Babies (and mummies) need all the help they can get! Whether it’s breast milk or the best baby milk powder in Malaysia 2021!
Because babies grow tremendously (i.e. three times their weight) during their first year, it’s important to give them all the necessary nutrients. For healthy brain and joint development!
See reviews on the best formula milk you can get in Malaysia!
Formula Types
Numerous sources agree that breast milk is the best source of nutrition you can provide for your child (especially in the first 6 months) but understandably, sometimes there is not enough.
Or you have to be somewhere that is not convenient (or socially acceptable) to breast feed, or use a breast pump!
And not forgetting that mum deserves a break too!
Ideally, baby formula is should contain the same nutrients breast milk does. But ratios and concentrations of ingredients differ between brands.
And there are different bases used for baby milk powder too:
1. Cow’s Milk Formula
Most baby formulas are made from cow’s milk. Albeit in a way that’s easier for infants to digest.
With some additional ingredients in (i.e. fortified). Like iron or probiotic supplements.
2. Soy Formula
For the lactose-free route, you can buy a soy-based baby milk powder instead.
3. Specialized Formula
There are formulas (e.g. hydrolyzed formula) with predigested proteins to address allergies to protein in cow’s milk or breast milk. There are even formulas for premature babies!
Or for infants with skin conditions like eczema (e.g. hypoallergenic formula).
However, there is little evidence to suggest that taking a hypoallergenic formula can prevent common allergic afflictions from developing.
Essential Nutrients In Formula
1. DHA & AA/ARA
These are types of fatty acids naturally present in breast milk.
They contribute to the baby’s brain and vision development. And thus, many commercial baby milk powders include them too.
DHA and AA are usually indicated separately on labels.
Where there should roughly be an equal amount of DHA and AA (where DHA is slightly lower) in your baby’s milk powder. To mimic breast milk as closely as possible.
2. Nucleotides
And to strengthen the baby’s immune system, there needs to be nucleotides. Which are also key in the development of digestive organs.
Though more studies are needed to fully understand other components in breast milk.
3. Choline
Only recently considered an essential nutrient for babies, the recommended amount is 125-150mg for babies between 0-12 months.
But only a handful of brands meet this.
Choline is important for the body’s nervous system and brain function as well as cell growth. The human body does not produce much of this on its own.
Adults can get it from meat, eggs and some vegetables. But babies get it from their mother’s womb or breast milk.
So if your baby doesn’t have access to breast milk the next best thing is an infant formula supplemented with choline.
4. Prebiotics And Probiotics
What’s the difference between prebiotics and probiotics?
Prebiotics encourage the growth of probiotics in the gut.
Probiotics are live bacteria that are beneficial in keeping the balance of good bacteria and bad bacteria in your gut!
The human body (even for adults) does not naturally produce its own probiotics!
5. Vitamins Like A, C, D, E, And The B Vitamins
These are necessary for good skin and vision. As well as for a healthy brain, nerves, and blood cells. Vitamins boost the immune system and help minerals like calcium absorb into the body.
Boosting the immune system and helping minerals like calcium absorb into the body.
Vitamin B9 is called folic acid. And it’s significant for red blood cell production. Besides this, it helps in developing the link between the brain and spinal cord too.
6. Minerals Like Calcium, Iron, Zinc
- Calcium- for bone, teeth, nails, etc. And muscle and nerve function
- Iron – for blood production
- Zinc – has so many uses in the body! Cell growth and repair, immune system, to the breakdown ofcarbohydrates, etc
How To Choose The Best Milk Powder For Your Baby
1. Review The Product Label For Nutritional Ingredients
Check the product label that it contains all of the essential ingredients discussed above!
Beware that many milk formula companies use sweeteners like dextrose, sucrose, or corn syrup (sometimes in addition to lactose) to make the milk more tasty.
2. Select Based On Age
Not unlike picking out the best baby stroller in Malaysia:
Deciding which milk powder to buy depends on how old your child is!
As the ratio of ingredients will generally reflect the respective nutritional requirements according to age group.
Baby formula stages are often categorized like so:
- Stage 1 (Birth – 6 months old)
- Stage 2 (6 months – 1 year-olds)
- Stage 3 (1 – 3 years old)
3. Bring Your Child To A Pediatrician
If you suspect that your child may have an allergy (or any other anomaly) due to their current milk powder, consult a pediatrician on the next course of action.
It may also be that your baby is either having too much or too little milk.
