The 7 Best Baby Formulas of 2021

Best Overall: Similac Advance Infant Formula with Iron

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Many of your mom friends are sure to have tried this product that gives your baby all they need to grow big and strong. This is a cow's milk-based formula that has DHA, Lutein, Vitamin E, and other nutrients that help your baby's brain and eyes grow. This also has 2’-FL Human Milk Oligosaccharide, a prebiotic that mimics breastmilk and helps support your baby's gut health.

Many reviewers claim that this is the first formula they used with their child and they didn't need to make a switch. A lot of reviewers also noted their child didn't have any spit-up, reflux, or constipation issues with this. This also comes in a ready-to-feed formula.

Best Organic: Baby’s Only Organic LactoRelief with DHA & ARA Toddler Formula

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If giving your baby organic ingredients is important to you, this top-choice from Baby's Only might be the right fit. This is called a "toddler formula" because Baby's Only follows the AAP guidelines that babies should be exclusively breastfed for the first 6 months of life, but it is suited for newborns and older children alike. This flavor provides relief for babies whose stomachs might be sensitive to cow's milk. While it is still milk-based, the enzymes have been broken down to be easier on the belly and it also has added DHA and ARA for extra nutrients.

If your child doesn't appear to have any sensitivities, you can stick to Baby's Only's dairy or dairy with DHA and ARA. For babies that are allergic to milk proteins, they also have a soy formula, though you should consult with your doctor before trying that option. All of their flavors are non-GMO and were all rated "best in purity" by the Clean Label Project, an independent non-profit organization, in 2017.

Reviewers with children with sensitive stomachs say this is the formula that finally worked for their child and they were happy to learn that the ingredients were all organic. It has also worked great for parents who are supplementing breastfeeding as well, with the baby experiencing little taste confusion between the formula and breast milk.

Best for Breastfed Babies: Gerber Good Start Gentle for Supplementing

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Breastfeeding babies need a formula that’s as close as possible to mom’s milk, especially if you’re supplementing or combo-feeding and want to continue nursing. Gerber Good Start Gentle for Supplementing is specifically formulated for combo-feeding babies, with “comfort proteins” that make for easier digestion and probiotics, like B. lactis, that mimic those found in breastmilk.

Most parents say their babies have no problem switching between Gerber Good Start Gentle and breastmilk. However, some do warn that the formula tends to clump, so be sure to mix it well before serving.

Best for Constipation: Enfamil Reguline Infant Formula

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A common problem with formula fed babies is constipation. If your baby is having digestive issues or hard pebble-like stools, you might want to try Enfamil Reguline Infant Formula, a specially formulated brand with dual-prebiotics and probiotics to ease babies' tummies. It’s designed to soften stools and provide essential nutrients like choline and DHA.

Customers frequently say that Enfamil Reguline was a last resort after trying plenty of other formulas and techniques for a constipated, gassy, fussy baby, and that it was a lifesaver. Parents report that it stopped their baby's straining and gas without causing reflux or other digestive problems. However, it’s pricey, so you might want to try it only if you’ve tried everything else.

Best for Reflux: Enfamil A.R. Infant Formula for Spit-Up

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Enfamil A.R. Infant Formula for Spit-Ups is specially created to solve reflux issues and other digestive problems. It follows reflux guidelines from AAP and includes dual prebiotics to help with overall digestion.

Enfamil A.R. helps treat acid reflux with a thicker formula (more effective, according to double-blind studies, than regular formula that simply has rice cereal added to it). And though other acid reflux formulas sometimes cause constipation, parents don’t report bloating or constipation often with Enfamil A.R. Many parents say that it finally eased their babies’ spit-up problems and allowed them to gain weight. However, a few customers say that its thickness makes it difficult to mix, so make sure it’s clump-free when you’re done shaking.

Best for Milk Allergies: Similac Alimentum Infant Formula

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If, after talking to your pediatrician, it is suspected that your baby has milk allergies and you have tried various formulas out there with no ease in symptoms, it might be time to give Similac Alimentum a try. This formula is generally the last resort for parents because the taste and smell can be a bit unpleasant and the cost is much higher than other formulas out there. That being said, if your child has a serious allergy this might be your best option.

The formula contains a predigested milk protein that is generally tolerable to those children with allergies. It also has added DHA and ARA to round out some nutritional gaps in your baby's diet. In a small clinical study conducted by the manufacturer, this formula helped reduce symptoms of colicky babies within in 24 hours. Other research, published in 2012, has found that hydrolyzed formulas, including Alimentum, may help relieve colic symptoms in some babies.

Many reviewers say this finally helped ease tummy trouble with their baby but many note the cost can be quite high on this so you might want to try other options and speak to your pediatrician first before making the move.