Many parents give their baby infant formula milk alongside or instead of breastfeeding. Giving formula alongside breastfeeding, either just for a few days or over the longer term, is called mixed or combined feeding.
Got questions about using formula milk or combining breastfeeding and formula feeding? Just want to chat about how any aspect of feeding your baby is going? You can contact the National Breastfeeding Helpline or look for a local peer support group in your area.
Formula milk is processed, powdered cows’ milk, which has been treated to make it suitable for babies (sometimes goats’ milk is used instead of cows’ milk). In the UK, legal regulations specify the basic ingredients that all infant formulas must contain to ensure that they provide adequate nutrition for babies. This means that all formula milks have the same basic composition. There is no evidence that expensive formulas are better for babies than cheaper ones. There is lots of useful information on the First Steps Nutrition website about choosing an infant formula.
The majority of babies who are formula-fed or mixed-fed in their first year should be given a first infant milk (sometimes called first stage or stage 1 milk). Follow on, toddler or growing-up milks are not necessary and are not recommended. After their first birthday, babies don’t need infant formula. They can drink whole cows’ milk, as well as continuing to breastfeed if you want to.
It is important that formula milk is made up safely, carefully following the guidelines about how much powder and water to use. There is lots of information about making up infant formula on the NHS Start for Life website
Important points to remember:
- Bottles should be made up using freshly boiled water of at least 70°C. Boil a litre of fresh tap water in the kettle and allow it to cool for no more than 30 minutes. This ensures that the water is hot enough to kill any harmful bacteria in the powdered formula milk.
- Always use the correct amount of formula milk powder to make up a bottle. Using too much or too little powder can cause babies to become ill.
- Bottles and teats should be sterilised before every use.
Feeding your baby can be a lovely opportunity for spending quiet time together and getting to know each other. Ideally, just one or two main caregivers would give most of the feeds to your baby in the first few weeks so that you have time to bond and build a close relationship. This also makes sure everyone is feeding your baby in the same way.
You do not need a specific feeding schedule. Instead, it is good to look for feeding cues from your baby and to feed them when they are hungry. Look out for signs that they have had enough milk and don’t force them to finish a bottle. There is more information about responsive feeding, feeding cues and paced bottle feeding on the Best Start in Life website. This information is useful if you are feeding your baby infant formula milk or giving expressed breastmilk in a bottle.
More information about making up infant formula safely and responsive bottle feeding
Bottle feeding your baby – Best Start in Life – NHS
Feeding your baby – Best Start in Life – NHS
Making up infant formula – NHS
Formula feeding – Parentclub Scotland
Responsive bottle feeding – UNICEF