What’s in infant formula milk?

The only infant formula milk your baby needs is First Infant Formula (stage 1). The composition (ingredients) in all first infant formula brands are regulated by law. This means that all brands are nutritionally equivalent so the least expensive brand is just as nutritious for your baby as the most expensive brand.

 

What’s in the tin?

First infant formula (stage 1) is the only type of formula your baby needs from birth until they switch to cows milk at age 1. In the UK, the ingredients in all first infant formula brands are regulated by law. The standards are set out in The Infant Formula and Follow–on Formula Regulations 2007, which enact European Community Regulations 2006/141/EC and all manufacturers must comply, or their products will not be licenced for sale in the UK.

The regulations state which essential ingredients must be included in formula, and how much should be included. Any ingredient found to be essential for infant nutrition, or beneficial for healthy infant development and growth must be included in all formula brands by law. This means that all formula brands are nutritionally equivalent, and the least expensive brand is just as good for your baby as the most expensive brand.

The essential ingredients in baby formula include:

Protein

There are two main types of protein found in formula: whey and casein. Both types are found in breast milk, cows milk and other animal milks and are made up of all nine essential amino acids a baby needs. First infant formula is usually whey based as breastmilk contains more whey than casein, particularly after birth. It is also thought by some that whey is more easily digested. Follow-on and growing up milks contain more casein, reflecting the change in whey:casein ratio that occurs in breast milk throughout lactation.

Hydrolysed, or partially hydrolysed formulas are specialist prescribed milks where the proteins have been broken down by the process of hydrolysis (hence their name) to help infants with protein intolerance digest them more easily.

Carbohydrate

Carbohydrates are chains of simple sugars that provide energy. The most common simple sugar found in first infant formula is lactose, which is the main carbohydrate found in breastmilk. As with protein, the quantity of carbohydrate in formula is based on the quantity found in breastmilk and lactose is the main one, making up over 95% of the total sugars. However, other suitable carbohydrates may be added to first infant formula, including glucose, maltodextrin, pre-cooked corn starch or glucose syrup.

Fat

Fatty acids are included in formula milk as they are vital for growth and brain development. These molecules also help babies absorb vitamins and minerals. Two polyunsaturated fatty acids included in first infant formula milk are docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and arachidonic acid (ARA). In 2020, DHA was made a mandatory ingredient in all infant formulas as there was good evidence it has a positive impact on brain development and growth..

Micro-nutrients:

All first infant formula milks are fortified with vitamins and minerals.

As iron is vital for the building blocks of red blood cells, which help carry oxygen around our bodies, all first infant formula milks contain approximately 0.5mg per 100mls. Follow on and growing up milks contain a higher amount of iron, approximately 1mg per 100mls. However, too much iron can be dangerous for babies, which is why follow-on milks are unsuitable for babies under 6 months old.

Calcium is required for bone development and the amount of calcium in infant formula varies between 50mg to 80mg per 100mls, compared to around 30mg per 100mls of breastmilk.

A number of essential vitamins and minerals are included in all first infant formula milks to support growth and development. For example, vitamin A supports visual development and immunity, vitamins B1 and B6 are required for brain and nervous system development, and vitamin C is needed for healthy bones, muscles and connective tissues.

If your baby is drinking more than 500ml of infant formula a day, there is no requirement to give them vitamin drops in addition to their milk.

What other ingredients may be included?

In addition to the essential ingredients, first infant formula can also contain additional ingredients. These ingredients are often included because they are found in breast milk, in an attempt to replicate breast milk composition as closely as possible. At present, there is no evidence that any of these additional ingredients provide benefits for your baby, although it is important to note they are not harmful either. They often add an additional cost, making products which contain them more expensive.

  1. Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMO): These are complex sugars that are found in human breast milk which act on the gut microbiome.

  2. Prebiotics: A form of indigestible fibre that aids the gut microbiome and digestion.

  3. Nucleotides: These are the organic molecules that form the building blocks of DNAand are found within human breast milk. It is not clear the role they provide once digested.

