Frequently Asked Questions

When choosing the best formula for your little one, it’s important to remember that every childis different. The best place to start is with your healthcare professional, who will be able to talk you through the available options and help you choose a formula that meets the unique nutritional needs of your child.

After introducing a new formula, it’s important to observe your child during and after feeding. If you notice any changes in their health, reach out to your healthcare professional immediately. Our Careline experts are here to help, and can be reached at nutriciacareline@danone.com or by calling 1800 438 500 (AU) or 0800 438 500 (NZ).

We recommend sticking with the stage that matches your child’s age (e.g. Todder Milk Drinks are for 1+ year old). Each stage is carefully designed to meet their specific nutritional needs, which is why using the right formula is important  – moving on too soon might mean your little one misses out on, or gets too much of, the essential nutrients they need.

Always discuss with your Healthcare Professional before making any change to your little one’s diet. 

Use the instructions on the back of the Aptamil tin to guide you, or follow these steps – designed by our Careline team – and you’ll be preparing formula like a pro in no time. 

• Thoroughly wash your hands before preparing the feed

• Clean and then sterilise all utensils by boiling them for 5 minutes, or by using approved sterilised equipment.

• Boil safe drinking water and allow it to cool to feeding temperature (37 to 38 Celsius).

• Consult the feeding guide on the tin for the required volume of water and scoops of powdered formula required for each bottle.

• Measure the required volume of cooled boiled water into the bottle.

• Make sure to only use the enclosed scoop, and avoid compacting the powder.

• Level off the formula by using the built-in leveller.

• Add the required scoops of powder to the bottle.

• Place the dry scoop back into the can.

• Cap the bottle, then swirl or shake to dissolve the powder.

• Test the temperature of the mix on your wrist before feeding.

• Discard any unfinished feed after 2 hours.

Don’t forget:

• Always follow the instructions on the packaging exactly.
• Always read the label on the formula tin so you know how much powder to mix. 
• Never change the proportions of powder, except on medical advice.

• Only use the scoop that comes with the formula tin and always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

• Never use a microwave to heat or reheat formula.

• Once any leftover formula has been sitting at room temperature for more than two hours, discard it. 

For your baby’s safety, mix each formula bottle as needed and serve immediately after it’s been prepared. Always follow the instructions on the tin exactly, and discard any formula that your child hasn’t finished within 2 hours.

If a bottle of made-up formula needs to be prepared in advance, store it at the back of the fridge (2-4°C) and use it within 24 hours. Discard any refrigerated formula not used within 24 hours.

It’s always safest to make-up each bottle fresh and serve it right away, throwing out any milk that hasn’t been used within 2 hours. If a cup needs to be prepared in advance, store it at the back of the fridge (2-4°C). Discard any refrigerated drink not used within 24 hours.

Always follow the instructions on the tin exactly, and never change the proportions of powder – except on medical advice. Incorrect preparation can make your child very ill.

When our formula is manufactured, we remove the oxygen and replace it with nitrogen before sealing – this is what gives our products their long shelf life. Once you open the can, the powder is re-exposed to oxygen and can start to age or oxidise. After four weeks, we can no longer guarantee the nutritional information panel on the back of the tin is accurate – this means that you cannot be sure that your child is receiving the recommended nutrients.

Also, every time you open the lid, you’re potentially exposing the powder to contamination – even if you’re careful. Each product has limiting ingredients (such as our fish oils), and this may spoil after the can has been opened for more than 4 weeks, making the product quality, taste and smell less than ideal. Storing an open tin in the fridge or freezer is also not recommended, because moisture can get into the powder and cause clumping.

Whenever you open a new tin, get into the habit of writing the date on the lid so you can remember when the 4 weeks are up.

Mixed feeding (or combination feeding) refers to when you alternate between breast milk and formula feedings.

It is important to note that partial bottle feeding with formula may reduce breast milk supply, making it difficult to go back to exclusive breastfeeding. At the same time, any amount of breast milk that is supplied to an infant is greatly beneficial.

For breastfeeding or mixed feeding advice, please talk to your midwife or lactation consultant. Our Careline experts can also be reached at nutriciacareline@danone.com or by calling 1800 438 500 (AU) or 0800 438 500 (NZ).

All  formula products have a feeding guide on the back of the tin. These instructions will let you know how much cooled boiled water you need to mix with a scoop of powder, and it’s important this dilution is not changed.

The volume and number of feeds per day are a guide. Your healthcare professional can help determine whether your baby needs more or less than is recommended in the feeding guide, so reach out to them before introducing a new formula.

Formula-fed babies typically poo daily or every second day. It should not be difficult for your baby to pass a poo, and the poos should be formed but not hard. If you are worried about constipation, it is important to ensure that you are preparing the formula correctly and that you are giving your baby enough water or fluids – especially during periods of hot weather.

If you are concerned about constipation or the frequency or consistency of your baby’s poo, please contact to your healthcare professional. For general advice, our Careline experts can be reached at nutriciacareline@danone.com or by calling 1800 438 500 (AU) or 0800 438 500 (NZ).

When travelling, the best way to prepare bottles in advance is to fill the bottles with the correct amount of cooled boiled water/safe drinking water as per instructions on the tin. The milk powder can be carried in a separate airtight container, a formula dispenser, or you can use a sachet. The milk powder can then be conveniently added to the water at feeding time. It will need to be used within 2 hours (at room temperature) as per the instructions on the tin.

If you are flying, you are not allowed to carry more than 100mL of water. Check if the flight attendants can supply water for you to make up your feeds.

