Frequently Asked Questions

Breast milk is the best source of nutrition for healthy babies as it contains the right balance of nutrients for infants and also anti-infective agents which help protect the baby against infection. 

Breast milk also confers immunological advantages which may reduce the incidence of illness and which may extend into later childhood. 

Breast milk may also reduce the risk of development of allergies in those where there is a family history of allergy.  It has also been shown to be beneficial for mothers as it can help prevent post-partum haemorrhages.  It is also hygienic, convenient and free.

The first baby milk was developed by Henri Nestlé in Switzerland in 1904. It was very different from today's infant formulas and was made from dried full cream and half cream milk.

The raw materials used in the manufacture of baby milks and the final product itself must meet very strict specifications and high standards. 

The manufacturing process involves thorough heat treatment which ensures the microbiological safety of the product. Quality control procedures are very strict and stringent standards of hygiene are in force throughout. Levels of contaminants are kept to an absolute minimum complying with national and/or international recommendations. By law pesticide residues must be below 1 part per billion and are usually either absent or at levels so low they cannot be detected. Rigorous tests for shelf-life, microbiological safety, nutrient levels and suspected contaminants are carried out.

Yes. 

Infant formula as the sole source of nutrition is the only safe alternative to breast milk for babies provided that the manufacturer's preparation and storage instructions are followed correctly.

When a mother cannot, or chooses not to, breastfeed, infant formula is the only safe alternative. 

Infant formulas should be used for non-breastfed babies from birth, when they do not receive breast milk..  They are a nutritionally complete food for a bottle fed baby. In addition infant formula can be used to supplement breastfeeding where necessary. Stage 1 infant formula, or whey based formula, should be used initially.   If the baby appears unsatisfied after a feed a 'Hungrier' baby milk formula can be offered which is richer in casein protein.  A GP or other health professional can give advice.

Soya infant formulas should only be used on the advice of a GP or other health professional. 

The Department of Health advises that they should not be used as the first choice of formula but recognises, that there may be circumstances where soya infant formulas may be needed, for example for infants of vegetarian or vegan parents who are not breastfeeding or infants who find the alternatives unacceptable.

Before making up infant formula, all bottles and teats must be cleaned and sterilised. 

Most infant formulas are powders which must be prepared and stored according to the manufacturer's instructions. The Department of Health have also issued guidance about the preparation of infant formula which can be found on their website (http://www.dh.gov.uk)

Ordinary tap water is best, taken fresh from the cold tap, but if this is not available some types of bottled water are suitable such as those with low mineral contents. If the label says the sodium content is less than 200mg per litre, and the fluoride content is less than 1.5mg per litre this water is safe for your baby.   Most bottled waters are well below 200mg sodium per litre, but it is best to check the label.

Some types of artificially softened water may not be suitable for babies. If there are any doubts it is best to check with the manufacturer or your healthcare professional before using. But remember whatever type of water you use, you should always follow the manufacturer's instructions when making up the feed.

For hygiene reasons, the water used to make up feeds needs to be sterile. Bottles and teats should also be sterilised either in a steam steriliser or using boiling water or water sterilisation tablets.  This ensures that any undesirable bacteria that might be present are destroyed by the heat.

In rare incidences, cases of dental caries have arisen from prolonged ad lib breastfeeding and inappropriate bottle feeding. This is because both breast milk and infant formulas contain sugars, either in the form of lactose, or in the case of soya infant formulas, glucose syrups. 

Any sugar-containing fluid has the potential to cause dental health problems but some protection against dental caries is provided by the calcium and phosphorus content of infant formulas as well as from the fluoride in the water used to make up the feed. Duration and frequency of feeding are important factors in reducing the risk of dental caries and current advice is that babies should never be left alone with a bottle and should be encouraged to drink from a beaker or cup as soon as they are ready to make the change. Bottles should never be used as comforters. 

Companies include reminders on packs about safe bottle feeding, but if concerned parents should also seek health professional or dental advice.

Always follow manufacturers' instructions about how to make up and store infant feeds. 

Formula powder isn’t sterile, so occasionally it could contain harmful bacteria, which could make babies ill. Using water that is 70°C, or higher, will kill any harmful bacteria in the powder.  In practice, this means boiling at least 1 litre of water in a kettle and leaving it to cool for no more than half an hour.

Ready-to-feed liquid formula, sold in cartons, doesn’t need to be mixed and is sterile. But it is more expensive to buy than formula powder.

Further information is available from the Food Standards Agency. FSA advice on making up infant formula.

Very important. 

The industry plays an important role in improving infant and young child health through its substantial investment in research and development. Much of the present knowledge of the benefits of breast milk is a direct result of research supported by the industry. The results of this research are used to further our knowledge of infant nutrition and, in turn, to develop new products and improve existing products for the benefit of those babies who are not fed breast milk.

There are strict controls on where baby milk companies can advertise infant formulas. For example, direct advertising to consumers is prohibited, and this includes TV, radio, newspapers, parent craft and baby magazines. 

Advertising infant formula to health professionals in professional journals is permitted because it is important to keep health professionals informed about new product developments so that they can advise mothers accordingly. Trade advertising is also permitted to inform pharmacists and retailers of latest product developments and prices.

Follow-on formulas were developed as an alternative to cows' milk for infants during the weaning period.

They were developed in response to concerns about iron deficiency and because cows' milk is not recommended as a main drink for infants under one year.  Cows' milk contains virtually no iron and very little vitamin D.  As a replacement for cows' milk they can provide a nutritional safety net for those infants at risk of iron deficiency and anaemia.

The restrictions on advertising follow-on formulas are not the same as for infant formulas. This is because follow-on formulas are not breast milk substitutes. 

Advertising of follow-on formulas is a useful way to draw attention to the fact that they are a more suitable alternative to doorstep cows' milk as the main milk drink during weaning.  Since the introduction of follow-on formulas in the early 1990's the introduction of cows' milk as a drink (which is low in iron and vitamin D) has dramatically decreased.