Abnormal symptoms to look out for are:
- Slow or fast weight gain
- Continuous crying
- Vomiting
- Loose skin
- Less urine
- Holding their legs up to their chest
Top 10 Baby Milk Powder Brands In Malaysia
Not in any particular order:
- S-26 (Wyeth Nutrition)
- Similac
- Enfalac/ Enfagrow/ Enfamil – all by Mead Johnson (same manufacturer for SUSTAGEN)
- Frisolac
- Anmum
- Isomil
- Nestle NAN Pro
- Mamex (Dumex)
- Pediasure
- Nutricia AptaGro
15 Best Baby Milk Powder In Malaysia 2021
- Best Budget Baby Milk Powder – Mamex Step 1 Infant Formula Milk Powder
- Best Lactose-free Baby Milk Powder – Isomil Soya Milk Powder
- Best Baby Milk Powder With Probiotics – Nestle NAN Pro Step 1 Infant Formula Milk Powder
- Best Baby Milk Powder (Used In Private Hospitals) – Similac 1 Infant Formula Milk Powder
- Best Baby Milk Powder (Cow/Soy Milk Blend) – S-26 Gold SMA Infant Formula Milk Powder
- Best Baby Milk Powder For Newborns – Enfalac A+ Infant Formula Milk Powder
Disclaimer: Every baby reacts differently and we can only provide recommendations or opinions based on research we have done. Or based on our own experience!
Best Formula Milk For Baby 0 To 6 Months & 6 – 12 Months
Unless mentioned otherwise, you can assume that the milk powder listed here are all cow milk based.
1. Similac 1 Infant Formula Milk Powder
Certified halal by JAKIM and popular in private hospitals:
Similac 1 Infant Formula Milk Powder is affordable and has all the necessary nutrients and more:
It has lactose which is also present in breast milk (~7% of breast milk is lactose), helpful to aid infants in their development. Your baby derives about half his/her energy from lactose in milk.
However because of the lactose content, it is unsuitable for babies that are lactose intolerant.
That aside, the formula contains coconut oil which is great alternative for palm oil. It really gets the calories into your baby to grow healthy and strong!
Another plus for Similac 1 Infant Formula Milk Powder is that it contains no corn syrup or high fructose. These are basically added sugars that are not present in breast milk.
However, the DHA content is less than in other brands. Furthermore, this is quite a frothy formula and may cause constipation in some babies.
- Suitable For: 0 – 12 Months Baby
- Key Nutrients: DHA, AA, 2’-FL, Nucleotide, Omega 3 & 6, Taurine and Choline
- Size: 1.2kg
- Price: ~RM120
- Price/kg: ~RM100
Pros:
- Does not have added corn syrup or fructose
- Uses coconut oil instead of palm oil
- Certified halal
- Used in hospitals
- Not too expensive
Cons:
Not for lactose intolerant babes
2. S-26 Gold SMA Infant Formula Milk Powder
Higher in iron and choline, but lowest in calcium compared to other milk powder brands for infants:
This cow and soy milk formula by local brand, Wyeth Nutrition (under Nestle) is suitable for babies up to a year old!
S-26 Gold SMA Infant Formula Milk Powder contains whey protein which is naturally found in breast milk.
While skimmed milk is mentioned in the ingredients list, don’t worry about it being too low in calories and fat because lactose and whey protein in the formula provide 27.9g of fat per 100g of powder.
We have worked this out based on several online sources:
A scoop of S-26 Gold SMA Infant Formula Milk Powder is roughly 8.6g. 15 scoops/ day for a year old baby comes up to 129g of milk powder in total. And ~36g of fat. Correct us if our math is wrong.
Toddlers (1-3 years old) require 39g of fat per day for every 1,000 calories they take in. And since a one-year-old needs between 750 to 900 calories a day, the S-26 Gold SMA Infant Formula Milk Powder does provide enough fat for an infant.
And like the Similac 1 Infant Formula Milk Powder, the S-26 Gold SMA Infant Formula Milk Powder also contains coconut oil which is rich in nutritious fat for babies.
However, if your baby has poor gut health or is born premature:
We caution against this milk powder as it contains soybean which may cause either constipation or diarrhea. S-26 Gold SMA Infant Formula Milk Powder is also unsuitable for babies that are lactose intolerant.
