Frequently asked questions

The products in the a2 Platinum^® range are made with our pure and natural a2 Milk™.

If you have decided to switch your baby’s current infant formula to a2 Platinum^® Premium infant formulas and milk drinks, the transition should occur slowly to allow your baby’s digestive system to adjust gradually. The a2 Platinum^® Premium infant formulas and milk drinks will also taste different from other infant formulas, so this may be another reason why your little one will need some time to get used to a2 Platinum^® gradually.

a2 Platinum^®  Premium infant formulas, a2 Nutrition for mothers™ and milk drinks are made in New Zealand, to the highest industry standards for infant formula quality and safety.

a2 Platinum® Premium junior milk drink contains certain ingredients that are unique to this formulation which produce a powder that appears differently to stages 1, 2, and 3. The formulation will appear fluffier than the other products in the range, but if you have any concerns please contact our Careline here.

In NZ: Available in selected Countdown supermarkets and selected Chemist Warehouse stores.

a2 Platinum^® is not lactose free – it contains levels of lactose (naturally occurring milk sugars) comparable to that of other premium infant formulas made from cow’s milk.

Breastfeeding is best for babies and good maternal nutrition is important in preparation for and during breastfeeding. Professional advice should be followed on infant feeding. Introducing bottle-feeding, either partially or exclusively, could negatively affect breastfeeding by reducing the amount of breast milk you produce and may be difficult to reverse should you change your mind. Consider the financial and social implications when deciding on a feeding method for your baby. Improper, or unnecessary, use of infant formula can affect the health of your baby, therefore, always prepare and use as per the manufacturer’s instructions.

Benefits of breastfeeding:

• Breast milk provides optimal nutrition perfectly tailored to your baby’s needs.
• It’s natural and easy to digest.
• Its protective properties may help reduce the risk of allergies and respiratory illnesses.
• Breastfeeding helps bonding between you and your baby, through skin to skin contact.
• There are benefits for you too – breastfeeding helps your body recover after the birth, it’s free and is the ultimate convenience food with no preparation or storage required!
• The World Health Organisation’s (WHO) infant feeding recommendation states that ‘breastfeeding is an unequalled way of providing ideal food for the healthy growth and development of infants; it is also an integral part of the reproductive process with important implications for the health of mothers. To read the full WHO infant feeding recommendation click here.

The World Health Organisation’s (WHO) infant feeding recommendation states ‘As a global public health recommendation, infants should be exclusively breastfed for the first 6 months of life to achieve optimal growth, development and health. Thereafter, to meet their evolving nutritional requirements, infants should receive nutritionally adequate and safe complementary foods while breastfeeding continues for up to two years of age or beyond. Exclusive breastfeeding from birth is possible except for a few medical conditions, and unrestricted exclusive breastfeeding results in ample milk production’. To read the full WHO infant feeding recommendation click here.

In Australia, the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHRMC) support the WHO guidelines and recommend exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months (26 weeks) of life, and continued breastfeeding after the introduction of solid foods until the age of 12 months and beyond, depending on the individual circumstances and needs of mother and infant.

Depending upon individual circumstances, breastfeeding may not be possible for all mothers and breast milk may be substituted with a breast milk substitute. (Infant formula is the only recommended and safe breast milk substitute for the first 12 months). Some mothers may choose to combination feed with breast milk and infant formula when there is not enough expressed milk, whilst others bottle feed exclusively.

Infant formula is a breast milk substitute. It is a specially formulated and nutritionally complete alternative to support the growth and development of infants under 6 months of age when infants are not breastfed. Whilst infant formula is nutritionally complete and supports growth and development, it cannot provide all the protective factors found in breast milk.

Follow-on formula refers to an infant formula suitable for infants aged 6 to 12 months. Specially formulated to meet the increased nutritional requirements of bottle or cup fed babies from 6 to 12 months, it is intended to complement the introduction of solids. It is a nutritionally balanced formulation which provides the levels of key nutrients, needed to meet the needs of growing infants.

During the first 12 months of life, breast milk or infant formula provide most of an infant’s nutritional needs with solids being commenced in a complementary fashion. However after a year of age, focus must shift to solids as the primary nutrition with milk being consumed as part of an overall healthy diet.

