But they cost more. This Target formula also uses lactose as its sole carbohydrate, and it has many of the same extra nutrients as formulas that cost twice as much. Due to the ongoing formula shortage, several baby formulas are out of stock, including many of the picks in this guide. Four major companies manufacture baby formula for sale in the US: Mead Johnson (Enfamil); Abbott Nutrition (Similac); Nestl (Gerber); and Perrigo (which makes generic formulas sold in many grocery and pharmacy chains and by other brands, including Earths Best and Bobbie). Earths Best Organic Low Lactose Sensitivity has corn-syrup solids as the main carbohydrate, and the protein sources are organic milk proteins and whey proteins. Though you dont have to be a Costco member to buy this formula online, non-members pay a 5% surcharge.
And we learned that all FDA-approved formulas made for healthy, full-term infants are safe and nutritionally adequate for normal growth and development from birth through the first year. We spoke with Lars Bode, PhD, a professor of pediatrics at the University of California San Diego Medical School and director of a research lab that studies human milk. Enfamil, Similac, and Gerber offer some of their formulas in liquid concentrate (which must be diluted) and ready-to-feed versions. If youre looking for other baby-feeding gear, consult our guide to the best baby bottles (and bottle brush). However, some of those options are sold in even smaller quantities, and this could allow caregivers to try the formula before buying a full 48 ounces from Sams Club. Burts Bees Baby Sensitive Organic Formula has glucose syrup and maltodextrin as the main carbohydrates. None of Similacs formulas contain palm oil. In 2022, we looked at five new formulas that had become available. Hypoallergenic formula contains proteins that are fully hydrolyzed, or broken down, to make them suitable for babies with certain diagnoses, such as cows-milk protein allergy. Special Cleansing Towelettes with White Tea Extract (30 count), Naturally Nourishing Milk and Honey Body Lotion (6 oz), Beeswax Lip Balm with Vitamin E and Peppermint, Spa Brush (all natural wood and bears hair brush with pumice stone), Deluxe faux-suede-covered hat box with embroidered flower vine lid.
Kendamil Organic Stage 1 is an organic milk-based formula that contains carbohydrates in the form of lactose, plus a prebiotic (galactooligosaccharides). Within these regulations, formula companies have some latitude with regard to their specific combinations of macronutrients (proteins, carbohydrates, and fats), as well as extra ingredients and nutrients. Unlike Kirkland Signature ProCare, Members Mark Infant contains palm oil, though this shouldnt be a problem for the majority of babies. The old and new versions of Kirklands formula are virtually identical, with minor differences in the amounts and concentrations of certain ingredients. But if youre choosing a generic, especially if youve had your baby on the brand-name equivalent, it may be worth comparing the ingredients lists.
And this formula leaves out some ingredients commonly added to US formulas, such as nucleotides, beta-carotene, and taurine (beta-carotene and taurine are naturally found in the milk used in many US formulas). Lactose is the carbohydrate occurring naturally in human milk and cows milk, and it is the most abundant component of human milk. Kendamil is a UK-based brand that has been in business for nearly 60 years. Stage 1 can be used for babies 0 to 12 months. (Imagine youre lactose-intolerant and you order an almond-milk latte but still put whipped cream on top.). Because European formulas are not FDA-regulated, and shipping them abroad carries risks, experts recommend against using them in the US. It has no soy or palm oils, and it contains protein from whole milk, whey protein, and nonfat milk.
These include formulas from Aptamil (a Danone brand), Aussie Bubs, Bellamys Organic, Kendamil, and Nestl. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. It contains corn-syrup solids and sucrose instead of lactose, and the protein comes from milk protein isolate with no added whey. Some customer reviewers have complained that their babies experienced gassiness or spit-up when switching from the previous version of this formula, Kirkland Signature Non-GMO, to the new version, Kirkland Signature ProCare Non-GMO. Generic formulas are just as highly regulated as brand-name formulas, and often the differences between brand-name formulas and generics are minor.
Members Mark Infant doesnt include lutein or 2-FL (a human milk oligosaccharide), which Kirkland Signature ProCare does.
It contains lactose and corn maltodextrin as carbohydrates (the maltodextrin is less than 2% of the formula); it also has 2-FL as a prebiotic and L. reuteri as a probiotic. It has a prebiotic (galactooligosaccharides), it contains palm oil but no soy oil, and the protein is from whole goat milk and whey from goats milk (making the whey-to-casein ratio 60 to 40).
