What is the difference between whole milk and skimmed milk in follow-on formula?

When choosing follow-on formula for your baby, you often come across two variants: follow-on formula based on whole milk and follow-on formula based on skimmed milk. This difference applies not only to cow’s milk products but also to follow-on formula made from goat’s milk. But what exactly is the difference between the two? And why do some manufacturers choose skimmed milk while others prefer whole milk?

The Basics: Skimmed or Whole Milk?

The base of follow-on formula is animal milk, such as cow’s or goat’s milk. This milk is processed into milk powder and then enriched with essential nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids. This is where the key difference arises: some manufacturers use skimmed milk powder, while others opt for whole milk powder.

Why is Skimmed Milk Used?

In many countries, it is common to produce baby formula using skimmed milk powder.

Because skimmed milk naturally contains less fat, the missing milk fats need to be supplemented. This is often done by adding vegetable oils such as palm oil. These oils contribute to a specific composition of polyunsaturated fatty acids, which are legally required in baby formula.

Why Do Some Brands Choose Whole Milk?

At Pure Goat Company, we choose whole milk as the base for our follow-on formula. This offers several advantages:

• Natural Milk Fats and the Addition of Vegetable Oils: Whole milk naturally contains valuable milk fats that are important for a baby’s growth and development. In addition, we add rapeseed oil and sunflower oil, as these oils contribute to a balanced fatty acid composition.
• Less Processing: Since whole milk retains its natural fats, less processing is required. This helps preserve the milk’s original quality.

What is the Best Choice?

Both types of follow-on formula—based on skimmed milk or whole milk—are safe and meet all legal requirements for baby nutrition. The choice depends on personal preferences and your baby’s needs.

Do you prefer a follow-on formula with less industrial processing and natural milk fats? Then a whole milk-based follow-on formula could be a great choice.

At Pure Goat Company, we believe in preserving the natural power of milk. That’s why we use whole goat’s milk, ensuring your baby benefits from a pure and nutritious start.