Bellamy's Organic Formula Questions & Answers

Hi there,

Both Stage 1 and Stage 2 formula comprise of key macronutrients, vitamins and minerals to support the growing needs of an infant in their first year of life. Their fundamental difference is in the type of protein. Stage 1 Infant formula is a Whey protein dominant formula which is easier to digest. Stage 2 Follow on formula is a casein protein dominant formula which may take longer to digest and can create satiety in your baby, particularly as they commence on solid foods from around 6 months of age. In addition, an infant’s iron requirements increase from the age of 6 months. Our step 2 formula contains more iron than our step 1 formula to accommodate for this developmental requirement. Stage 1 Infant Formula now indicates 0-6 month age specification but can be used up to 12 months in line with Australian and New Zealand Food Standards Code. Parents and carers are able to choose which formula is designed to meet the specific nutritional needs of their child.

Stage 1 Infant Formula:
0-6months
Contains DHA Omega 3
Contains GOS prebiotics
Formulated to meet nutritional needs of a baby 0-6 months
Whey dominant formula: whey is a protein that is easy to digest, and gentle on the tiny tummy

Stage 2 Follow on Formula:
6-12 months
Contains DHA Omega 3
Contains GOS prebiotics
Formulated to meet nutritional needs of a baby 6-12 months
Casein dominant formula: Casein is a protein that takes longer to digest, and keeps a baby feeling fuller for longer

Kind regards,
Bellamy's Organic

Hi there, you can opt to pre-prepare formula according to the feeding table on the back of the tin. If you are finding your little one is not consuming an entire feed, you can choose to do smaller more frequent feeds and you can store formula in the fridge for up to 24 hours if not consumed immediately.
Kind regards,
Bellamy's Organic

Pre-prepared formula can be stored in the fridge for up to 24 hours and it is advised that when you are feeding your child, that formula is immediately.

Hi there!
Step 3 is designed for 12 months plus. We have a junior milk drink (Step 4) that is designed for 3 years plus! Our Toddler Milk and our Junior Milk is not a formula or a principle source of nutrition. It is a supplementary milk drink that contains additional vitamins and minerals and should form part of a varied solid diet that includes; vegetables, fruits, whole grains, meats and dairy products. Whether you choose to give your toddler our Toddler Milk can depend on what their existing diet consists of. If your toddler’s diet consists of lots of foods including dairy products such as milk, cheese and yoghurt then you may not need to use our Toddler Milk. If your toddler is not eating a variety of foods and is a little fussy then our Toddler Milk is a great product to add to their diet and provides lots of vitamins and minerals.

Bellamy’s Organic do not manufacture an infant formula specifically for anti-reflux. However, in some circumstances under the strict guidance of a health professional or doctor, you may be able to thicken your baby formula with commercially available thickeners. You may wish to seek further advice from your health professional about this. Reflux in infants can sometimes be due to a poorly coordinated gastrointestinal tract and may still occur regardless of what non-specific infant formula you use. Generally treatment consists of various things including:
Elevating the head of the baby’s crib or bassinet
Holding the baby upright for 30 minutes after feeding
Thicken bottle feedings with cereal (do not do this without a doctor’s supervision)
Change feeding schedules (discuss with the child’s doctor first)
Try solid food (discuss with the child’s doctor first)

Constipation is often misdiagnosed. If you think that your baby is experiencing constipation, you should seek medical advice to rule out anything serious. It is not uncommon for formula fed babies to pass stool less frequently than breast fed infants. Stool can often be a different colour and consistency.
Any changes in diet can cause changes in stool movements; frequency, consistency and colour. In Australia it is a requirement that all formulas are fortified with mineral iron for healthy growth and development of babies. The added iron can cause some stools to be green in colour and may cause some transient constipation, particularly when compared against stools from breastfed babies. Babies go through amazing transitions in digestive function as they grow. Their tummy’s can be affected by all sorts of things including sickness, teething, and different and new foods or drinks being introduced. All in all however, you know your little one best so if you are worried, you should seek advice from your medical practitioner.

