Special needs
Breastfeeding is best for babies and exclusive breastfeeding for around the first six months of life is recommended by the UK Government. However, breastfeeding is not always possible as it can be difficult for some mums. Also, some babies can experience intolerance to cow’s milk protein or lactose. Therefore, a range of special formulas have been created so that babies with allergies or intolerances are nutritionally complete for growth and development.
Infant milks for special needs
There is a wide range of infant milks and formulas available. For babies with special needs, formulas need to be carefully prescribed as they are 'foods for special medical purposes', which must follow UK legislation.
The Food for Specific Groups (Food for Special Medical Purposes) for Infants
Specialist infant formulas available in the UK
AMINO ACID BASED
Abbott EleCare Similac
Nutramigen PurAmino
Nutricia Neocate Syneo
Nutricia Neocate LCP
Nutricia Neocate Junior
Nutricia Neocate Spoon
SMA® Alfamino
LACTOSE FREE
Nutricia Aptamil Lactose Free
SMA® LF
SOYA BASED
SMA® Soya infant milk (formerly SMA Wysoy)
THICKENED FORMULAS
(FSMP for the dietary management of reflux & regurgitation)
Cow & Gate Anti-Reflux
Nutricia Aptamil Anti-Reflux
HIGH ENERGY
Abbott Similac High Energy
Nestle SMA High Energy (Partially hydrolysed)
Nutricia nfatrini Peptisorb
EXTENSIVELY HYDROLYSED
Abbott SIMILAC® ALIMENTUM®
Nutramigen 1, 2 & 3
Nutramigen Pregestimil Lipil
Nutricia Aptamil Pepti Syneo
Nutricia Aptamil Pepti 1
Nutricia Aptamil Pepti 2
Nutricia Infatrini Peptisorb
Nutricia Aptamil Pepti Junior
SMA® Althera
PARTIALLY HYDROLYSED
HiPP Comfort Baby Milk Powder (not prescribed)
Nestle SMA Comfort
Nutricia Aptamil Comfort
Nutricia Cow & Gate Comfort
SMA® Anti Reflux
PREMATURE INFANT FORMULAS
Nestle SMA Gold Prem 2 (Partially hydrolysed)
Nestle SMA Gold Prem 2 Liquid (Partially hydrolysed)
Nutricia nutriprem 1 Liquid
Nutricia Hydrolysed nutriprem
Nutricia nutriprem 2 Liquid and 2 Powder
Nutricia nutriprem Protein Supplement
Nutricia nutriprem Human Milk Fortifier