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Breastfeeding is best for babies

Please read this important notice first

By clicking the continue button, you will be able to view information about Similac infant milks and other products. If you choose to proceed, you are accepting that Similac is supplying this information at your individual request for information purposes. Please consult a healthcare professional to make an informed choice on feeding your baby milks & weaning onto solid foods.

Breastfeeding is best for babies and provides many benefits. It is important that, in preparation for and during breastfeeding, you eat a healthy, balanced diet. Combined breast and bottle feeding in the first weeks of life may reduce the supply of your own breast milk, and reversing the decision not to breastfeed is difficult. The social and financial implications of using an infant milk should be considered. Improper use of an infant milk or inappropriate foods or feeding methods may present a health hazard. If you use an infant milk, you should follow manufacturer’s instructions for use carefully – failure to follow the instructions may make your baby ill.

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Your questions answered

Breastfeeding and bottle feeding

1. What are the health benefits of breastfeeding?

Breastfeeding is the best form of nutrition for babies and delivers significant health benefits for both mothers and babies. Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended by the World Health Organization for the first six months of life.1

 

Any amount of breast milk has a positive effect. The longer you breastfeed, the longer the protection lasts and the greater the benefits.2

 

Breastfeeding and making breast milk also have health benefits for you. The more you breastfeed, the greater the benefits.2

 

Breastfeeding lowers your risk of:

  • Breast cancer
  • Ovarian cancer
  • Osteoporosis (weak bones)
  • Cardiovascular disease
  • Obesity

1. WHO, 2016: https://www.who.int/nutrition/topics/exclusive_breastfeeding/en/ Accessed 1st August 2019


2. NHS UK, 2017: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/benefits-breastfeeding/ Accessed on 12th September 2019

2. How do I combine breast and bottle-feeding?

Breastfeeding is best for babies and provides many benefits. If you are considering bottle-feeding then it is important to be aware that this will reduce the amount of breast milk you produce and it may make breastfeeding more difficult because your body will make less milk. It may be difficult to reverse once you have started combination feeding.

 

We would recommend you speak to your healthcare professional for further information on combining breastfeeding and bottle-feeding.

3. What equipment do I need for bottle feeding?

Breastfeeding is best for babies and provides many benefits. In order to bottle feed your baby you will need:

  • Bottles with teats and bottle covers
  • Formula milk powder or sterile ready-to-feed liquid formula
  • Bottle brush
  • Teat brush
  • Sterilising equipment

4. Can I warm up my Similac Gold® milk in a microwave?

Never warm up your baby’s milk in a microwave as this may result in heat spots (the feed does not heat evenly) which may burn your baby’s mouth.

 

5. How do I know if my baby is getting enough milk?

Your baby’s weight gain and the number of wet and dirty nappies will help to inform you whether your baby is getting enough milk. Your baby should produce around six wet nappies a day a few days after birth. Wet nappies should be soaked through with clear or pale yellow urine.


If you have any concerns with your baby’s weight gain then speak to your healthcare professional.

 
 

6. What types of infant and toddler milks do you have?

Breastfeeding is best for babies and provides many benefits. Abbott has two stages of standard Similac Gold® milks available in the UK.


They are:

  • Similac Gold® First Infant Milk which is suitable from birth
  • Similac Gold® Follow On Milk which is suitable from six months
 
 
 
 

7. Which Similac Gold® milk is right for my baby?

Breastfeeding is best for babies and provides many benefits. Most infant and toddler milks are produced from cow’s milk that has been made suitable for babies and toddlers. There are different stages of milks available, and follow on milk, growing up milk and toddler milk should not be given to babies under six months.


If you think a particular brand of infant or toddler milk disagrees with your baby then please speak with your healthcare professional for further advice.

 
 
 
 
 

Product enquiries

1. What is the nutritional breakdown of Similac Gold® products?

Similac Gold® First Infant Milk

nutritional_stage1@2x (1)

 

  

Similac Gold® Follow On Milk

nutritional_stage2@2x (1)

 

 

 

2. Can Similac Gold® be frozen?

No, baby milks should not be frozen before or after mixing. Freezing baby milks may cause it to become grainy or cause the fat to separate.

