Feeding FAQ: 4-6 months – Formula Feeding

My baby is four months old and has been quite happy with her formula until recently. However, she has just started getting grumpy a few hours after feeds and I think she might be hungry. Should I try one of the formulas I’ve seen that are supposed to satisfy hungrier babies?

It’s a good question, as there is a range of formulas on the supermarket shelves, each marketed for a different age or stage. As we hear often, breastfeeding is the best nutritional choice for babies, but in cases where this isn’t possible, mums will certainly want to make the most suitable choice of formula for their baby. Formulas that say they are for hungrier babies, such as Cow & Gate Plus and SMA White, are noted to be suitable from birth, just as the first stage formulas are, such as Cow & Gate Premium and SMA Gold.
So what is the difference between them? You may be surprised to hear that Little Miss Muffet can give us the answer – it all comes down to curds and whey. The food Miss Muffet was eating was simply the two different types of protein found in milk, whether breast milk or cows’ milk, and baby formula. The whey is a type of milk protein that tends to stay in liquid form, whereas the curds are made from casein, a protein that forms more solid clumps in the digestive system. Breast milk has a higher percentage of whey protein than of casein protein, as do the formulas we tend to use first for babies, such as Cow & Gate Premium and SMA Gold. On the other hand, formulas marketed for hungrier babies have the opposite ratio, and are known as casein-based. The formula companies suggest that these formulas may keep a baby ‘satisfied’ for longer because the clumps of casein-type protein take longer to digest. Elaine Farrell, the Chairperson of the British Dietetic Association’s Paediatric Group, reports that there is little scientific evidence that they do keep babies from getting hungry sooner after a feed, though it is easy to understand in theory.
The question is whether it’s appropriate to try a casein-based formula for a baby who seems hungry? There are a few different factors to consider. As Elaine Farrell notes, both whey and casein-based formulas are nutritionally complete, so both are able to be given to your four-month-old; either one can supply all the protein, vitamins and minerals a baby of less than six months needs. The whey-based formulas are, however, more similar to breast milk, which might influence your decision. Of course, your baby might be acting as though they’re hungry simply because they are actually hungry and need more formula! Your baby’s nutritional requirements are increasing as she grows, and until she starts solids, all her nutrition comes from her formula. So maybe you could first try giving her more of her current type of formula, whether as an extra bottle each day or a greater amount per feed. If you’re breastfeeding as well, you could start by offering an extra breastfeed. You should discuss this with your GP or Health Visitor if you feel she is already having enough formula.
If you do decide to try the casein-based formulas, note that some mums find that their babies aren’t happy with a change in formula, either disliking the taste or experiencing digestive upsets, such as constipation. If this happens, do check to be absolutely sure that the formula is being made up correctly and offer drinks of cooled, boiled water. Of course you can always change back to a whey-based formula because it is still nutritionally suitable.
Do always keep in mind that babies can be grumpy for all sorts of reasons, such as teething and difficulty sleeping. If changing the formula type or amount, or offering a breastfeed more regularly, doesn’t seem to help, you might try looking at these other areas.