The aim of the present study was to evaluate the safety, tolerance and preventive effect on atopic dermatitis of an experimental α-lactalbumin-enriched and symbiotic-supplemented infant formula. A total of ninety-seven non-breastfed term neonates were enrolled into a double-blind, multicentre, randomised controlled trial in which they received experimental (n 48) or standard formula (n 49) for 6 months. The primary outcome was weight at 6 months of age. Secondary outcomes were gastrointestinal tolerance and manifestation of atopic dermatitis. Faecal secretory IgA (SIgA) concentration and microbiota composition of forty-three infants were analysed at 1 and 6 months. Growth was similar in both groups. At 1 month, compared to those in the control group, infants in the experimental group exhibited less crying or agitation, and more quiet behaviour (P = 0·03). At 6 months, atopic dermatitis was less frequently observed in the experimental group (P < 0·05). Decrease of faecal SIgA concentration between 1 and 6 months was mainly observed in the control group. This decrease was significantly associated with atopic dermatitis (P < 0·014) and negatively correlated to the level of colonisation by bifidobacteria (P < 0·005). In conclusion, compared to the control formula, the experimental formula guaranteed a similar growth, was better tolerated at 1 month and had a protective effect against the development of atopic dermatitis.