- Suitable For: 0 – 12 Months Baby
- Key Nutrients: DHA & AA, Alpha-Lactalbumin, Lutein, Oligofructose, Taurine, Nucleotides
- Size: 1.8kg
- Price: ~RM203
- Price/kg: ~RM112.8
Pros:
- With whey protein and coconut oil
- Reasonably priced
- Relatively higher iron and choline content
- Enough fat content (even with skimmed milk)
Cons:
Not for babies sensitive to soybean and lactose
3. Enfalac A+ Infant Formula Milk Powder
Specialists like to recommend Enfalac A+ Infant Formula Milk Powder for newborns. As it is particularly high in DHA, calcium, ARA and folic acid.
Like the Similac 1 Infant Formula Milk Powder too, Enfalac A+ Infant Formula Milk Powder is certified halal by JAKIM.
It’s one of the few brands besides the S-26 Gold SMA Infant Formula Milk Powder, that include more choline too – something that human breast milk is rich in.
Choline has several health benefits that are only “recently” being recognized, especially during pregnancy. The adequate intake (AI) for newborns below 6 months is 125mg/day.
So since the Enfalac A+ Infant Formula Milk Powder offers 122mg/100g of choline, if your baby consumes about 22 scoops (scoop size of 4.4g) a day, they’ll be getting enough choline!
Enfalac A+ Infant Formula Milk Powder now has MFGM too, another important ingredient in breast milk:
MFGM is good for neurodevelopment and intestinal immunity. Furthermore, there is evident proof that it decreases infant ear infections like acute otitis media.
It also contains GOS and PDX – patented prebiotics in the US and other countries including Malaysia. GOS and PDX helps babies produce softer stools (i.e. bifidogenic) as well as regulate their digestive system.
On the other hand, Enfalac A+ Infant Formula Milk Powder contains corn syrup which is a fast-acting source of energy (i.e. high glycemic index of 100 where lactose has a GI of 46).
Corn syrup can cause elevated blood sugar levels. But corn syrup is cheap and masks out bad-tasting milk proteins. It is also a sweetener alternative for lactose-intolerant babies.
- Suitable For: 0 – 12 Months Baby
- Key Nutrients: MFGM Complex, DHA, ARA, Choline, Dietary Fibers, Omega 3 & 6
- Size: 2.4kg
- Price: ~RM281
- Price/kg: ~RM117 – 121.8
Pros:
- With choline and MFGM for neural development
- Certified halal
- Contains prebiotics to regulate digestion
Cons:
- One of the more pricey milk powder brands
- Uses corn syrup to sweeten the taste –lactose is preferable (closer to human breast milk) if your baby is tolerant of lactose
4. Frisolac Step 1 Baby Milk Formula
Sold in 3 different sizes (400g, 600g and 900g), Frisolac comes all the way from Holland cow farms. That put emphasis on their cows’ well being and preserving as much of the natural nutrients as possible!
This formula has one of the highest calcium and choline content among milk powder brands in this list!
Plus, Frisolac Step 1 Baby Milk Formula contains galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) which is prebiotic that promotes a healthy gut and acts as allergy prevention (e.g. eczema, hives, etc) for infants. It can reduce colic episodes too.
You will also find whey protein in the formula. Whey protein is easy for babies to digest and helps them build up their immunity against infections.
Another key ingredient is taurine for healthy liver functions, and to protect nerves (in the eyes and ears most notably).
Taurine is also naturally found in breast milk and in the human body. However, babies don’t produce taurine naturally and need breast milk or milk formula as a supplement.
Frisolac does contain lactose which makes it unsuitable for lactose intolerant babies. It appears frothier than other brands as well.
- Suitable For: 0 – 12 Months Baby
- Key Nutrients: DHA & AA, Omega 3 & 6, Salic Acid, Dietary Fibers
- Size: 900g
- Price: ~RM109
- Price/kg: ~RM121.1
Pros:
- High choline and calcium content
- With GOS prebiotic
- Has more taurine than other brands – although there’s a general lack of studies on the minimum requirement for taurine in infant formula
Cons:
- Might make baby gassy (i.e. frothy formula)
- Not ideal for lactose intolerant infants
5. Anmum Infacare Step 1 Infant Formula Milk Powder
You get what you pay for and Anmum Infacare Step 1 Infant Formula Milk Powder does have all the essential nutrients in good proportions. But in lower amounts than other brands!
For instance, the choline content is only 90mg/100g:
Compared to the Enfalac A+ Infant Formula Milk Powder (with same scoop size of 4.4g), you would need ~1.4 times as much of the Anmum Infacare Step 1 Infant Formula Milk Powder (~ 32 scoops a day instead of 23).