 
 

3. Is Similac Gold® available as a ready to feed liquid?

Both stages of Similac Gold® are only available in powdered form to be mixed with water as per the instructions on the pack.

 
 
 

4. Can I make bottles up in advance and store them in the fridge?

Where possible, each bottle should be made up fresh for each feed. Storing made-up formula milk may increase the chance of your baby becoming ill. However, there are times when this may not be practical and feeds need to be prepared in advance, for example when taking your baby to a nursery or when leaving the house for a prolonged period of time.

 

The following steps outline the safest way to prepare and pre-prepare feeds for later use:

  • Prepare feeds in separate bottles, not in one large container (e.g. a jug)
  • Thoroughly wash and rinse all equipment to be used in preparing the feed. Sterilise all utensils according to manufacturers’ instructions or boil for 10 minutes.
  • Boil fresh tap water (not bottled water) and allow to cool for no longer than 30 minutes. Do not use artificially softened water or repeatedly boiled water.
  • Wash your hands and clean the surface you are going to use.
  • Pour the correct amount of warm, previously boiled water into the sterilised beaker or bottle.
  • Fill the scoop with Similac Gold® powder, levelling with the back of a clean, dry, knife. Do not pack down in the scoop.
  • Add one scoop of powder to each 30 ml of water. Only use the scoop provided.
  • Shake the bottle gently until the powder is completely dissolved.
  • Cool quickly to feeding temperature by holding under a running tap, or placing in a container of cold water.
  • Check the temperature by shaking a few drops onto the inside of your wrist - it should feel lukewarm, not hot.
  • It is recommended that each feed is prepared as required. Discard any formula that has not been used within 2 hours.
 
 
 
 

5. How does Similac Gold® compare to other formulas already on the market?

We can only advise on our own products. We are able to provide you with the nutritional information of both stages of Similac Gold®. Please refer to nutritional tables in question 1 under the Product Enquiries section above alternatively, please visit Similac.co.uk or look at the information on the tin for a full list of ingredients.

 
 
 
 
 

6. What is palm oil or palm olein oil?

Palm oil is an edible vegetable oil, high in saturated fats, derived from the fruit of the oil palm tree. Palm oil and palm olein oil (a derivative of palm oil) are currently added to many infant formulas as a source of palmitic acid. This is a fatty acid which is naturally found in breast milk. However, the palmitic acid from palm oil and palm olein oil has a different structure to that found in breast milk.

 
 
 
 
 
 

Dietary requirements and allergens

1. Are both stages of Similac Gold® suitable for vegetarians?

Yes, both stages of Similac Gold® are suitable for vegetarians. The fatty acids are from algal sources. Please note that the vitamin D in Similac Gold® is synthesised from cholesterol which is extracted from the grease in wool sheared from live sheep.

2. Are both stages of Similac Gold® suitable for vegans?

No, neither stages of Similac Gold® are suitable for vegans.

3. Are both stages of Similac Gold® suitable for halal diets, kosher diets, gluten free and nut free?

Yes, both stages of Similac Gold® are suitable for halal diets, kosher diets, gluten free and nut free.

4. Are both stages of Similac Gold® free from genetically modified ingredients?

Yes, both stages of Similac Gold® are free from genetically modified ingredients.

5. Are Similac Gold® infant formula and follow-on milk lactose and soya free?

No, both stages of Similac Gold® contain lactose and soya.

6. Are both stages of Similac Gold® egg and fish free?

Yes, both stages of Similac Gold® are egg and fish free.

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©2024 Abbott Laboratories Limited. All rights reserved. Registered Number: 329102 England Registered Office: Abbott House, Vanwall Business Park, Vanwall Road, Maidenhead, Berkshire SL6 4XE 

Date of preparation: August 2020