Formula.

Desiree Bobby
Dec 30, 2025
8 min read

Formula: how do you choose, what are the differences and what is actually true?

Whether you're exclusively bottle-feeding, combining with breastfeeding, or switching over temporarily, almost every parent will sooner or later find themselves in the world of formula. And that world is… quite a crowded one. Different brands, "comfort" options, goat's milk, lactose-free, anti-reflux formulas and meanwhile, you hear something different from everyone.

In this article I will take you step by step:

how artificial nutrition is structured
what types there are
what the real difference is between brands
myths about switching brands, colic, lactose intolerance and goat's milk

Based on scientific information and the (strict) regulations that bottle feeding must comply with in Europe.

In summary

All artificial formula sold in the Netherlands and Europe meets strict legal requirements . This means that all standard infant formulas are safe and nutritious for healthy babies.

The differences between brands are mainly in details like the whey/casein ratio, types of fats, and additives (e.g., prebiotics, probiotics, or HMOs). They don't affect your baby's basic health or growth.

There are different types of formulas, such as standard infant formula, comfort formula, AR formula, hypoallergenic formula, low-lactose formula, and goat's milk formula, but they are designed for different situations and needs .

Most babies do very well on regular, standard food.

Only in case of clear complaints or medical reasons is a specific variant useful, and preferably in consultation with a professional.

Common myths are wrong:

Changing brands is allowed for standard food.
Colic is rarely caused by any particular brand ; the intestinal tract is simply immature.
Lactose intolerance is rare in young babies ; lactose-free is not a standard solution.
Goat's milk is not hypoallergenic, not lactose-free and not suitable for people with a cow's milk protein allergy.

In practice, you primarily choose a brand that's readily available, affordable, easy to use , and that your baby tolerates well. If your baby is growing, drinking, and content, you're usually in good hands. If you have any doubts, experience severe symptoms, or are experiencing anxiety, it's wise to discuss with your doctor, midwife, pediatrician, or child health clinic whether switching is necessary.

Breast milk is the biological norm for babies.

It contains living cells, antibodies, and substances that change with your baby's needs. Therefore, all types of formula try to mimic breast milk as closely as possible. However, this is something formula can never fully replicate.

But in real life, many babies are also bottle-fed. Sometimes temporarily, sometimes as a supplement, sometimes completely, for all sorts of reasons that are normal and acceptable.

That's why infant formula in the EU (and therefore also in the Netherlands) is subject to strict, specific legislation. These rules specify precisely which ingredients are permitted in formula, the minimum and maximum limits they must meet, and what is not permitted in formula.

Think of energy, proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals, all tailored to what a baby needs to grow healthily.

That means:

All standard formulas sold here are nutritious enough and safe for healthy babies.
Brands are allowed to vary a little within those margins, but not “just do whatever”.
There is no scientific evidence that one ordinary, standard brand is structurally “better” than another in terms of growth and development, as long as they meet the legal requirements.

The basis is almost always cow's milk that has been processed in such a way that it better meets the needs of a baby (e.g. lower protein content, added other fats, extra vitamins/minerals).

Basically there are two types: infant formula and follow-on milk.

Standard “first” infant formula (0–12 months)

This is the basic food for babies who are not breastfed or combination fed.

Based on cow's milk protein (usually with more whey than casein, as it is easier to digest)
Suitable from birth to 1 year (you do not need to switch to follow-on milk if your baby does well on it).

Follow-on milk (from 6 months)

Follow-on milk is mainly a marketing thing :

May only be given from 6 months of age.
Research shows no advantage over regular first-generation formula; your baby can continue on the first variety until they are 1 year old.

Then there are a few variations:

Goat milk-based artificial nutrition

Increasingly well-known, many parents wonder whether this is “better” or “milder”.

