Baby formula was first developed during the 1860s. German chemist Justus von Liebig created one of the earliest scientifically formulated infant foods in 1865, and a commercially produced version became available during the late 1860s.
This is why you may see both 1865 and 1867 given as the year baby formula was invented. The first date generally refers to Liebig developing his formula, while 1867 is commonly associated with its commercial introduction.
As a mum of two, I find the history fascinating. Formula milk is now such a familiar sight that it is easy to forget how comparatively recent it is—and how very different the first manufactured infant foods were from the carefully regulated products parents use today.
The History Of Baby Formula
Modern formula did not appear as one finished invention. It developed gradually as scientists learnt more about nutrition, milk production, food hygiene and what babies need to grow.
There is therefore no single moment when formula as we know it today was invented. However, Justus von Liebig’s work during the 1860s is generally regarded as the beginning of commercial infant formula.
The Short Answer
German chemist Justus von Liebig developed an infant food in 1865. It was made using cow’s milk, wheat flour, malt flour and potassium bicarbonate.
A commercially produced version, known as Liebig’s Soluble Food for Babies, became available during the late 1860s. It is frequently described as the first commercially manufactured infant formula.
However, it was very different from the nutritionally complete and tightly controlled infant formulas sold in the UK today.
What Did Babies Have Before Formula?
Before manufactured formula existed, most babies were breastfed either by their birth mother or by another lactating woman known as a wet nurse.
Wet nursing was practised for thousands of years. It provided an important alternative when a mother died, was unwell, had difficulty breastfeeding or was otherwise unable to feed her baby.
When human milk was not available, carers sometimes used animal milk from cows, goats, sheep, donkeys or other animals. Babies might also be given mixtures containing water, bread, cereal or flour.
This was sometimes referred to as dry nursing, distinguishing it from breastfeeding or wet nursing.
These early substitutes were not nutritionally equivalent to modern infant formula. They could be difficult for babies to digest, lacked an appropriate balance of nutrients and were easily contaminated.
Feeding vessels were also difficult to clean. Before people understood the importance of bacteria, sterilisation and clean water, alternative feeding methods carried considerable risks.
Historical recipes should never be recreated or given to a baby. Anyone needing help with infant feeding should speak to a midwife, health visitor, GP or another suitably qualified health professional.
Who Invented Baby Formula?
Justus von Liebig is the person most frequently credited with inventing the first commercial baby formula.
Liebig was an influential German chemist who applied chemistry to agriculture, food and human nutrition. His interest in infant feeding reportedly had a personal connection: his daughter had experienced difficulty breastfeeding her own baby.
In 1865, Liebig developed a preparation intended to provide an alternative for babies who could not be breastfed. Its ingredients included cow’s milk, wheat flour, malt flour and potassium bicarbonate.
Liebig initially prepared the food as a liquid. A powdered version was subsequently developed to make transportation and preparation more practical.
Although his invention represented an important step, it should not be confused with modern baby formula. Nutritional science was still developing, manufacturing controls were limited and doctors did not yet understand all the vitamins, minerals and other components required during infancy.
Was Baby Formula Invented In 1865 Or 1867?
Both dates are widely used, but they usually describe different points in the product’s development.
1865 is normally given as the year Justus von Liebig developed his infant food.
1867 is commonly associated with Liebig’s food becoming a commercial product and being made available more widely.
It is therefore reasonable to say that baby formula was invented in 1865 and commercially introduced during the late 1860s.
The word “formula” can be slightly misleading when discussing this period. Liebig’s product was an early manufactured infant food, but it did not have the carefully specified nutritional composition expected of infant formula today.
Henri Nestlé And Commercial Infant Food
Justus von Liebig was not the only person working to develop a practical alternative to breastfeeding.
During the same period, Henri Nestlé created an infant food combining cow’s milk, grain and sugar. It was known as Farine Lactée Henri Nestlé, or Henri Nestlé’s milk flour.
Nestlé’s product was intended to be relatively simple to prepare. It became commercially successful and helped manufactured infant food reach a much wider audience.
Other companies soon entered the market, and the late 19th century saw a rapid increase in proprietary foods marketed for babies and children.
The products differed considerably. Some needed to be mixed with cow’s milk, while others were sold as more complete preparations. Advertising claims could be extremely ambitious, despite the limited scientific evidence available at the time.
When Was Baby Formula Invented In The UK?
There does not appear to be one definitive date when baby formula was “invented” in the UK. The early developments were international, and manufactured infant foods gradually became available in Britain during the late Victorian period.
Liebig’s infant food was developed in Germany, while Henri Nestlé worked in Switzerland. Their products and similar preparations were subsequently sold across Europe.