Just to meet the recommended AI of choline mentioned earlier (125mg per day for newborns)!
But babies seem to like the taste of this formula. It’s less sweet and doesn’t appear to cause constipation or diarrhea either.
Anmum Infacare Step 1 Infant Formula Milk Powder contains FOS:
Another prebiotic to encourage the production of healthy bacteria in your baby’s gut. Although the FOS content is significantly lower than with other milk formula brands like the S-26 Gold SMA.
Like the above baby formulas, you will find taurine and whey as well which will give your baby a healthy body and a head start, in terms of neurodevelopment.
Yet, this is another baby milk powder that contains lactose and thus, unsuitable for babies that are lactose intolerant.
- Suitable For: 0 – 12 Months Baby
- Key Nutrients: DHA & AA, Omega 3 & 6, Nucleotides, Lutein, Vitamin E, Folic Acid
- Size: 900g
- Price: ~RM100
- Price/kg: ~RM111
Pros:
- Affordable
- With many essential nutrients
- FOS prebiotics included
Cons:
- Lower nutrient levels overall
- With lactose (not favorable for lactose intolerant babies)
6. Isomil Soya Milk Powder
Isomil by Abbott family is a 100% lactose-free soy-based milk formula that’s surprisingly high in calcium! This makes it suitable for lactose intolerant babies.
Additional ingredients include duo carbohydrates (for easier absorption), lutein (for vision), and prebiotics (FOS) which promotes a healthy gut.
Babies who switched to Isomil Soya Milk Powder after having allergic reactions to lactose-based milk have less colic issues as well as diarrhea or constipation.
But if your baby is generally happy and healthy with a lactose-based milk formula, you should stick with that.
As there are some potential concerns (e.g. high aluminum levels) that lack studies on long term consequences when it comes to soy-based milk formulas.
- Suitable For: 0 – 12 Months Baby
- Key Nutrients: DHA & AA, Omega 3 & 6, Nucleotides, Lutein, Vitamin E, Folic Acid
- Size: 850g
- Price: ~RM71
- Price/kg: ~RM83.5
Pros:
- Affordable
- High in calcium despite being soy-based
- Lactose-free and suitable for lactose intolerant babies)
- With FOS prebiotics for better gut health
- Does not include palm oil (palm olein to be precise)
Cons:
Not advisable for some babies – (e.g., low weight or pre-term babies)
7. Nestle NAN Pro Step 1 Infant Formula Milk Powder
Unlike other milk powder brands on this list, Nestle NAN Pro Step 1 Infant Formula Milk Powder contains probiotics (not the same as prebiotics) for your baby’s gut health!
Specifically bifidobacterium lactis probiotic to reduce the chances of diarrhea! Yay for less mess in your baby’s diaper!
Nestle NAN Pro Step 1 Infant Formula Milk Powder also contains DHA and ARA – both are fatty acids found naturally in breast milk. Studies show that they play a role in brain development in infant growth.
You will also find whey protein, coconut oil, taurine, and lactose (from cow’s milk) listed in the ingredients.
However, Nestle NAN Pro Step 1 Infant Formula Milk Powder has the lowest choline content (46mg/100g) relative to other brands on this list.
- Suitable For: 0 – 12 Months Baby
- Key Nutrients: DHA & ARA, Omega 3 & 6, Nucleotides, Vitamin E, Folic Acid, Probiotic, Nucleotides
- Size: 1.3kg
- Price: ~RM129
- Price/kg: ~RM99.2
Pros:
- Contains probiotics for improved gut health
- Affordable
- Good balance of DHA and ARA
- Halal
Cons:
- Probiotics is not recommended for those premature babies or those with weak immune systems
- Low level of chlorine
- With skimmed milk powder and whey protein – not for lactose intolerant infants
8. Mamex Step 1 Infant Formula Milk Powder
Besides a slightly lower content in iron and zinc (compared to other brands):
Mamex Step 1 Infant Formula Milk Powder still has a reasonable balance of nutrients. Including choline (118mg/100g) and calcium (365mg/100g)!
And while Mamex Step 1 Infant Formula Milk Powder is unsuitable for lactose intolerant babies, it contains FOS and GOS (prebiotics).
However, the level of FOS is significantly higher than in other brands. FOS and other prebiotic oligosaccharides, can increase the bowel frequency of your baby and result in softer poop.
But for a cow milk based formula (skimmed cow’s milk and lactose), Mamex Step 1 Infant Formula Milk Powder is one of the cheapest baby milk powder in Malaysia.
