Lactose-free formula is available in pharmacies and shops, but if you think your baby may be lactose intolerant, it's important to speak to a midwife, health visitor or GP. Hypoallergenic formula Different kinds of goats' milk formula are available in pharmacies and shops. They are produced to the same nutritional standards as cow's milk-based formula. It's important to take extra care when making up and storing these products as powdered formula is not sterile and making it up at lower temperatures will not kill any harmful bacteria it may contain. Babies' low body weight means they take in much higher amounts of phytoestrogens than older children or adults who eat soya products as part of a varied and balanced diet.

In our latest baby food survey, we asked 268 parents with children up to five years old to rate each baby food brand they've tried. There are some concerns about the fact that soya contains phytoestrogens. These are found naturally in some plants. Unless a midwife, health visitor or GP suggests otherwise, first infant formula is the only formula your baby needs. Your baby can stay on it when you start to introduce your baby's first solid foods at around 6 months and they can drink it throughout their first year. Ways to keep your family living costs down, and kids of all ages happy Get our Family newsletter – it's free monthlyThe NHS recommends waiting until your baby is six months old to introduce solid foods. Until this age, they should be getting all the nutrients they need from breast milk or infant formula.

The cows' milk in formula contains 2 types of proteins – whey and casein. First infant formula is based on whey protein which is thought to be easier to digest than other types of formula.Less expensive than jarred products, especially those that are simply puréed fruit or vegetables - you can make these combinations far more cheaply at home with a hand blender. Best and worst baby products : parents reveal the accessories they can't live without, and which were a waste of money

Not all milk is suitable for feeding babies. You should never give the following types of milk to a baby under 1 year:This type of formula contains cows' milk proteins that have already been partly broken down (partially hydrolysed). This is supposed to make it easier to digest and help prevent digestive problems such as colic and constipation. However, there's no evidence for this. If your baby is diagnosed as being allergic to cows' milk, a GP will prescribe an appropriate hypoallergenic infant formula with fully hydrolysed (broken down) proteins.