Infant Nutrition Market By Product Type (Infant Milk Formula, Baby Food, Baby Drinks, Others), By Ingredient (Carbohydrates, Proteins, Fats, Vitamins & Minerals, Prebiotics & Probiotics, Others), By Formulation Type (Powdered, Liquid, Ready-to-Use), By Age Group (0-6 Months (Newborns), 6-12 Months (Infants), 12+ Months (Toddlers)), By Distribution Channel (Hypermarkets/Supermarkets, Online Retailers, Pharmacies, Specialty Stores, Others), and By End-user (Hospitals and Clinics, Home Care), Global Market Size, Segmental analysis, Regional Overview, Company share analysis, Leading Company Profiles And Market Forecast, 2025 – 2035

Industry Outlook

Infant Nutrition market accounted for USD 61.4 Billion in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 140.3 Billion by 2035, growing at a CAGR of around 7.8% between 2025 and 2035. The Infant Nutrition Market deals with the feed and dieting products of babies and infants between 0-3 years old. Such products as infant formulas, baby foods, snacks, and drinks are considered nutritional for children of a certain age. Some of the key factors that are driving the global market include the following:

There is growing awareness regarding the health of infants, there is a rising standard of income of people, and there is growing concern over the appropriate diet. It also encompasses key food sector players through well-established and newly emerging players. Important in this industry are the safety and quality regulations that are put in place in various countries. Organic brands. Also important in this industry is the aspect of safety and quality regulations put in place in various countries.

Report Scope:

Market Dynamics

Rising Birth Rates in Developing Regions Contributing to the Expansion of the Infant Nutrition Market

Higher birth rates in developing nations are seen as one of the main factors impacting the development of the Infant Nutrition Market. Developing nations in APAC, Africa, and Latin America are likely to experience healthy population growth because of better health services, low IMR, and the culture of favoring big families. As the population of infants increases, the need for quality nutrition products such as infant formula, baby foods, and dietary supplements also increases the infant nutrition market.

The constant changes in people’s living standards, especially in urban areas, and increased knowledge of the need to take a balanced diet for infants have forced people to shift to buying manufactured and produced infant nutritional products. There are also other emerging opportunities for market players primarily due to the efforts of governments and organizations to address the issue of malnutrition and implement new measures.

Growing Global Awareness and Focus on Infant Health and Proper Nutrition Among Parents and Caregivers

Parents are learning the need to pay proper attention to the kinds of foods and nutrition that their babies should take, hence there increase in the market for quality infant nutrition food products. Today, parents know that the first years of a child are very essential for his or her development, and proper diet has the potential to determine the well-being of that child. This enhances the infant nutrition market.

Awareness is rising through the availability of information through the internet, social media, and health care practitioners who have encouraged the need to feed infants a balanced diet. There are government and organization campaigns carried out to make families aware of the significance of infant nutrition, which enhances awareness. As such, parents are apt to select exactly tailored commodities like infant formulas, fortified baby foods, and nutritional supplements for the baby.

Impact of High Cost of Premium Infant Nutrition Products on Consumer Purchasing Decisions and Market Trends

The high cost of premium infant nutrition products is a major threat to many households today. Some premium products may also come with tactical additions to the formula, organic/inclusion of additional nutrients for use in cases of special circumstances like allergy in infants or unique dietary implications. Additional costs of the production processes of such goods, like searching for quality raw materials, and the provision of safety measures, also play a role in escalating costs.

The elements of branding, marketing, and packaging have also been responsible for the relatively higher prices we find with premium infant nutrition products. Top brands spend lots of cash on advertising their products as the best in the infant nutrition market as they offer the highest quality and effectiveness as implied by the high prices. However, this has made it possible for only wealthy consumers to get access to these brands, while others may be forced to get substandard feed or stick to the traditional ways of feeding.

Increasing Consumer Demand for Organic, Clean-Label, and Natural Infant Nutrition Products

Modern parents are getting more conscious about getting natural and chemical-free foods for their babies. This has created interest in natural products that do not contain dangerous chemicals, pesticides, or genetically modified organisms, making them healthier to consume. Hence, clean-label products are preferred because they mention all the ingredients used and do not contain artificial flavors and preservatives, and also accelerate the infant nutrition market. 

Governments and organizations are also putting up measures such as rules and certifications on organic and clean-label products, thereby making these products more credible. To match this demand, the companies are coming up with specific product lines that are pure, sustainable, and made with natural components. Even though these products are slightly more costly, they are gradually being adopted in developed as well as developing nations.

Continuous Innovations in Infant Nutrition Product Offerings, Including the Rise of Plant-Based Formulas and Alternatives

Sustainable product developments such as the shift to using plant-based formulas are the new trends in the Infant Nutrition Market. Special formulas are designed to address the needs of families who are either avoiding dairy products or who have babies with allergies or lactose intolerance problems. These formulas are generally derived from such substitutes as soy, almond, or oat so that the nutrient value is not compromised at the same time as the quality and safety of the produced formulas.

Along with satisfying consumer’s demands in terms of diets, plant-based formulas can also be attributed to using the principles of the green economy. Many of them do not need as much raw material to make them as other formulas that have dairy products incorporated in them. Companies are also considering the taste as well as the nutritive values in a bid to ensure that these formulas are as perfect as the usual commercial ones. With global awareness of the positive impacts of clinical and regular plant-based diets, these innovations are expected to contribute significantly towards the future growth of baby food services.