From the table below, you will notice that the Mamex Step 1 doesn’t have as much DHA as other brands like the S-26 Gold SMA or Enfalac milk powder:
Mamex Step 1 provides ~44mg of DHA (assuming your baby takes 20 scoops where 1 scoop is 4.5g) in a day (total of ~90g). So considering that infants require 10-12mg/kg (body weight) of DHA, this is enough for a newborn of 3 to 5kg.
- Suitable For: 0 – 12 Months Baby
- Key Nutrients: DHA, AA, Prebiotics GOS/lcFOS (9:1), Omega 3 & 6, Nucleotides, Taurine
- DHA: 87 mg/100g
- Size: 1.2kg
- Price: ~RM108.9
- Price/kg: ~RM90.75
Pros:
- Affordable
- With decent levels of choline
- Includes taurine
Cons:
- Much higher level of prebiotics (may affect baby’s stool frequency and consistency)
- Not lactose free
Nutrition Comparison Table (0-12 Months)
Unit is mg/100g unless specified.
| Milk Powder | Price/kg | DHA | AA/ARA | Nucleotides | FOS (g) | Taurine | Lutein (mcg) | Folic Acid (mcg) | Choline | Calcium | Iron | Zinc |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Similac 1 | 100 | 56 | 112 | 57.6 | 1.6 | 29 | 91 | 76 | 80 | 380 | 5.4 | 4.5 |
| S-26 Gold SMA | 112.8 | 95.3 | 95.3 | 20.2 | 3.9 | 36.4 | 88 | 82.9 | 124 | 289 | 6.2 | 4.7 |
| Enfalac A+ | 121.8 | 87 | 173 | 15.8 | 3.1 | 31 | n/a | 87 | 122 | 400 | 5.1 | 4.1 |
| Enfalac A+ Gentlease | 134.7 | 87 | 173 | n/a | n/a | 31 | n/a | 82 | 122 | 420 | 6.1 | 5.1 |
| Frisolac 1 | 121.1 | 63 | 63 | n/a | 3.1 | 46 | n/a | 85 | 105 | 425 | 6 | 4.6 |
| Frisolac Comfort | 125 | 53 | 53 | 14.43 | 2.9 | 40 | n/a | 90 | 155 | 385 | 5 | 4.4 |
| Anmum Infacare 1 | 111 | 44 | 44 | 25 | 0.44 | 31 | n/a | 70 | 90 | 390 | 4.7 | 3.8 |
| Isomil | 83.5 | 50 | 100 | n/a | 1.6 | 34 | 85.2 | 75 | 60 | 532 | 7.8 | 6 |
| NAN PRO 1* | 99.2 | 61 | 61 | 15.6 | n/a | 32 | n/a | 74 | 46 | 330 | 5.2 | 5.4 |
| Mamex 1 | 90.75 | 49 | 86 | 18.9 | 5.9 | 39 | n/a | 75 | 118 | 365 | 4.3 | 3.6 |
*only NAN PRO 1 contains probiotic with 1 x 10^6 cfu/g.
Best Formula Milk For 1 Year Old And Above
Toddlers still require DHA, AA and folic acid. DHA is necessary for baby’s visual and neural development!
The following formulas have a higher calcium and folic acid intake too. For folic acid, toddlers require more than 100 mcg (micrograms) DFE daily while newborns only need ~60 mcg DFE per day.
Don’t forget to look into getting or replacing your current baby car seat so that it fits your growing toddler!
9. Enfagrow A+ Mindpro Step 3
Kids have more variety with the 4 available flavors (original, vanilla, chocolate or honey). And the product can come in many sizes (600g, 1.2kg, 1.7kg, etc or even 3.6kg)!
But the most notable thing about this formula, is the higher-than-average DHA content for healthy brain development!
The recommended DHA dosage for toddlers (1-2 years) is 100mg. So since the Enfagrow A+ Mindpro Step 3 has 100mg DHA per 100g, 3 servings a day is sufficient for your child’s daily DHA intake!
Besides DHA, there is MFGM Complex which helps build immunity! You can read more about MFGM on here.
However, do note that while it states no added sugar, the ingredient list does contain corn syrup solids which could unnecessarily increase your child’s blood sugar.