One product associated with Britain was Mellin’s Food, developed by Gustav Mellin during the 1860s. This was a soluble preparation made using malted grain and other ingredients. It was mixed with milk and water rather than serving as a nutritionally complete formula in the modern sense.
Mellin’s Food became a familiar name in Britain and was heavily advertised during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
By the beginning of the 20th century, British parents could purchase a growing range of powdered infant foods, dried milk products and preparations designed to modify cow’s milk.
However, these products varied in their nutritional value and were not regulated in the same way as present-day infant formula.
A Baby Formula History Timeline
| Date | Development |
|---|---|
| Before the 1800s | Breastfeeding, wet nursing, animal milk and homemade mixtures were used |
| 1845 | Elijah Pratt patented an India-rubber teat for feeding bottles |
| 1865 | Justus von Liebig developed his infant food |
| Late 1860s | Liebig’s Soluble Food for Babies was sold commercially |
| Late 1860s | Henri Nestlé introduced his milk-and-cereal infant food |
| Late 1800s | Manufactured infant foods became increasingly available in Britain and elsewhere |
| Early 1900s | Dried-milk and evaporated-milk preparations grew in popularity |
| Mid-1900s | Improved nutritional knowledge changed the composition of commercial formula |
| 1981 | The World Health Assembly adopted the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes |
| Today | Formula composition, labelling, safety and marketing are regulated |
How Baby Bottles Helped Formula Feeding Develop
Alternative infant foods could only become widely used if parents had a practical way to feed them.
Early feeding vessels were made from materials such as pottery, pewter and glass. Some had narrow spouts or openings that were extremely difficult to clean.
In 1845, American inventor Elijah Pratt patented an India-rubber teat. This contributed to the development of feeding bottles that allowed babies to suck in a way that more closely resembled breastfeeding.
Glass bottles and rubber teats became increasingly available during the late 19th century. Designs gradually improved as manufacturers and health professionals learnt more about hygiene and safe feeding.
The discovery of microorganisms and the growing acceptance of sterilisation also made bottle feeding safer than it had previously been. Even so, contaminated bottles, unsafe water and incorrectly prepared feeds continued to present serious risks.
Today, the NHS advises parents to sterilise bottles and teats until their baby is at least 12 months old and to follow formula-packaging instructions carefully. You can find current guidance in the NHS bottle-feeding advice.
How Formula Changed During The 20th Century
During the 20th century, scientists developed a much better understanding of the nutrients babies need.
Early manufactured foods were often based on attempts to make cow’s milk easier for babies to digest. As nutritional research progressed, manufacturers began altering the balance of protein, fat and carbohydrates and adding vitamins and minerals.
Iron-fortified formula became more common, while the balance between whey and casein proteins was adjusted. Formulations continued to change as knowledge of essential fatty acids and other nutrients developed.
Manufacturing processes also improved. Powdered formula became easier to transport and store, while ready-to-feed liquid products offered another option.
Commercial formula became considerably more widely used in several countries during the middle decades of the 20th century. However, its popularity was influenced not only by science and convenience but also by aggressive marketing.
Formula Marketing And The 1981 WHO Code
By the 1970s, serious concerns had developed around the promotion of infant formula, particularly in countries where families might not have reliable access to clean water, sterilising equipment or enough money to prepare feeds correctly.
In 1981, the World Health Assembly adopted the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes.
The Code was created to protect breastfeeding and regulate how products such as infant formula, feeding bottles and teats were marketed.
It does not mean that infant formula cannot be sold or that parents should not receive factual information about it. Its aim is to prevent misleading or commercially biased promotion from influencing infant-feeding decisions.
The UK has incorporated some, although not all, elements of the Code into its own legislation. UNICEF UK explains the Code and its purpose in more detail.
How Modern Formula Differs From Early Infant Food
Modern infant formula is fundamentally different from the preparations developed during the 19th century.
The first infant foods were created before scientists understood many of the nutrients necessary for healthy growth and development. Ingredients and preparation methods also varied widely.
Formula sold today must meet specified requirements for composition, labelling and safety. There are also restrictions on how first infant formula can be advertised and promoted.
Modern products include first infant formula as well as specialist formulas intended for particular medical or dietary needs. Specialist formula should only be used when recommended by an appropriate health professional.
The NHS states that first infant formula is normally the first formula given to a baby and can be used throughout their first year. Parents who think their baby may have an allergy or intolerance should speak to their GP rather than changing to a specialist product without advice.
Is Infant Formula The Same As Breast Milk?
No. Infant formula is designed to provide babies with suitable nutrition when they are not breastfed or when formula is used alongside breast milk, but it is not identical to human milk.
Breast milk is a complex, changing biological substance. Formula has a controlled nutritional composition, but it cannot reproduce every component of human milk.
At the same time, families use formula for many different reasons. Some parents cannot breastfeed, some decide not to and others combine breast and formula feeding.