Ingredient Breakdown

Aptamil stage 1 formula meets the required legal standards for infant formula composition.

  • Not suitable for vegetarians.

  • Certified as halal.

  • Contains allergens: Cows' milk, soya, fish.

Essential Nutrients (Per 100ml Prepared Milk)

  • Energy: 66 kcal

  • Fat: 3.4g (from oils including sunflower, coconut, rapeseed, and fish oils)

  • Linoleic acid: 456 mg

  • Alpha-linolenic acid: 54.7 mg

  • Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA): 16.5 mg

  • Carbohydrate: 7.3g (Lactose, oligosaccharides)

  • Protein: 1.3g (Cows' milk, fermented cows' milk)

  • Whey:Casein ratio 50:50

Vitamins & Minerals

Vitamin A: 58 µg - Vitamin D: 1.45 µg

  • Vitamin E: 1.2 mg TE

  • Vitamin K: 5.6 µg

  • Vitamin C: 8.2 mg

  • Thiamin (B1): 70 µg

  • Riboflavin (B2): 140 µg

  • Niacin (B3): 0.43 mg

  • Vitamin B6: 55 µg

  • Folate: 13 µg

  • Vitamin B12: 0.16 µg

  • Biotin: 1.8 µg

  • Pantothenic Acid: 0.53 mg

  • Sodium: 22.1 mg

  • Potassium: 83 mg

  • Chloride: 55 mg

  • Calcium: 58 mg

  • Phosphorus: 33 mg

  • Magnesium: 6.6 mg

  • Iron: 0.53 mg

  • Zinc: 0.48 mg

  • Copper: 50 µg

  • Manganese: 3.0 µg

  • Selenium: 2.5 µg

  • Iodine: 13 µg

Additional Ingredients*

  • Oligosaccharides: 0.8g

  • Arachidonic acid (AA): 16.5 mg

*There is currently no evidence that the additional ingredients added provide any specific benefits for babies.

Aptamil Advanced stage 1 formula meets the required legal standards for infant formula composition.

  • Not suitable for vegetarians.

  • Not halal certified.

  • Contains allergens: Cows' milk, egg, fish.

Essential Nutrients (Per 100ml Prepared Milk)

  • Energy: 66 kcal

  • Fat: 3.4g (from anhydrous milk fat, sunflower oil, rapeseed oil, high oleic sunflower oil, coconut oil, phospholipid from egg, fish oil, fungal oil)

  • Linoleic acid: 457 mg

  • Alpha-linolenic acid: 54 mg

  • Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA): 16.5 mg

  • Carbohydrate: 7.3g (Lactose, oligosaccharides)

  • Protein: 1.3g (Cows' milk)

  • Whey:Casein ratio 80:50

Vitamins & Minerals

  • Vitamin A: 58 µg

  • Vitamin D: 1.4 µg

  • Vitamin E: 1.2 mg TE

  • Vitamin K: 3.1 µg

  • Vitamin C: 9.0 mg

  • Thiamin (B1): 60 µg

  • Riboflavin (B2): 140 µg

  • Niacin (B3): 0.43 mg

  • Vitamin B6: 40 µg

  • Folate: 13 µg

  • Vitamin B12: 0.11 µg

  • Biotin: 1.6 µg

  • Pantothenic Acid: 0.51 mg

  • Sodium: 23 mg

  • Potassium: 71 mg

  • Chloride: 52 mg

  • Calcium: 61 mg

  • Phosphorus: 42 mg

  • Magnesium: 5.3 mg

  • Iron: 0.53 mg

  • Zinc: 0.48 mg

  • Copper: 52 µg

  • Manganese: 3.0 µg

  • Selenium: 3.0 µg

  • Iodine: 13 µg

Additional Ingredients*

  • Oligosaccharides: 0.9g

  • Arachidonic acid (AA): 16.5 mg

  • Taurine: 5.3 mg

  • Nucleotides: 2.3 mg

*There is currently no evidence that the additional ingredients added provide any specific benefits for babies.

Aldi Mamia stage 1 formula meets the required legal standards for infant formula composition.

