When baby formula was invented?

Baby formula, also known as infant formula, was invented by a German chemist named Justus von Liebig in 1865. Liebig developed, patented, and marketed an infant food, first in a liquid form and then in a powdered form for better preservation. The formula was a combination of cow’s milk, wheat and malt flour, and potassium bicarbonate, designed to mimic the nutritional composition of breast milk[1][5][7].

In the following years, the formula underwent several modifications and improvements. For instance, in 1919, a new infant formula was introduced that replaced milk fat with a fat blend derived from animal and vegetable fats[2]. In 1942, Nutramigen was introduced as the first protein hydrolysate infant formula. In 1951, Ross Laboratories’ Similac concentrate became available, and Mead Johnson’s Enfamil (for “infant milk”) was introduced in 1959[2].

The use of commercial formulas began to gain acceptance in the 1950s, and by the 1960s, due to the ease of use and low cost of commercial formula, the percentage of women who breastfed their newborn reached an all-time low (25%)[4]. The formula companies began to provide inexpensive or free formula to hospitals in ready-to-feed bottles, which further encouraged the acceptance of commercial formulas[2][4].

Today, infant formula is a highly regulated product and is considered a safe and trusted alternative to breastfeeding[7].