Formula Milk

Infant formula is an industrially produced milk product designed for consumption by babies. Usually based on either cow or soy milk, infant formula attempts to duplicate the nutrient content of natural human breast milk (although it lacks the antibodies present in breast milk which help to guard the baby against infection and illness).

There are two main types of protein in all milk. Casein proteins separate out when milk curdles in the stomach (which is normal) but whey proteins stay in the liquid. First stage formula milks are mainly whey-based. Milks sold for older or ‘hungrier’ babies are mainly casein-based. These may make a baby feel full for longer and he may therefore sleep longer but this is because his body has to work harder to digest casein.

Increasingly, manufacturers make claims about different additives to formula milks: for example DHA and ARA fatty acids (LCPs) are claimed to improve eyesight and intelligence. There is no evidence to prove that just because these substances are added, babies can absorb them or use them in this form to give the stated benefits. Similarly there are claims being made about prebiotics and nucleotides.

The British Dietetic Association strongly discourages using soya formula milk unless you are advised to do so by a doctor, because they are based on glucose rather than lactose and that aluminium and phyto-oestrogen levels are too high. The Department of Health does not recommend goat’s milk formula. There are formulas that can be prescribed by paediatricians for babies with health problems related to cow’s milk proteins.

Recent research has shown that powdered formula milks can be contaminated by bacteria (mainly Enterobacter sakazakii and salmonella) during the manufacturing process. Although the chances of a baby becoming infected seem to be extremely low (with only about 50 cases reported worldwide), for the few babies who do become ill the consequences can be serious and lead to life threatening illnesses such meningitis and septicaemia.

It is very important that you make up formula milk safely. Cleaning and sterilizing all equipment before use, boiling a safe amount of water and leaving it cool down to no less than 70oC, adding the exact amount of formula using the scoop provided are just a few of the many do’s and don’ts for making up formula milk safely.