Formula Cost Calculator UK 2026

The Healthy Start scheme can help eligible families buy infant formula and other approved foods. Current payments are £4.65 per week during pregnancy from week 10, £9.30 per week for a child from birth to age 1, and £4.65 per week for a child aged 1 to 4. Check current eligibility and payment rules at healthystart.nhs.uk.

For standard first infant formula, the NHS says all brands sold in the UK must meet the same nutritional standards. There is no need to move to follow-on formula after 6 months. If you change standard first infant formula, follow the new pack’s preparation instructions exactly. Never add extra powder or extra water to make formula stronger or stretch it further.

Ready-to-feed liquid formula is sterile until opened and needs no mixing. It is more expensive than powdered formula, but can be useful for travel, hospital stays and situations where safely preparing powdered formula is difficult. Once opened, any unused formula should be refrigerated and used within 24 hours, following the storage instructions on the pack.

A prep machine is not essential. NHS guidance is to make powdered formula with water that is at least 70°C when it mixes with the powder, because powdered formula is not sterile. If you use a preparation machine, check that it delivers water at least 70°C at the point it mixes with the powder; if it does not, stop using it and use the NHS kettle method instead.

Cow’s milk should not be used as a main drink before 12 months because it does not provide the right balance of nutrients for a baby. From 12 months, pasteurised whole or semi-skimmed cow’s milk can be used as a main drink. First infant formula is no longer needed after 12 months, and there is no need to switch to follow-on formula at 6 months.