The best formula for baby: A guide for New Zealand & Australian Parents

Goat’s milk formula and Sheep’s milk formula

Goat’s/Sheep’s milk formula is an alternative to cow’s milk formula. I hear many people say “goat’s milk is gentler on little tummies”. Understanding what this means involves a bit of biochemistry. As I mentioned above, cow’s milk and breast milk contain casein and whey proteins. The story gets a little more complicated when you bring goat or sheep milk into the mix.

There are in fact two different types of casein, alpha and beta. Breast milk contains beta-casein, while cow’s milk contains alpha casein (unless it’s A2 milk). Beta casein is more easily digested than alpha casein. Goat’s milk contains predominately beta-casein like breast milk. 

However, some of these formulas, even for stage one, are casein dominant and can be overall harder to digest despite containing more beta casein like breastmilk. Whey remains the most easily digested protein overall, and being whey dominant makes it closer to breastmilk overall.

As with all formula for sale in New Zealand, goats milk formula and sheeps milk will be of good quality, and will have all the nutrients your baby requires to thrive. If goat’s milk formula or sheep milk formula works for your baby and you, then it is a good formula choice.

Allergy and sheep or goats milk formula

According to most health care professionals and the latest clinical guidelines, goat’s milk and sheep's milk is not a suitable alternative for babies with cow’s milk protein allergy.

Many children who react to cow’s milk protein will also react to goat’s/sheep's milk protein. In fact, I remember listening to a presentation one day by a leading paediatric allergist Dr Jan Sinclair, whose comment about goat’s milk and cow’s milk in terms of allergy has always stuck with me. She said basically all mammalian milks are so similar in composition/allergenicity that none of them would be acceptable as an alternative for a child with cow’s milk protein allergy. Her only exception was camel milk. Unfortunately, however, camel milk infant formula is not readily available, or at least not in New Zealand. A new business opportunity for someone perhaps?

If you are looking for information about formula for babies with cow’s milk allergy I hace a comprehensive article on hypoallergenic baby formula

Soy baby formula

Soy formulas use soya bean as a protein source, offering a vegetarian alternative to milk which may suit some families. In addition, as soy is naturally lactose free it offers a lactose free option for parents and babies if needed.

Allergy and soy formula

Although soy formula is cow’s milk protein free, some guidelines on the management of cow’s milk protein allergy do not recommend soy as ?rst choice alternative for cow’s milk allergy in babies under six months of age. If you suspect cow’s milk protein allergy in your child, it is generally best to seek advice from a health care professional before making decisions regarding which formula to use. As with all formula for sale in New Zealand and Australia, soy formula will be of good quality, and will have all the nutrients your baby will require to thrive. If soy formula works for your baby and you, then it is a good formula choice.

Reflux infant formula

Formulas designed to help with reflux are often labelled A.R (Anti Reflux) or just Reflux. They are essentially formulas that contain thickeners and are designed to stay in the stomach, reducing regurgitation.

Different A.R formulas on the market contain different thickeners. The more modern thickeners are designed to be slightly thick in the mouth and then thicken further in the stomach. If you suspect your baby has reflux, I would strongly suggest you seek medical advice for diagnosis and a management plan before starting to use a thickened formula on your own. There can be underlying reasons for reflux that require more treatment than a thickened formula. 

Constipation and reflux formula

I often hear mums who are using A.R. formula complain that this has led to constipation in their babies. This is likely due to the most common A.R formulas in New Zealand previously being casein protein dominant, up to 80% casein, as well as higher overall protein.

Newer formulations have adjusted the protein back to 60% whey:40% casein (like breastmilk) and have lowered the overall protein amount to meet new recommendations/guidelines, but do check each tin. There have been some small studies on A.R and constipation, but they showed no conclusive link.

There are also new products on the market which are feed thickeners alone. These can be added to your usual formula to thicken it like an A.R. but keep everything else baby is used to.

Whenever you are starting a new product like A.R or a thickener be prepared for baby’s bowel motions to change. They can cause diarrhoea initially until those first two weeks of settling are complete. Keep track of your baby’s bowel movements and if you are worried speak to your health professional.