 Industry Experts Opinion

"Infant nutrition plays a foundational role in a child's growth and development. The first 1,000 days, spanning from conception to a child's second birthday, are critical. During this period, providing the right balance of essential nutrients such as proteins, vitamins, and minerals is paramount to supporting brain development, strengthening immunity, and reducing the risk of chronic diseases later in life. Exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months is the gold standard, followed by the gradual introduction of nutrient-dense complementary foods. Parents should prioritize a varied diet and consult healthcare professionals to address individual nutritional needs and potential allergies. Remember, the habits formed during this stage often set the tone for lifelong health."

• Dr. Priya Sharma, MD, Pediatric Nutritionist, and Consultant at ABC Children's Hospital

Segment Analysis

Based on Product Type, the Infant Nutrition Market has been divided into Infant Milk Formula, Baby Food, Baby Drinks, and Others. The infant milk formula segment is the largest one, as it is the product that should be consumed by infants not being able to be breastfed to meet their nutritional requirements. The Baby Food category consists of easily digestible foods that are taken by babies as they transition from taking milk to taking other forms of food. Baby drinks are products that keep babies hydrated as well as supply extra nourishment. The Others on the list contain non-halal products that work for a few specific purposes. The infant milk formula segment will continue to exhibit growth well into the future as a result of the increasing consciousness of health and the growing population of working women.

Based on Formulation Type, the Infant Nutrition Market is classified into powdered, liquid, and ready-to-use products. The powdered segment shows a higher market share due to its economical nature, and ease of storage, as it comes as a powder that must be dispersed in water before use. Liquid-containing products are ready-made mixtures preferred by parents, for instances where urgent feedings are required. Ready-to-use products are produced with total ingredients, and no blending is required, making them suitable for working parents but are costly. The powdered segment holds a large and increasing share of the marketplace as the segment is more affordable and easier to consume.

Regional Analysis

North America is the largest region in the Infant Nutrition Market, it is so because of high consumer awareness regarding infant health, high purchasing power, and preference for premium and organic products. This region boasts of a good healthcare infrastructure that improves access to infant nutrition products, thereby boosting demand for specialty formulations. Innovation continues to evolve among leading companies, along with growth in e-commerce platforms that further open up these products to parents. Investments in research and development further bolster this market's dominance.

The Asia-Pacific is fastest fastest-growing region in the Infant Nutrition Market, factors such as an increasing birth rate, elevated urbanization, and awareness of infant nutrition in emerging countries like China and India are causative agents. The demand for premium and organic baby food products is further enhanced by this region's growing middle class. Initiatives taken by the Government to combat malnutrition initiatives taken by governments fuel this market's further growth. Global brands are extending their reach through local production facilities, thereby fueling rapid growth in this region. Strategic collaborations are also playing a critical role in this market development. 

Competitive Landscape

The Infant Nutrition Market is highly competitive with major players like Nestlé, Danone, Abbott Laboratories, and Reckitt Benckiser, which dominate owing to their portfolio of products and diversity of offerings within infant milk formulas, organic baby foods, as well as the ready-to-use nutrition solutions being unique for various consumer needs. Innovations and Sustainability are focal points of Nestle with sound expertise in Nutritional Science on high-quality offerings.

Danone focuses on research and development of clean-label and organic product lines. Abbott Laboratories is known to formulate advanced formulations for different nutritional requirements such as allergy or a specific type of diet for instance the vegan diet, and Reckitt Benckiser maintains its winning spree with strategic marketing and premium products.

Infant Nutrition Market, Company Shares Analysis, 2024

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Recent Developments:

• In July 2024, Abbott introduced new organic infant formulas under its Pure Bliss by Similac brand. Such products included the first liquid formula in the U.S., which was a product made of organic ingredients provided for babies to get first-class nutrition. The aim here was to give more convenience and healthy feeding to parents as they look after their infants.
• In July 2024, Arla Foods Ingredients obtained approval from the US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) to use whey protein hydrolysates in infant formula, enhancing allergy management and gut comfort. The regulatory body has confirmed that four ingredients in the company’s Peptigen® and Lacprodan® ranges meet the definition of peptones in the US Code of Federal Regulations.

Report Coverage:

By Product Type

• Infant Milk Formula
• Baby Food
• Baby Drinks
• Others

By Ingredient

• Carbohydrates
• Proteins
• Fats
• Vitamins & Minerals
• Prebiotics & Probiotics
• Others

By Formulation Type

• Powdered
• Liquid
• Ready-to-Use

By Age Group

• 0-6 Months (Newborns)
• 6-12 Months (Infants)
• 12+ Months (Toddlers)

By Distribution Channel

• Hypermarkets/Supermarkets
• Online Retailers
• Pharmacies
• Specialty Stores
• Others

By End-User

• Hospitals and Clinics
• Home Care

By Region

North America

• U.S.
• Canada

Europe

• U.K.
• France
• Germany
• Italy
• Spain
• Rest of Europe

Asia Pacific

• China
• Japan
• India
• Australia
• South Korea
• Singapore
• Rest of Asia Pacific

Latin America

• Brazil
• Argentina
• Mexico
• Rest of Latin America

Middle East & Africa

• GCC Countries
• South Africa
• Rest of the Middle East & Africa

List of Companies:

• Nestlé S.A.
• Danone S.A.
• Abbott Laboratories
• Reckitt Benckiser Group
• Perrigo Company plc
• China Mengniu Dairy Company Limited
• The Kraft Heinz Company
• Holle Baby Food AG
• Hero Group
• Dana Dairy Group Ltd.
• Friesl and Campina
• Arla Foods
• Bellamy’s Organic
• Ausnutria Dairy Corporation Ltd.
• Royal DSM
• Hain Celestial Group
• Meiji Holdings Co., Ltd.
• Beingmate Baby & Child Food Co., Ltd.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)