- Suitable For: 1 – 3 Years Old
- Key Nutrients: MFGM Complex, DHA, Yeast Beta-Glucan, Choline, Iodine, Vitamin A & Vitamin B12, Zinc, Iron
- Size: 1.2kg
- Price: ~RM100
- Price/kg: ~RM89
Pros:
- Decently priced
- Sufficient levels of DHA
- Different flavors to appeal to kids
Cons:
With corn syrup (as sweetener)
10. Enfalac A+ Step 2 Formula Milk Powder
Step 2 of Enfalac A+ has both DHA and AA in ample amounts. Other than AptaGro, Enfagrow and Enfalac milk powder generally have high DHA content.
In addition, the Enfalac A+ has nucleotides, taurine (not present in the more affordable Enfagrow A+ Mindpro Step 3 or Enfagrow A+ Step 3), iron, zinc, folic acid, choline and calcium!
From a glance, you can see that it differs from Enfalac A+ Step 1 in the increased calcium (590mg/100g vs 400mg/100g)!
Besides FOS, Enfalac A+ Step 2 Formula Milk Powder is infused with GOS too.
However, an ingredient we aren’t too pleased to find is the corn syrup solids, similar to the Enfagrow A+ Mindpro Step 3.
Enfalac A+ Step is also one of the most expensive baby milk powders you can get in Malaysia!
- Suitable For: 6 – 18 Months Baby
- Key Nutrients: DHA, ARA, Choline, Sialic Acid, Dietary Fibers
- Size: 900g
- Price: ~RM93
- Price/kg: ~RM109.2 – 113.6
Pros:
- High levels across most of the essential nutrients (especially DHA, ARA, and neucleotides)
- With prebiotics (FOS & GOS)
Cons:
Expensive
11. Similac 2 Formula Milk Powder
Similac 2 reduces the content of DHA, AA, nucleotides, taurine and lutein from Similac 1.
Although the level of nucleotides in Similac 2 is significantly higher (~47mg/100g) than other milk powder brands (S-26 Gold Progress only has 15mg/100g).
By the way, there’re currently not enough studies on the exact amount of nucleotides that infants need, but human breast milk is indeed rich in nucleotides. Nucleotides are building blocks of DNA molecules.
And of the milk powder in this list (in this section for toddlers), only the S-26 Gold Progress and Similac 2 Formula Milk Powder contain lutein.
So if your kid does not regularly consume green leafy vegetables, it might be a good idea to supplement their lutein through this milk formula instead! Lutein has a key role in cognitive and visual development.
On the other hand, the Similac 2 formula has more folic acid, calcium, iron and choline than Similac 1. Even if the choline dosage (96mg/100g) of Similac 2 is still less than other brands (Enfalac A+ Step 2 has 112mg/100g).
Children between 1 to 3 years should get 200mg of choline a day.
You will also find prebiotics (FOS) in this milk powder too.
Similac 2 Formula Milk Powder does not contain any high fructose syrups or any unnecessary added sugars, but it does contain lactose (i.e. unsuitable for lactose intolerant babies).
- Suitable For: 6 – 18 Months Baby
- Key Nutrients: DHA, AA, 2’-FL, Nucleotide, Omega 3 & 6, Taurine and Choline
- Size: 900g
- Price: ~RM93
- Price/kg: ~RM103.3
Pros:
- Reasonably priced
- With lutein
- High in nucleotides
Cons:
- Slightly lower choline and DHA content
- May not be suitable for lactose intolerant babies
12. S-26 Gold Progress Formula Milk Powder
S-26 Gold Progress Formula Milk Powder has choline and DHA. However, the nutrition balance in S-26 Gold Progress Formula Milk Powder is somewhat low:
Both calcium and zinc levels of the S-26 Gold Progress Formula Milk Powder are the lowest among this list of milk powder for toddlers.
However, its main selling point is αlipids™ (sphingomyelin and phospholipids). Apparently crucial for brain-nerve communication!
Digging deeper, we found that there is a study that suggests that sphingomyelin (SM) contributes to cognitive maturation (this includes speech development).
Sphingomyelin is naturally available to babies via breast milk too. Milk fats in breast milk consist of phospholipids where sphingomyelin is a prominent phospholipid.
Another key ingredient is whey protein (naturally found in breast milk):
There is 5.46g of whey protein for every 100g of powder. Where whey protein makes up ~ 40% of the protein content in S-26 Gold Progress Formula Milk Powder.
And ~60% is casein protein – also from cow’s milk. This is actually a typical ratio for an infant formula as casein takes longer to digest (i.e. more sleep for you!).
