Important notice: Breast milk is the ideal and natural food for every infant. It is best suited to their specific needs. If using infant formula when the mother cannot or does not wish to breastfeed, it is essential to strictly follow the preparation and usage instructions and consult a healthcare professional.
Choosing infant formula is one of the first concerns of any new parent when the baby arrives.
The WHO recommends that infants be exclusively breastfed for the first 6 months of life. Breast milk contains all the nutrients necessary for your baby's growth and development. Afterwards, to meet your baby's changing nutritional needs, breastfeeding should continue and be supplemented with nutritionally appropriate foods. However, it is recommended to continue breastfeeding until at least the age of 2 .
However, if you cannot or do not wish to breastfeed, there is a wide variety of infant formulas available that can meet your baby's nutritional needs. Several important criteria should be considered when making your choice. We explain everything in this article to help you select the infant formula that best suits your baby.
What are the different types of infant formula?
First of all, it is important not to confuse infant milks with other "milks" consumed beyond 3 years of age, as these do not meet the nutritional needs of infants and young children (cow's milk, goat's milk, plant-based drinks for example).
The WHO recommends breast milk whenever possible. If you cannot or do not wish to breastfeed, infant formula is an option.
These products specifically meet the nutritional needs of your child between 0 and 3 years old, in compliance with current regulations.
They are divided into 3 categories:
• First-stage infant formula (also called infant formula) for babies from 0 to 6 months,
• Stage 2 infant formulas (also called follow-on formulas) for babies between 6 months and 1 year (in parallel with the introduction of solid foods) 2 ,
· And growing-up milks for infants and children from 10-12 months to 3 years 3 .
Finally, a distinction must be made between "standard" infant milks and those which can only be used under medical supervision and which are intended to meet even more specific nutritional needs.
Infant formula standards
Regulations strictly govern the composition of the various infant formulas sold in the European Union. Generally produced from cow's or goat's milk, their composition is concentrated to closely resemble that of breast milk.
Among the standards for infant formula, there are conventional formulas and formulas made from organic ingredients . Organic infant formulas meet the nutritional needs of babies while also taking into account sustainable development issues.
Infant formulas under medical supervision
If your baby suffers from functional disorders or specific medical conditions, the advice of a healthcare professional is essential; they will guide you toward a specific infant formula. There are hypoallergenic infant formulas, anti-regurgitation formulas, and formulas specifically designed for babies allergic to cow's milk protein (CMPA) or goat's milk protein.
Infant formulas under medical supervision intended for chronic conditions (allergy to cow's milk proteins, gastroesophageal reflux etc.) are prescribed by your healthcare professional and sold only in pharmacies 3 .
Finally , it's worth noting that some non-prescription infant formulas are also available in pharmacies. These are formulas designed for babies with mild digestive issues, such as constipation or a lack of satiety. In this case, the pharmacist's advice will be invaluable in helping you choose the best formula for your child.
What criteria should be considered when choosing infant formula for a baby?
The first criterion for choosing infant formula: the baby's age
Nature has a way of providing excellent nutrition, as the composition of breast milk changes over time to adapt to your baby's nutritional needs and growth. When the time comes to wean, infant formula takes over from 6 months of age until your baby is 3 years old. And, if you cannot or do not wish to breastfeed, you will choose infant formula from birth. For more information, consult a healthcare professional.
From 6 months onwards, if exclusive breastfeeding is not continued, the baby can switch to an infant formula designed to support their growth, alongside the introduction of solid foods which begins between 4 and 6 months, unless otherwise advised by a healthcare professional. Remember, the introduction of new foods to your baby, regardless of age, should always be done in consultation with them. The same applies to the transition to growing-up milk , which takes place between 10 and 12 months. <sup>4</sup>
Why choose infant formula rather than regular milk?
Compared to cow's milk, growing-up milk contains approximately 30 times more iron <sup>4</sup> to prevent iron deficiency, the most common ailment in children. It also contains half the protein to better meet recommended protein intake, as well as a specific mineral content (to avoid putting stress on the kidneys) . Finally, it is enriched with vitamins A, E, C, and D <sup>5</sup>.
There are also infant formulas containing dietary fiber and/or lactic ferments.
The prebiotics used are often GOS (Galacto-Oligosaccharides) or FOS (Fructo-Oligosaccharides). Dietary fiber helps to "feed" the good bacteria present in your baby's gut microbiota.
For lactic acid bacteria, the administration of B. infantis (Bifidobacterium longum subspecies infantis) has shown, for example, an important role in the development and maturation of the immune system.<sup> 7 </sup> In general, dietary fiber or lactic acid bacteria have a positive impact on the health of babies, via their effect on the gut microbiota. <sup>8</sup>
What type of infant formula should I use after leaving the maternity ward?
Right after delivery and in the two or three days that follow, the mammary glands produce colostrum, a fluid very rich in proteins and antibodies that help the baby's immunity. Did you know? The beneficial effects are present from the very first colostrum feeding!
Between the 2nd and 5th day after birth, breast milk changes composition 9 , becoming enriched in lactose and lipids until mature milk appears after about fifteen days.
If you do not wish to or cannot breastfeed, the maternity ward will provide small bottles of infant formula. After leaving the maternity ward, you can continue breastfeeding with these bottles of infant formula.
If your baby is only moderately fond of this product, you can contact your pediatrician who will guide you towards another product: remember that he or she is there to advise you and support you in your first steps as parents, so do not hesitate to ask for his or her opinion.
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1 SGD; Infant and Young Child Feeding, 20/12/2023, available here: https://www.who.int/fr/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/infant-and-young-child-feeding
2 Mpedia, Which infant formula to choose, 04/06/2024, available here: https://www.mpedia.fr/art-choix-lait-infantile/
3 Mpedia, Growing-up milks: why, for whom? 12/07/2020, available here: https://www.mpedia.fr/art-choix-des-laits-croissance/
4 https://ciqual.anses.fr/#/aliments/19050/lait-ecreme-uht
3 Mpedia, Which infant formula to choose? 04/07/2024, available here: https://www.mpedia.fr/art-choix-lait-infantile/
5 Mpedia, Growing-up milks, 22/09/2023, available here: Growing-up milk or cow's milk? What's good for baby - mpedia.fr
6 Mpedia, Should you choose a stage 3 infant formula containing FOS/GOS? Accessed 03/06/2024, available here: https://www.mpedia.fr/qr/faut-il-choisir-lait-3-age-contenant-fos-gos/
7 Chichlowski, M., Shah, N., Wampler, JL, Wu, SS and Vanderhoof, JA Bifidobacterium longum Subspecies infantis (B. infantis) in Pediatric nutrition: current state of knowledge. Nutrients, 2020, available here: https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12061581
8 Sara Djoudi, Effects of infant formulas supplemented with prebiotics and/or probiotics on infant health, 2020, available here: https://dumas.ccsd.cnrs.fr/dumas-02988273v1/file/DJOUDI_LAITS_ARTIFICIELS_SUPPLEMENTES_PREBIOTIQUES.pdf
9 ADLF, Composition of breast milk, 18/07/2016, available here: https://association-des-lactariums-de-france.fr/composition-du-lait-maternel/
