The Best Baby Formulas, According to a Pediatric Dietitian

Best Overall: Gerber Good Start GentlePro

4.6

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Who else recommends it? BabyCenter and Forbes both picked Gerber Good Start GentlePro. 

What do buyers say? 90% of 2,400+ Amazon reviewers rated this product 5 stars.

The Gerber name is synonymous with all things baby, and it’s a brand you can trust to provide your little one with top-notch nutrition. Gerber Good Start GentlePro gets our overall top pick. It is well-tolerated by many babies Nicole Lattanzio RD, CNSC, CSP, a pediatric dietitian and the owner of The Baby Dietitian PLLC, works with.

Cow’s milk-based infant formulas usually contain a mixture of casein and whey proteins, but casein can be difficult for some babies' new digestive systems. Gerber's GentlePro formula is free from casein and contains easy-to-digest partially broken down whey proteins, which Gerber calls “Comfort Proteins.”

The GentlePro formula also contains the probiotic B.lactis and a prebiotic called 2’-FL HMO, which is modeled after the completeness of breastmilk. For fat, this formula uses a blend of palm olein, soy, coconut, and safflower oil; it also adds DHA and AA for brain health. Our one hesitation is the inclusion of palm olein, as some research suggests that palm olein may be associated with lower fat and calcium absorption and decreased growth and bone mineralization. All necessary vitamins and minerals are also present in this powdered, ready-to-mix baby formula. Although it does not contain GMO ingredients, this formula is not organic.

Best Budget: Kirkland Signature ProCare Non-GMO Infant Formula

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You may enjoy wandering the aisles of Costco and trying food samples, so why not pick up a budget-friendly baby formula while you’re there? The Costco store brand, Kirkland, provides a product that has a similar nutrition profile to leading brands. Standout nutrient features of this formula include DHA for babies’ brain development, lutein for their eyes, and 2’-FL HMO as a prebiotic for gut health and immune system.

Kirkland is an inclusive brand and produced a product that is certified Kosher and Halal, so parents with cultural dietary considerations can comfortably use this formula. It does not contain palm oil, is easy to digest, and is available at an affordable price. The one catch is that you have to be a Costco member to have access to this brand.

Best Organic: Earth's Best Organic Dairy Infant Powder Formula with Iron

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If your family values certified organic products, then look no further than Earth’s Best Organic Dairy Infant Powder with Iron. This product is made with organic milk from grass and grain-fed cows that have never been given artificial growth hormones. As far as organic formulas go, Earth’s Best is the most affordable; however, it is still more expensive than non-organic varieties.

Earth’s Best claims this is the closest formula to breastmilk as it is an all-lactose product (meaning no corn syrup or other carbohydrates). It also includes added whey protein alongside casein, prebiotics for immunity, DHA and AA for brain and eye development, and lutein which is a carotenoid important for eye health.

Best for Gassy/Fussy Baby: Enfamil NeuroPro Gentlease Infant Formula

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While we would like to think that all formulas are created equally and should be well tolerated by all babies, sometimes that’s not the case. If your baby seems uncomfortable or cries loudly, expressing discomfort after a feed, it might be time to investigate a different formula. Enter Enfamil NeuroPro Gentlease Infant Formula—a formula that has been clinically proven to reduce fussiness, crying, gas, and spit up within 24 hours of starting.

The proteins in this product are partially hydrolyzed (broken down) and easy for a sensitive tummy to handle. NeuroPro Gentlease also contains MFGM, which stands for milk fat globule membrane. This is a substance naturally found in breastmilk important for brain structure and development and is also added to certain Enfamil products to help with digestive issues.

While this product is high quality, made with non-GMO ingredients, and can be purchased in various forms, it does run a touch higher in price than your standard, non-specialized formulas.

Best for Milk Allergies: Similac Alimentum Hypoallergenic Infant Formula

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Gas is one thing, but if your baby starts to exhibit signs of extreme discomfort, develops a rash, is constantly vomiting, or has blood in their stool, these could be signs of a more serious milk protein allergy. Since even a small amount of cow’s milk can cause this immune reaction, it’s best to switch formulas.

Similac Alimentum is clinically shown to reduce symptoms of colic from a milk protein allergy within 24 hours. The source of protein still comes from cow’s milk but in the form of casein hydrolysate, which means that the large protein molecules are already broken down and made digestive-friendly for baby. Additionally, rather than using lactose, which can cause further tummy troubles, this product uses corn maltodextrin.