On a side note, S-26 Gold Progress Formula Milk Powder contains oligofructose. A dietary fiber and a prebiotic that helps stimulate production of healthy bacteria in your baby’s gut for improved digestion and overall gut health.
And like the Similac 2 Formula Milk Powder, S-26 Gold Progress Formula Milk Powder has lutein (163mg/100g).
S-26 Gold Progress Formula Milk Powder is sucrose-free. But is not suitable for lactose intolerant babies as the S-26 Gold Progress Formula Milk Powder contains lactose.
- Suitable For: 1 Year & Above
- Key Nutrients: αlipids, DHA, Choline, Lutein and Oligofructose, alpha-lactalbumin, Vitamins D and K, Calcium, Zinc, Vitamins A, C and E, Selenium
- Size: 2.4kg
- Price: ~RM177.7
- Price/kg: ~RM74 – 84.4
Pros:
- Affordable
- With lutein (beneficial for cognitive and visual development)
- Contains ogliofructose for improved gut health
Cons:
- Lower in DHA, nucleotides, folic acid, calcium, and zinc than other brands
- May not be suitable for lactose intolerant babies
13. Anmum Essential Step 3 Milk Formula
There is an abundance of calcium, iron and zinc (highest in this list at 810mg/100g, 11.4mg/100g and 5.4mg/100g respectively) in the Anmum Essential Step 3 Milk Formula.
The milk is sourced from New Zealand (Fonterra Trusted Goodness). Without additional sugar!
There is FOS and inulin for optimum digestive health by building up good bacteria in the gut! Inulin acts like a prebiotic too.
However, since the amount of FOS is higher than other milk powder brands (4.48mg/100g), you may notice a change in your baby’s poop frequency or consistency (e.g. softer or more frequent poops).
Unusual for an infant formula, there is no AA/ ARA in the Anmum Essential Step 3 Milk Formula. Even if the recommended age is 1-3 years.
Both ARA and DHA are crucial for brain development in infants below 2 years old. So you may want to try another milk powder brand if your baby is in that age range.
But it contains gangliosides (GA), which are also important for brain development.
- Suitable For: 1 Year & Above
- Key Nutrients: DHA, GA, MFGM, Sialic Acid, Omega 3 & 6
- Size: 1.5kg
- Price: ~RM89
- Price/kg: ~RM59.3 – 60
Pros:
- Cheap
- No added sugar
- High in calcium, iron and zinc
Cons:
Missing ARA* (not advisable for babies under 2 years old) *based on what we can see here
14. Pediasure Optiheight Milk Formula Vanilla
From the name of this milk formula, you can guess that it’s for helping your little one catch up to the height of his/ her peers!
With arginine & natural vitamin K2! Along with calcium! Arginine promotes growth in bones while vitamin K2 triggers the bones (or rather osteocalcin proteins) to take in calcium.
At least, this is the main selling point that Pediasure (under Abbott) would like hone in based on their own research. We can’t find any unbiased research that supports their claims.
However, there are arginine supplements for adults available in the market too. Commonly sold as L-arginine. But for the purpose of lowering blood pressure and even improving erectile disfunction.
The acceptable dosage of arginine (according to rxlist.com) for children is 3mg daily (for children between 1-3 years old). 6mg daily for kids between 3-8 years old.
*Since there is 1029mg/100g of arginine in the Pediasure Optiheight Milk Formula, there is already 500mg of arginine per serving size of 48.6g (or 5 scoops).
So if you want to give this milk powder a try for your kids, do so with caution. And be wary of potential side effects like stomach pains, nausea, and bloating.
Furthermore, Pediasure Optiheight Milk Formula contains milk protein concentrate which might make it unsuitable for kids who are lactose intolerant.
*Disclaimer: We have reached out to Pediasure to clarify this but have not received any reply yet.
- Suitable For: 1 – 10 Years Old
- Key Nutrients: DHA, Omega 3 & 6, Calcium, Arginine, Natural Vitamin K2, Calcium, Probiotics, Dietary Fibers
- Size: 1.8kg
- Price: ~RM159
- Price/kg: ~RM88.3 – 88.75
Pros:
- Inexpensive
- Available in 3 flavors – plain, vanilla or chocolate
- Gluten-free
- With FOS prebiotics and probiotics (Lactobacillus acidophilus) for gut health
- Certified halal
- Sucrose-free (only for the plain version)
- High levels of choline
Cons:
- Contains MCT oil (Coconut/palm). MCT oils are not necessary for healthy children
- Lack of unbiased studies on the efficacy of arginine to stimulate growth in children
- Lower levels of calcium (463mg/100g) compared to other brands
15. Nutricia AptaGro Step 3 Milk Formula
Nutricia AptaGro Step 3 Milk Formula contains prebiotics (FOS and GOS) and probiotics (bifidobacterium breve) in a milk powder formula without sucrose.
