What is Aptamil Comfort formula?
Aptamil Comfort is a specialised European infant formula for the dietary management of colic and constipation in babies from birth to 12 months. It uses partially hydrolysed whey protein, reduced lactose and added potato and maize starch, and Aptamil says it should be used under medical supervision. This listing is a single 800g box, about 210 fl oz of prepared formula.
This is not a lifestyle formula and we would rather not sell it as one. It exists for a specific, miserable situation: a baby who cries inconsolably for hours, or strains and struggles to pass a stool, on an ordinary formula. Aptamil's answer is to change three things at once — break the whey protein into smaller fragments, cut the lactose back, and add starch to slow and soften the feed. It is a colic and constipation formula, not a general "gentle" upgrade.
The clinical tier matters. Aptamil Comfort is partially hydrolysed, which is a milder intervention than the extensively hydrolysed formulas doctors prescribe for cow's milk protein allergy. It is also a different product from the HA line, which targets allergy risk rather than digestive symptoms. Comfort is aimed at the symptoms in front of you; HA is aimed at a family history.
Made by Nutricia, part of Danone, under EU infant-formula law. Aptamil holds no organic certification on this or any of its specialised formulas — its case is clinical research and formulation, not organic farming, and we say that plainly in the comparison below. One formulation covers the whole first year, so there is no stage switch to manage in the middle of a difficult few months. It can be your baby's sole nutrition from birth to six months and part of a weaning diet from six to twelve.
0–12 moOne formulation, first year
800 gSingle box
~210 fl oz≈ 42 × 5oz bottles
2.7 gLactose per 100ml
What's in Aptamil Comfort per 100ml?
Prepared as directed, every 100ml provides 66 kcal, 3.4g fat, 1.5g protein, 7.0g carbohydrate of which 2.7g is lactose, 59mg calcium, 0.73mg iron, 0.48mg zinc, 17mg DHA from fish oil and 17mg ARA. The prebiotics are GOS and FOS, and the protein is partially hydrolysed whey.
- Carbohydrate 7.0 g
- Fat 3.4 g
- Protein 1.5 g
| Per 100ml prepared | Amount |
|---|---|
| Energy | 66 kcal |
| Fat | 3.4 g |
| Protein (partially hydrolysed whey) | 1.5 g |
| Carbohydrate | 7.0 g |
| — of which lactose | 2.7 g |
| Calcium | 59 mg |
| Iron | 0.73 mg |
| Zinc | 0.48 mg |
| DHA (from fish oil) | 17 mg |
| ARA | 17 mg |
| Prebiotics | GOS + FOS |
The ingredient deck opens with hydrolysed whey protein concentrate, then a palm, canola, sunflower and coconut oil blend, glucose syrup, starch, GOS, maltodextrin, lactose, FOS and fish oil, followed by the mineral and vitamin spread. Allergens are milk, fish and soy — soy appears as lecithin, used as an emulsifier.
Nutrition figures are Aptamil's own published data for Aptamil Comfort. Percentages in the chart are each macronutrient's share of total macronutrient grams and are rounded, so they do not add to exactly 100.
Why does Aptamil Comfort have less lactose and added starch?
Because the two changes target two different symptoms. Cutting lactose from around 7g to 2.7g per 100ml reduces the fermentable sugar reaching the large bowel, which is one recognised contributor to gas and colicky crying. Adding potato and maize starch alongside glucose syrup and maltodextrin makes the feed thicker and slower-moving, which is the constipation half of the formulation.
Aptamil Comfort
Reduced lactose, starch added
- Glucose syrup, starch, maltodextrin — 4.3 g
- Lactose — 2.7 g
- Potato and maize starch included
Thicker feed, less fermentable sugar
Standard infant milk
Lactose as the carbohydrate
- Lactose, effectively all of it
- No reduction, no substitution
- No added starch
The feed Comfort is a change from
Figures are schematic illustrations of the carbohydrate split, not to scale. The standard-formula column is a generic comparison, not a specific competing product. Reduced lactose is not the same as lactose-free — Aptamil Comfort still contains lactose.
Is Aptamil Comfort lactose-free?
