In situations where breastfeeding is not possible or breast milk supply is insufficient—especially for preterm infants—infant formula is the most suitable alternative to ensure proper nutrition. Today’s formulas are carefully developed to closely resemble the nutritional composition of human milk, supporting healthy growth, immune function, and organ development.
It’s also important to recognize that infant feeding is a deeply personal decision, and every family’s situation is unique. While breastfeeding has well-established benefits, choosing not to breastfeed—whether due to medical, practical, or personal reasons—is entirely valid. What matters most is that every infant receives the nourishment they need to thrive.
Historically, infant formula has evolved from basic cow’s milk adaptations to sophisticated formulations engineered to simulate the nutritional profile of human milk. The global market for infant formula is undergoing rapid expansion, driven by changing lifestyles, increased female workforce participation, and higher birth rates in certain regions (Baker et al., 2016).
With this growth comes increased scrutiny and a demand for nutritional refinement.
Modern research is increasingly focused on enhancing the functional and biological quality of infant formulas by incorporating bioactive ingredients such as probiotics, prebiotics, human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs), and immunologically relevant proteins (Ahern et al., 2019; Salminen et al., 2020; Bakshi et al., 2023).
One of the most significant recent developments is the commercial production and inclusion of HMOs – complex carbohydrates abundant in human milk that are virtually absent in cow’s milk. HMOs serve as prebiotics, promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria such as Bifidobacteria, and play a critical role in the development of the infant’s immune system by modulating immune responses and acting as decoys for pathogens (Salminen et al., 2020).
The inclusion of synthetically produced HMOs, such as 2’-fucosyllactose (2’-FL), in infant formulas marks a transformative step toward narrowing the biological gap between breast milk and formula.
Probiotic supplementation is another area of focus. Probiotics are live microorganisms that, when administered in adequate amounts, confer health benefits by supporting gut health and immune development (Hill et al., 2014).
Clinical trials suggest that infants fed formulas enriched with certain probiotics (e.g., Lactobacillus rhamnosus) exhibit lower incidences of gastrointestinal and respiratory infections (Bakshi et al., 2023).
Beyond probiotics and HMOs, researchers are investigating the addition of functional proteins like osteopontin, gangliosides, and S100A8/A9, which influence immune regulation and neurodevelopment. Osteopontin, for example, is naturally present in breast milk and has been linked to immune function and reduced inflammation in infants. Moreover, gangliosides – sialic acid-containing glycosphingolipids – are essential for brain development and have immunomodulatory properties. Their incorporation into formula aims to support cognitive development and neural connectivity. Additional proteins attracting growing interest include lactoferrin—a multifunctional glycoprotein with antimicrobial and immune-regulating properties; taurine, which plays a key role in brain and retinal development; and inositol, known for its involvement in cellular signaling and lipid metabolism (Ahern et al., 2019; Almeida et al., 2021; Li et al., 2024).
The future of infant formula lies in its increasing ability to biologically emulate human milk.
Through the integration of functional nutrients, immunomodulatory compounds, and microbiota-friendly ingredients, formula milk is steadily becoming more aligned with the gold standard set by breastfeeding.
However, ensuring ethical marketing and strong regulatory oversight is essential to safeguarding infant health and supporting informed parental choice.
At NIUM, we’re on a mission to uncover how different compounds shape a healthier gut microbiome—one discovery at a time.
Curious about functional ingredients like HMOs? Let’s test them together—get in touch!
References
Ahern, G., Hennessy, A., Ryan, C., Ross, R., & Stanton, C. (2019). Advances in Infant Formula Science. Annual Review of Food Science and Technology, 10, 75–102. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-food-081318-104308
Almeida, C. C., Mendonça Pereira, B. F., Leandro, K. C., Costa, M. P., Spisso, B. F., & Conte-Junior, C. A. (2021). Bioactive Compounds in Infant Formula and Their Effects on Infant Nutrition and Health: A Systematic Literature Review. International journal of food science, 2021, 8850080. https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/8850080
Baker, P., Smith, J., Salmon, L., et al. (2016). Global trends and patterns of commercial milk-based formula sales: is an unprecedented infant and young child feeding transition underway? Public Health Nutrition, 19, 2540–2550. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1368980016001117
Bakshi, S., Paswan, V., Yadav, S., et al. (2023). A comprehensive review on infant formula: nutritional and functional constituents, recent trends in processing and its impact on infants’ gut microbiota. Frontiers in Nutrition, 10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2023.1194679
Hill, C., Guarner, F., Reid, G., Gibson, G. R., Merenstein, D. J., Pot, B., Morelli, L., Canani, R. B., Flint, H. J., Salminen, S., Calder, P. C., & Sanders, M. E. (2014). Expert consensus document. The International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics consensus statement on the scope and appropriate use of the term probiotic. Nature reviews. Gastroenterology & hepatology, 11(8), 506–514. https://doi.org/10.1038/nrgastro.2014.66
Li, W., Liu, B., Lin, Y., Xue, P., Lu, Y., Song, S., Li, Y., Szeto, I. M., Ren, F., & Guo, H. (2024). The application of lactoferrin in infant formula: The past, present and future. Critical reviews in food science and nutrition, 64(17), 5748–5767. https://doi.org/10.1080/10408398.2022.2157792
Salminen, S., Stahl, B., Vinderola, G., & Szajewska, H. (2020). Infant Formula Supplemented with Biotics: Current Knowledge and Future Perspectives. Nutrients, 12. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12071952