We found that many cheaper formulas had most or all of the same extra nutrients as more expensive formulas. Some include extra nutrients like DHA, ARA, and prebiotics. But all US formulas use plant-based fats, the most common being coconut, soy, sunflower, safflower, or palm oil. Also, Im fascinated by nutrition science. Toddler formula is not regulated by the FDA in the same way infant formula is, and it is not meant for babies younger than 1 year old. Following the guidance of these experts and other medical sources, we considered these formula extras to be just that: safe to consume, maybe nice to have, but not yet conclusively beneficial. Based on our extensive research and conversations with multiple experts, there were only a few criteria we used to narrow our list of contenders for best formulas: Traditional and organic formulas should have lactose as the sole carbohydrate. Regardless of a formulas brand or type, most of the information on the nutrition label of a can or bottle of formula will be exactly the same. Recalls due to potential pathogens are rare, but they do happen, and sometimes recalls happen for other reasons (such as things ending up in the formula that dont belong there).
For this guide, we looked only at cows milkbased formulas.
They are the third most abundant component of human milk, and in human milk there are around 200 different kinds. The carbohydrate is primarily in the form of lactose. Its made by Perrigo.
There has been quite a bit of research done, but the results are mixedsome show benefit, and some show no benefit. ByHeart, which manufactures its own formula, is currently the only formula in the US made with whole milk, which naturally contains milk fat globule membrane (MFGM), an ingredient added to some formulas.
Young and pediatricians Porto and Thomas all agree that if your baby is feeding well and happily on a certain formula, theres probably no reason to change it.
Both Bobbie and ByHeart contain slightly less iron than many US formulas do but remain within FDA guidelines in that regard. It makes up 25% to 40% of the protein in human milk, and it is also found in cows milk. Porto said it can be hard to determine whether its the formula that might be causing trouble for your baby (and, if so, which component of the formula).
Im also the author of Wirecutters guide to the best cloth face masks for kids, the best infant car seats, and the best convertible car seats; Ive also covered other health topics for The Atlantic, Undark, Smithsonian, and more. They all contain 2-O-Fucosyllactose (2-FL) as a prebiotic, and either B. lactis or L. reuteri as probiotics. Weve noted which carbohydrate(s) and extra nutrients each formula includes, but for complete information, check nutrition and ingredients labels and refer to our charts and descriptions above.
Lactose is its primary carbohydrate.
And the formula has many of the same potentially beneficial extra ingredients found in much more expensive formulas. These useful baby and kid products were among the most-purchased Wirecutter picks in 2021. It also includes the extra nutrients DHA and ARA, lutein, taurine, L-carnitine, nucleotides, and two prebiotics (fructooligosaccharides and 2-FL). These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Step 1 can be used for babies 0 to 12 months (though in Australia it is generally used for 0 to 6 months old), and Step 2 should be used only for babies 6 to 12 months old.
Stage 1 can be used for babies 0 to 12 months. Christina Szalinski is a freelance science writer with a PhD in cell biology. Unlike Kirklands formula, Up & Up Advantage does contain palm oil, though it shouldnt be a problem for the majority of babies. Unlike Similac Alimentum but like Nutramigen, it also contains palm oil.
This Sams Club formula also uses lactose as its only carbohydrate.
Bobbie contains more DHA (at 20 mg/100 calories) than any other formula available in the US, aligning with European standards, according to a Bobbie spokesperson. It also contains palm oil. This formula is available online only as a pack of four 42-ounce containers, enough for about 136 8-ounce bottles. Infant: lactose; polydextrose and galactooligosaccharides; the protein from nonfat milk and whey is 60% whey and 40% casein, NeuroPro Infant: lactose; polydextrose and galactooligosaccharides; milk fat globule membrane (MFGM); the protein from nonfat milk and whey is 60% whey and 40% casein, Enspire: lactose; polydextrose and galactooligosaccharides; lactoferrin; milk fat globule membrane (MFGM); the protein from nonfat milk and whey is 60% whey and 40% casein, Premium A2: A2 milk; lactose; polydextrose and galactooligosaccharides; the protein from skim milk and whey is 60% whey and 40% casein, NeuroPro Sensitive: corn-syrup solids instead of lactose; milk fat globule membrane (MFGM); the protein from milk protein isolate and whey is55% whey and 45% casein, A.R. It has a prebiotic (galactooligosaccharides), it contains palm and soy oils, and the protein is from whole and nonfat milk plus whey. No matter how you do it, feeding a baby is hard work. Kirkland Signature ProCare Non-GMO Infant Formula is a generic formula available only at Costco. All traditional Similac formulas have DHA and ARA, lutein, taurine, L-carnitine, and nucleotides. Bobbie, manufactured by Perrigo, fashions itself as a European-style formula. (Organic formulas use ingredients extracted from USDA-certified organic milk and other food products, but they may contain synthetic ingredients that are not approved by the National Organic Standards Board.) It is found in human milk in variable amounts.
