Cow & Gate is a brand name for baby milk products and is based in the United Kingdom. It’s history goes back as far as 1885 when it started life as West Surrey Dairy. Over these years it produced a range of milk products. Expansion of the business also meant a name change to Cow & Gate in 1929 where it was already producing powdered milk products with a focus on specialist formulations for babies.
The business merged with United Dairies to become the UK’s largest producer of dairy products. The business was then renamed Unigate and is now part of Nutricia (Danone) group.
[Please note we are an affiliate marketing partner and will make a sales commission if you purchase any items through our affiliate links. To make a purchase please click on a picture or direct link. Please read our affiliate disclosure].
Cow & Gate First Infant Milk
The top formulation at most retailers is the First Infant Baby Milk Powder Formula which covers the new born child’s birth and onwards. It can be used in both bottle and combination feeding. As with most baby milk brands, human breast milk is best from birth to 6 months at least but these baby milk powders are ideal for very young ones unable to receive enough nutrition. This particular product has been designed as a nutritionally complete breastmilk substitute but also one that can be used from 6 months as a weaning diet when a baby starts to chew. It contains DHA (omega-3) fatty acids which help with neurological development.
Cow & Gate provide a detailed feeding guide on all their products up to 12 months with an assumption of weaning at 6 months. The age and approximate weight of the child is tabulated with amount of feed to give, and number every 24 hours. Compared to other brands this level of information is highly valuable.
The other Cow & Gate formulations rise in number sequence through 2, 3 and 4 representing the stages of baby development.
The Follow-On Milk Baby Milk Powder(Stage 2) is fed to babies from 6 months onwardss until 12 months old.
The use of powdered milks should be followed carefully to avoid making your baby ill. The instructions on their web-site are highly explicit.
1) Wash hands and sterilise all utensils according to manufacturer’s instructions.
2) Boil 1 litre of freshly run water. Leave kettle to cool for 30 minutes and no longer. Measure the required amount of water (refer to feeding guide) into a sterilised bottle. Be careful of scalding. Do not use artificially softened or repeatedly boiled water.
3) Using the scoop provided, level off the powder with the built-in leveller. Do not press/heap the powder.
4) Add the correct measure of powder to the water. Adding too many or too few scoops can be harmful. Place the sterilised teat and cap on the bottle and shake immediately, vertically and vigorously for at least 10 seconds, until the powder is dissolved.
5) Cool under running tap. Check temperature of feed. Feed immediately.
The feed must also be prepared as and when it is needed. No made-up feeds should be stored and all unused baby milk when made up must be disposed of. The milk needs to be used within 2 hours to avoid bacterial contamination and growth. The powdered milk products when made up should not be heated in a microwave because hot spots often appear and can scald the parent and baby. Cow & Gate also stipulate that no extra scoops or anything else is added to the baby’s feed. Of course, never leave a baby alone during feeding.
Liquid milks are also available.
A2 Milk Range
In response to the rapid growth of the A2 protein milk market, Cow & Gate has launched Simply A2 using A2 protein milk. The milk market in this arena has tripled from $6 billion in 2018 to $21 billion by 2026.
A2 protein milk is produced from particular cows that now only produce the A2 beta-casein protein, which was the original beta-casein protein in cow’s milk thousands of years ago.
One of the ways that Cow & Gate help parents with babies’ needs is to offer products that help with dietary management of colic and constipation. The Cow & Gate Comfort Formula 800g.
Purchase your Cow & Gate products here
IMPORTANT NOTICE: Breastfeeding is best. Cow & Gate Infant milk should only be used on the advice of a doctor, dietitian, pharmacist, or other professional responsible for maternal and child care. Do not allow prolonged or frequent contact of drinks with your child’s teeth as this increases the risk of tooth decay. Ask your healthcare professional or dentist for advice.