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Frequently Asked Questions

Preparation, usage and feeding queries

  • When changing formula are there tips on making the transition easier?

    Your baby should be able to happily switch from the old formula to the new but if you would like to ease the transition, you might prefer to change over gradually. This may allow your little one time to adjust to the new milk.

    To transition to the new milk gradually you could replace one bottle of your baby’s current milk with one bottle of your baby’s new milk each day, keeping all the other feeds of the previous one. It may be a good idea to introduce the new feed when your little one is not too tired or irritable. Continue this way, increasing the number of feeds with new milk each day until all the feeds are with the new milk.

    A change in stool consistency/frequency can sometimes happen when infants are starting or switching formula, this is perfectly normal. Also, in addition to stool changes baby can be a little unsettled and also pick up a taste difference with some changes. If you have any questions please contact your healthcare professional or the SMA Careline®.

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  • Can I use liquid and powder in combination?

    Yes. You can use SMA® Nutrition ready-to-use liquid and powdered products together.

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  • Can I make up feed in advance?

    We recommend preparing each feed in individual bottles as required. This reduces the risk of infection that can make your baby ill. Alternatively use our ready-to-use liquid formulations, as no preparation is required. Ready-to-use milks are available in 200ml cartons which are resealable and easy to pour.

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  • Can I mix SMA® Nutrition Follow-on Milks with weaning foods and use it in cooking?

    Yes SMA® Follow-on Milks are suitable to use in your baby’s favourite milk-based recipes or on cereals. See our weaning guide for more information.

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  • How can I prevent excess powder sticking to the scoop when stored in the can?

    When making up a bottle you may sometimes notice that powder can stick to the scoop due to condensation droplets from the hot water used to make up the bottle. Baby milk powder is manufactured in an environment with strict moisture control. Once opened, it is important that the can is stored in a cool dry place, but not a refrigerator, and that moisture is removed from the scoop before placed across the rim of the can and closing with the plastic lid.

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  • What do I do if the powder doesn’t mix well?

    If you’re having difficulties and the powder is not mixing well, please check the preparation instructions on the tin or on our website product pages. If you would like some advice, please contact the SMA Careline® team of experts who will be happy to help you. 

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  • How would I know if my baby has lactose intolerance or cows’ milk allergy?

    The signs of lactose intolerance or cows’ milk allergy may be immediate or delayed after feeding, and may involve symptoms regarding your baby’s digestion, skin or respiratory system. If you believe your baby is showing signs of intolerance, contact your GP for further advice.

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  • How do I prepare SMA LF® Lactose Free Infant Milk?

    There has been a slight revision to the preparation instructions for SMA LF® Lactose Free Infant Milk, please pay extra attention to Step 5: Place the sterilised teat and cap on the bottle, immediately shake vigorously until the powder is fully dissolved. Cool bottle under cold running water or in a bowl or jug of cool water until lukewarm, do not immerse the teat. For more information on the preparation instructions please contact the SMA Careline®.

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  • How much do I give? My baby is always hungry?

    Our product labels provide a suggested feeding table but it’s important to note that this table is a guide. Feeding volume will vary from baby to baby and their demand for feeding will increase as they grow. Babies are very good at telling us when they are hungry and when they are full so you should feed your baby on demand – this is also called responsive feeding. To learn more about baby’s hunger cues you can watch our videos on responsive feeding. If you have any concerns about your baby’s weight please speak with your healthcare professional.

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General

  • I am going on holiday soon, are SMA® Nutrition products available abroad?

    The majority of SMA® Nutrition products are only available in the UK and Republic of Ireland. Therefore, for the duration of your stay, you would be best advised to take enough supplies of your baby’s usual milk with you.

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  • Where can I buy SMA® Nutrition Milks?

    To buy online for UK only please go to the product page and click ‘Where to buy’ to learn where you can buy our products online. Your local pharmacy may also be able to order products for you, please check locally.

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  • Which SMA® Nutrition products are available in a liquid format?