Some toddlers are fussy eaters and this may affect their intake of adequate energy and nutrients. Where intake of energy and nutrients is inadequate, toddler milk may be used to supplement the diet. Toddler milks contain the goodness of milk, with added age appropriate nutrients to help support growth and development. If toddler milk is introduced to the diet, it should replace cow’s milk and should not be used to replace food or regular meals.

Breastfeeding is best for mother and baby and support should be accessed early if difficulties exist with feeding, attachment, low supply, or any other aspect of feeding. The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), recommends exclusive breastfeeding to around 6 months, while the World Health Organisation (WHO) and UNICEF recommend exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, with continued breastfeeding up to two years of age and beyond.

If breastfeeding cannot be used as the sole form of nutrition for infants, a2 Platinum® Premium infant formula  may be selected by families who would like to choose a formula based on our a2 Milk^TM. for overall wellbeing. If after two weeks on a2 Platinum® Premium infant formula, unsettled behaviour persists, medical advice should be sought.

In addition, if you are still breastfeeding, your diet should be reviewed by an Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD), experienced in the area of allergy and intolerance. To find an Accredited Practising Dietitian in NZ visit Dietitians NZ.

For infants over six months of age through to 12 months, a2 Platinum® follow-on formula can be used either as a follow-on from a2 Platinum® infant formula, or introduced to your child for the first time if transitioning from exclusive breastfeeding. For active toddlers from 1 to 3 years whose intake of nutrients and energy from their usual diet may be inadequate for growth and development, a2 Platinum® Premium toddler milk drink may be used to supplement the diet.

Find out more at:

New Zealand Ministry of Health – Eating for Health Babies and Toddlers 

In New Zealand, to find an accredited practising dietitian in your area, visit Dietitians NZ.

• The Feeding Guide provided on each can of a2 Platinum® Premium infant formula, follow-on formula, and toddler milk drink, is there to guide you on how much and how often to feed your baby. Different mixing ratios and scoops may be used for other infant formula products, so it is important to specifically follow the instructions on the can when preparing a2 Platinum® Infant Formula.
• There is much individuality in how much each baby will drink and variation in the amount that the same baby will drink from day to day. The following is a guide to how much babies of different ages will need to drink and the frequency of consumption. It is important to always be guided by your baby and allow your baby to drink to satiation point, even if this means discarding any unused formula in the bottle. Unlike breastmilk which changes composition as baby grows, infant formula concentration remains constant so it is only the volume consumed which changes as the baby grows.
• It is important to prepare the infant formula with the right amount of powder and water, as per the instructions provided on the can.  This will help ensure your baby’s nutritional requirements are being met. If you add too much powder to your baby’s bottle your baby’s feed will be too concentrated. This can lead to constipation, causing your baby abdominal pain, bloating and discomfort when trying to do a poo. If you add too much water, your baby’s feeds will be too diluted and they will not receive enough nutrition to help them grow well.
• Do not prepare formula with a different concentration to that which is prescribed on the can, unless under the specific guidance and instruction of a qualified healthcare professional such as your GP or paediatrician.
• Guidelines aside, around 6 wet nappies daily, as well as a developmentally growing and thriving infant indicate that your baby is likely to be receiving enough infant formula.

Please refer to the product page under our products for safe preparation information.

• Check expiry date of formula on base of can to ensure the formula has not passed its expiry (use-by) date.
• Keep the scoop in the can when not in use. There is no need to wash the scoop after preparing a bottle. However, if the scoop gets wet accidentally, you will need to wash and dry it thoroughly before putting it back in the can.
• Always keep formula in its original can and cover with the plastic lid to prevent contamination of the powder. Do not transfer the powder to another container because this is a high risk of contamination.
• Once a can of powdered formula has been opened, it can be kept safely for four weeks if stored in a cool dry place. Discard any unused formula after four weeks.

If you intend to bottle feed your baby you will need to buy appropriate infant feeding equipment, including bottles, teats and sterilising equipment.