So you cant have a formula thats just for a baby who is also breastfed, or a 2-month-old baby who is constipated, Young said. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. For at-risk babies (those who are under 3 months old or are immunocompromised), the CDC and the World Health Organization recommend using premixed liquid formula (often called ready to feed) or mixing powdered formula with very hot water (158 degrees Fahrenheit), being careful to let it cool before feeding. The Abbott recall was prompted by reports that several infants had become sick with Cronobacter sakazakii infections after consuming the formula; two babies died. We also did not consider formulas intended for babies who are premature or who have certain other medical conditions, including formulas whose proteins come in the form of amino acids (such as Abbotts EleCare or Enfamil PurAmino). Many formulas have added ingredients that are meant to confer benefits associated with human milk, but the effectiveness of these additives is still under investigation. Finally, we analyzed the nutrition and ingredients labels of some 50 formulas to understand the differences and similarities among them.
Members Mark Infant contains both galactooligosaccharides and fructooligosaccharides as prebiotics, and DHA and ARA. The FDA tightly regulates and monitors baby formula and has strict requirements for its nutrients, ingredients, composition, and manufacturing processes. All ingredients in formula are proven to be safe. Unlike Similac formulas, these store brands have palm oil. : maltodextrin in addition to lactose; rice starch as a thickener (Young points out that there is no solid evidence that rice starch reduces painful spit-up); polydextrose and galactooligosaccharides; the protein is from nonfat milk and has no added whey, Simply Organic: lactose and maltodextrin; galactooligosaccharides; the protein is from organic nonfat milk and does not contain added whey.
All of the formulas we found have some of these extras; none have all of them. There is no evidence that toddler formula is better than whole cows milk for growth and development for babies older than a year. The protein comes from nonfat milk and whey, making its protein 70% whey and 30% casein. Like Earths Best, this formula contains palm oil. To find out whether a specific formula youve purchased has been recalled, check the lot numbers on Abbotts website. However, the American Academy of Pediatrics says you dont need to boil or otherwise heat the water before mixing in powdered formula, unless you are concerned about water safety. However, it does not include some of the added nutrients in Earths Best (lutein, L-carnitine, nucleotides), and Happy Baby costs a bit more.
Similac traditional formulas cost more than our picks, and some use other sugars instead of lactose (which our experts preferred since lactose best models human milk). We started our research in 2017 by building a list of all infant formulas made by the four major US companies that make formula: Mead Johnson (Enfamil); Abbott Nutrition (Similac); Nestl (Gerber); and Perrigo (which makes generic formulas).
(Alimentum, EleCare, and Similac PM 60/40 powdered formulas are specialized formulas for babies with certain medical needs.)
Walmarts formula is made with all partially hydrolyzed whey protein, which may be easier for some babies to digest than the intact milk proteins used in our traditional formula picks. (All partially hydrolyzed formulas include another sweetener in addition to lactose, so this criterion doesnt apply to them.). The same formula sold under other names (like Up & Up Infant, Parents Choice Premium Infant, and Mama Bear Infant) can be considerably more expensive. We previously recommended Kirkland Signature Non-GMO, which Costco discontinued in late 2019 and replaced with Kirkland Signature ProCare Non-GMO. It also uses palm oil in addition to other vegetable oils. Bubs Organic Grass Fed Infant Formula Stage 1 (and Stage 2) is the first organic infant formula to be available in the US thats made from grass-fed cows milk.
The company was founded in 2000, and in 2019 it was acquired by China Mengniu Dairy Company.
Unlike our main picks, this formula is available in a smaller, 35-ounce size. Both brands offer free shipping only if you subscribe to regular deliveries; for one-time purchases, you pay between $8 and $25 in shipping fees depending on how many cans you buy. We also recommend the generic Parents Choice Tender Infant Formula (the least expensive true gentle formula weve found), Up & Up Hypoallergenic Infant Formula (the least expensive hypoallergenic formula weve found), and Earths Best Organic Infant Formula (an affordable organic formula).
Kirkland Signature ProCare Non-GMO has a similar ingredients list to the brand-name Similac Pro-Advance, which costs more than $1 per ounce. The mix of fats in the Earths Best formula does include palm oil. To learn about current research and recommendations for baby formula, we spoke with American Academy of Pediatrics spokesperson Dr. Anthony Porto, a pediatric gastroenterologist and professor at Yale School of Medicine, and co-author of The Pediatricians Guide to Feeding Babies and Toddlers. It includes several extra nutrients also found in more expensive formulas.
Learn more. And a formula might proclaim it contains DHA on the front, but to find it on the ingredients list, youd need to know that DHA comes from Crypthecodinium cohnii oil. Aside from carbohydrates and fats, cows-milk formulas contain different forms of milk proteins: For this guide, we considered only intact (traditional), intact organic, and partially hydrolyzed (sometimes called tender or gentle) formulas. However, if you want a formula that doesnt use palm oilsome people may also want to avoid it for environmental reasonsKirkland Signature ProCare, all Similac formulas, and Bobbie formulas dont include it. This article was edited by Courtney Schley, Tracy Vence, and Kalee Thompson.
