Infant formula
Infant formula is a manufactured food designed and marketed for feeding to babies and infants under 12 months of age, usually prepared for bottle-feeding or cup-feeding from powder or liquid concentrate. It is designed to mimic the nutritional composition of human breast milk, typically based on cow's milk or soy, with added vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients. While originating as a medical necessity, it has become a global staple in infant nutrition.
🍽️ Nutrition at a glance
Infant formula is nutritionally balanced to support rapid growth and development, providing a mix of carbohydrates (often from lactose), fats, and proteins in ratios similar to breast milk. A standard prepared serving (about 5 fl oz or 150 mL) typically contains around 100-120 calories, and is fortified with essential nutrients like DHA, ARA, iron, and vitamins A, C, and D.
Nutrition breakdown
| Calories | 150 kcal |
| Protein | 8 g |
| Carbs | 17 g |
| Fat | 6 g |
| Fiber | 0 g |
| Sugar | 17 g |
| Sodium | 50 mg |
| Calcium | 530 mg |
| Iron | 1.8 mg |
| Vitamin D | 1.0 mcg |
| Potassium | 700 mg |
| Phosphorus | 350 mg |
| Vitamin A | 60 mcg |
| Vitamin C | 12 mg |
| Zinc | 1.5 mg |
Per 1 cup (240 g) · estimated, varies by recipe
💡 What's interesting
The development of infant formula in the 19th and 20th centuries was a major public health advancement, drastically reducing infant mortality when breastfeeding was not possible. Modern formulas are highly engineered products, with ongoing research to add components like human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) to more closely match the complex bioactivity of breast milk.