From 12 months on, you can offer full-cream milk to your toddler.

You may find It easier to change from formula to cow’s milk if you transition gradually. Prepare your usual formula with water as per the instructions on the tin, alternating feeds with fresh milk. Over the next three weeks, slowly progress to only milk. Your child will be used to warm formula, so serve the milk at body temperature (37°C). Start by changing their middle-of-the-day feed, as morning and night feeds may be the hardest to give up.

For more tailored advice on transitioning your child from formula to cow’s milk, please contact our experienced Careline team via email at nutriciacareline@danone.com or by calling 1800 438 500 (AU) or 0800 438 500 (NZ).

Healthy toddlers can transition to cow’s milk or toddler milk after 12 months, alongside a varied diet. Prepare the formula as per the instructions on the tin. Slowly, over two or three weeks, progress from breastmilk or infant formula to toddler milk. If your child is used to warm formula, serve the toddler milk at body temperature, or 37°C. Start by changing their middle-of-the-day feeds because their morning and night feeds can be the hardest to give up.

For more tailored advice on transitioning your child from formula to cow’s milk, please contact our experienced Careline team via email at nutriciacareline@danone.com or by calling 1800 438 500 (AU) or 0800 438 500 (NZ).

Your toddler can move to Stage 4 formula after 2 years of age. A toddler can continue to take the Stage 4 formula for as long as you want them to.

Toddler milks are specially formulated to support your child’s nutritional needs and help fill any gaps they may have in their diet. While not designed as high-protein supplements or for promoting weight gain, they can be a helpful addition to a balanced diet.

If you have any concerns about your child’s growth or weight, your healthcare professional can provide personalised advice.

Aptamil® Gold+ 1 premium infant formula for formula-fed infants from 0-6 months. View the tin here and the sachets here.
Aptamil® Gold+ 2 premium follow-on formula for formula-fed and mixed-fed infants from 6-12 months. View the tin here. and the sachets here.
Aptamil® Gold+ 3 Toddler Nutritional Supplement is a premium supplement product for toddlers (1+ years). View the tin here. and the sachets here.
Aptamil® Gold+ 4 Junior Nutritional Supplement is a premium supplement product for toddlers (2+ years). View the tin here.

View Aptamil® Gold+ 1 Infant Formula ingredients here.
View Aptamil® Gold+ 2 Follow-on Formula ingredients here.
View Aptamil® Gold+ 3 Toddler Nutritional Supplement ingredients here.
View Aptamil® Gold+ 4 Junior Nutritional Supplement ingredients here.

Aptamil® Gold+ Toddler formulations are supported by over 50 years of early life nutrition research to nutritionally support growth and development in toddlers*. Aptamil® Gold+ 3 Toddler is a premium nutritional supplement for children aged 1 and above, when their intake of energy and nutrients may not be adequate. It contains:

• 8 Immune-supporting nutrients*: zinc, iron, Vitamins A, B6, B12, C, D, and folate.
• Iron & iodine to support normal cognitive function*.
• Our unique prebiotic  blend to help strengthen immunity^*.
• Omega-3 DHA.
• Supports normal growth & development with 16 essential vitamins and minerals*.
• Calcium & Vitamin D for normal teeth & bone structure*.
• *When prepared as directed and consumed as part of a healthy varied diet. ^Prebiotic blend as scGOS/lcFOS in the ratio of 9:1. Data on file.

Aptamil® Gold+ 4 Junior is a premium nutritional supplement for children aged 2 and above, when their intake of energy and nutrients may not be adequate. It contains:

• 8 immunity nutrients: zinc, iron, folate, and vitamins A, B6, B12, C and D*.
•  Iron & iodine to support normal cognitive function*.
• Our unique prebiotic blend to help strengthen immunity^*.
• Omega-3 DHA.
• Supports normal growth & development with 16 essential vitamins and minerals.*
• Calcium & Vitamin D for normal teeth & bone structure*.

*When prepared as directed and consumed as part of a healthy varied diet.  ^Prebiotic blend as scGOS/lcFOS in the ratio of 9:1

Indian and Pacific Ocean tuna fish is the source of Omega-3 DHA used in the in the Aptamil® Gold+ Toddler range.

Based on cow’s milk, the Aptamil® Gold+ Toddler range has added vitamins and minerals, Omega-3s, prebiotics, and probiotics.

Toddler milks can be an important part of a varied and healthy diet, but shouldn't take the place of proper meals. Instead, they’re best used to boost nutrition for children who might be missing out on key nutrients.

The shelf life of the Aptamil Gold+ range is 24 months from the date of manufacture for the 900g tin. Before purchasing, always check the tin for the exact date. The product should not be used beyond the date specified on the tin.

Aptamil Gold+ 1 Infant Formula and Aptamil Gold+ 2 Follow-on Formula are Made in New Zealand.
Aptamil Gold+ 3 Toddler Nutritional Supplement and Aptamil Gold+ 4 Junior Nutritional Supplement are packed in New Zealand from imported and local ingredients.

The Aptamil® Gold+ Toddler range is available in boxes of sachets, which is an excellent way to try the toddler drink before buying a whole 900g tin. Boxes of sachets are available here, from supermarkets and pharmacies.

Partially hydrolysed whey protein is whole whey protein that has been broken down into smaller pieces.

We have the Aptamil® Sensitive Birth to 12 Months and the Aptamil® Sensitive Toddler From 1 Year.

The shelf life is 18 months. Always check the tin for the expiration date.

The product is packed in New Zealand from local and imported ingredients. Aptamil Sensitive 0-12 is made in the Netherlands.