I often get asked whether a baby who is happily feeding on a ‘first infant milk’ needs to change onto a follow on milk when baby reaches 6 months, or if a baby is switching from breastmilk to formula at 6 months or older whether they should use an infant milk or a follow on milk. There usually isn’t a straightforward answer to this, it will depend.
A good starting point is understanding what is follow on milk or first infant milk, and what benefits they have to your little one from 6 months onwards.
Generally, if a bottle fed baby is happy on their infant milk there is usually no reason to change them onto a follow on milk just because they’ve reached the age of 6 months.
When can babies have first infant milk?
Infant milks are perfectly suitable for babies from birth up to the age of 1 year and beyond, and they will provide valuable vitamins and minerals as well as energy and protein needed by babies throughout the weaning process. However, some parents seem keen to move their babies onto the next stage of formula at this age and there is no harm in doing so.
When can babies have follow on milk?
You may be wondering, what age is follow on milk for? Follow on Milks are intended for use from 6 months onwards when a baby has moved onto a mixed diet including a range of foods. If parents choose to switch their babies onto a follow on formula at this stage they will generally not have any problems with this, and the formula along with a variety of foods will meet the nutritional requirements of babies at this age.
You can shop our range of follow on milks here.