Lactose free infant formula

Lactose is the naturally occurring carbohydrate found in both breast milk and cow’s milk. It is a fancy word for animal sugar and is found in all mammal milks. Lactose free formulas are typically cow’s milk formula that have had the lactose removed and replaced with an alternative carbohydrate source. They are often labelled as Lactose Free, L.I, De-Lact or Comfort. 

Lactose free formulas are an option for formula-fed infants with lactose intolerance (lifelong or genetic lactose intolerance is very rare in babies). As mentioned above, soy formula is another lactose free option. 

A lactose free formula is not an appropriate treatment for cow’s milk protein allergy. For this reason, if you suspect either cow’s milk or lactose intolerance in your baby, please seek medical advice before starting specialised formula. There can be some cross over with the presenting symptoms so an accurate diagnosis is best.

If you suspect your baby has lactose intolerance you can read about more here (hyperlink to Lactose Article) and please seek a medical diagnosis before starting a lactose-free formula.

Colic or Constipation formula

These are relatively new on the market and usually fall under the partially hydrolysed formula category. They not only have partially broken down protein (usually cow’s milk) but they can also contain a slightly different fat blend which can help keep baby’s poos soft and moving through. They also have a lowered lactose sugar level which may be helpful for colicky babies. It is always recommended to speak to your healthcare professional if you suspect your baby has colic or constipation as these symptoms can be linked to other dietary issues.

What isn’t necessarily the best formula for your baby

The most expensive formula on the shelf

Price has no bearing on whether a formula is good or not. All formulas must meet the same regulations to be sold in New Zealand and will be good choices if breast milk is not an option. Choose a formula that fits your budget. For example, goats produce less milk per animal versus cows so this often makes milk more expensive to buy, not necessarily better.

The formula your best friend swears by

It may have suited her and her baby, but it may not suit you, and your baby.

The formula you think smells and or tastes the best

Have you ever smelt a bottle of multi vitamins? It has a very distinctive odour. Infant formula is packed full of all sort of vitamins and minerals; it is these nutrients that give infant formula its distinctive smell. This is not a bad thing and your baby will more than likely find it completely acceptable. Your baby also has very different taste perception to you – just because you don’t find it delicious does not mean your baby will not be completely happy to drink it.

A can of formula past its use-by date or that has been open for too long

Infant formula have use-by dates for a reason. Please follow them and discard any formula that is past its use-by date. Infant formula will have a guideline on the can telling you how long after the can has been opened that it will remain safe for use (usually 4 weeks). Please follow the guideline on your specific tin, it can be a little difficult to find. 

Over time the nutrients in infant formula can degrade. Infant formula is as contaminant free as possible until opened. Usually the oxygen is removed and replaced by another gas to help prevent bacteria from growing. No formula can be considered sterile, and once opened contaminants can enter. Every time you open and close the lid and use the scoop there is a chance the formula could pick up contaminants. It is for this reason formula should be discarded after a certain amount of time. When you open the can, write the date on the lid so you know how long it has been open for.

The formula your hospital stocks

These are usually on rotation as many hospitals do not wish to show preference to one brand over another, so one week they may have one formula on hand, the next week it may be a different brand.

A non-commercial infant formula

If it has not been through rigorous testing and does not meet the nutritional parameters set out by the infant formula regulations, it is not going to be a good choice as a sole source of nutrition for your baby.

In conclusion: you should feel secure in the knowledge that all formula sold within New Zealand will be of good quality and will contain the nutrients your baby needs. You will find different types that will suit different families and different babies, but you will not find a bad formula for sale at a reputable retailer in New Zealand.

About the Authors

This article was originally written by Stacey Kemeys in 2015, Stacey is now a non practicing Dietitian, she continues to run this website My Kids Lick The Bowl.

This article was updated and reviewed in 2020 by both Stacey Kemeys and Alexis Fletcher- Reid.

Alexis is a midwife (BHSc. Mid) and Nutritionist (BSc. Hum Nut, Sprt Sci) who has been working with families for the past 12 years, mostly in the ‘first 1000 days’ space (preconception through to 2 years old). She focuses a lot on breast and bottle feeding, formula, and introducing solids – topics second only to baby sleep! She is also a mother to a one year old and owner of  www.blossombaby.co.nz 

Both Alexis and Stacey have worked for infant formula companies so are very familiar with the ingredients and formulations of baby formula available in New Zealand and Australia.