Infant feeding can be an emotional subject. Parents deserve practical, evidence-based information and support without judgement.
Bottle feeding can also be a close and responsive experience. Holding your baby, maintaining eye contact, talking to them and following their feeding cues can all support bonding. The NHS specifically describes bottle feeding as an opportunity to feel close to your baby.
Is Homemade Baby Formula Safe?
No. Homemade baby formula is not a safe alternative to an appropriate commercially manufactured product.
Recipes found in historical documents or online may contain an unsuitable balance of protein, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals. They could provide too much of certain ingredients and not enough of others.
Homemade feeds may also introduce harmful bacteria or cause dehydration if the proportions are incorrect.
The animal-milk, cereal and flour mixtures discussed in this article are included only as historical information. They should never be prepared for a baby.
If you are struggling to obtain formula, are worried about its cost or are unsure which type your baby needs, speak to your midwife, health visitor, GP or another qualified health professional.
Preparing Modern Baby Formula Safely
Although this article is primarily about history, it is important to remember that powdered infant formula is not sterile.
Always follow the instructions on the packaging carefully and use the exact quantities stated. Adding too much powder or too much water can make a baby unwell.
The NHS advises parents to:
- Wash their hands before preparing a feed
- Sterilise bottles and teats
- Make up one feed at a time
- Follow the manufacturer’s measurements exactly
- Throw away unfinished milk after a feed
- Never leave a baby alone with a propped-up bottle
For full, current instructions, use the official NHS guidance rather than relying on historical articles, social-media advice or homemade recipes.
If you use formula when away from home, you may also be interested in my Nuby RapidCool review, which explains how the bottle-cooling device works and what I found when using it.
Moving From Milk To Solid Food
Breast milk or first infant formula remains a baby’s main drink during their first year, even after solid food is introduced.
Most babies are ready to begin trying solid foods at around six months, although readiness is about development as well as reaching a particular date. My guide to weaning at six months covers some of the signs to look for.
When you reach that stage, you may also find these guides useful:
- Best baby-led weaning spoons
- Best baby-led weaning bowls
- Best bibs for baby-led weaning
- Best foldable high chairs
Having the right equipment does not make every mealtime mess-free—nothing does—but it can certainly make the cleaning a little easier.
When Was Baby Formula Invented? The Final Answer
Baby formula was first developed during the 1860s. Justus von Liebig created his infant food in 1865, and a commercially produced version became available during the late 1860s.
This early food was an important development, but it was nothing like the carefully formulated products sold today.
The following century brought enormous changes in nutritional science, food hygiene, manufacturing and regulation. What began as a mixture of cow’s milk, flour and other ingredients gradually developed into a regulated product intended to provide suitable nutrition when a baby is not breastfed.
Baby Formula History FAQs
Who Invented Baby Formula?
German chemist Justus von Liebig is generally credited with developing the first commercial infant formula. He created his infant food in 1865, and it was sold commercially during the late 1860s.
Was Formula Invented In 1865 Or 1867?
Both dates are used. The year 1865 refers to Liebig developing his infant food, while 1867 is commonly associated with the commercially produced version becoming widely available.
What Was The First Baby Formula Made From?
Liebig’s early infant food contained cow’s milk, wheat flour, malt flour and potassium bicarbonate. It was very different from modern infant formula.
What Did Babies Drink Before Formula Existed?
Most babies were breastfed by their mother or a wet nurse. When human milk was unavailable, carers sometimes used animal milk or mixtures containing flour, cereal, bread and water. These substitutes could be nutritionally inadequate and unsafe.
When Did Baby Formula Arrive In Britain?
Manufactured infant foods gradually appeared in Britain during the late 19th century. There is no single confirmed date for the introduction of formula in the UK because various imported and British products became available over time.
What Was The First Infant Formula In The UK?
There is no universally recognised single “first” UK formula. Products based on the work of Justus von Liebig, Henri Nestlé and Gustav Mellin became available in Britain during the late Victorian period. Mellin’s Food became one of the better-known infant-food brands in the UK.
Is Modern Formula The Same As The Original Formula?
No. Early infant foods were created before scientists fully understood babies’ nutritional requirements. Modern infant formula has a regulated composition and must meet current safety and labelling requirements.
Is Homemade Baby Formula Safe?
No. Homemade baby formula can contain unsafe ingredients or an incorrect balance of nutrients. Historical recipes should never be recreated. Use an appropriate commercially manufactured product and seek professional advice if you need help feeding your baby.
Can Formula-Fed Parents Bond With Their Babies?
Yes. Bottle feeding offers plenty of opportunities for closeness and responsive interaction. Holding your baby, looking at them, talking to them and following their feeding cues can all support bonding.