Breastfeeding vs formula milk

The NHS and World Health Organisation (WHO) recommend that babies are exclusively breastfed for their first six months. Breast milk contains antibodies, which can help protect against common childhood infections, and for women can reduce the risk of breast and ovarian cancer. 

However for some parents, breastfeeding isn't always possible and infant formula has to be used as an alternative. In our June 2022 survey, we spoke to 674 parents of kids under five about their experience of formula milk. Around three in five told us they had used infant formula in their baby's first six months. 

We've looked at the benefits of breastfeeding, what formula milk offers and advice on mixed feeding in our guide to breastfeeding vs formula milk. Plus, we've spoken to paediatrics consultant, Dr Silvia Pierini for expert advice on breast and formula milk.

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Breastfeeding 

Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended by the government and WHO for the first six months of your baby's life, after which breast milk can be given alongside solid foods. 

'Breast milk provides the best possible nutrition for infants,' says Dr Pierini. 'It contains exactly the right balance of nutrients for infants, plus has the right amount of fat, sugar, water, protein and vitamins for their development and growth.' 

Breast milk also has antibodies, which help to protect against common childhood illnesses such as ear and chest infections, plus it can reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and obesity later in life. 

There are health benefits for you if you choose to breastfeed too, including a reduced risk of breast and ovarian cancer, osteoporosis and heart disease.

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Help with breastfeeding

If you're thinking about breastfeeding, it's helpful to find out as much as you can before you give birth. One way to do this is through antenatal classes, where you'll be taught about different breastfeeding positions, expressing and how to tackle common problems such as your baby not latching properly. See our guide to NHS vs NCT and other private antenatal classes.

Once you start breastfeeding, the amount of milk you make will vary depending on how often your baby feeds. The NHS recommends responsive feeding, where you feed your newborn as often and for as long as they want. Eventually you and your baby will get into a routine and the amount of milk you produce will settle down.

Breastfeeding at night is particularly important as this is when your body produces more of the hormone prolactin, which builds up your milk supply. 

Benefits of breastfeeding

• Antibodies in breast milk - These help to reduce the risk of infections and boost your baby's immunity. 
• Adapts to your baby - Breast milk changes over time to provide the nutrients your baby needs. 
• Bonding - Breastfeeding can help to build a stronger bond between you and your baby. 
• Health benefits for you - Breastfeeding reduces your risk of ovarian and breast cancer, osteoporosis, obesity, heart disease and type 2 diabetes. 

Why breastfeeding isn't always possible

We understand that it's not always possible to exclusively breastfeed. For example you may have a very low milk supply or trying to cope with postpartum depression or anxiety after giving birth. 

There are also certain medications, such as chemotherapy drugs, or infections, such as HIV, that mean it won't be possible to breastfeed. If you have any concerns speak to your GP, midwife or health visitor who will be able to recommend the best way to feed your baby. 

Want to know more about expressing milk? See our guide to the best breast pump brands

Formula feeding

Formula milk is the only safe alternative to breastfeeding or using breast milk for feeding your baby. This is because the composition of all infant formula and follow-on formula in the UK is strictly controlled under The Infant Formula and Follow-on Formula (England) regulations, so the core ingredients are identical. 

Regulations dictate everything from the levels of nutrients that must be included to the the level of pesticide residue permitted, how formulas can be named and labelled and even how the formula milks can be presented on supermarket shelves.  

If you feed your baby formula milk, you should always use infant formula up until they turn one. There are certain types of milk you should never to give to a baby under one including condensed milk, evaporated milk and plant based milks. Cows', goats' and sheeps' are fine to use when cooking food for your baby from six months, but only when pasteurised. 

Once you start weaning your baby from six months, you can carry on giving them infant formula as follow-on formula is not necessary. When they turn one, you can then switch to whole cows' milk as their main drink (as long as it's pasteurised).

