With baby-led weaning (BLW), your child’s age and the role of milk matter more than a description such as “mild”. According to Anses, ordinary semi-skimmed milk should not replace breast milk or infant formula before the age of one. Growing-up milk is the preferred everyday milk for children aged one to three. When buying milk for your family, check the milk allergen, pack size and storage instructions to make sure it suits your child’s age and needs.
If you’re considering semi-skimmed milk as a drink to replace your child’s usual milk, age is the first thing to consider. Ameli recommends continuing with infant formula until your child is one. Anses also states that everyday drinks should not replace breast milk or infant formula for babies.
Ordinary semi-skimmed milk contains milk and is not a suitable alternative if your child has a diagnosed allergy. Anses notes that a specially formulated product may be prescribed by a doctor in these circumstances.
When semi-skimmed milk is right for your child’s age and intended use, consider its composition, how much your household will drink and how to store it after opening. Always follow the instructions on the carton or bottle you buy, as they may differ from those for another product.
First, work out whether the milk is intended to replace a milk drink suited to your child’s age. Then check the product label and choose a pack size your household can use within the stated storage conditions.
| Criteria | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Age and role of the milk | Check the age stated and distinguish between family milk, infant formula and growing-up milk. According to Anses, ordinary semi-skimmed milk should not replace milk for babies. | If milk is to be a young child’s usual milk drink, I want to choose a category that suits their age rather than relying on the flavour description. Around 50% of consumers would prioritise this suitability. |
| Allergen and ingredients | Check the ingredients and labelling on the product you buy. If there is a known cow’s milk protein allergy, do not choose another semi-skimmed milk as a substitute. | When milk is an allergen to consider in our household, I need to identify the ingredients clearly before choosing. Around 30% of consumers would make this their priority. |
| Pack size and storage | Choose a volume that suits your household’s consumption and follow the product’s refrigeration instructions and use-by period after opening. | If we only use a little milk at a time, I’d prefer a container we can finish within the stated period. Around 20% of consumers would prioritise pack size and storage. |
Gradually introducing other foods does not make family semi-skimmed milk equivalent to milk for babies. According to Anses, everyday drinks of animal or plant origin should not replace breast milk or infant formula before the age of one.
Before you buy, decide whether the milk will be your child’s usual milk drink or a product for other household uses.
These claims do not change the product category or the age it is intended for. Family semi-skimmed milk fortified with vitamin D is still different from infant formula or growing-up milk.
Check the product name and intended use before comparing its other features.
Milk is an allergen that needs to be identified. Auchan also notes that the composition of its product may vary depending on the store and purchase date.
Check the ingredients and allergens on the packaging. If your child has a diagnosed cow’s milk protein allergy, ask their healthcare professional for advice rather than trying another ordinary milk.
Instructions differ between products: Lactel says to use its semi-skimmed milk fortified with vitamin D within three days, Candia gives four days for GrandLait and Auchan allows up to five days for its UHT carton, subject to each brand’s stated conditions.
Choose a volume that suits your household’s consumption, note when you opened it and follow the storage instructions on the packaging.
An opened container kept beyond its recommended use-by period may go to waste.
These products illustrate differences in pack size, stated composition and storage for family shopping. Their inclusion here does not mean they are suitable as infant milk.
Lactel offers UHT semi-skimmed milk fortified with vitamin D, including pack sizes from 25 cl to 1 L.
GrandLait semi-skimmed is a family milk available in sizes including 25 cl, 50 cl, 1 L and 1.5 L.
Carrefour Bio offers UHT semi-skimmed milk certified as organic, in a 1 L bottle.
E.Leclerc’s own-brand ranges include Delisse milk in cartons or bottles, in sizes of 25 cl, 50 cl and 1 L, as well as Bio Village organic products.
Auchan offers UHT semi-skimmed milk in a 1 L carton, described as collected and packed in France.
These products are intended for different uses: semi-skimmed milk for the family, follow-on milk for the age range shown on the pack, and growing-up milk for children from the age stated. They are not interchangeable, so start by choosing the category that suits the role the milk will play.
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For buying semi-skimmed milk for the family, rather than replacing milk suited to a young child.
Pack of 6 × 1 L bottles. Before choosing this size, check the storage instructions after opening on each bottle.
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Consider this growing-up milk if milk is a regular drink for a child in the age range stated on the product. It is not family semi-skimmed milk.
Pack of 6 × 1 L containers. Check the age range, ingredients and instructions for use after opening on the packaging.
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Consider this follow-on milk for the stated age range, rather than family semi-skimmed milk for a baby.
830 g of powdered milk, for use from 6 months. Follow the preparation, use and storage instructions on the pack.
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For comparing a cocoa-flavoured growing-up milk in smaller containers, without confusing it with plain semi-skimmed milk.
Pack of 6 × 25 cl containers. Check the stated age, ingredients and storage instructions for each opened container.
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For comparing powdered growing-up milk when the product needs to suit the stated age. This is not family semi-skimmed milk.
830 g tin, for use from 12 months. Follow the preparation and storage instructions after opening shown on the tin.
No, not before the age of one. According to Anses, everyday drinks of animal or plant origin should not replace breast milk or infant formula for babies. Weaning gradually introduces foods; it does not change the role of your child’s usual milk.
For this purpose, French recommendations cited by Anses favour growing-up milk over ordinary cow’s milk. Anses says cow’s milk meets a child’s nutritional needs only from the age of three. Check the age range and instructions for the product you are considering.
No. A flavour description does not replace the milk category or its intended age range. First distinguish between family semi-skimmed milk, follow-on milk and growing-up milk, then check the ingredients of the exact product.
No. Switching to another brand of ordinary semi-skimmed milk does not remove the milk allergen. If your child has a known allergy, Anses says a specially formulated product may be prescribed by a doctor. Ask the healthcare professional looking after your child for advice.
Follow the time limit and temperature shown on the packaging you buy, as these vary between products. For comparison, Lactel says to use its semi-skimmed milk fortified with vitamin D within three days, Candia gives four days for GrandLait and Auchan allows up to five days for its UHT carton, subject to each brand’s stated storage conditions.