As a father of two, I totally understand that every parent the best for their newborns. Thus, I have tabulated the nutritional composition of the 8 most popular baby formula in Malaysia for you to compare each of them side by side.
With this comparison, we are able to use a more quantifiable approach to distinguish the pros and cons of different brands of baby formula for 0 to 6 months old in Malaysia.
And here’s my personal recommendation.
Top 6 Best Baby Formulas for Newborn in Malaysia
- Best for Brain Development (Best overall) – Enfalac Step 1
- Best Non-GMO Organic Infant Milk Formula– Bellamy Step 1
- Best Baby Formula for Growth– Similac 1
- Best for Easy Digestion – Nan Pro 1
- Best Imported Baby Formula – Frisolac Step 1
- Best Lactose-free Soy-based Infant Formula – Isomil 0 -12 Months
The aim of this review is to guide you pick the most suitable baby formula for your babies based on different needs.
Important notes:
Breastmilk is no doubt the best for babies. But it is inevitable that some may need to go for baby formula (baby milk powder).
The best baby formula is the one that suits your baby. Good baby formula is the one that your baby not rejecting, drink it well, not making her bloat, no diarrhoea nor constipation problem.
Keep in mind that there’s no magical nutrient exists that would somehow make any babies grow significantly smarter or stronger.
Compare Baby Formula in Malaysia
| Nutrition | Enfalac Step 1 | Similac Step 1 | Nan Pro 1 | Frisolac Step 1 | Bellamy Step 1 | S26 Gold | Dupro Step 1 | Isomil 0-12 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prebiotics | 3.1g | 1.36g | ||||||
| Protein | 10.7g | 10.6g | 9.6g | 11g | 9.5g | 10.4g | 10.0g | 12.8g |
| Fat | 27g | 28.1g | 28.2g | 27g | 23.2g | 27.9g | 23.6g | 27.4g |
| Docosahexaenoic Acid,DHA | 87mg | 56mg | 61mg | 63mg | 68.8mg | 95.3g | 45.4mg | 50mg |
| Arachidonic Acid, ARA | 173mg | 112mg | 61mg | 63mg | 73mg | 95.3g | 45.4mg | 100mg |
| Linoleic Acid, Omega 3 | 4100mg | 4500mg | 4500mg | 3100mg | 4950mg | 4000mg | 3641mg | 4800mg |
| Alpha-Linolenic Acid, Omega 6 | 320mg | 450mg | 400mg | 440mg | 464mg | 384mg | 313mg | 380mg |
| Calcium | 400mg | 380mg | 350mg | 385mg | 402mg | 289mg | 305mg | 532mg |
| Folic acid | 87µg | 76µg | 83µg | 87µg | 83µg | 73µg | 75µg | |
Data References.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8].
*Nutrient content for Bellamy step 1 is converted by me from per 100ml to per 100g.*
As you can see above, the nutrition content in each of the milk powder brand actually doesn’t differ too much. The folic acid, fat, and protein content are quite close to each other.
The only exception is that affordable baby formula like Dupro Step 1 has a much lower DHA & ARA. Dupro Step 1 has only about half of the DHA & ARA compared to premium formulated powder.
End of the day, how you pick a baby formula is depending on what is your priority, whether it is the nutrition content, price, DHA, organic milk source, baby facing constipation issue etc.
Best milk formula for babies’ brain development
Enfalac A+ Step 1
Benefits: High DHA & ARA, MFGM and lactoferrin
Suitable for parents who emphasize babies brain development. Enfalac (also known as Enfamil) has the highest DHA plus ARA content. It is also added with the MFGM complex that can be found in natural breast milk.
Hence, it is also a great baby formula for breastfed babies.
Enfalac (by Mead Johnson) is indeed one of the most popular infant milk formula brands in Malaysia. Enfalac A+ Step 1 is specially formulated for babies between ages 0 to 12 months old.
We all know DHA and ARA are important for brain development, reducing skin and respitory allergies
Infants fed formula with added long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids have reduced incidence of respiratory illnesses and diarrhea during the first year of life. BMC Pediatr. 2014;14:168. doi:10.1186/1471-2431-14-168 [9]
However, I also want to clarify there is no study that clearly proves how much is the maximum or optimum DHA and ARA can be consumed by babies. So, it is not an absolution situation where more is better.
Although Enfalac is well-known for its high DHA, I find that its DHA is not the highest in our baby formulas comparison. S26 Gold formula has a higher DHA of 95.3mg per 100g of powder.