No. Aptamil Comfort is reduced lactose, not lactose-free — it contains 2.7g of lactose per 100ml, against roughly 7g in a standard first infant milk. If your baby needs lactose removed entirely rather than reduced, this is the wrong box and you want a lactose-free formula instead.
- Reduced lactose, 2.7 g per 100ml
- Partially hydrolysed whey protein
- GOS and FOS prebiotics
- Potato and maize starch added
- DHA and ARA included
- One formulation, 0–12 months
Contains milk, fish and soy lecithin, and the fat blend includes palm oil. Aptamil Comfort is not organic certified, and EU rules do not permit an organic label on a hydrolysed-protein formula in any case. For a baby who needs lactose removed completely, see Aptamil Lactose Free.
How does Aptamil Comfort compare to HiPP Comfort and Kendamil Comfort?
All three are partially hydrolysed, reduced-lactose comfort formulas for colic and constipation, and none of the three is organic certified. Kendamil Comfort is the only one of the three that is vegetarian, halal and kosher certified, uses algae DHA instead of fish oil and contains no palm oil. Aptamil is the only one whose added starch is specifically potato and maize.
| Comfort formulas | Aptamil Comfort | HiPP Comfort | Kendamil Comfort |
|---|---|---|---|
| Organic certified | No | No | No |
| Age band | 0–12 months | Birth to 12+ months | 0–12 months |
| Protein | Partially hydrolysed whey · 1.5 g | Hydrolysed whey, ~86–87% · 1.25 g | Partially hydrolysed whey · 0.79 g |
| Milk base | See product page | Skimmed milk | Cream and whole milk |
| Lactose per 100ml | 2.7 g | ~2.7 g | 2.2 g |
| Added carbohydrate | Potato and maize starch, glucose syrup, maltodextrin | Starch and maltodextrin | Soluble dextrin |
| Palm oil | Contains palm oil | Contains organic palm oil | None |
| DHA source | Fish oil · 17 mg | Fish oil · 13.2 mg | Microalgae · 16.1 mg |
| Energy per 100ml | 66 kcal | 66 kcal | 66 kcal |
| Calcium per 100ml | 59 mg | See product page | 42.6 mg |
| Vegetarian, halal, kosher | No | No | Yes, all three |
| Pack size | 800 g box | 600 g box | 800 g tin |
| Prepared yield | ~210 fl oz | ~165 fl oz | See product page |
Being straight with you: two of these boxes are 800g and one is not, so compare by the ounce — HiPP Comfort is a 600g box and its lower shelf price is not the same as cheaper formula. On the merits, Kendamil Comfort is the better tin for a lot of families: it is vegetarian, halal and kosher certified, takes its DHA from algae rather than fish, contains no palm oil and is built on cream and whole milk rather than skimmed. HiPP's own edge is beta-palmitate, a fat structure associated with softer stools that neither of the other two emphasises. Aptamil Comfort's case is the specific potato-and-maize starch blend for constipation, Nutricia's clinical pedigree, the higher calcium figure and the largest prepared yield of the three. If constipation rather than colic is your main problem, that starch blend is the reason to pick this box.
How many boxes of Aptamil Comfort will my baby need per month?
About 3.5 boxes a month is the figure most commonly cited for a typical formula-fed baby on Aptamil Comfort, with a realistic range of roughly 2 to 4 boxes depending on your baby's age. One 800g box makes about 210 fl oz of prepared formula, which is roughly 42 bottles of 5 fl oz.
Because Comfort covers the whole first year in one formulation, the monthly figure moves in both directions: it climbs steeply through the first six months as intake grows, then eases back as solid food takes over. Plan against the band for your baby's current age rather than a flat number, and remember that any breastfeeding alongside formula pulls it down.
The 210 fl oz yield and the roughly 3.5 boxes per month average are published figures for this 800g pack. The three age bands are our own estimate, spread around that average to reflect intake rising through the first six months and falling once solids start. Use them for planning, not as a target — every baby feeds differently.
How do you prepare Aptamil Comfort?
Boil fresh water for each feed and let it cool to about 104°F (40°C). Pour two thirds of the water your feeding chart gives into a sterilised bottle, add the number of level 4.6g scoops for your baby's age, shake for about 10 seconds, add the remaining third of the water, shake again until fully dissolved, then cool to about 98.6°F (37°C) and check the temperature before feeding.