Baby bottles

• You will need to have between 2 to 6 bottles.
• If you intend to use a bottle for all your baby’s feeds, it will be ideal for you to have around 6 bottles as babies typically feed around six times per day for the first four months.
• As babies grow, the volume of breastmilk or infant formula which is needed to meet their nutritional requirements increases and by four months, babies typically drink around 220mL at each feed.
• Therefore, whilst baby bottles are available for purchase in a range of sizes and smaller bottles are most suitable for young babies, by the time your baby is four months of age larger bottles capable of holding 220mL will be necessary.

When selecting baby bottles look for:

• Bottles with leak proof caps, discs and teats.
• Whilst plastic or glass bottles are a matter of choice, plastic bottles are less likely than glass to shatter or break (ensure plastic bottles are labelled ‘BPA-free’).
• Bottles with clearly marked measurement guides that will endure over time.
• Bottles with a wide rather than a narrow opening can be more easily cleaned with a brush

Teats

•  If you intend to use a bottle for all your baby’s feeds, a minimum of 6 teats will be necessary.
  There is no one teat that will suit all babies and over time you will discover which teat works best for your baby. When selecting teats:
• Check the product label to confirm that the teat design is appropriate for your baby’s age as different teats will have different flow rates and it is important that the flow rate is comfortable for baby.
• Check and replace teats regularly. Discard as soon as you notice any signs of deterioration including discolouration, stickiness, swelling or cracking.

Sterilising 

The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) recommend that all infant feeding equipment be sterilised until the infant is at least 12 months old. Bottles and teats should be sterilised after each use and stored safely for as long as you use them.  

• If complementary feeding is needed, it is best to wait for breastfeeding to become established, at least 6–8 weeks before introducing a bottle.
• When possible, always offer the breast first, followed by the bottle with expressed breastmilk if you are doing top up feeds. Otherwise, expressed breastmilk in a bottle can be used to feed your little one by a babysitter if you are away from your baby.
• If your baby is being bottle fed while you are away from your baby, if your circumstances allow it, try to express at feeding times to maintain your supply. Adopt the practice of expressing at least the same amount of breastmilk your baby takes from a bottle to keep up your supply.

• If complementary feeding is needed, it is best to wait for breastfeeding to become established, at least 6–8 weeks before introducing a bottle.
• When possible, always offer the breast first, followed by the bottle with infant formula if you are doing top up feeds.
• Introduce mixed feeding slowly to allow your little one to make a smooth transition to mixed feeding.
• This will also allow you to keep up your own breastmilk supply. It may take at least 3 to 4 weeks to achieve the desired mix of breast and bottle feeding.

Cow’s milk allergy (CMA) is a serious condition. If your baby or toddler is diagnosed with cow’s milk allergy, you should consult your doctor or paediatrician before giving your baby ANY foods or drinks that contain ingredients which may be derived from cow’s milk. This includes certain infant formula and milk drink products such as a2 Platinum^®. If your child is diagnosed with CMA, they will need to avoid all foods and drinks containing cow’s milk, as even the smallest amount can set off a reaction. Some breastfed babies may also show sensitivity due to cow's milk consumed as part of the mother’s diet, so seek help from your GP or Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD).

For formula fed babies with CMA speak to your healthcare professional as there are modified formulas that may be suitable. Your healthcare professional can advise you on alternatives that can be included in your baby’s diet.  Partially hydrolysed (HA) formulas are not a suitable treatment for CMA.

It is also very important to learn how to read labels to identify cow’s milk protein as an ingredient. The following food labels indicate that the food is likely to contain milk proteins:

• Milk
• Non-fat milk solids
• Casein
• Caseinate
• Whey
• Whey powder
• Lactalbumin
• Lactoglobulin
• Lactose
• Rennet Casei

Unsettled behaviour in infants is poorly understood. Your baby’s unsettled behaviour could be due to one or more of a variety of factors, including excess wind build-up, feeding practices, difficulty in voiding (i.e. constipation) or other gastrointestinal issues such as reflux.

Naturally occurring substances in both human milk and infant formula, including milk proteins and lactose, may also contribute to an infant’s unsettled behaviour.

You should speak to your healthcare professional if you require further information regarding the cause of your baby’s unsettled behaviour.