Products for infants and young children

At each stage of development, infants and toddlers have unique nutritional needs.¹ Breastfeeding is best. The World Health Organisation recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life, followed by the introduction of adequate nutritious complementary foods along with continued breastfeeding up to two years of age.² However, it is recognised that breastfeeding is not always an option for parents. If the mother cannot or chooses not to breast feed, formula milks are specifically designed to meet changing nutritional needs of the infant through to toddler as part of a varied and balanced weaning diet.

Key nutrients found in SMA formulations include:

HMO or blends of HMOs (e.g. 2’FL, DFL, LNT, 3’SL and 6’SL) are included in some formulations to help support baby’s immune health.¹¹

Formula milk

First infant formula is the only formula a baby needs, unless a healthcare professional suggests otherwise. It can be used until they turn 1 year old. At this point they will be ready to start drinking whole cows' milk or pasteurised sheep's or goats' milk.¹²

Products available for infants and young children are divided into three stages:

1. 

   First infant milkfor babies from birth and beyond¹²

   First Infant Milks are nutritionally complete (as required by the legislation for all infant formula) breast milk substitutes.¹³ They are suitable for infants from birth, until they are 12 months old.¹²

2. 

   Follow-on milkfor babies from 6 to 12 months

   At 6 months babies' development progresses quickly and as they grow, their iron stores gradually start to deplete, leading to an increased need for iron to support their ongoing development.¹⁴ A weaning diet consisting of iron-rich foods should be introduced at 6 months.¹⁴ Follow-on milks have been developed to help meet the nutritional needs of babies from 6-12 months old, and can be used to complement a varied weaning diet.

3. 

   Growing up milkfor children from 1 to 3 years

   Young child formula (also known as 'growing up milk' or 'toddler milk') is a fortified milk drink for young children from 1 year onwards that can be included as part of a varied and balanced diet. Compared with adults, young children have a much higher nutrient need relative to their body size.¹⁵ Growing Up Milk contains calcium and vitamin D, which are needed for normal growth and development of bone.

Stage 1

From birth

A whey dominant, nutritionally complete infant milk suitable from birth

Contains an amino acid profile closer to that of breast milk, which is thought to help support appropriate growth^17,18

Contains HMO 2'FL¹⁹

A nutritionally complete, easy-to-digest²⁰ infant milk suitable from birth

Easy to digest, as it contains protein broken down into smaller pieces and contains 100% whey protein for softer stools²⁰

Contains a blend of five HMOs: 2’FL/DFL, LNT, 3’SL and 6’SL²¹

Stage 2

6-12 months

Contains HMO 2’FL¹⁹

Also contains vitamin D and iron

Easy to digest, as it contains protein broken down into smaller pieces and contains 100% whey protein for softer stools²⁰

Contains a blend of five HMOs (2’FL, DFL, LNT, 3’SL, 6’SL)²¹

Stage 3

1 year - 3 years

Contains HMO 2’FL¹⁹

Also contains vitamin A, C & D

Easy to digest, as it contains protein broken down into smaller pieces and contains 100% whey protein for softer stools²⁰

Contains a blend of five HMOs (2’FL, DFL, LNT, 3’SL, 6’SL)²¹ and vitamins A, C and D