Goat and cow's milk formulas must follow the same rules and produce comparable growth and health outcomes in babies.
Goat's milk formula is not suitable for babies with a cow's milk protein allergy: the proteins are too similar.
Goat's milk contains lactose (about 4–5 g per 100 ml, like cow's milk)
So with true lactose intolerance the symptoms remain.
There is no strong evidence that goat's milk causes fewer allergies or structurally reduces colic.

“Hungry” food / extra casein

These foods contain more casein (a protein that is digested more slowly).

Often marketed as good for “hungry babies” or “better sleep.”
There is no evidence that this helps babies sleep better or become calmer.

“Comfort” or partially hydrolyzed food

The proteins have been partially broken down (hydrolyzed) , which makes them slightly easier to digest.

Can sometimes help with mild intestinal complaints (gas, cramps, slightly looser stools), but the effect is not spectacular in all babies.
Not suitable for babies with a true cow's milk protein allergy (which requires a much more hydrolysed or amino acid diet).

Anti-reflux (“AR”) food

This food has been thickened (for example with locust bean gum) so that it flows back less easily and spitting up can be reduced.

Use only on the advice of a doctor/midwife/child health clinic.
Preparation is sometimes a little different than with regular food (due to lump formation)

Lactose-free or low-lactose diet

Here the lactose (milk sugar) has been (partly) replaced by other carbohydrates.

Important to know:

True (primary or congenital) lactose intolerance in young babies is extremely rare. Estimates range from 1 in 40,000 to 60,000 births in certain populations (such as Finland) and are even rarer worldwide.
This usually involves temporary, secondary lactose intolerance after, for example, a intestinal infection: in such cases, a lactose-free diet can sometimes be useful temporarily, but always under medical supervision.
This is the form that many adults have. In this condition, the lactase enzyme gradually declines after infancy. Symptoms usually only arise after toddlerhood or school age.
Lactose-free is not the standard solution for cramps.

Hypoallergenic, extensively hydrolyzed and amino acid food

These are intended for babies with a cow's milk protein allergy (CMA) or very specific medical conditions. Cow's milk allergy occurs in approximately 2–3% of babies in the first year of life. It usually develops in the first 3–6 months, and 80–90% recover from it by age 3.

So it is much more common than lactose intolerance in babies, but still relatively rare.

Proteins are so cut up (or replaced by individual amino acids) that the immune system is less likely to recognize them as “cow's milk”.
Only available by doctor's prescription; often taste bitter and are expensive.

Plant-based formulas (soy, rice)

May be used for specific medical reasons or dietary choices, but only on the advice of a doctor .
There are concerns about estrogens (phytoestrogens) in soy, which is why it is often used sparingly internationally.

Different brands: what's the real difference?

Looking at the shelves, every brand seems to be “the best”: with special fats, prebiotics, probiotics, HMOs, extra DHA, “like breast milk”…

Important to remember:

All major brands in the Netherlands/EU meet the same legal minimum and maximum requirements for nutrients.
The differences are mainly in:
- whey/casein ratio
- type of fats (palm oil, MCTs, vegetable oils)
- additives such as prebiotics, probiotics, HMOs, extra DHA/ARA
- whether it is organic
- price, taste and how your baby tolerates it

There is no independent, robust evidence that any one particular regular brand (within the same category) consistently produces smarter , bigger or healthier children than another.

Organic/Bio : Organic formula is often a choice based on agriculture/values (no synthetic pesticides, animal welfare, etc.), but not because the composition is demonstrably much healthier for the baby.

So basically you can choose any brand of complete infant formula.

Common myths about artificial feeding (and what we do know)

Myth 1: “You can't switch brands”

No, that's not a hard rule.

In principle, you can switch between standard infant formulas (same category), especially if your baby does not seem to tolerate a brand well or if other practical reasons play a role (price, availability).
Babies sometimes need a few days to get used to a new diet (stools and colic may change temporarily).
What you'd better not do: try something different every few days "just because something's difficult." That just creates anxiety.

