All infant formulae include - at the most basic level - proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, and of course water. Starting with what we know about breastmilk, manufacturers combine different ingredients so that nutrients in their artificial baby milk are included in about the same proportions as in human milk. Most infant formulas are essentially modified cows' milk.

Here at InfantFeeding.Info we've put some detailed information together about essential and allowable levels of ingredients in infant formulae, from European Directive 2006/141/EC of 22 Dec 2006 on infant formulae and follow-on formulae and amending Directive 1999/21/EC- see below.

Vitamins and minerals which are essential for healthy growth and development, are added to formulae from sources stipulated by and within the range prescribed by European Directive 2006/141/EC of December 2006. Under the Directive, sources of ingredients, and things like maximum levels of pesticide residues, purity criteria, as well as the quantities of certain nutrients, are set out as a table.

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE TABLE.

All formula manufacturers must follow the Directive and so, broadly speaking, all formulae are the same: however most include ingredients or combinations of ingredients that they use as unique selling points of their paticular formula. And they will have different effects on babies.

On this website we have included a comparion of ingredients in the main brands of formulae avialable in the UK, which we will endeavour to keep up-to-date, with information from the companies.

CLICK HERE FOR COMPARISON TABLE OF NAME BRANDS OF INFANT FORMULA

We will also include a more detailed look at those ingredients, including what the manufacturers claim they do to benefit babies, and research on their effects, if we can find it!