  • Not suitable for vegetarians.

  • Halal certified.

  • Contains allergens: Cows' milk, soya, fish.

Essential Nutrients (Per 100ml Prepared Milk)

  • Energy: 67 kcal

  • Fat: 3.5g (from soya bean oil, palm oil, coconut oil, sunflower oil, palm kernel oil. Includes structured triglycerides.)

  • Linoleic acid: 554 mg

  • Alpha-linolenic acid: 43.2 mg

  • Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA): 15 mg

  • Carbohydrate: 7.5g (Lactose, oligosaccharides)

  • Protein: 1.5g (Cows' milk)

  • Whey:Casein ratio 100:50

Vitamins & Minerals

  • Vitamin A: 60.8 µg

  • Vitamin D: 1.49 µg

  • Vitamin E: 1.35 mg TE

  • Vitamin K: 6.6 µg

  • Vitamin C: 12.8 mg

  • Thiamin (B1): 108 µg

  • Riboflavin (B2): 169 µg

  • Niacin (B3): 0.61 mg

  • Vitamin B6: 60.8 µg

  • Folate: 18.2 µg

  • Vitamin B12: 0.14 µg

  • Biotin: 2.97 µg

  • Pantothenic Acid: 0.81 mg

  • Sodium: 29.7 mg

  • Potassium: 82.4 mg

  • Chloride: 29.7 mg

  • Calcium: 82.4 mg Al

  • Phosphorus: 54 mg

  • Magnesium: 62.1 mg

  • Iron: 37.8 mg

  • Zinc: 5.4 mg

  • Copper: 0.61 µg

  • Manganese: 0.47 µg

  • Selenium: 54 µg

  • Iodine: 10.8 µg

Additional Ingredients*

  • Choline: 25.7 mg

  • Inositol: 11.5 mg

  • L-carnitine: 2.7 mg

  • Oligosaccharides: 0.3g

  • Arachidonic acid (AA): 10 mg

  • Taurine: 4.7 mg

  • Nucleotides: 2.7 mg

*There is currently no evidence that the additional ingredients added provide any specific benefits for babies.

Bonya stage 1 formula meets the required legal standards for infant formula composition.

  • Suitable for vegetarians.

  • Prepared to halal and kosher standards.

  • Contains allergens: Cows' milk, may contain soya.

Essential Nutrients (Per 100ml Prepared Milk)

  • Energy: 66 kcal

  • Fat: 3.2g (from sunflower oil, coconut oil, rapeseed oil, anhydrous milk fat)

  • Linoleic acid: 512 mg

  • Alpha-linolenic acid: 49.5 mg

  • Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA): 15.2 mg

  • Carbohydrate: 8.1g (Lactose)

  • Protein: 1.2g (Cows' milk)

  • Whey:Casein ratio 100:60

Vitamins & Minerals

  • Vitamin A: 63 µg

  • Vitamin D: 1.4 µg

  • Vitamin E: 2.1 mg TE

  • Vitamin K: 4.1 µg

  • Vitamin C: 13.9 mg

  • Thiamin (B1): 90 µg

  • Riboflavin (B2): 220 µg

  • Niacin (B3): 0.8 mg

  • Vitamin B6: 90.0 µg

  • Folate: 18 µg DFE

  • Vitamin B12: 0.28 µg

  • Biotin: 2.1 µg

  • Pantothenic Acid: 0.55 mg

  • Sodium: 21 mg

  • Potassium: 73 mg

  • Chloride: 48 mg

  • Calcium: 44 mg

  • Phosphorus: 23 mg

  • Magnesium: 6.3 mg

  • Iron: 0.78 mg

  • Zinc: 0.54 mg

  • Copper: 55 µg

  • Manganese: 6.7 µg

  • Selenium: 3.2 µg

  • Iodine: 12.9 µg

Additional Ingredients*

  • Choline: 18.7 mg

  • Inositol: 12 mg

  • L-carnitine: 1.58 mg

  • Taurine: 5 mg

  • Fluoride: <0.013 mg

  • Arachidonic acid (AA): 6.6 mg

*There is currently no evidence that the additional ingredients added provide any specific benefits for babies.