    SMA® PRO First Infant milk, SMA® PRO Follow-on Milk, SMA® PRO Growing Up Milk, LITTLE STEPS® First Infant Milk and LITTLE STEPS® Follow-on Milk are available in liquid formats. The SMA® PRO First Infant Milks are available in 1 litre and 200ml cartons and 6 x 70ml plastic bottles with 6 NUK® pre-sterilised orthodontic teats in the Starter Pack. All other products are available in 200ml resealable cartons.

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  • Which SMA® Nutrition Milks are vegetarian?

    The following milks are suitable for vegetarians (powder formats only):
    LITTLE STEPS® Growing Up Milk
    SMA® Soya Infant Formula
    SMA® PRO Growing Up Milk
    The rest of the SMA® Nutrition range are not vegetarian because we source the Omega 3 (DHA) from fish oil. If you would like more information please contact the SMA Careline® team. 

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  • Which SMA® Nutrition Milks are suitable for Halal diet?

    The following SMA® Nutrition products are Halal certified:
    SMA® PRO range of milks
    LITTLE STEPS® range of milks
    SMA LF® Lactose Free Infant Milk
    If you would like more information on the suitability for use in a Halal diet of any of our other products please contact our SMA Careline® team. 

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  • Why and when should I use Follow-on Milks?

    SMA® Follow-on Milks are tailored for babies from 6 months as part of a varied weaning diet. At 6 months your baby’s development progresses quickly and their need for iron increases. SMA® Follow-on Milks are enriched with iron to help support normal cognitive development in baby’s brain. Milk will remain a big part of your baby’s daily diet providing important energy and nutrients. To see the full list of ingredients and nutrition information for our products please see the label or the information available on our product pages.

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  • Now my baby is eating solids, what is the role of SMA® Follow-on Milks?

    Milk will remain a big part of your baby’s daily diet providing important energy and nutrients. SMA® Follow-on Milks are designed for babies from 6 months onwards to complement the weaning diet and to help ensure they get a good nutritional foundation in life.

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  • Why and when should I use SMA® Growing Up Milks?

    SMA® Growing Up Milks are suitable from 1 year onwards. They are one way to help support your child’s nutrient intake in combination with a healthy balanced diet. They contain unique blends of ingredients tailored to support young children’s growth, up until their 4th birthday. They contain vitamin D and calcium to support the normal growth and development of bones. To see the full list of ingredients and nutrition information for your products please see the label or the information available on our product pages.

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Ingredients

  • What is DHA?

    DHA stands for docosahexaenoic acid. DHA is an Omega-3 which is a family of fats that are also referred to as long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPs). DHA intake contributes to the normal visual development of infants up to 12 months of age. The beneficial effect is obtained with a daily intake of 100mg of DHA (contains at least 0.3% of the total fatty acids as DHA)

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  • What is 2’FL?

    Oligosaccharides such as 2’FL (2’Fucosyllactose) are thought to help support babies immune system. 2’FL is the most abundant oligosaccharide found in breast milk. Oligosaccharides are complex carbohydrates and the third largest solid component found in breast milk. There are thought to be about 200 different oligosaccharides in breast milk and most mums’ milk contains a mixture of about 10 of them. 80% of mums have 2’FL, in their breast milk. Find out more on the oligosaccharides found in breast milk.

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  • If 2’FL is new to infant formulas is it safe?

    2’FL (2’Fucosyllactose) has been assessed by the EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) as safe for use in baby milks and has been present in our SMA® Advanced milks since May 2019. There are 50 research studies over 24 years that support the role of oligosaccharides in infant nutrition. 2’FL is the most clinically studied of these oligosaccharides. Even though there are 200 oligosaccharides in breast milk, we only add those that have been studies and accepted by EFSA.

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  • Is the 2’FL in your milks from breast milk?

    No, the 2’FL in SMA® PRO Follow-on & Growing up Milks and the 2’FL and LNnT in SMA® Advanced Follow-on and Growing up Milks are made by fermentation of lactose.

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  • Why have you taken GOS/FOS out?

    GOS and FOS are not found in breast milk so we have stopped adding GOS/FOS to our First and Follow-on Milks. However, GOS/FOS may have a role in some foods for special medical purposes.

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  • Why do your products contain fish oil?

