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Follow-On Milk – Meaning, Content and Use
Follow-on milk is a specially formulated infant food for babies from 6 months of age, used alongside solid foods. It is based on cow's milk and tailored to the nutritional needs of older infants.
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Follow-on milk is a specially formulated infant food for babies from 6 months of age, used alongside solid foods. It is based on cow's milk and tailored to the nutritional needs of older infants.
What Is Follow-On Milk?
Follow-on milk (also called follow-on formula) is an industrially produced infant formula designed specifically for babies from the age of 6 months onwards. It is intended to complement the introduction of solid foods (weaning foods) and follows on from starter formula (stage 1 formula). Follow-on milk is typically available in different stages, commonly stage 2 (from 6 months) and stage 3 (from 10 or 12 months).
Composition and Nutrients
Follow-on milk is generally based on cow's milk protein and is formulated to meet the changing nutritional requirements of older infants. Typical components include:
- Protein: Slightly higher protein content than starter formula, suited to the maturing digestive system of the baby
- Iron: Higher iron content, as the infant's natural iron stores begin to deplete from around 6 months of age
- Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCP): Such as DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) to support brain development
- Vitamins and minerals: Including vitamin D, calcium, and iodine in appropriate amounts
- Prebiotics and probiotics: Some products contain these to support gut flora development
Difference From Starter Formula
Unlike starter formula (stage 1), which is suitable as the sole nutrition for newborns and young infants, follow-on milk must not be used as the only source of nutrition. It is explicitly designed as a supplement to solid foods. The higher protein content in follow-on milk would not be appropriate for younger infants.
When Is Follow-On Milk Used?
Follow-on milk is used when:
- the baby has reached 6 months of age and is beginning solid foods
- breastfeeding has been reduced or stopped
- a supplementary milk formula alongside solid foods is desired
Important: According to the World Health Organization (WHO), breast milk remains the best nutrition for infants and should ideally be continued until the end of the first year of life and beyond.
Is Follow-On Milk Necessary?
From a nutritional medicine standpoint, follow-on milk is not strictly necessary. Breastfed babies or infants receiving starter formula can continue with their existing feeding after 6 months. Follow-on milk has not been shown to offer any proven health advantage over continued starter formula or breastfeeding. Health authorities and nutrition experts note that follow-on milk is largely a marketing product rather than a medical necessity.
Safety and Regulation
In the European Union, follow-on milk is subject to strict legal requirements. Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/127 governs the composition, labelling, and marketing of infant formula and follow-on formula. Manufacturers must demonstrate that their products are safe and suitable for their intended purpose.
Preparation and Use
The following points should be observed when preparing follow-on milk:
- Wash hands thoroughly before preparation
- Use freshly boiled water cooled to approximately 40 °C
- Measure the exact amount of powder as indicated on the packaging
- Do not store prepared formula at room temperature for longer than 2 hours
- Always discard leftovers and never reheat a partially used bottle
References
- World Health Organization (WHO): Infant and young child feeding. Fact sheet. Geneva, 2021. Available at: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/infant-and-young-child-feeding
- European Commission: Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/127 of 25 September 2015 supplementing Regulation (EU) No 609/2013. Official Journal of the European Union, 2016.
- Koletzko B. et al.: Infant nutrition and nutrition of the breastfeeding mother. Monatsschrift Kinderheilkunde, Springer Medizin, 2016.
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