~104°FWater temperature (40°C)
4.6 gOne level scoop in this box
2–7 scoopsPer feed, by baby's age
~98.6°FFeeding temperature (37°C)
1
Sterilise everything
Wash and sterilise the bottle, teat, ring and cap, and wash your hands before you start.
2
Boil and cool
Boil fresh drinking water for every feed and let it cool to about 104°F (40°C) before any powder goes in.
3
Two thirds of the water first
Pour two thirds of the water the chart gives for your baby's age into the sterilised bottle before you add any powder — never the other way round.
4
Add level scoops
Fill the supplied 4.6g scoop loosely and wipe it level on the scraper edge of the pack, adding the number of scoops the chart gives — never packed or heaped.
5
Shake, top up, shake
Cap and shake vigorously for about 10 seconds, add the remaining third of the water, then shake again until the powder has completely dissolved.
6
Cool, test, feed
Let the bottle cool to about 98.6°F (37°C) — lukewarm — test a drop on your wrist, and feed straight away.
Aptamil Comfort contains potato and maize starch, so it mixes thicker than a standard formula and needs the two-stage shake above to dissolve fully — do not skip the top-up step. Never use artificially softened water or water that has been boiled more than once. Make a fresh bottle for every feed, never reheat, never microwave, and throw away anything your baby does not finish. Always follow the preparation instructions printed on your own box, which are the authoritative version.
A note on water temperature. Aptamil specifies water at about 104°F (40°C) for this formula, and that is the instruction printed on your box. It is set deliberately — hotter water damages the heat-sensitive vitamins this formula is built around.
Many health authorities, including the NHS and WHO, advise 70°C or hotter for any powdered formula, because powder is not sterile and that temperature kills bacteria that can occasionally be present. The difference matters most for newborns, premature babies, and babies with weakened immunity. If your baby is in one of those groups, ask your paediatrician or health visitor which to follow for your situation.
A note on water temperature. Aptamil specifies water at about 104°F (40°C) for this formula, and that is the instruction printed on your box. It is set deliberately — hotter water damages the heat-sensitive vitamins this formula is built around.
Many health authorities, including the NHS and WHO, advise 70°C or hotter for any powdered formula, because powder is not sterile and that temperature kills bacteria that can occasionally be present. The difference matters most for newborns, premature babies, and babies with weakened immunity. If your baby is in one of those groups, ask your paediatrician or health visitor which to follow for your situation.
Aptamil Comfort feeding chart by age
| Baby's age | Feeds per day | Water per feed | Level scoops | Prepared feed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 week | 5–7 | 60 ml | 2 | 70 ml |
| 2 weeks | 6 | 90 ml | 3 | 100 ml |
| 3–4 weeks | 5–6 | 120 ml | 4 | 130 ml |
| 5–8 weeks | 5 | 150 ml | 5 | 170 ml |
| 3–4 months | 4–5 | 180 ml | 6 | 200 ml |
| 5 months | 4 | 210 ml | 7 | 230 ml |
| From 6 months | 3 | 210 ml | 7 | 230 ml |
| After 6 months | 1–2 | 210 ml | 7 | 230 ml |
Aptamil's own dosing table for this formula. Treat the number of feeds and the volume per feed as a guide — it is fine for your baby to take more or less on a given day. The scoop count for each age, however, should be followed exactly.
Please read before buying
Aptamil Comfort is a specialised formula for the dietary management of colic and constipation, and Aptamil states it should be used under medical supervision, after full consideration of all feeding options including breastfeeding. It is reduced lactose, not lactose-free, and it is not a formula for cow's milk protein allergy — a diagnosed allergy needs an extensively hydrolysed or amino-acid formula prescribed by a doctor. Contains milk, fish and soy lecithin. Breastfeeding is best for your baby — speak to your health visitor, pharmacist or doctor before starting or changing a formula.
Store boxes in a cool, dry place and keep the pack closed between feeds. Never reheat or microwave prepared formula.
Colic, lactose or allergy?
