Follow on milk? Is it a must?

[ZoeDellow95]

My son is 7 months old now and still on number 1 milk. I’ve seen the follow on milk and wondered if I should put him on it? Is it a must? What are the advantages or disadvantages of it? My son had a reaction to aptamil when he was little and then suffered with reflux and regurgitation. His only been on normal milk for 3 1/2 months. Is it too soon to introduce another milk?

I was advised by HV and midwives not to bother switching DD to follow on milk - apparently there's no benefit to it.

From NHS website: "Research shows that switching to follow-on formula at six months has no benefits for your baby. Your baby can carry on having first infant formula as their main drink until they are one year old."

I did switch around 9 months but only because it was cheaper and you can get reward points/ special offers on it

It's a marketing gimmick for milk companies. They are not allowed to advertise baby milk, so they invented follow-on milk as something to market to us.

Presumably your son is beginning to widen his diet and get nutrients from sources other than milk? Occasionally it may be useful for children who can't eat a wide diet.

My baby struggled with reflux too so I definitely did not want to change milks unless I really had to. All of the research that I did suggested that follow on milks were not necessary at all, in fact most advice said that they are only created / heavily advertised because of legislation regarding advertising 'first milks'. My son has just turned 1 and is still on his first milk and we are very slowly swapping onto cows milk now. Hope that helps

As madrush said, its about marketing. No need for it but it can be useful in some circumstances.

Oh cross post, but yeah!

No need at all.

My son was on cow and gate first milk until 12 months and is now on cows milk with a three healthy meals a day and a couple of snacks.

Interesting article here about WHO's stance on follow on milk.

Follow-on milk is an absolute lie. It was only invented so we are aware of formula companies, because of the advertising rules.

I was going to say the same as Madrush. Formula milks that are from birth are fine to use until you stop using formula. I only use them for my son if there's none of his usual milk left in the shop.

Yes my son is on cow and gate too! Think I’ll just keep him on the same milk. Thank you

Follow-on milk only exists in countries where the advertising of infant formula is banned. It exists to give the companies something to advertise.

It doesn't matter. You can use the first formula until whenever.

As others have said, there's no need at all. We didn't. It's a marketing ploy because milk companies are not allowed to advertise stage 1 milk.