Hi Jenny,
At 6 months it is recommended that you commence our Step 2 follow on formula as it contains the appropriate quantity of vitamins and minerals that are best suited for a child of this age group. If you do wish to stick to Step 1, we would advise seeking medical advise to see whether this is suitable for your child.
Kind regards,
Bellamy's Organic

Good morning Jenny,
My apologies for any confusion. The paragraph you have quoted above is intended to explain that the Formula fed to the corresponding age groups will provide the nutrition required. We still encourage you to transition to Step 2 as the formula has been crafted to suit the nutritional needs of an infant within a defined age group. By continuing on Step 1, your infant may not receive all the required nutrients to support their needs from 6-12 months. It may be suitable for you to use up the Step 1 you have assuming your child is receiving enough nutrients from other sources, we would still encourage you to seek medical advice.

Please see below the advice we provide on how to best transition.
While most babies and toddlers would be expected to experience a smooth transition between the old and new formulations, it’s important to remember that every child reacts differently when changing formulas. Because of the addition of new ingredients to our formula, your baby or toddler may initially experience some digestive changes. Whilst this is completely normal when transitioning to a new food or formula, we recommend that you transition slowly from one formula to the other at around 75% original formula with the addition of 25% new formula and increase the new formula over the course of 1-2 weeks. For a bottle using 4 scoops of formula, this would equate to 3 scoops of original formula and 1 scoop of the new formula. Always ensure that both formulas have the same scoop to water ratio. If you are worried about any persistent symptoms, please seek professional medical advice.
Please let me know if you have any further queries.
Kind Regards,
Jacqui

Hi there,
Thanks for getting in touch. It is suggested that at around 6 months you commence Step 2 but it is perfectly fine to be using Step 1 if you have one last tin that is yet to be used. We would suggest that once this tin is finished, you slowly transition from the Step 1 to the Step 2. If you have any more questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at [email protected]
Kind regards,
Bellamy's Organic

Hi there,
If you are finding your child is preferring smaller feeds, we recommend preparing the formula as suggested on the tin, but commencing smaller, more frequent feeds. You can prepare the formula and keep it stored in the fridge for up to 24 hours. If you have any more questions, please don't hesitate to contact us at [email protected]
Kind regards,
Bellamy's Organic

Hi Tan,

This is perfectly fine. Our Step 3 and 4 drinks are merely supplement drinks. Children at this age group should be receiving adequate nutrition from a well balanced diet. Using Step 3 at this age will be of no concern to you or your child.

Kind regards,
Bellamy's Organic

Hi there,

If you are pre-preparing your formula, make up the formula and pop it in the fridge you need to make sure that you use refrigerated formula within 24 hours. Once your baby is ready for a feed bring the bottle to a suitable and safe feeding temperature, shaking the bottle to make sure any hot spots are evened out and test on your wrist. If your baby doesn’t drink the entire bottle then you need to discard any unfinished feed.
I hope this helps.

Kind regards,
Bellamy's Organic

Hi there,

The Step 3 is merely a supplement drink and should be consumed in conjunction with a well-balanced diet, so it would not be necessary for you to exceed the recommended amount of formula. The feeding table is a general guide and if you are finding your child requires more feeds, we recommend doing smaller more frequent feeds. If you are pre-preparing your formula, make up the formula and pop it in the fridge you need to make sure that you use refrigerated formula within 24 hours. Once your baby is ready for a feed bring the bottle to a suitable and safe feeding temperature, shaking the bottle to make sure any hot spots are evened out and test on your wrist. If your baby doesn't drink the entire bottle then you need to discard any unfinished feed.

Kind regards,
Bellamys Organic

Hi there,
As we use only certified organic ingredients our product may vary slightly in the way it mixes from batch to batch. We manufacture in small batches and organic ingredients do vary from season to season. Some batches may be quite frothy with lots of bubbles, while other batches may have no bubbles at all. This is not a problem, this is normal. The reason that some batches can be quite frothy is because we produce our formulas with real full cream milk powder, which does the same. When you turn the bottle upside down for feeding, milk fills the teat completely and the froth goes to the other end, so baby wont get any air from the bottle. Some parents stir the formula first and then shake the bottle to dissolve the formula further. From the feedback we have received this creates less froth or bubbles. You can also tap the mixed formula in the bottle on a bench, a bit like when you get a latte at a coffee shop and they bang the jug of milk prior to pouring it in the cup. It is also worth noting, frothing or bubbles do not pose a problem with baby either as long as you ensure the teat on the bottle is full when your little one is feeding then there will not be excessive air intake.
Kind regards,
Bellamy's Organic