These are three different problems with three different formulas, and they get confused constantly. Comfort is for colic and constipation — partially hydrolysed, reduced lactose, added starch. Lactose Free removes lactose entirely, for a baby who cannot digest it. HA is for allergy risk in a family with a history of it. A diagnosed milk allergy is a fourth case again, and needs a prescription formula. If you are not sure which of these describes your baby, ask before you buy — we would rather point you to the right one.
Aptamil Comfort: frequently asked questions
What age is Aptamil Comfort for?
Aptamil Comfort is for babies from birth to 12 months. One formulation covers the whole first year, so there is no stage switch to manage. It can be used as your baby's sole source of nutrition from birth to six months, and as part of a weaning diet from six to twelve months. Aptamil states it should be used under medical supervision, as it is a specialised formula rather than a standard infant milk.
Is Aptamil Comfort lactose-free?
No. Aptamil Comfort is reduced lactose, not lactose-free. It contains 2.7 grams of lactose per 100ml of prepared feed, compared with roughly 7 grams in a standard first infant milk. That reduction is deliberate and is part of how the formula targets colic, but it is not suitable for a baby who needs lactose removed completely. For that you want a genuinely lactose-free formula, which we also stock.
Can Aptamil Comfort be used for a cow's milk protein allergy?
No. Aptamil Comfort uses partially hydrolysed whey protein, which is a much milder intervention than the extensively hydrolysed and amino-acid formulas doctors prescribe for diagnosed cow's milk protein allergy. Comfort is indicated for colic and constipation, which are digestive symptoms, not an immune response. If your baby has a diagnosed or suspected milk allergy, speak to your pediatrician about a prescription formula rather than buying this box.
How long before Aptamil Comfort works?
We cannot promise a timeframe and neither does Aptamil. Comfort formulas are a dietary management approach, not a treatment with a guaranteed result, and colic in particular resolves on its own in most babies by three or four months regardless of what they are fed. What we can say is that any formula change should be given a fair trial of at least a week or two, discussed with your health visitor or doctor, and not stacked on top of two or three other switches in quick succession.
How much prepared formula does one 800g box make?
One 800g box of Aptamil Comfort makes about 210 fluid ounces of prepared formula, which works out at roughly 42 bottles of 5 fl oz. Actual yield depends on how accurately each 4.6g scoop is levelled on the scraper edge. For planning, a typical formula-fed baby on Comfort uses around 3.5 boxes a month, with a realistic range of about 2 to 4 boxes depending on age.
What is the difference between Aptamil Comfort and Aptamil HA?
They solve different problems. Comfort is for colic and constipation: partially hydrolysed whey, reduced lactose and added potato and maize starch, aimed at digestive symptoms happening now. The HA line is for allergy risk reduction in babies with a family history of allergy: partially hydrolysed whey with a full lactose carbohydrate and no added starch. Neither is a formula for a diagnosed milk allergy, and the two are not interchangeable.
Does Aptamil Comfort contain palm oil or fish oil?
Both. The vegetable oil blend is palm, canola, sunflower and coconut oil, and the DHA comes from fish oil, so this formula is not suitable for vegetarian families. It also contains soy lecithin as an emulsifier, and the declared allergens are milk, fish and soy. If you need a palm-oil-free, vegetarian comfort formula, Kendamil Comfort is the one to look at and we stock it.
Related formulas at Bonpek Baby
- Kendamil Comfort MilkThe vegetarian, palm-oil-free comfort formula, with algae DHA.
- HiPP Comfort (German)The closest German rival, with beta-palmitate, in a 600g box.
- Aptamil Lactose FreeFor a baby who needs lactose removed entirely, not just reduced.
- Aptamil HA 1For allergy risk in a family with a history of it — a different problem.
- Aptamil HA PREThe newborn-stage hydrolysed box, lactose as its only carbohydrate.
- All baby formulasBrowse every European formula we stock, by brand and stage.
Why parents buy from Bonpek Baby
- Authentic from Europe for 8+ years
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- Best prices, or we'll match and add a free gift
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Product information last reviewed by the Bonpek Baby team in September 2026 against the manufacturer's current published ingredient and nutrition data. Always check the label on your box, as manufacturers reformulate from time to time.
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