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Recommendation to Parents on Formula Milk Feeding for Young Children
Dear parents, we are aware of the recent concern about the shortage of formula milk supply. We understand that you may be worried about not being able to continue with the formula milk your baby is drinking. The Department of Health (DH) would like to give you the following recommendations on formula milk feeding from children’s nutrition and health perspective. We hope these can ease your worries.
1. Children under 1 year : Your child can switch to other brands of formula milk
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For 0 to 6-month-old babies -- Milk is the sole source of nutrients. Choose Infant Formula (No.1 Formula) which meets the Codex Standards for Infant Formula. Infant formulae are very similar in composition as required by the Codex Standards. If you have difficulty securing the brand currently consumed by your child, you can consider switching to another brand.
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For 6 to 12-month-old babies -- They have started taking complementary food, they may either take Infant Formula (No.1 Formula) or switch to Follow-up Formula (No.2 Formula) of any brand.
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In general, babies can change directly to another brand of formula milk. The pace will depend on your baby’s acceptance.
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Use boiled hot water of no less than 70°C (water left in the kettle for no more than 30 minutes after boiling can achieve this temperature) to make up formula milk as this kills harmful bacteria.
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Cow milk is not suitable for babies under 1 year old.
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2. Children aged 1 year or above : Your child can drink cow milk
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For children 1 year or above -- Milk is only a part of their balanced diet and a convenient source of calcium. A daily intake of 360 - 480 ml of milk largely satisfies the calcium requirement of young children.
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You can let your child drink cow milk. Switching to Follow-up Formula (No.3, 4 Formula) marketed for these children may not be necessary. Besides, cow milk is less expensive than formula milk.
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For the choice of cow milk, children under two years should take whole milk, those between 2 and 5 years can take low-fat milk and children above 5 years can take skimmed milk.
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You can also give them other calcium rich foods (e.g. dairy products like yoghurt and cheese, tofu, green leafy vegetables) to meet their calcium needs.
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3. Expectant Mothers : Breastmilk is the best natural food for your baby. Please do consider breastfeeding your baby.
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