How many types of Baby Formula are there?

Infant formula or baby formula with its popular name is a manufactured food which is using for babies and infants till 12 months of age. After some controversies about the ingredients and preparation types of Baby Formulas, The U.S. Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act made an announcement and mainly reviewed baby formula as ingredients prepared with human milk simulation or products that can be used as complete or partial substitute for it. First baby formulas started to be sold in 19th century. Baby formula brought a deep cultural change and it also followed Cultural Revolution period of 19th century. Today there are various baby formula brands in the market but their preparation ways are ruled by laws. How many types of Baby Formula are there?


Today there are 9 different baby formula types in the market. They are cow’s milk-based formula, “gentle” formula, lactose-free formula, added rice starch formula, soy formula, formula for premature babies, next-step or toddler formula, elemental formula and amino acid based formula.
Cow’s milk-based formula is the most popular baby formula ever. It’s a standard baby formula every baby may be fed if he or she isn’t breastfeeding. Today it’s possible to find lots of cow’s milk-based baby formulas in the market like Nestle Good Start Gentle Plus, Similac Advance and Enfamil Lipil. There are lots of babies show allergy or similar symptoms after feeding with cow’s milk-based baby formulas so there are also special baby formulas for this children.

“Gentle” formula is one of the baby formula types that is using for babies who is facing lactose and gas problems after feeding with cow’s milk-based baby formulas. It hasn’t a no lactose product because scientists offer reduced lactose for babies who don’t have high lactose problem. Today there are more babies who are affecting from lactose problem than old century. There are lots of researches about the reason of developing lactose problems and also usage rate of “gentle” baby formulas are rising. Products like Nestle Good Start Gentle Plus and Enfamil Gentlease Lipil are offering “gentle” formula.
There are lactose-free baby formulas for babies who have strong lactose intolerance. Most of baby doctors offer lactose free baby formulas but there are also controversies about lactose intolerance level in babies and effects of lactose free milks for immunity development process. Similac Sensitive and Enfamil LactoFree Lipil are the popular products in this category.
“Added rice starch baby formulas” are one of the latest product types in the baby formula market. Enfamil and Similac released this type of product for babies with acid reflux problem. Researches showed that “Added rice starch baby formulas “for acid reflux patient babies are not offering the perfect solution but they are helping to stop reflux and strengthen the digestion system.
“Soy formula” based baby formulas are one of the most discussing new product types ever. They are offering solution of lots of problems like lactose intolerance, galactosemia and milk protein allergies in one product but also soy based allergies and illnesses are rising especially in developed countries. Researches showed that “soy formula” is realizing what it shows in ads but it’s also possible to see some other illnesses in close future of babies using these products.

“Formula for premature babies” based baby formulas are including more calories than standard baby formulas. They are also including important nutrients for low-birth weight babies and premature babies. Similac Neosure and Enfamil EnfaCare Lipil are popular products in this category.
“Next-step or toddler formula” based baby formula products are for older infants from 9 months to 24 months. Also there are “amino acid based formula” based baby formulas for babies with soy allergies or milk protein problems.