Whole Milk v.s. Skim Milk Baby Formula: What's the Difference?

When choosing baby formula, parents have many options: there are cow's milk and goat milk formulas, European vs. American brands, and specialized products for sensitive digestion and allergies. Another phrase that parents might notice on baby formula, and need to make a decision on, is whole milk or skim milk.

While infant formula made from either type of milk can provide the essential nutrients babies need for healthy growth and development, they differ in how their fat content is sourced. In this guide, we'll explore whole milk vs. skim milk formula, their nutritional differences, and what parents should consider when choosing the best formula for their baby.

The primary difference between whole milk formula and skim milk formula is the fat. Whole milk contains naturally occurring milk fat, and skim milk has had nearly all its fat removed.¹ Both, however, use a blend of vegetable oils to mimic the fat profile of breast milk.

Whole milk infant formula uses full-fat dairy milk as an ingredient, retaining the naturally occurring dairy fat. Whole milk contains saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, and baby formula manufacturers may still add additional oils to create the correct fat profile required for baby formula. Some organic whole milk formula products use whole milk powder as a primary dairy ingredient. 

Skim milk is dairy milk that has had most of its naturally occurring fat removed. It is sometimes called nonfat milk. When manufacturers use skim milk to make baby formula, they add more fats from other sources, commonly vegetable oils, to create the required fatty acid composition and energy content for baby formula.

Although the starting ingredient contains very little fat, the finished formula still provides the fat babies need for development. Therefore, skimmed-milk-based formula is not a low-fat food.

Both whole and skimmed milk-based infant formulas must meet nutritional standards for whichever country they are produced in.

There is currently insufficient evidence to conclude that whole milk formula is universally better than skimmed-milk-based formula.¹ Manufacturers like Kendamil explain that they use whole milk as the base in order to source fat from the milk fat (rather than only vegetable oils), like breast milk.²

Although whole milk provides naturally occurring dairy fats, both approaches can produce nutritionally complete products that support normal growth. The quality and suitability of a formula depend on its complete composition, not simply whether the manufacturer uses whole or skimmed milk.

Parents may want to consider other formula factors, like:

• Age suitability and the manufacturer's feeding instructions.

• The overall fat blend and required fatty acids.

• Whether the product meets applicable infant formula regulations.

• Individual tolerance and any diagnosed feeding or medical concerns.

• Availability, price, and consistency of supply.

The best formula is one that is nutritionally appropriate, safe, and well tolerated by the individual baby.

European formula brands use different dairy ingredients depending on their product lines and nutritional formulations. Some formulas feature whole milk as a prominent ingredient, while others use skimmed milk combined with added fats; others use a mix. 

Milk base refers to the primary dairy milk ingredient in each formula. Some products contain additional dairy ingredients. For example, Kendamil uses whole milk as its primary dairy ingredient but also includes skimmed milk to achieve the desired nutritional composition.

A2 milk is cow's milk that contains only the A2 variant of beta-casein, a type of milk protein. It can be either whole or skimmed milk.

Goat milk infant formula is another option for parents comparing dairy-based products. Like cow's milk formula, goat's milk formula can be manufactured using whole or skimmed dairy ingredients and must be nutritionally adapted for infants.

Claims that goat milk formula is consistently easier to digest than cow's milk formula are not firmly established by clinical evidence. Goat milk is not a safe substitute for hypoallergenic formula in babies with cow's milk protein allergy. Proteins from the two animals are similar enough that cross-reactions are common.

One of the most important distinctions parents should understand is that whole cow's milk and whole-milk-based infant formula are not interchangeable.

Regular cow's milk contains different proportions of protein and minerals than babies need during early infancy. It also lacks sufficient amounts of certain nutrients, particularly iron, to serve as a complete replacement for infant formula.

Whole cow's milk should not be given as a baby's main drink before 12 months of age. Before their first birthday, babies who are not receiving breast milk generally need an age-appropriate infant formula.

After 12 months of age, pasteurized whole cow's milk can usually be introduced as a main drink as part of a balanced diet, according to pediatric guidance and individual nutritional needs.³

The difference between whole milk and skim milk baby formula comes down primarily to the dairy ingredients and sources of fat used during manufacturing.

Whole-milk-based products retain some naturally occurring dairy fat, while skimmed-milk-based products generally obtain a greater proportion of their fats from added oils.

However, both can provide complete, age-appropriate nutrition when manufactured according to applicable infant formula standards. Ultimately, choosing a formula should involve evaluating the entire product, your baby's age and nutritional needs, and how well they tolerate it. Rather than focusing on one ingredient alone, parents can feel confident choosing a properly regulated infant formula that supports their baby's healthy growth and development.