For every 100g of milk powder, Enfalac consists of 87mg DHA and a whopping 173mg ARA. The ARA is indeed the highest, and more than double of Nan Pro and Frisolac Step 1.
Moreover, Enfalac A+ Infant Formula Step 1 is the only formula added with MFGM Complex, a whey protein concentrate that contains Milk Fat Globule Membrane.
Lactoferrin and MFGM are found in breast milk and they provide important immune, respiratory and cognitive development support for newborns during the first weeks of life.
It also has Vitamins C and E, choline, and various fatty acid which helps improve memory and boosting metabolism.
To reduce constipation and diarrhoea, it also has prebiotics (GOS and PDX) which is good for digestive health.
My personal experience is that Enfalac A+ Step 1 is the best overall baby formula because it has all the essential nutrients for a baby healthy growth. Both of my children were breastfed babies who mix-fed with Enfalac Step 1. And they have never had colic or constipation issue.
Enfalac baby milk formula is certified halal by JAKIM Malaysia.
Best organic non-GMO infant milk powder
Bellamy’s Organic: Step 1(Non-GMO)
Benefits: Non-genetically modified ingredient, all-natural
Bellamy’s Organic Step 1 Infant formula is suitable for newborn babies and up to 6 months of age.
There’re so many controversies and debates over GMO food over the past decade. Parents who want to take extra precaution in the very early stage of babies should go for an organic baby formula like Bellamy.
Bellamy is a nutritionally complete milk formula that is made of only the premium organic ingredients in Australia. The milk powder is made from NASAA certified organic cow’s milk.
Their pastures (feeding land) are not sprayed with synthetic pesticides, the soil not treated with synthetic fertilizers, the milking cows are not treated with antibiotics, not fed with genetically modified grain, corn or soy and not injected with any growth hormones.
One thing worth noting is that Bellamy Step 1 has the highest Omega 3 at 4950mg for every 100g of milk powder amongst all the brands in this article.
Bellamy Step 1 specially formulated for a baby’s delicate tummy with added GOS and prebiotic. Bellamy is easily digested and absorbed, reducing the chances of acid reflux occurs.
GOS is shown to improve stool pattern, increase healthy bacteria growth in the stomach and the production of softer, more frequent stool movements. GOS provides a great source of prebiotics for growing babies.[10]
Bellamy Step 1 is ideal for parents who want nothing but organic milk formula for their babies.
Best baby formula for growth
Similac 1 (Step 1)
Benefits: 2’FL nutrient and EyeQ system
Abbott Similac has been around for years and is another well-known baby milk powder brand.
Formulated with a unique combination of DHA, ARA, Nucleotides, 2’FL nutrient and EyeQ system. Similac 1 Infant Formula Milk Powder is highly popular here, especially in Malaysian hospitals.
It has all the relevant nutrients (DHA, AA, 2’-FL, Nucleotide, Omega 3 and 6, Taurine and Choline) and more. Do note that its DHA content is the lowest, with 56mg DHA per 100g of milk powder.
Similac 1 is formulated with 2′-Fucosyllactose (2’-FL). 2’-FL is a human milk oligosaccharide (HMO), which serves as a prebiotic in the human digestive system
Its Eye-Q system contains a unique Vegetable Oil Blend for better DHA absorption and also Lutein and Natural Vitamin E, preventing DHA from oxidation.
All these, along with a combination of other nutrients, promote better overall health and brain development.
Studies have also shown that babies fed with 2’-FL experienced less upper respiratory tract infections3 and diarrhoea4. Hence 2’-FL is believed to support a baby’s natural body defences[11]
Similac baby formula is certified halal by JAKIM as well.
Best baby formula for easy digestion
Nestle NAN Pro 1
Benefits: Optimum amount of protein and BIFIDUS probiotics, easy on baby stomach
NAN PRO 1 is an infant formula that is scientifically formulated with optimized protein that is gentle and easy on the stomach.
It only has a protein content of 1.85g/ 100kcal (1.2g/100ml), which is the lowest as compared to other brands in the market.
However, Nestle Nan Pro claimed that this is the optimum amount and quality to meet the nutritional needs of infants.
Equipped with key vitamins, minerals, DHA/ARA, this formula also has 100 million BIFIDUS BL probiotics to promote healthy and beneficial bacteria growth in the gut.
Good bacteria (Bifidobacterium lactis) is proven to help reduce cases of diarrhoea.
If your babies are experiencing diarrhoea or gassy problem, you may wanna check out Nan Pro 1.