    Our products contain fish oil because this is the source of DHA. Most infant formulas on sale in the UK and Ireland currently use fish oil as a source of DHA. Beneficial effect is obtained with a daily intake of 100mg of DHA.

    If you would like more information on the ingredients in our formulas, please contact the SMA Careline® team.

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  • Do SMA® Growing Up Milks contain vanilla?

    None of our growing up milks contain vanilla.

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  • Do you add postbiotics to your formula?

    Postbiotics are compounds that are present in some formulas and are made through a process of fermentation. We do not add postbiotics to our milks because they are naturally made in babies tummy and there is no need for an additional supplement.

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Sustainability

  • Is the packaging recyclable?

    All our products are recyclable*. SMA® Nutrition have always used steel tins for our powdered milk, as they offer the best product protection and protection against humidity. The steel tin is 100% recyclable*, the cartons and plastic lids of the tins are widely recyclable* within the UK and ROI but check with your local recycling facility. At least 66% of plastic in the lid and 95% of the plastic in the scoop is produced from sugar cane, which is a renewable plant-based resource.

    *The tins, cartons plastic lids and scoops are widely recyclable within the UK and Ireland but check with your local recycling facility.

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  • Are these new lids and scoops recyclable?

    The plastic lids and scoops are designed for recycling. They remain recyclable along with standard polyethylene (PE) plastics within UK & Ireland but check your local recycling facility.

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  • Does bio-based/plant-based mean it’s biodegradable or compostable?

    No. The bio-based/plant-based plastic which is still polyethylene (PE) is not biodegradable or compostable. The bio-based/plant-based plastic is designed for recycling, check your local recycling facility.

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  • What are the advantages related to the plant-based plastic?

    By using plant-based plastics, we’re able to contribute to reducing the amount of fossil fuels used to produce conventional plastic, being produced instead from sugar cane, a renewable resource. At least 66% of our plastic for lids and 95% for the scoops are made from this. The plant-based plastic is also designed for recycling where polyethylene (PE) plastic is already recycled. Please check out your local collection for this kind of plastic.

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  • Can you explain how exactly the sugar cane is made into the plastic lid and scoop?

    The sugar cane is first harvested and sent to mills and crushed multiple times. There, it is turned into edible sugar and biomaterials such a bio-ethanol. The bio-ethanol is transformed into the polyethylene plastic resin that is used in our plastic lids and scoops. Our suppliers are nurturing the sustainability of the sugar cane supply chain and work in collaboration with others towards best practices that ensure the sugar cane is processed to make the best of the harvest. Find out more on our plastic lid and scoops.