If you want a formula made from USDA-certified organic ingredients, we recommend Earths Best Organic Infant Formula (around $1.15 per ounce). (If you want to learn more about why some parents are drawn to European formulas, read our article on this topic.) This formulas protein is 100% whey, with no casein. Most healthy babies dont have issues digesting lactose, and there is little evidence that reduced lactose or lactose-free formulas reduce colic. Nestl NAN SupremePro 1 is a milk-based formula that contains lactose as the primary carbohydrate plus two prebiotics (human milk oligosaccharides): 2-Fucosyllactose (2-FL) and lacto-N-neotetraose (LNnT). Sams Clubs Members Mark Infant (around 50 per ounce, and a little less if youre a Sams Club member) includes expert-recommended ingredients, such as lactose (the carbohydrate found in human milk), as well as a few desirable extras. These ingredients act as emulsifiers (help keep oils from separating), thickeners, stabilizers (prolong shelf life), and/or provide pH control.
We then analyzed the ingredients of more than 60 formulas to find the ones that we think offer the best combination of evidence-backed benefits and value. All baby formulas must meet the same basic nutritional requirements. Earths Best Organic Infant Formula is the least expensive organic formula we found that uses lactose as its sole carbohydrate and also includes many potentially beneficial extra nutrients. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Bridget Young, a professor of pediatrics at the University of Rochester who studies infant nutrition, explained that although all formulas are definitely not the same, much of what youll read on a formula container is mostly just marketing, and theres little reason to selector avoida certain formula based on these claims.
Parents Choice Organic (also sold under other store brands, and as Amazons Mama Bear Organic) is comparable to Similac Organic. It does contain palm oil, as well as taurine, nucleotides, and L-carnitine. We have more advice on switching formulas in thisarticle. Up & Up Advantage (and the equivalent generics) are available in smaller, 12.4-ounce and 23.2-ounce sizes, as well as in a 35-ounce size. If a pediatrician believes your baby would benefit from a gentle formula (which may be easier to digest), it should not contain intact proteins along with the partially hydrolyzed ones. This formula is also sold as Up & Up Infant, Parents Choice Premium Infant, and Mama Bear Infant, among others, so its easy to find. Inventory and pricing at your store will vary and are subject to change at any time.
And the makeup, role, and benefits of many of human milks bioactive components, like white blood cells, immunological proteins, beneficial microbes (probiotics), and prebiotics, among many others, are still being understood. Gerber formulas all include DHA and ARA, taurine, nucleotides, and L-carnitine. Because traditional formulas are all required to meet the same basic nutritional standards, we looked for the most affordable formulas that offer the most additional potential benefits. Weve also added a complete list of FDA-okayed imported formulas temporarily available in the US. Enfamils traditional formulas all cost more than our equivalent picks. Its ingredients list is largely the same as that of Kirkland Signature ProCare, with protein from nonfat milk and added whey, and lactose as the sole carbohydrate (making this formulas protein close to 60% whey and 40% casein).
This formula uses safflower oil, rather than palm oil, which may be a benefit if you are concerned about constipation (though our experts said palm oil is unlikely to impact a babys stool).
The carbohydrates are primarily in the form of lactose.
However, the two brands' products also rank among the most expensive formulas sold in the US, as ByHeart costs about $1.60 per powdered ounce, and Bobbie costs about $1.80 per powdered ounce (around four times as much as our top picks). If youre searching for formula, heres what you should know about switching formula brands and types. Its the least expensive organic formula we found that has lactose as its only carbohydrate, and it includes added whey (making this formulas protein 30% whey and 70% casein), as well as the extra nutrients DHA and ARA, lutein, taurine, L-carnitine, nucleotides, and a prebiotic (fructooligosaccharides). All FDA-regulated infant formula sold in the US is safe and promotes normal growth and development for healthy babies from birth through 12 months. Its the same as other store-brand hypoallergenic formulas, including CVS Health Hypoallergenic Infant Formula, Mama Bear Hypoallergenic Infant Formula, Walgreens Well Beginnings Hypoallergenic Infant Formula, and Parents Choice Hypoallergenic Infant Formula, among others. We didnt do any testing for this guide, because babies have minds of their own, and it would be impossible to control for all of the variables that might make a baby prefer one formula over another. Measurements for Aussie Bubs formulas are in milliliters instead of ounces, and bottle preparation may differ from that of US formulas.
This Costco formula is as effective as any other traditional formula. 