Best imported baby milk powder
Frisolac Step 1 Baby Milk Formula
Benefits: Imported from the Netherlands. LocNutri technology
Many were still haunted by the China baby milk poisoning scandal back in 2008. And there’s a fake baby milk formula scares in Malaysia traced back to 2017.
For those who want peace of mind, Frisolac Step 1 is directly imported from the Netherlands. It is not from Malaysia, nor any ASEAN countries.
Frisolac Step 1 Formulated Milk Powder is an all-inclusive milk-based infant formula for babies from 0 to 6 months.
Available in 3 different sizes (400g, 600g and 900g), Frisolac milk powders come all the way from the Netherland cow farms and produced there.
They claimed that they have over 19,000 farms in Holland. The cows there are fed well with natural ingredients such as ryegrass and maize, which help provide more natural and nutritious cow milk.
This milk formula has the key nutrients essential for your newborn, such as DHA, ARA, Omega 3 & 6, Salic Acid, Dietary Fibres, Iron, Zinc, Vitamins B6 and C.
Utilizing their LocNutri technology (using mild heat instead of high heat), normally pasteurized milk is sprayed into a high-heated chamber where the water almost instantly evaporates, leaving fine particles of powdered milk solids. The mild heat treatment helps to retain the nutrient in their optimum form.
Frisolac Step 1 is certified halal by JAKIM too, and suitable for cautious parents who want higher quality assurance for their baby formula.
Best Soy-based Infant Formula
Isomil 0 -12 Months
Benefits: Soy-based and lactose free
Isomil is the best soy-based baby formula you can get in Malaysia. There are no many choices of milk powder for babies who are lactose intolerant.
Isomil is totally plant-based and free of cow’s milk. According to Healthline.com, there are certain downsides that come with soy formula and may not be necessarily suitable for all babies.
So, it is best to consult a doctor or paediatrician before going for Isomil.
In terms of nutrition, Isomil 0-12 has a rather low DHA which is only 50mg. But it has a higher than average ARA,100mg per 100g of milk powder.
I am quite surprised to see that this vegan baby formula has the second-highest Omega 6 when compared to the other cow’s milk formulas. Moreover, the calcium content is also the highest among all the brands in the article. It consists of as much as 532mg calcium per 100g powder.
Lastly, my advice would be best to stick with cow’s milk baby formula if your baby is not allergic to milk or lactose. And only take Isomil 0-12 if your baby suffers from lactose intolerance or you want your baby to take full vegan baby formula.
Baby formula FAQ
Which baby formula brand is the best in Malaysia?
Enfalac and Bellamy are two of the best formula brands you can buy in Malaysia.
Enfalac is the only one to contain milk MFGM complex which found only in breast milk that’s been proven to improve brain development.
On the other hand, Bellamy is the best non-GMO organic milk formula imported from Australia which gives parents peace of mind. So, there would be no worries about GMO food contents or fake baby milk powder issue.
How to choose the best baby formula?
Baby formula is not cheap and could be a long term financial burden for some families. I advise parents to choose the one which suits your budget.
As you can see in my comparison table, most of the important nutrients are quite similar in all baby formula brands regardless of their price.
Which is the closest baby formula to breast milk?
We recommend Enfalac if you want the baby formula most like breast milk. Because Enfalac has MFGM and lactoferrin which found in breast milk that support brain and immune development.
Should you give your baby soy formula?
If baby is not suffering from lactose-intolerance, it is not necessary to give your baby soy formula. For vegan parents, it is more of a choice issue.
What is the best formula to prevent constipation?
Most of the premium baby formula brands like Enfalac, Similac, Nan Pro comes with prebiotics and probiotics which help soften baby stools, reduce fussiness, gas and colic.
References:
- https://eshop.tesco.com.my/groceries/en-GB/products/7074091328
- https://eshop.tesco.com.my/groceries/en-GB/products/7074162543
- https://eshop.tesco.com.my/groceries/en-GB/products/7074496654
- https://eshop.tesco.com.my/groceries/en-GB/products/7074588230
- https://www.bellamysorganic.com.au/product/step-1-organic-infant-formula/
- https://eshop.tesco.com.my/groceries/en-GB/products/7074090240
- https://www.mims.com/malaysia/drug/info/dupro%201?type=full#:~:text=Per%20100%20g%20Fat%2023.6,6%20g%2C%2040%25%20casein%204
- https://www.mims.com/malaysia/drug/info/isomil?type=full
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24989353/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2607002/
- https://abbottfamily.com.sg/articles/baby/things-you-need-to-know-about-2-fl
Definitely a good guide for parents or would-be parents.