Your Simple Guide to Follow-on Milk
Published on 29th Oct, 2025
Once your little one reaches that 6-month milestone, their nutritional needs will start to change. This is the perfect time to begin your baby's exciting weaning journey, introducing them to new flavours and textures.
As they explore the world of solid foods, you can introduce purées and finger foods alongside their usual breast milk or follow-on milk.
What exactly is follow-on milk?
You've probably seen follow-on milk on the shelves at Morrisons and wondered what it's all about, eh? Well, follow-on milk is specially made for babies aged 6 to 12 months, and it's designed to be used as part of their new and exciting, balanced weaning diet.
Do I need to switch to follow-on milk?
Many parents ask this, and the simple answer is no—it's recommended to carry on breastfeeding; switching to follow-on milk isn't essential. It’s a personal choice. You can carry on breastfeeding as your baby begins to explore new solid foods. Follow-on milks are simply designed to be a part of a balanced weaning diet for babies from 6 months onwards, and it’s completely your decision if you choose to use them.
Can I give my baby cow’s milk at six months?
This is a great question that many parents have. It's recommended that you don’t give your baby cow’s milk as a main drink until they're at least 12 months old. This is because it doesn't have all the nutrients they need at that stage.
However, you can absolutely use cow's milk in their cooking or add it to solid foods from 6 months onwards. Just be sure to chat with a healthcare professional before making any changes to your baby’s diet, just to be on the safe side!
If I start weaning a bit early, can I use follow-on milk early, too?
It's a question many parents ask, and the simple answer is no—follow-on milk shouldn't be introduced before six months. Although weaning isn’t recommended until your baby is around 6 months old, some parents choose to start slightly earlier. Every baby is different, so if you have any concerns or questions on when is the right time to start your weaning journey, please speak to your healthcare providers. However, follow-on milk shouldn’t be introduced before 6 months, because it’s only suitable for babies from this age, up to their first birthday.
If follow-on milk contains vitamins, do I still need to give my baby a vitamin supplement?
Whether you need to give your baby a vitamin supplement depends on how much follow-on milk they're drinking. If it’s more than 500ml per day, then there’s no need to give vitamin supplements as well – they’ll get enough from their daily milk. But if they’re drinking less than this amount per day, NHS guidance recommends topping up with a daily vitamin A, C and D supplement. This applies between the ages of 6 months and 5 years old.
I’m thinking about moving to follow-on milk. How do I make up the beaker?
Thinking about moving to follow-on milk? Making up a beaker is easier than you think, but there are a few important steps to remember to keep your little one safe.
First, always wash your hands and use a sterilised beaker. Measure carefully using a levelled scoop. It is vital that you never add extra scoops or anything else to your baby’s feeds. As a general guide, you'll need to boil a fresh kettle of water and then let it cool for no more than 30 minutes. Once you've made it up and given it a good shake, you can cool it down quickly by holding the beaker under a cold running tap.
As well as follow-on milk in powdered format, Cow & Gate Follow-on milk comes in ready- to-drink format that helps make feeding less stressful when out and about compared to powdered formats. Just pour into a sterilised beaker, shake and serve at room temperature or warmed. From 6 months, it’s recommended that babies learn to drink from a beaker.
(Remember, it's always important to follow the on-pack instructions, as failure to do so may make your baby ill.)
What’s next after follow-on milk?
Follow-on milk is specially made to help meet the nutritional needs of your baby alongside weaning between 6 and 12 months of age. After your baby’s first birthday, you can move them onto full-fat cow’s milk as their main drink, if you choose. There are also Toddler Milks available, which are designed for little ones from 1 year as part of a varied, balanced diet.
Follow on with Cow & Gate
Cow & Gate Follow-on milk is a great way to support your little one’s journey from weaning right up until their first birthday (6 to 12 months). It’s available in both powder and ready-to-drink formats, containing everything your baby needs from a follow-on milk and nothing they don’t (like palm oil or artificial preservatives*). It’s nutritionally tailored to support your little one’s needs as it contains iron to support normal cognitive development and vitamin D to support the immune system.
Visit here to find out more about Cow & Gate follow-on milk, plus helpful hints and tips for parents.
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*as required by legislation for all follow-on milk.
1,2 : Contains iron, which contributes to normal cognitive development of children, and calcium which is needed for normal growth and development of bone in children.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: Breastfeeding is best. Follow-on milk should only be used as part of a mixed diet and not as a breastmilk substitute before 6 months. Use on the advice of a healthcare professional. Use Toddler milk as part of a varied, balanced diet from 1 year.
