10 Best Baby Milk Formulas 2022 | UK Paediatrician Reviewed

Dr Jonathan Henderson is a consultant paediatrician practising for the NHS, as well as privately. His medical qualifications (MB, BAO and BCh) were all completed at Queen's University Belfast in 2007.

He then obtained his membership with the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health in 2012. In addition to his clinical work, he contributes to e-learning programmes and teaches paediatrics internationally to other healthcare professionals. Check out more about him on his website.

For those after a quick look, here is our Top 5:

1. Kendamil - Follow-On Milk for £10.00
2. SMA - Soya Infant Formula for £13.00
3. Nutramigen - Hypoallergenic Milk for £19.99
4. Kendamil - First Infant Milk for £10.00
5. Cow & Gate - Growing-Up Milk for £49.50

For a more in-depth look at the comprehensive top 10 selection, make sure to read on to learn more about the different types of baby formulas available and understand how our ranking was determined.

1. Check Which Base Ingredient Will Be Suitable for Your Baby's Diet
   
2. Understand the Preparation of Formula
   
3. Always Consider Which Stage Your Baby Is At
   
4. Look Out for Added Nutrients Like Iron, Prebiotics, and Omega Fatty Acids
   

Around 80% of baby milk formulas on the market are made from cow's milk; as we mentioned earlier, dairy-based milk is treated to make it more suitable for infants. Proteins are adapted to make them more digestible, certain fats are removed, and lactose is added so that the amount is closer to the quantity found in breast milk.

 
Cow's milk formulas are generally a parent's first choice and tend to be recommended by paediatricians, midwives, and GPs. However, some babies are allergic to dairy or intolerant to lactose, in which case you'll want to avoid a formula based on this ingredient.

Sometimes little ones have an allergy to cow’s milk, usually because they're unable to break down lactose. Although, this is less common among babies than it is in adults, it can lead to painful symptoms like diarrhoea, abdominal pain, and bloating.

If, after speaking to a doctor, you believe that this is the case for your baby, you should look for hydrolyzed cow's milk.

Great for those with lactose intolerance or allergies, baby milk formula made from soya beans instead of cow's milk may be the best option for you. Additionally, parents who follow a vegetarian lifestyle and want to avoid using as many animal products as possible will prefer to buy a dairy-free formula for their little one, though there are currently no vegan options in the UK market. 

There are some concerns about the fact that soy milk contains high amounts of glucose though, which could harm your baby’s teeth in the long run. To avoid this, you should always check the glucose content on the back of the packaging.

Powdered formula is, without a doubt, the most common type of formula available. It’s also the best value for money so we would strongly recommend it for those on a budget. 

Preparation involves mixing equal parts formula and water in a bottle. This means that you'll need access to water if you're planning to feed your infant while out and about.

However, it's important to note that baby milk formula should always be used within an hour of being mixed. If you have a fussy eater, this might cause issues and you may prefer to bring a bottle of ready-to-feed formula with you instead!

Ready-to-feed formulas offer the ultimate convenience as they don’t need to be mixed - like a carton of juice, they can be thrown into your bag and used when needed. However, they're more expensive than powdered formula and, considering you’ll be using bottles several times a day, some families may struggle to keep up with the cost. 

On the plus side, if the formula you choose is available in both powdered and ready-to-feed formats, then you could alternate between the two depending on whether you're at home or out in public. 

This is a pretty simple point but it's one that's certainly worth mentioning: not all formulas are suitable for all ages. Baby formulas will be described as either stage 1, 2, 3, or 4. What do these stages mean? We'll break them down for you here.

• Stage 1: Newborns aged 0-6 months 
• Stage 2: Babies aged 6-12 months
• Stage 3: Infants aged 12-24 months
• Stage 4: Toddlers aged 24-36 months

While each stage will generally contain the same nutrients, they're provided in different quantities - so we advise sticking to the suggested guidelines in order to give your baby with the appropriate nourishment for their age.

Many formulas have added nutrients - some are included because they address specific deficiencies or needs, whereas others are used to give your little one a general health boost.

Iron is a beneficial mineral that is required by our bodies for healthy blood and the development of the body's brain. Prebiotics are handy if your little one has a sensitive stomach, as they'll help to soothe the digestion process. DHA and ARA (better known as Omega 3 and Omega 6) are fatty acids, usually found in breast milk, that are important for a healthy brain and also eye development.

Opting for a formula with one or more of these added nutrients can therefore help your baby to stay healthy and to grow even stronger!

This ranking has been compiled by the writing team at mybest UK via careful evaluation of the points made in the buying guide and thorough research of each product and comparing multiple verified customer reviews across the EC sites used.

Formulas need to be given to infants in volumes varying from 150-180ml/kg per day in order to provide recommended vitamins, minerals and energy requirements. Be sure not to overfeed your baby - it is very easy to fall into the habit of feeding to stop a baby crying, for example, resulting in treatment for conditions that are not present and can be managed by altering the volume of feed alone.

While you can mix different brands of baby formula together, you must ensure that you prepare them separately first and follow the instructions of each brand so that the concentrations are accurate before combining. In addition, make sure that you are using the same type of formula i.e. cows' milk or soy-based.

Reasons as to why your baby might be rejecting formula include weaning, the formula tasting different to the last one you made, distractions in the environment, or overfeeding. Consider if there have been any changes in their routines that they may be struggling to adapt to. Never force your baby to take the bottle if they are resisting, instead we recommend speaking to your nurse or paediatrician. 

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Written and researched by Lewis Clark

Article reviewed by Paediatrician Dr J Henderson