For many parents, the decision to use formula whether it’s their first choice, following an unexpected challenge with breastfeeding, or in combination with breastfeeding for whatever reason can be accompanied by a mix of emotions. Feelings of guilt, doubt, and an overwhelming sense of confusion can often overshadow what on the surface seems like a simple decision. In a world saturated with misinformation, unsubstantiated claims, and hidden agendas, finding trustworthy, evidence-based advice can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack.
Here’s the truth: formula feeding is a valid and responsible choice. Parents deserve clear, accurate guidance on how to use formula safely and effectively without fear of judgment. That’s exactly what this guide aims to deliver. From understanding the different types of formula to recognizing marketing myths and unnecessary products, this will be the most comprehensive resource on formula feeding available delivered to you by me, a paediatrician, neonatologist and a lactation consultant with over 20 years of experience in infant care. I took great care to ensure that this guide offers an unrivaled appraisal of all the different formula types available on the supermarket shelves. It’s a long guide, but I felt it important not to chop it up into different blogs to save you the hassle of trying to look for what is relevant to you. It’s all right here! In this guide, I cover the following types of infant formula: Stage 1 formulas in all their varieties, Stage 2 (follow-on) formulas, toddler milks (stage 3), hungry baby formulas, goat milk formulas, soy-based formulas, comfort formulas, anti-reflux formulas, lactose-free formulas, and hydrolyzed formulas.
While topics like formula preparation and the use of formula prep machines will be explored in a future article, this guide lays the foundation for everything you need to know. You won’t find another resource like it—written with parents in mind, in a simple, relatable approach, and without the medical jargon that often leaves people feeling even more confused. Let’s start this journey together and empower you to make the best decisions for your baby.
What Are Infant Formulas?
Infant formula is a carefully designed alternative to breast milk. Predominantly derived from cow’s milk, it is modified to closely mimic the composition of breastmilk while meeting the nutritional needs of growing babies. While it can’t replicate the unique and bioactive properties of breast milk, formula milk is a safe and nutritionally complete option for parents who choose to use it, whether by necessity or preference. It contains all the essential nutrients babies need, including proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals. Some nutrients, such as iron, are added in higher quantities compared to breast milk to compensate for differences in how infants absorb these nutrients. Cow’s milk-based formula (and increasingly goat’s milk-based formula) is the only recommended alternative to breast milk as a primary source of milk nutrition during the first year of life.
Key components include:
Proteins: Typically a mix of whey and casein, the two primary proteins in milk, adjusted to aid digestion.
Fats: Often derived from vegetable oils and designed to provide essential fatty acids.
Carbohydrates: Primarily lactose, mimicking the carbohydrate found in breast milk.
Micronutrients: Added vitamins and minerals to meet infant dietary requirements
Despite strict regulations ensuring that all formulas meet the same basic nutritional standards, there are differences between brands. These differences largely stem from the inclusion of optional ingredients like nucleotides, long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPs), and probiotics or prebiotics. While these additions are often marketed as offering benefits for immune function, brain development, or gut health, the evidence supporting these claims is not always robust. Ultimately, these extras may contribute to branding and pricing differences but don’t necessarily indicate superior nutritional value (more on this below).
A key feature of formula composition is the balance of two primary milk proteins, whey and casein. Whey is a fast-digesting protein, making it gentler on an infant’s digestive system and less likely to cause discomfort. Breast milk naturally contains a higher proportion of whey, especially in the early months, which is why most standard infant formulas mimic this balance, aiming for a 60:40 ratio of whey to casein. In contrast, casein is a slower-digesting protein that forms a firmer curd in the stomach. Some formulas, such as “hungry baby” types, have a higher casein content, with the claim that they keep babies feeling full for longer. However, these formulas are harder to digest and may cause gastrointestinal discomfort in some infants (more on this also below!).
In essence, while all formulas are designed to support healthy growth and development, their differences often lie in marketing rather than in significant nutritional advantages. The carefully adjusted whey-to-casein ratio in most formulas mirrors breast milk to promote easy digestion, making standard formulas suitable for the majority of infants. This scientific foundation offers parents the reassurance that they are providing their baby with a safe and effective feeding option, free from unnecessary complexity or confusion.
Unsubstantiated Claims in Infant Formula Marketing
Infant formula companies often use marketing strategies that play on the emotional and financial investment of parents by introducing terms like "advanced," "pro," "gold," and "organic" to make their products appear superior and justify higher price tags. However, the reality is that these terms are more about branding than actual nutritional advantage.
The term "organic," for example, is used to suggest that the product is cleaner, safer, or healthier, but in the European Union, strict regulations ensure that all infant formulas, regardless of whether they are labelled organic, cannot contain detectable levels of pesticides. This means there is no significant safety or nutritional difference between organic and standard formulas, and the higher price of organic varieties is largely reflective of marketing and production practices rather than enhanced benefits for infants.
A recent study published in The BMJ sheds light on the widespread use of health and nutrition claims in the marketing of infant formula and the lack of robust scientific evidence supporting these assertions. The study reviewed 757 infant formula products marketed across 15 countries and found that a majority included at least one health-related claim, such as supporting brain development, boosting immunity, or aiding digestion. However, these claims often lack credible, independent scientific backing. The research found that only 26% of products with health claims provided references to scientific studies. Of these references, nearly 90% were associated with a high risk of bias (making their conclusions largely invalid), as they were frequently funded by formula companies or involved researchers with industry affiliations. Claims about specific ingredients, such as long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (linked to brain and eye development) or probiotics (claimed to aid digestion and immunity), were common, yet the evidence supporting these benefits was inconsistent and often weak. Another significant finding was the redundancy of claims. Different brands used similar claims for various ingredients, creating a confusing web of marketing strategies for parents. Some claims even lacked a clear connection to any specific ingredient, further emphasizing their marketing-driven nature rather than scientific accuracy. (Cheung, K. et al. (2023). Health and nutrition claims for infant formula: International cross-sectional survey. BMJ, 380, e071075.)
This pattern of misleading advertising not only confuses parents but can also lead them to spend more on products that do not deliver any measurable advantage. Parents should feel confident choosing a formula that fits their budget and aligns with their baby’s needs, knowing that all regulated formulas are designed to provide complete nutrition for infants. Now that we’ve got all of that out of the way, lets delve into the different types of formulas available on the markets (take a deep breath and jump right in with a cup of what ever you are having yourself!)