your baby.
You can give your baby first instant formula until they are 12 months old. First infant formula normally has a large number 1 on the packet.
It does not matter which brand of first infant formula you buy or at what price. They are all the same. The cheapest brand is just as good as the most expensive. They will all meet your baby's nutritional needs.
There are other types of formula milk, such as follow-on formula. We do not recommend follow-on formula. It has no benefits for your baby.
Warning
Do not use soy formula for babies under 6 months unless your GP or paediatrician recommends this.
Do not give a baby under the age of 12 months any of these as a drink:
- cow milk
- sheep milk
- goat milk
- condensed milk
- oat milk
- almond milk
- rice milk
Cows milk can be added to your baby's food when introducing solids (weaning) from around 6 months.
Why use formula milk
You might use formula milk if:
- breastfeeding did not go as planned
- you want to do combination feeding (breast milk and formula milk)
- you are unable to breastfeed your baby - this can include practical and health-related reasons
- you decide to formula feed only
- you have stopped breastfeeding
Formula milk gives your baby the nutrients they need to grow and develop. But it does not have the same health benefits as breast milk. For example, it cannot protect your baby from infections.
Support for breastfeeding
You can get support if you want to breastfeed but are having difficulties.
Talk to your midwife, public health nurse (PHN) or a lactation consultant. They can give you advice on all feeding options. This includes trying breastfeeding again, if it is an option for you.
Use first infant formula for your baby
First infant formula is recommended for newborns. You can use this type until your baby is 12 months old.
First infant formula comes as either a:
- ready-to-feed liquid
- powdered formula that you mix with cooled boiled water
You will be given liquid formula in the hospital. It is sterile and convenient. You are more likely to use powdered formula at home. But you can get ready-to-feed formula to use at home.
It is important to read the storage information on the pack. When opened they usually need to be used within a limited time. This can be different depending on the brand.
The cows' milk in formula contains 2 types of proteins - whey and casein. First infant formula is based on whey protein, which is easier to digest.
First infant formula will normally have a large number 1 on the packet. It does not matter which brand you buy or at what price. They are all the same. The cheapest brand will meet your baby's nutritional needs just as well as the most expensive.
After 12 months
Your baby can have whole pasteurised cow milk when they are 12 months or older.
We do not recommend switching to follow-on formula.
By 12 months they should also be introduced to solid foods. This is called weaning. It should begin when your baby is about 6 months old.
Other types of formula milk
Other types of formula milk found in shops include:
- goat milk formula
- hungry baby milk
- comfort milk
follow-on formula
Important
Talk to your PHN or GP before changing your baby's infant formula, such as to goat milk formula or hungry baby milk.
You do not need to talk to them if you are just changing from one brand to another.
Goat milk formula
Goat milk formula is also suitable from birth.
This formula is available in pharmacies and most supermarkets. It is a first infant goat milk formula.
It is produced and regulated to the same nutritional standards as formula made from cows' milk.
Goat milk formula is not suitable for infants with cow milk allergy (also called cow milk protein allergy). This is because the proteins in the goats' milk formula and cows' milk formula are very similar.
Hungry baby milk
Hungry baby formula contains more casein than whey. Casein is a protein that is harder for babies to digest.
This type of formula milk is often described as suitable for hungrier babies. But there is no evidence that babies settle better or sleep longer with it.
Hungry baby milk is suitable from birth, but ask your PHN for advice first.
Comfort milk
Do not use comfort milks without speaking to your GP or PHN first.
Comfort milks are a type of formula milk. The labels often say they are made to help medical conditions, such as colic or constipation. But there is no evidence that they work.
Some comfort milks have ingredients that can damage your baby's developing teeth. They could also lead to higher than normal weight gain.
Follow-on formula
We do not recommend switching to follow-on formula. It has no benefits for your baby. Companies make follow-on formulas to advertise their brand.
Never feed follow-on formula to babies under 6 months 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. Follow-on formulas normally have a large number 2 on the packet.
Important
Ask your midwife, PHN or GP about giving formula milk to your newborn baby.
Check with them if you are considering changing your baby's formula.