As discussed earlier, prebiotics and probiotics boost good bacteria in the GI (gastrointestinal) tract. Babies are born with clean GI tracts that are susceptible to infections without the presence of good bacteria.
Another baby milk powder with both prebiotics and probiotics is Nestle’s NAN Pro Step 1 Infant Formula Milk Powder.
The DHA content in Nutricia AptaGro Step 3 Milk Formula is high. As is the folic acid! There are however, no AA/ARA or nucleotides in this formula.
And since breast milk naturally has DHA and AA/ARA, you may want to get a milk formula that mimics that (i.e. has DHA and AA/ARA) instead of the Nutricia AptaGro Step 3 Milk Formula.
Enfagrow A+ Gentlease Step 3 costs about the same, and has AA/ARA and similar levels of folic acid, calcium, iron and zinc. Although, the Enfagrow A+ Gentlease Step 3 does not have probiotics.
In that sense though, the Enfagrow A+ Gentlease Step 3 is better for babies with frequent digestive discomfort. Because probiotics can cause bloating in some babies.
- Suitable For: 1 – 3 Years Old
- Key Nutrients: Prebiotics GOS/lcFOS (9:1), Probiotics, DHA, Vitamin A, C & D
- DHA: 89.7 mg/100g
- Size: 1.2kg
- Price: ~RM99.9
- Price/kg: ~RM83.25
Pros:
- No sucrose
- With prebiotics and probiotics
- High nutrient levels (including taurine and choline)
- Not too expensive
Cons:
No AA/ARA
Nutrition Comparison Table (1 Years & Above)
Unit is mg/100g unless specified.
| Milk Powder | Price/kg | DHA | AA/ARA | Nucleotides | FOS (g) | Taurine | Lutein (mcg) | Folic Acid (mcg) | Choline | Calcium | Iron | Zinc |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Enfagrow A+ Mindpro Step 3 Original (NEW) | 89 | 100 | n/a | 2 | 3.2 | n/a | n/a | 220 | 100 | 730 | 9 | 3.4 |
| Enfagrow A+ Step 3 | 83.6 | 88 | n/a | 2 | 3.2 | n/a | n/a | 220 | 100 | 730 | 9 | 4.8 |
| Enfagrow A+ Gentlease Step 3 | 87.4 | 63 | 125 | n/a | n/a | 30 | n/a | 150 | 115 | 620 | 6 | 4.1 |
| Enfalac A+ Step 2 | 113.6 | 82 | 163 | 16.8 | 2.6 | 27 | n/a | 96 | 115 | 590 | 7.4 | 4.8 |
| Similac 2 | 103.3 | 48 | 95 | 47.4 | 1.32 | 31.3 | 135 | 104 | 96 | 600 | 6.8 | 4.5 |
| S-26 Gold Progress | 84.4 | 56 | 15.1 | 15.1 | 3 | 27.3 | 163 | 87.2 | 140 | 418 | 5.8 | 2.4 |
| Frisolac Step 2 | 113.3 | 31 | 21 | n/a | 2.7 | n/a | n/a | 160 | 220 | 535 | 7.2 | 5.1 |
| Anmum Essential Step 3 | 60 | 53.6 | n/a | n/a | 4.48 | n/a | n/a | 98 | n/a | 810 | 11.4 | 5.4 |
| Pediasure Optiheight* | 88.75 | 21 | n/a | n/a | 2.06 | 33.3 | n/a | 111 | 139 | 463 | 6.48 | 3.1 |
| AptaGro Step 3** | 83.25 | 101 | n/a | n/a | 5 | 54 | n/a | 136 | 100 | 746 | 6.8 | 4.2 |
*Pediasure Optiheight contains probiotic with 1 x 10^6 cfu/g.
**AptaGro Step 3 contains probiotic with 1 x 10^7 cfu/g.
Conclusion
Get the best milk powder in Malaysia so you don’t have to compromise your baby’s growth! For scenarios where and when it’s not possible to give him/her breast milk!
Also, don’t ever feel guilty about not being able to give your child breast milk!
You can start off by selecting milk powder brands according to the nutrition content and price. But ultimately, your baby will decide which brand they prefer!
