Feeding FAQ: 4-6 months – Formula Feeding

My baby is almost 6 months old and seems quite happy with a mixture of formula and breastfeeds. I plan to start giving him solids soon but wondered if I should be changing the formula to one of the follow-on ones that say they should be used from 6 months.

It can be quite confusing to look at all the different formulas on shop shelves, with new ones appearing all the time. The ‘follow-on’ formulas, such as SMA Progress and Cow and Gate Step-up, state that they are suitable from 6 months and that they contain a combination of nutrients suitable for babies of this age. Babies do start to need a slightly different nutrient mix from about 6 months, which neither breastmilk nor a ‘starter’ infant formula can supply. Probably the biggest change is in iron requirements. Iron is an essential mineral for all of us, especially for its role in oxygen transport around the body. Babies are born with a good store of iron, but much of it is used up during their first 6 months as they get very little from their diet of breastmilk or starter formulas. Thus, babies require a better source of iron from about 6 months, and this is one of the reasons it’s recommended that they start solids at this time. By introducing a range of different foods during the weaning process (following the guidelines of just one new food at a time and using suitable textures, of course) you will gradually give your little one more and more foods containing a range of nutrients, some of which will be rich in iron. Particularly good sources of iron that can be suitable for babies are iron-fortified baby rice, minced beef or lamb, oil-rich fish such as sardines, egg (be sure it’s fully cooked), lentils, and green leafy vegetables such as spinach or broccoli. Do note that iron is more easily absorbed from meat then other food types. However, if iron-rich plant-based foods such as green vegetables or lentils are eaten along with a food rich in vitamin C, it will help the body to absorb the iron. Good sources of vitamin C include oranges (and their juice), berries, kiwifruit and melon, as well as raw peppers and tomatoes. See The Contented Child’s Food Bible by Gina Ford and Paul Sacher for more information on ensuring a good iron intake for your child.
So do you need to use a follow-on formula to supply extra nutrients such as iron to your baby? If he takes to solids well and, after a few months, is enjoying a range of different foods, try to ensure that he is offered a few iron-rich foods each day; this should meet his needs. Then there is no need to discontinue the formula he enjoys to change to a new one. If your baby is not so keen on solids though, or is slow to gain weight, there would be no harm in changing to a follow-on formula, so long as your baby is happy with it. They are nutritionally complete which means that they do supply all the vitamins, minerals and protein your baby requires from formula at this stage. In this case, I’d also suggest discussing your baby’s diet with your GP or health visitor, just to be on the safe side.