Cow and Gate stage 1 formula meets the required legal standards for infant formula composition.

  • Not suitable for vegetarians.

  • Halal certified.

  • Contains allergens: Cows' milk, soya, fish.

Essential Nutrients (Per 100ml Prepared Milk)

  • Energy: 66 kcal

  • Fat: 3.4g (from high oleic sunflower oil, coconut oil, rapeseed oil, sunflower oil, fish oil, fungal oil)

  • Linoleic acid: 453 mg

  • Alpha-linolenic acid: 54.3 mg

  • Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA): 16.5 mg

  • Carbohydrate: 7.5g (Lactose, oligosaccharides)

  • Protein: 1.3g (Cows' milk)

  • Whey:Casein ratio 80:50

Vitamins & Minerals

  • Vitamin A: 58 µg

  • Vitamin D: 1.45 µg

  • Vitamin E: 1.2 mg TE

  • Vitamin K: 4.2 µg

  • Vitamin C: 8.3 mg

  • Thiamin (B1): 70 µg

  • Riboflavin (B2): 140 µg

  • Niacin (B3): 0.43 mg

  • Vitamin B6: 50 µg

  • Folate: 17 µg

  • Vitamin B12: 0.15 µg

  • Biotin: 2.1 µg

  • Pantothenic Acid: 0.61 mg

  • Sodium: 21.4 mg

  • Potassium: 74 mg

  • Chloride: 52 mg

  • Calcium: 53 mg

  • Phosphorus: 39 mg

  • Magnesium: 6.6 mg

  • Iron: 0.53 mg

  • Zinc: 0.48 mg

  • Copper: 50 µg

  • Manganese: 3.0 µg

  • Selenium: 2.5 µg

  • Iodine: 13 µg

Additional Ingredients*

  • Choline: 22 mg

  • Inositol: 8.0 mg

  • L-carnitine: 2.0 mg

  • Oligosaccharides: 0.4g

  • Arachidonic acid (AA): 16.5 mg

*There is currently no evidence that the additional ingredients added provide any specific benefits for babies.

Hipp Organic stage 1 formula meets the required legal standards for infant formula composition.

  • Not suitable for vegetarians.

  • Not halal certified.

  • Contains allergens: Cows' milk, fish.

Essential Nutrients (Per 100ml Prepared Milk)

  • Energy: 66 kcal

  • Fat: 3.6g (from palm oil, rapeseed oil, sunflower oil, fish oil, fungal oil)

  • Linoleic acid: 400 mg

  • Alpha-linolenic acid: 60 mg

  • Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA): 13.2 mg

  • Carbohydrate: 7.0g (Lactose, oligosaccharides)

  • Protein: 1.3g (Cows' milk)

  • Whey:Casein ratio 60:40

Vitamins & Minerals

  • Vitamin A: 54 µg

  • Vitamin D: 1.5 µg

  • Vitamin E: 0.7 mg TE

  • Vitamin K: 5.1 µg

  • Vitamin C: 8.9 mg

  • Thiamin (B1): 50 µg

  • Riboflavin (B2): 140 µg

  • Niacin (B3): 0.34 mg

  • Vitamin B6: 29 µg

  • Folate: 16.6 µg DFE

  • Vitamin B12: 0.12 µg

  • Biotin: 1.5 µg

  • Pantothenic Acid: 0.34 mg

  • Sodium: 20 mg

  • Potassium: 76 mg

  • Chloride: 51 mg

  • Calcium: 51 mg

  • Phosphorus: 30 mg

  • Magnesium: 4.5 mg

  • Iron: 0.5 mg

  • Zinc: 0.5 mg

  • Copper: 53 µg

  • Manganese: 5.0 µg

  • Selenium: 3.8 µg

  • Iodine: 15 µg

Additional Ingredients*

  • Choline: 25 mg

  • Inositol: 4.2 mg

  • L-carnitine: 1.8 mg

  • Oligosaccharides: 0.3g

  • Arachidonic acid (AA): 13.2 mg

*There is currently no evidence that the additional ingredients added provide any specific benefits for babies.

