Bottle-feeding and formula

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• Every formula you can buy in Australia meets strict Australian Standards.
• Research suggests that standard baby formula made from cow's milk is better than soy formula (because consuming high levels of soy can have potential risks for young children).
• If you think your baby is allergic to cow’s milk formula, talk to your doctor.
• You can pay more for formula with added ingredients, but there is no significant evidence that these formulas are better.

Infant formula is not the same thing as the cow’s milk that adults drink: all formula has added vitamins and enzymes and different fats that babies need, and which they can’t get from straight cow’s milk; this is why experts say you shouldn't feed cow's milk to your baby. 

Some expensive formulas have special additional ingredients, ditto with soy formula that has important nutrients that your baby can’t get from soy milk for adults.

Infant formulas are most commonly available in powder form. The formula is prepared by adding the powder to cooled boiled water. Up until the age of 12 months it’s very important to sterilise bottles and teats so that the formula doesn’t become contaminated with any bacteria that might make your baby sick. Read more about how to mix formula and sterilise equipment.

There is a range of cow’s milk formulas on the supermarket shelves, but most of them are of similar quality and nutritional value (although there is some evidence that suggests formula with added LCPs, naturally found in breastmilk, assists in brain development). Just because a brand is more expensive, that doesn’t mean it’s better for your baby. A hospital’s use of a particular brand of formula does not mean that brand is the ‘best’.

Soy formula and allergies

The National Health and Medical Research Council recommends regular formula over soy milk formula for most infants. They raise concerns about phytoestrogen compounds in soy formula which may affect the growing neuro-endocrine systems and immune system. However, there is no compelling research to either prove or disprove that these compounds harm infants. If you are vegan and want a vegan diet for your child then soy formula will provide your child with all necessary nutrients.

Some infants are allergic to both cow's milk and formula. If you think your baby has an allergy talk to your doctor before switching to a different formula.

Formula with LCPs, betacarotene and probiotics

Some formula has other elements – LCPs (important for brain development), betacarotene or probiotics – added to make it closer in composition to breastmilk. However, having the same ingredients doesn’t necessarily mean it will work in your baby’s body the same way breastmilk does.

Formulas with LCPs, beta-carotene or probiotics added might be more expensive.

• LCPs are important for brain and nerve development. There is no clear evidence that babies can (or cannot) absorb ingredients such as LCPs when they are added to formula, although research has shown that formula with added LCPs may be helpful for premature babies’ development.
  
• Beta-carotene is a source of vitamin A and of anti-oxidants. Most formulas already have added vitamin A and anti-oxidants. There is no real evidence that beta-carotene formulas are better for your baby.
  
• Added probiotics can help formula-fed babies grow healthy bacteria in their bowels. The bacteria may help your baby have softer poo and less nappy rash, and may reduce the chance of gastroenteritis. 

Changing formula

Once you’ve settled on a formula for your baby, it’s better not to change too often, as this may upset your baby’s feeding routine. Even at six months you don't need to change your baby's formula to a 'follow-on formula' (for six months or older). Once he’s started on a diet of healthy solids, he’ll be getting all the nutrients he needs from those and his original formula. For more information on starting solids, see when to introduce solids.

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