Whole Milk vs Skim Milk: Why It Makes a Difference in Baby Formula

After giving birth and getting adjusted to your newborn for a couple of days, youโ€™re suddenly overwhelmed with the decision-making process that comes with being a mom: Am I going to breastfeed or formula feed? What type of formula should I give my child? Should I choose a formula with whole milk or skim milk?

And while trying to muddle through the complexities of infant formula can be quite challenging, Stephanie Hof, a pediatric dietitian and US health care manager for Kendamil, spoke with Mom.com to clarify a few things about the differences in infant formula.

What are the components of infant formula?

Breastmilk provides everything babies need for healthy growth and development. It is incredibly complex, with carbohydrates, proteins, and fats but also millions of live cells, amino acids, enzymes, hormones, vitamins, minerals, and antibodies. Scientists are still discovering more incredible things about breastmilk and how well our bodies can nourish our babies.

However, for many reasons, breastfeeding is not always an option, and that is where infant formula comes in. When considering different types of formula, we know that breastmilk is the gold standard, and finding a formula that uses natural whole milk fats is the next best thing.

All infant formulas in the United States must meet the FDAโ€™s strict requirements that include a specific amount of fat content (3.3 to 6 grams per 100 kcals). This fat content is derived from either whole milk or nonfat/skim milk and supplemented with vegetable oils to meet the requirements.

What is the difference between cowโ€™s whole milk and nonfat/skim milk?

Cowโ€™s milk provides vital macronutrients in baby formula, including protein, carbohydrates, and fat.

The main difference between whole milk and nonfat cowโ€™s milk is the fat content โ€” whole milk contains about 3.25% fat while nonfat milk contains 0%. Whole milk provides an important source of fat and evidence has shown that whole milk fat is far closer to resembling the fatty acid profile of breastmilk, compared to vegetable oils.

By using whole milk fat, a formula recipe can avoid all the unnecessary extras that brands use as the primary source of fat in their recipes (i.e., vegetable and seed oils, palm oil, etc.).

Most American-made formulas use skimmed milk as the โ€œbaseโ€ because it is more cost-effective to mimic the fatty acid profile of breastmilk with the addition of vegetable oils in a particular proportion when a skimmed milk โ€œbaseโ€ is used.

But organic whole milk, in formulas like Kendamilโ€™s, enables your infant to obtain nutrients from a natural fat source, as a baby would when drinking breastmilk, rather than get the fat solely from vegetable oil fat.

Does the quality of the milk source matter?

Yes! The treatment and diet of an animal affect the quality of the milk it produces. Formula brands that source from grass-fed cows produce better milk.

Not only is grass-fed milk a lot sweeter, but itโ€™s higher in omega-3 fatty acids, beta-carotene, vitamin A, vitamin K2, and vitamin E. Plus, grass-fed milk also contains more conjugated linoleic acid, a heart-healthy fatty acid.

What are the benefits of whole milk?

Using whole milk in infant formula provides a sufficient and important source of fat, whereas if skim milk or nonfat milk is used, youโ€™ll likely see 100% vegetable oils for the fat source in formula recipes.

There are also a number of naturally occurring nutrients that are retained by using whole milk rather than just skimmed milk powder. Cow's milk contains naturally occurring milk fat globule membranes, a complex mixture of fats and proteins that forms a protective layer around the fat globules in milk. It is uniquely found in mammalian milk, including breastmilk, and it can be retained in baby formula by using whole milk.

Recent evidence suggests that MFGM may support infant health by supporting cognition, immune support, and a healthy gut microbiota. On top of all this, using whole milk gives baby milk a creamier texture and richer flavor.

*Disclaimer: The advice on Mom.com is not a substitute for consultation with a medical professional or treatment for a specific condition. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem without consulting a qualified professional. Please contact your health-care provider with questions and concerns.