Facts about formula

If you are thinking of introducing formula to your baby, you may have questions about how to choose and prepare it. 

Information provided by formula companies can be confusing and make it hard to decide what to use. 

The following points may be helpful.
 

• In Australia all formulas must meet the required national standards.  There is no evidence that one particular type or brand is better than any other.  Choose what you can afford.
• If your baby is under 6 months old, you need to use a 'starter' or 'first' formula. Between 6 and 12 months you can keep using starter formula or use a 'second' or 'follow-on' formula. Over 12 months, your baby doesn't need formula.
• It is better to use a formula with a lower protein level to reduce the risk of baby becoming overweight.
• Some formulas claim to be better for eye, brain or immune development or in reducing conditions such as colic, reflux and allergies. There isn't much evidence that these types of formulas are effective at doing this.
• If you need help choosing a formula, chat with a child health nurse, pharmacist or health care provider.

• ​​​​​​It is very important to follow the instructions on each formula tin. The instructions on one tin of formula may differ from that on another tin.
• You will need to clean and sterilise all feeding equipment using a commercial steriliser or boiling water.
• Powdered formula is not sterile and very occasionally has been known to contain bacteria and cause harm to babies. You need to be careful when preparing it.
• If you are in a situation where you can't boil water, or where there is a ‘do not drink water’ notice, you will need to be extra careful when preparing bottles. 

• How much formula a baby needs depends on how old they are, how big they are and what other foods they are eating. Tins of formula will tell you how much formula babies of different ages might need. As with breastfeeding, you should bottle feed according to your baby's need.
• Babies who are formula fed may be at risk of overfeeding because feeding from a bottle can mean a baby takes in more milk more quickly. Using paced bottle-feeding techniques may help.
• Avoid mixing expressed breastmilk and formula in the one bottle. If your baby is having both, it is better to give them separately. Feed the breastmilk first and then the formula if your baby needs it.

Yes you certainly can. Combining breast and formula feeding is called 'mixed feeding'.

Below are some links to more information. These articles show you how you can reduce the risks to your baby when you sterilise equipment and prepare and give formula.  

• How to prepare formula for bottle-feeding at home (World Health Organization)
• Infant formula: making, storing and transporting it (Raising Children) 
   

© Australian Breastfeeding Association June 2025