Hi there!
Constipation is often misdiagnosed. If you think that your baby is experiencing constipation, you should seek medical advice to rule out anything serious. It is not uncommon for formula fed babies to pass stools less frequently than breast fed infants. Stools can often be a different colour and consistency.
Any changes in diet can cause changes in stool movements; frequency, consistency and colour. In Australia it is a requirement that all formulas are fortified with mineral iron for healthy growth and development of babies. The added iron can cause some stools to be green in colour and may cause some transient constipation, particularly when compared against stools from breastfed babies. Babies go through amazing transitions in digestive function as they grow. Their tummys can be affected by all sorts of things including sickness, teething, and different and new foods or drinks being introduced. All in all however, you know your little one best so if you are worried, you should seek advice from your medical practitioner.
Kind regards,
Bellamy's Organic

Hi Yenny,
At 12 months of age it is recommended that you commence Step 3. Our toddler milk is a good source of prebiotics for growing toddlers and should be consumed as part of a healthy, varied diet that is high in fibre.
Kind regards,
Bellamy's Organic

Hi there,
We encourage you to transition slowly from step 1 to step 2 to prevent tummy upsets. With our new formulation, the formula have been crafted to suit the nutritional needs of an infant within a defined age group. By continuing on step 1, your infant may not receive all the required nutrients to support their needs from 6-12 months.
While most babies and toddlers would be expected to experience a smooth transition between one formula and another, its important to remember that every child reacts differently when changing formulas. Your baby or toddler may initially experience some digestive changes. Whilst this is completely normal when transitioning to a new food or formula, we recommend that you transition slowly from one formula to the other at around 75% original formula with the addition of 25% new formula and increase the new formula over the course of 1-2 weeks. For a bottle using 4 scoops of formula, this would equate to 3 scoops of original formula and 1 scoop of the new formula. Always ensure that both formulas have the same scoop to water ratio. If you are worried about any persistent symptoms, please seek professional medical advice.
Kind regards,
Bellamy's Organic

Hi Darren,
Mengnius intention is to preserve and grow Bellamy's position as an Australian-based organic food and formula manufacturer. This includes growing the Australian operations and its standing with Australian parents, who remain the foundation of our brand. Product availability and manufacture will not change and will continue to be regulated by Australian food safety standards
Kind regards,
Bellamy's Organic

Hi there,

The formulation of ingredients for the 4 month baby rice is more suited for infants of this age group who intend to begin solids. The 6 month baby rices have additional ingredients that are more suited for an older infant. It is advised to start at the 4 month baby rice if your child is less than 6 months to avoid any possible tummy upset when starting solids.

Kind regards,
Bellamy's Organic

Hi Daphne,
Step 3 is suitable for 12 months+ and is merely a supplement drink for children who may not be receiving adequate nutrition from a healthy and balanced diet alone. Moreover, we have a Step 4 Junior Milk Drink which is suitable for 3 years+ which is similar to Step 3 but is more suited to the nutritional needs for children 3 years old and over.
Kind regards,
Bellamy's Organic

Hi there,

Each child reacts differently when changing formulas. Your toddler may experience some digestive changes, this is completely normal when transitioning to a new food or toddler milk drink and should pass within a week. If any issues persist, please seek professional medical advice. It is important that when switching formula and milk drinks, to transition slowly between 2-4 weeks to help minimize gut discomfort.

Kind regards,
Bellamy's Organic

Hi Phyllis,

It is important to transition slowly from one formula to another to prevent tummy upsets. While most babies and toddlers would be expected to experience a smooth transition between one formula and another, it’s important to remember that every child reacts differently when changing formulas. Your baby or toddler may initially experience some digestive changes. Whilst this is completely normal when transitioning to a new food or formula, we recommend that you transition slowly from one formula to the other at around 75% original formula with the addition of 25% new formula and increase the new formula over the course of 1-2 weeks. For a bottle using 4 scoops of formula, this would equate to 3 scoops of original formula and 1 scoop of the new formula. Always ensure that both formulas have the same scoop to water ratio. If you are worried about any persistent symptoms, please seek professional medical advice.
Moreover, at this stage we only produce a 900g tin and don’t produce samples of our formulas, single serves or sachets. We voluntarily comply with the World Health Organisation (WHO) code recommendations and Marketing in Australia of Infant Formulas (MAIF) agreement in Australia, which does not support the sampling of infant formulas directly to parents or carers of babies.

Kind regards,
Bellamy's Organic