Pros of formula feeding

• Tightly regulated The core ingredients across the leading brands are almost identical.  
• Help with feeding If you have a very low milk supply and your baby has a big appetite, you may want to mix feed. 
• Sharing feeding responsibility You may want your partner or another family member to help with feeding. 

Cons of formula feeding

• Cost An 800g tin of infant formula milk starts from around £9 up to £18. 
• Equipment and cleaning Feeding your baby formula milk also requires bottles, teats and steriliser, plus extra cleaning. 
• Lack of antibodies These are naturally found in breast milk and can't be manufactured into formula milk. 

We've compared the leading baby formula milk brands to discover whether one is better than another

Is formula milk as good as breast milk? 

Formula milk won't totally match the nutritional benefits of breast milk as breast milk changes over time to provide the nutrients your baby needs. It's also estimated that there are over 100 substances in breast milk that aren't in baby formula.

'Formula milks have been specifically developed to contain all the ingredients needed to meet an infant’s nutritional requirements,' adds Dr Pierini. 'Although they cannot provide all the protective factors (such as antibodies) found in breast milk.'

Is breastfeeding cheaper than formula?

Feeding your baby formula milk is always going to be more expensive than breast milk. However prices for baby formula in the UK have risen by 25% over the past two years – and big brands have increased their prices by more than the rise in their manufacturing costs, according to research by the Competitions and Markets Authority (CMA). 

It found families could save more than £500 a year by buying cheaper brands of baby formula, such as Aldi's range. But it added that, unlike many other products, there was little evidence of parents switching to cheaper alternatives and pointed out that there was a very limited range of own-brand options available.The CMA plans to look into this further and publish an update in mid-2024.

If you receive Healthy Start vouchers, you can also use these to buy infant formula. 

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Are breastfed babies healthier than formula fed?

Breast milk has several short and long term health benefits for your baby as Dr Pierini explains: 'Breast milk is usually more easily digested than formula, so breastfed babies are often less constipated and gassy.

'Breast milk may also help to reduce the risk of being overweight later in life, and of developing asthma, allergies, diabetes and cardiovascular disease.'

If you can't feed your baby breast milk, remember that formula milk is made to contain all the ingredients needed to meet your baby's nutritional requirements. Therefore you can be reassured that it's a safe alternative. 

Do formula fed babies sleep longer?

Whether you give your newborn breast milk or formula milk, they'll wake every few hours during the night when they need to be fed.   

There's little evidence that formula fed babies sleep for longer. The total time your baby sleeps will depend on a number of factors including their appetite, sleep cycle or even their body temperature. 

Breast fed babies will benefit from the melatonin in breast milk - this is higher in your breast milk produced at night and will help them drift off to sleep. 

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Why is mixed feeding your newborn not recommended?

Combined breast and bottle feeding (also known as mixed feeding) can be used for a number of reasons. For example your partner may want to be involved in feeding or you may use formula milk alongside breast milk if you're finding it difficult to get breastfeeding established.   

If you're exclusively breastfeeding your newborn, it's recommended that you wait until breastfeeding is established (around six to eight weeks) before introducing a bottle. 

Dr Pierini explains: 'Combined breast and bottle feeding, mainly in the first weeks of life, may reduce the supply of breast milk as the breast is less stimulated and as consequence produces less milk.

'Babies also need to use different techniques when nursing versus feeding. A baby who has become used to a continuous fast flow from the bottle may need help to persist at the breast.' 

When you give your baby their first few bottles, try to do so when they're relaxed and not hungry. You can also ask another person to give your baby their bottle feeds, so they can't smell your breast milk. 

Find out how to buy the best baby feeding products including bottles, bottle warmers and sterilisers

Government advice on infant feeding

The complexity of the formula milk market can be confusing for parents. If you're finding it difficult to understand, it can help to look at government advice:

• Exclusively feed with breast milk for six months, if that isn’t possible use infant formula.
• From around six months, you can introduce fruit, vegetables, whole grains, pulses and foods high in iron.
• Beyond one year, infant and follow-on formula are not needed and you can give whole cows’ milk as a main drink.