Formula feeding

Infant formula milk can be used as an alternative to breast milk. Your midwife will discuss your feeding options and preferences with you.

Infant formula milk

Infant formula milk usually comes in powder form. It is mostly cow’s milk that has been specially treated so that babies can digest it, and it has the right balance of vitamins and minerals for a baby.

Infant formula powders are not sterile, so it is important to clean and sterilise bottles and teats properly before giving them to your baby. The Department of Health has produced a leaflet to help you understand how to prepare feeds safely, click below:-

Bottle Feeding (Department of Health)

Ordinary cow’s milk, condensed milk, evaporated milk, dried milk, goat’s milk, or any other type of milk should never be given to a baby. They are not suitable. If you have any worries about the infant formula milk you are giving your baby, talk to your midwife, health visitor or GP.

There are a number of different brands of infant formula milk available in the shops. Ready-to-feed infant formula milks in cartons are also available in some places. This is generally more expensive than powdered milk but may be useful in an emergency or if you’re away from home. Once opened, the carton should be stored in the fridge and thrown away after 24 hours.

Although formula milk contains vitamins, you may be advised to give your baby vitamin drops from the age of six months onwards, or earlier in some special cases. You can buy these drops at any pharmacy. Healthy Start vitamin drops are available from some children's centres and child health clinics.

Other formulas

If you have chosen to bottle feed, but your baby is allergic to infant formula, your GP can prescribe a formula containing extensively hydrolysed protein. Only use soya-based formula on the advice of your GP. Babies can grow out of allergies, so it may be possible to introduce cow’s milk into your baby’s diet as he or she gets older. Don't make any changes to your baby’s diet without first seeking advice from your GP or health visitor.

Other milks

Baby milks and follow-on milks based on goat’s milk protein are not suitable for babies and have not been approved for use in Europe. If you are currently using goat’s milk formula, seek advice from your GP or health visitor. Other milks based on rice, oats, almonds, etc are also not suitable and should not be used.

Bottles and teats

You’ll need about six bottles and teats. This is to make sure that you always have at least one or two bottles clean, sterilised and ready for use. Ask your midwife, health visitor or other mothers if you want advice on what kind to buy. You should always buy new teats and, if possible, new bottles.

Check regularly to ensure the bottles are in good condition. If they’re badly scratched, you won’t be able to sterilise them properly. If in doubt, ask your midwife or health visitor for advice.