Infant and follow-on formulas are the only suitable alternatives for babies who are not breastfed. They are based on cows' milk, but are modified as cows' milk contains too much protein for infants. Infant formula is specifically developed to be suitable for infants from birth. Follow-on formula is a cows' milk based product that has been specially designed to meet the needs of infants aged 6 months and older as part of a weaning diet. It has a different nutrition composition to infant formula, including a higher iron and lower energy content. Follow-on formula is designed as a milk based drink to support the weaning diet.

Health professionals recommend that cows' milk is not introduced as the main milk drink until after twelve months of age, Up to twelve months of age an infant should be given breastmilk or formula as the milk drink.

Details on the types of infant and follow on formula available are shown in the table below:-

Type	Age suitability	Detail
Infant formula – whey based	From birth	Cows' milk based formula, adapted to suit needs of infant. Casein to whey ratio is similar to breastmilk (40:60). May have lower mineral content (in particular sodium and potassium) for newborn babies who have immature kidneys.
Infant formula – casein based	From birth	Cows' milk based formula, adapted to suit needs of infant. Casein to whey ratio same as cows' milk (80:20).
Infant formula – soy	From birth	For use under medical advice for babies unable to tolerate other milks. Based on soy protein and modified to suit nutritional requirements of infants.
Follow-on formula	From 6 months	Cows'milk formula adapted to provide a suitable drink to support weaning diet from 6 months. Has higher iron when compared to infant formula.
Specialised formulae	From birth	A variety of products are available for babies with medical conditions. These products are typically prescribable in specific cases and require medical supervision.