Is there a lot of projectile vomiting, poor growth, eczema, blood/mucus in the stool, or inconsolable crying? Then it's important not to switch your baby endlessly, but to discuss with your doctor/pediatrician whether there's a more serious issue .

Myth 2: “Cramps are caused by artificial feeding”

Colic is often linked to the brand or type of food, but that's usually not true. Colic often occurs when the intestines are still maturing , and this is just as common in breastfed babies.

What does research say?

There is insufficient evidence that a regular, standard brand of formula on its own causes or relieves colic.
In a small subset of babies, certain modified formulas (e.g. partially or extensively hydrolyzed formulas ) can reduce crying, but this does not mean that a specific A-brand is the "culprit", but rather that the baby in question is more sensitive to (cow's) milk protein or digestion.

In practice, there are often more factors that contribute to cramps:

immature intestinal tract
overstimulation, fatigue
sometimes reflux or cow's milk protein allergy

In short: cramps are usually normal. Not automatically a sign that your diet is "wrong" or that you need to switch.

Myth 3: “Every baby with colic is lactose intolerance.”

Lactose has a bad reputation, but:

Congenital lactose intolerance is extremely rare. These babies are seriously ill from the first feeding (watery diarrhea, dehydration, and lack of growth), making it a medical emergency.
The most common form in babies is temporary (secondary) lactose intolerance following a bowel infection or other damage to the intestinal wall, in which case a low-lactose/lactose-free diet may be necessary temporarily.
The “classic” lactose intolerance that people develop later in life (e.g. stomach ache after milk) usually only develops after toddlerhood/preschool age.

So: most young babies can handle lactose just fine. Colic is rarely a reason to switch to lactose-free food without a clear medical reason.

Myth 4: “Goat’s milk is hypoallergenic/better for sensitive tummies”

Goat's milk sounds natural and soft and is often marketed as such.

What do we know?

Goat's and cow's milk-based formulas produce comparable growth and health benefits in babies.
The proteins in goat's milk are very similar to those in cow's milk; for babies with a cow's milk protein allergy, goat's milk is not a safe option .
There's no convincing evidence that goat's milk systematically reduces colic or allergies. The benefit is primarily a matter of individual tolerance or preference (sometimes a baby tolerates it better, sometimes not).

If you choose goat's milk, that's fine, but based on preference , not on the promise that it is "hypoallergenic" by definition.

When to consider another brand or other

kind?

Reasons to consult a professional about alternative nutrition:

your baby is not growing enough (according to the growth curve)
frequent and heavy spitting, projectile vomiting combined with crying
stool with blood/mucus
persistent eczema + other complaints
inconsolable crying, really beyond what you would expect with normal colic

It may then be necessary to switch to a different type (e.g. comfort, AR, hypoallergenic), temporarily give lactose-reduced/lactose-free food and/or to do further research into cow's milk protein allergy or other causes.

Always do this in consultation with your GP, pediatrician, midwife, or child health clinic. Self-medication with medical nutrition can actually mask or worsen symptoms.

So how do you choose?

If your baby is healthy and has no medical indication, you can make your choice something like this:

Choose a standard infant formula (0–12 months) from a brand that:
- is readily available
- is financially feasible
- you like in terms of feeling and information
See how your baby is doing after 2 weeks :
- Is he drinking well, growing, having reasonable bowel movements, not extremely restless? → just leave him alone.
- Are you in doubt? Discuss it first, away from blame and panic.
Only in case of clear complaints or medical reasons is another type (comfort, AR, hypoallergenic, lactose-free, goat's milk) worth considering, not as a "standard upgrade" .

Finally

If your baby is formula-fed, know this: there's no need to panic. The shelves are full, prices vary enormously, and every package promises something extra. But within the EU, formulas are much more similar on the inside than they appear on the outside.

Choose a complete infant formula that you enjoy, is affordable, and can continue to buy without stress. The basic formula is safe and good quality everywhere in Europe.

Love,

Bobby