Kendamil stage 1 formula meets the required legal standards for infant formula composition.

  • Suitable for vegetarians.

  • Halal certified.

  • Kosher certified.

  • Contains allergens: Cows' milk.

Essential Nutrients (Per 100ml Prepared Milk)

  • Energy: 67 kcal

  • Fat: 3.6g (from sunflower oil, coconut oil, rapeseed oil, whole milk fat, single cell oils)

  • Linoleic acid: 542 mg

  • Alpha-linolenic acid: 50 mg

  • Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA): 16.1 mg

  • Carbohydrate: 7.2g (Lactose, oligosaccharides)

  • Protein: 1.3g (Cows' milk including alpha-lactalbumin enriched whey)

  • Whey:Casein ratio 60:40

Vitamins & Minerals

  • Vitamin A: 52 µg

  • Vitamin D: 1.35 µg

  • Vitamin E: 1.9 mg TE

  • Vitamin K: 3.9 µg

  • Vitamin C: 10.4 mg

  • Thiamin (B1): 60 µg

  • Riboflavin (B2): 130 µg

  • Niacin (B3): 0.58 mg

  • Vitamin B6: 50 µg

  • Folate: 15 µg DFE

  • Vitamin B12: 0.1 µg

  • Biotin: 2.6 µg

  • Pantothenic Acid: 0.42 mg

  • Sodium: 21 mg

  • Potassium: 71 mg

  • Chloride: 46 mg

  • Calcium: 44 mg

  • Phosphorus: 26 mg

  • Magnesium: 6.3 mg

  • Iron: 0.66 mg

  • Zinc: 0.45 mg

  • Copper: 50 µg

  • Manganese: 7.0 µg

  • Selenium: 2.2 µg

  • Iodine: 12 µg

Additional Ingredients*

  • Choline: 22 mg

  • Inositol: 13 mg

  • Arachidonic acid (AA): 8 mg

  • Taurine: 5.8 mg

  • Nucleotides: 2.8 mg

  • Oligosaccharides: 0.27g

*There is currently no evidence that the additional ingredients added provide any specific benefits for babies.

Nannycare stage 1 formula meets the required legal standards for infant formula composition.

  • Not suitable for vegetarians.

  • Contains allergens: Goats' milk, fish.

Essential Nutrients (Per 100ml Prepared Milk)

  • Energy: 66 kcal

    Fat: 3.4g (High oleic sunflower oil, rapeseed oil, sunflower oil, whole goats’ milk fat, fish oil, fungal oil (single cell oil)).

  • Carbohydrate: 7.4g (Lactose)

  • Protein: 1.3g (Goats’ milk).

Vitamins & Minerals

  • Vitamin A: 56 µg

  • Vitamin D: 1.4 µg

  • Vitamin E: 1.5 mg TE

  • Vitamin K: 6.7 µg

  • Vitamin C: 13 mg

  • Thiamin (B1): 62 µg

  • Riboflavin (B2): 120 µg

  • Niacin (B3): 0.66 mg

  • Vitamin B6: 36 µg

  • Folic Acid: 22 µg-DFE

  • Vitamin B12: 0.18 µg

  • Biotin: 2.3 µg

  • Pantothenic acid: 0.35 mg

  • Sodium: 19 mg

  • Potassium: 70 mg

  • Chloride: 57 mg

  • Calcium: 53 mg

  • Phosphorus: 39 mg

  • Magnesium: 19 mg

  • Iron: 0.65 mg

  • Zinc: 0.49 mg

  • Copper: 49 µg

  • Manganese: 9.0 µg

  • Selenium: 2.5 µg

  • Iodine: 13 µg

Additional Ingredients*

  • Choline: 21 mg

  • Inositol: 3.9 mg

  • L-carnitine: 0.9 mg

*There is currently no evidence that the additional ingredients added provide any specific benefits for babies.

SMA Advanced stage 1 formula meets the required legal standards for infant formula composition.

