What your baby should drink when weaning

Breast milk
Breast milk is the best drink for your baby. It is recommended that you breast feed exclusively for the first six months, and ideally continue breast feeding alongside solid foods up to a year. But there is no need to stop at the 12-month mark. You can keep going for as long as you and your baby want.

Infant formula
Infant formula is the only suitable alternative to breast milk in the first six months. Standard infant formula is made from cows' milk and designed to provide a balance of nutrients and other essential ingredients to help your baby develop and grow. If you are unable or choose not to breast feed your baby and opt to bottle feed instead, you can carry on giving infant formula until you switch over to cows' milk, at 12 months or beyond.

Follow-on formula
Once your baby is six months old and if you are unable or choose not to breast feed any longer, you can use follow-on formula. Follow-on formula is tailored to the nutritional needs of older babies and toddlers and is enriched with extra iron. Infant formula is still suitable for babies, but if you have any concerns about your baby's diet, such as whether they are getting enough iron, follow-on can be an alternative.

Cows' milk
Cows' milk is not suitable as a main drink until your baby is 12 months old, as it does not contain enough iron and other key nutrients to meet their needs before that time. After 12 months you can give cows' milk but make sure that it is full fat. Semi-skimmed milk is not recommended for under-twos, but you can introduce it from two years if your toddler is a good eater and has a varied diet. Skimmed milk is not suitable for children under five.

Hydrolysed and soya infant formulas
Hydrolysed protein infant formulas are recommended from birth for babies who are bottle fed and who are allergic to cows' milk. If you believe your baby has an allergy, speak to your GP or health visitor. Some babies who are allergic to cows' milk are also allergic to soya, so only give your baby soya formula on the advice of your GP. If you are vegetarian and bottle feeding and do not feel comfortable giving your baby animal products, soya-based formulas are available as an alternative to cows' milk formula, but always consult your healthcare professional for advice on choosing a suitable milk.

Sheep's milk and goats' milk
Formula milks based on sheep's or goats' milk are not approved for babies. Once your baby is 12 months old you can give sheep's or goats' milk, provided the milk is pasteurised, but neither milk contains the right nutrients for babies under one.

Water
Fully breast-fed babies do not need any water until they start eating solids, but bottle-fed babies may need extra drinks of water in hot weather. You can give your baby tap water, but it should be boiled and cooled first if your baby is under six months old. Beyond six months, you can use it straight from the tap.

Bottled mineral water may not be suitable for babies due to its mineral content. If you do need to give your baby bottled water, for example if you are on holiday, look for a type that is labelled as suitable for infant feeding. As with tap water, you will need to boil and cool it if your baby is under six months.