As an added boost, Alimentum includes 2’-FL HMO, an immune-nourishing ingredient that may also contribute to a happier gut. This product is also free of palm olein oil to help encourage softer stools since babies with cow’s milk allergies can be more prone to constipation. With all of these benefits, Similac Alimentum's hypoallergenic infant formula is on the pricier side when it comes to baby formulas. Yet, many parents’ reviews note that it was immensely helpful for their child and well worth the cost. It’s always worth scouting out coupons or asking a pediatric healthcare provider if they can provide financial assistance.

Best Alternative Milk Formula: Mama Bear Soy-Based Powder Infant Formula with Iron

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If you’ve identified that your baby does indeed have a cow’s milk protein allergy, but the price of specialty hypoallergenic formulas feels overwhelming, consider this Mama Bear Soy-Based Powder instead. Soy-based formulas are 100% free of dairy, so no lactose, no cow’s milk protein, and no worries for parent and baby. Aside from an allergy, families who follow a vegan diet and wish to raise their child in the same custom will find soy formula perfectly acceptable and nutritionally complete. This Mama Bear Soy formula is also certified Kosher as well as gluten-free.

Mama Bear is an Amazon private label brand, so it is significantly less expensive than other leading brands’ (Enfamil, Similac, Earth’s Best) soy formulas while maintaining top-quality nutrition. This formula contains DHA and AA, no artificial growth hormones, and no GMOs. The reviews from parents are glowing. Not only is the price comfortable, but it has soothed their baby’s symptoms and has a pleasant taste. One downside is that the powder can remain a little clumpy even after mixing, but it was not a dealbreaker.

Nestle NAN Supreme Pro 1

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Nestle is a name you are likely familiar with, but did you know that they also produce exceptional quality baby formulas? The FDA has authorized the sale of the Nestle NAN Supreme Pro 1 formula in the United States during the unprecedented infant formula shortage.

This product is one you can trust and almost identical to infant formulas found in the US. Their Pro 1 formula contains the ever-critical addition of  iron, DHA and AA fatty acids from fish oil, choline for eye and brain development, and the probiotic, bifidobacterium lactis. The Pro 1 formula is what Nestle calls a “starter” formula and is only recommended to be used up until 6 months of age.

Once a baby is 6 months and solid foods are being introduced into the diet, Nestle offers a “transitional” formula called NAN Supreme Pro 2. Many of the base ingredients are the same as the Pro 1, but the quantity of certain nutrients have been adjusted to account for the changing needs and diet of the baby. More specifically, the Pro 2 formula contains more carbohydrates, calcium, slightly more iron, phosphorus, and magnesium, but fewer omega-3s, vitamin A, and oligosaccharides.

The FDA anticipates the arrival of 249, 500 cans (6.5 million 8 ounce bottles) in June/July, and it will be sold on Gerber.com and other online retailers.

Bubs Organic Grass Fed Follow-on Formula Stage 2

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Similarly to the Nestle NAN formulas, a high quality two-step formula that hails from Australia is now available to American consumers as well. Aussie Bubs strives to provide the best of what nature offers through their line of grass-fed infant formulas. Sourcing milk from grass-fed cows produces a product richer in omega-3s, beta-carotene, lutein, and vitamin E to name a few key nutrients.

Their Stage 2 Formula, which is designed for children over 6 months of age, is certified organic, iron fortified, contains beneficial probiotics and prebiotics for gut health, and is a blend of 50% whey and 50% casein proteins. It is proudly free of palm oil and corn syrup.

Aussie Bubs’ Stage 1 formula delivers the same high quality. Specifically made for the needs of infants 0-6 months old, compared to the Stage 2 formula, Stage 1 provides slightly more whey versus casein protein, more omega-3s, and higher folic acid. Both the Stage 1 and Stage 2 utilize soy lecithin as an emulsifier, so they would not be suitable for babies with a soy allergy. However, their omega-3s are sourced from algae, so these products do not contain fish if that is a dietary concern for your baby or family.

The FDA news release notes that Bubs Australia will plan to provide 1.25 million cans of several varieties, two of which include the Organic Grass Fed Stages 1 and 2 formulas.

Kendamil Classic First Infant Milk Stage 1

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Kendamil, a proudly 100% British brand, will also be making its way to the United States soon. Once again, the nutrient profile is similar to US-based products so you should feel confident giving this formula to your baby. Kendamil uses whole milk as a major nutrient source, as this choice helps them reduce the amount of vegetable oils needing to be used to provide more satiating fats. This product is also vegetarian due to sourcing the DHA from algae.

Kendal Nutricare, the parent company that produces Kendamil, is set to send 40,000 cans immediately to the US, with the intention of more to come. One key point to note is that the Stage 2 formula has not been FDA-approved yet. The Stage 2 formula, which is intended for babies 6 months and older, is re-formulated to adjust for natural changes in breast milk and the introduction of solids. Hopefully this option will be available to American consumers soon too!