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SMA® Baby Club

Important notice

We believe that breastfeeding is the ideal nutritional start for babies and we fully support the World Health Organization’s recommendation of exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life followed by the introduction of adequate nutritious complementary foods along with continued breastfeeding up to two years of age. We also recognise that breastfeeding is not always an option for parents. We recommend that you speak to your healthcare professional about how to feed your baby and seek advice on when to introduce complementary feeding. If you choose not to breastfeed, please remember that such a decision can be difficult to reverse and has social and financial implications. Introducing partial bottle-feeding will reduce the supply of breast milk. Infant formula should always be prepared, used and stored as instructed on the label in order to avoid risks to a baby’s health. ●SMA® Soya milk-free formula is intended to meet the nutritional needs of babies and children who are intolerant to cows’ milk protein, lactose or sucrose. Soya infant formulae are not recommended for preterm babies, those with kidney problems, or those with suspected or confirmed soya allergy, where medical guidance should always be sought. ●SMA LF® is a lactose-free milk based formula for babies and young children who are intolerant to lactose or sucrose, or who are experiencing symptoms such as diarrhoea, tummy ache or wind caused by temporary lactose intolerance. It is suitable as the sole source of nutrition up to 6 months of age, and in conjunction with solid food up to 18 months of age. ●SMA® PRO Follow-on Milk, SMA® ADVANCED Follow-on Milk and LITTLE STEPS® Follow-on Milk are only suitable for babies over 6 months as part of a mixed diet. It should not be used as a substitute for breast milk during the first 6 months of life. The decision to start weaning or to use a follow-on milk before 6 months, should be made only on the advice of a doctor, midwife, health visitor, public health nurse, dietitian or pharmacist, based on baby’s individual needs. ●SMA® PRO Growing Up Milk and LITTLE STEPS® Growing Up Milk are suitable for young children from 1-3 years, as part of a healthy balanced diet and it is not a breast milk substitute. SMA® ADVANCED Growing Up Milk is suitable for young children from the 12th month as part of a healthy balanced diet and is not a breast milk substitute. ●The following products must be used under medical supervision. ●SMA® Comfort is a special formula intended for the dietary management of bottle-fed babies with colic and constipation. It is suitable as the sole source of nutrition up to 6 months of age, and in conjunction with solid food up to 12 months of age. ●SMA® Anti-Reflux is a special formula intended for the dietary management of bottle-fed babies when significant reflux (regurgitation) is a problem. It is suitable as the sole source of nutrition up to 6 months of age, and in conjunction with solid food up to 12 months of age. If the baby’s reflux does not improve within 2 weeks of starting SMA® Anti-Reflux, or if the baby fails to thrive, the family doctor should be consulted. ●SMA High Energy® is a milk based formula for the dietary management of babies and young children with medically determined high energy requirements as identified by a healthcare professional. It is suitable as the sole source of nutrition up to 6 months of age, and in conjunction with solid food up to 18 months of age. SMA High Energy® is not intended for use with preterm babies, for whom fortified breast milk or a low birthweight formula such as SMA Gold Prem® 1 is more appropriate. ●SMA® Gold Prem Breast Milk Fortifier is a nutritional supplement designed to be added to expressed breast milk for the dietary management of feeding preterm low birthweight babies. It is NOT a breast milk substitute. ●SMA Gold Prem® 1 is a special formula intended for the dietary management of preterm low birthweight babies who are not solely fed breast milk. It is suitable for use as the sole source of nutrition for preterm babies from birth. SMA Gold Prem® 1 is not intended for use with older preterm babies, for whom a special catch-up formula such as SMA Gold Prem® 2 is more appropriate. ●SMA Gold Prem® 2 is a special catch-up formula intended for the dietary management of preterm low birthweight babies who are not solely fed breast milk. It is a nutritionally complete formula for use on discharge from hospital or when a low birthweight formula is no longer appropriate. It is suitable for use as the sole source of nutrition up to 6 months corrected age. SMA Gold Prem® 2 is not intended for use with newborn preterm babies, for whom fortified breast milk or a low birthweight formula such as SMA Gold Prem® 1 is more appropriate. ● SMA® Alfamino® is a specialist infant formula intended for the dietary management of moderate-severe cows’ milk allergy and/or multiple food protein allergies. It is a food for special medical purposes and must only be used under strict medical supervision and after full consideration of the feeding options available, including breastfeeding. It is for complete nutritional support from birth or supplementary feeding from 6 months and up to 3 years of age. ●SMA® Althera® is a specialist infant formula intended for the dietary management of mild to moderate cows’ milk allergy and/or multiple food protein allergies. It is a food for special medical purposes and must only be used under strict medical supervision and after full consideration of the feeding options available, including breastfeeding. It is for complete nutritional support from birth or supplementary feeding from 6 months and up to 3 years of age. ● SMA Xpert ProCol Food Supplement and SMA Xpert Vitamin D Food Supplement. These products are not a substitute for breastmilk and do not replace a balanced diet. Before using any dietary supplement, please discuss with your healthcare professional. Food supplements should not be used as a substitute for a balanced and varied diet or healthy lifestyle. Do not exceed the recommended daily dose. Keep out of reach of children. This product must be used under medical supervision. SMA Xpert ProHydrate is a food for special medical purposes and must be used under medical supervision. SMA Xpert ProHydrate is intended for the dietary management of gastroenteritis. It is suitable for infants (0-12 months) and children (1-3 years). If the condition does not improve within 24-48 hours of starting SMA Xpert ProHydrate, the family doctor should be consulted. SMA Xpert ProHydrate is not suitable for use as the sole source of nourishment. For Enteral use only. Always follow medical advise. For babies, always hold them while feeding and do not leave them unattended as they might choke.