  • Not suitable for vegetarians.

  • Not halal certified.

  • Contains allergens: Cows' milk, fish.

Essential Nutrients (Per 100ml Prepared Milk)

  • Energy: 67 kcal

  • Fat: 3.5g (from sunflower oil, rapeseed oil, fish oil, fungal oil)

  • Linoleic acid: 505 mg

  • Alpha-linolenic acid: 43 mg

  • Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA): 17 mg

  • Carbohydrate: 7.6g (Lactose, oligosaccharides)

  • Protein: 1.3g (Partially hydrolysed whey from cows' milk)

  • Whey:Casein ratio 100:0

Vitamins & Minerals

  • Vitamin A: 58 µg

  • Vitamin D: 1.5 µg

  • Vitamin E: 1.6 mg TE

  • Vitamin K: 4.8 µg

  • Vitamin C: 9.2 mg

  • Thiamin (B1): 70 µg

  • Riboflavin (B2): 140 µg

  • Niacin (B3): 0.64 mg

  • Vitamin B6: 47 µg

  • Folate: 20.6 µg DFE

  • Vitamin B12: 0.18 µg

  • Biotin: 1.6 µg

  • Pantothenic Acid: 0.7 mg

  • Sodium: 24 mg

  • Potassium: 74 mg

  • Chloride: 66 mg

  • Calcium: 44 mg

  • Phosphorus: 24 mg

  • Magnesium: 6.6 mg

  • Iron: 0.33 mg

  • Zinc: 0.45 mg

  • Copper: 55 µg

  • Manganese: 12 µg

  • Selenium: 3.6 µg

  • Iodine: 13.5 µg

Additional Ingredients*

  • Choline: 23.6 mg

  • Inositol: 4.5 mg

  • L-carnitine: 1.6 mg

  • Oligosaccharides: 0.17g

  • Arachidonic acid (AA): 17 mg

  • Taurine: 3.8 mg

  • Nucleotides: 2.0 mg

*There is currently no evidence that the additional ingredients added provide any specific benefits for babies.

SMA Little Steps stage 1 formula meets the required legal standards for infant formula composition.

  • Not suitable for vegetarians.

  • Halal certified.

  • Contains allergens: Cows' milk, soya.

Essential Nutrients (Per 100ml Prepared Milk)

  • Energy: 67 kcal

  • Fat: 3.2g (from sunflower oil, rapeseed oil, algal oil, fungal oil (single cell oils))

  • Linoleic acid: 488 mg

  • Alpha-linolenic acid: 44 mg

  • Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA): 17 mg

  • Carbohydrate: 8.3g (Lactose)

  • Protein: 1.3g (Cows' milk)

  • Whey:Casein ratio 70:30

Vitamins & Minerals

  • Vitamin A: 61 µg

  • Vitamin D: 1.5 µg

  • Vitamin E: 1.7 mg TE

  • Vitamin K: 4.7 µg

  • Vitamin C: 11.5 mg

  • Thiamin (B1): 80 µg

  • Riboflavin (B2): 180 µg

  • Niacin (B3): 0.52 mg

  • Vitamin B6: 40 µg

  • Folate: 21.7 µg DFE

  • Vitamin B12: 0.2 µg

  • Biotin: 1.8 µg

  • Pantothenic Acid: 0.5 mg

  • Sodium: 23 mg

  • Potassium: 78 mg

  • Chloride: 48 mg

  • Calcium: 42 mg

  • Phosphorus: 25 mg

  • Magnesium: 4.6 mg

  • Iron: 0.31 mg

  • Zinc: 0.54 mg

  • Copper: 50 µg

  • Manganese: 20 µg

  • Selenium: 3.4 µg

  • Iodine: 14 µg

Additional Ingredients*

  • Choline: 21.2 mg

  • Inositol: 10.2 mg

  • L-carnitine: 1.3 mg

  • Arachidonic acid (AA): 17 mg

  • Taurine: 4.3 mg

*There is currently no evidence that the additional ingredients added provide any specific benefits for babies.