The Best Baby Formulas for Your Child’s Needs

In an ideal world, it’d be a snap for every mom to breastfeed until baby’s first birthday and beyond, just as the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends. In this ideal world, moms would also have a posse of helpers to fetch groceries, clean the house and do chores we otherwise don’t have time for. Money would grow on trees, our breasts would spout milk like fountains and we wouldn’t need more than two hours of sleep, ever.

But in the real world, that’s just not the case—at least, not all the time. Yes, the nutrient-rich contents of breast milk provide babies with exactly what they need, when they need it. But sometimes that breast is exhausted, achy, ungenerous or out of commission because Mom works at an office that’s decidedly not breast pump-friendly. or because she’s undergoing medical treatment. Sometimes baby just can’t nail a good latch. Sometimes mom needs a helping hand or, goodness forbid, a break. And at the end of the day, sometimes baby simply isn’t able to have breast milk. And that’s all okay, because there’s such a thing as baby formula.

Baby formula is engineered to resemble the nutritional composition of breast milk, and contains an assorted array of proteins (typically from cow’s milk but also sometimes soy or even goat’s milk), carbohydrates, fats and vitamins. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) strictly regulates these core components.

So what are the different types of baby formula available—and when it comes down to it, is there such a thing as the best baby formula? Here’s what you need to know to find the best formula to suit the needs of your little one.

Types of Baby Formula

Baby formula comes in different consistencies, and small variations in the recipe might make a difference in special circumstances, says Bridget Young, PhD, a breast milk researcher at the University of Colorado School of Medicine in Anschutz and founder of BabyFormulaExpert.com

While there’s a wide range of baby formula brands (and multiple options from those brands) to choose from, there are only three overall types of baby formula: powder, liquid concentrate and ready-to-feed. Naturally, there are pros and cons for each, and many moms have a variety on hand so they can use whatever suits the situation.

Powder baby formula

Typically sold in canisters or cartons, powder baby formula needs to be mixed with a specific amount of water before it can be given to baby.

The pros:

• It’s the least expensive of the three options.
• The powder lasts a long time, as long as you don’t mix it with water. (Be check the date stamp.)

The cons:

• It’s not convenient for travel, given the potential for mess.
• You’ve got to deal with the scoop, meaning more pieces to fiddle with (and wash).
• Some brands offer single-use travel packets, but they’re, of course, more expensive.
• You need to make sure your drinking water is safe.
• It’s not recommended for premature newborns whose immune systems are still forming, since powdered food isn’t sterile.

Liquid concentrate baby formula

This option also requires some mixing and shaking with water, but because it’s liquid you skip the scoop.

The pros:

• No scoop means less risk for mess.

The cons:

• It’s more expensive than powder.
• Once opened, you need to refrigerate and use the entire container within 48 hours, which might not be realistic if you’re using it as a supplement to breastfeeding.

Ready-to-feed baby formula

The name says it all: This type of baby formula is premixed; just open, pour and feed to baby. Choose from single-serve bottles or larger volumes.

The pros:

• It’s super-easy to use.
• There’s little danger of contamination and no chance of any errors in preparation.
• You don’t need to refrigerate unopened bottles. (Once opened, however, you’ll need to keep it cold.)

The cons:

• Once the ready-to-feed bottle is cracked open, it needs to be finished or discarded after 48 hours of refrigeration.
• More single-use packaging makes it a less sustainable option.

What To Look For in Baby Formula

Still not sure where to begin when it comes to choosing the best baby formula for your child? Below, find expert-backed tips to find the best formula for babies of all ages, needs and dietary requirements.

Best baby formula for newborns

Breast milk is especially important for brand-new babies. As Steven Abrams, MD, chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Nutrition explains, breast milk ingredients are dynamic: They constantly change to fulfill a growing infant’s needs, from bolstering their developing immune system to building muscle strength.

Given that baby formula is a set formulation, it’s hard for it to be truly complete. Still, in a pinch, most standard formulas will work for healthy newborns, Arévalo says. The exception is very premature babies (born at 28 to 32 weeks), who would receive specific feeding recommendations from the NICU that could potentially include donor breast milk if the mom can’t supply it. Once baby arrives home, your doctor will recommend the appropriate feeding regimen. For older preemies (born at 32 to 37 weeks) or underweight term babies, baby formula options may open up more.

Best organic baby formula

Organic baby formula is sourced from cows raised on an organic diet (no pesticides, no antibiotics), and uses naturally derived vitamins instead of those made from petroleum. Remember though, just because it’s organic doesn’t mean it’s automatically free of other controversial ingredients, such as corn syrup, palm oil or hexane-sourced DHA and ARA. (Hexane, a byproduct of petroleum refining, doesn’t sit well with some parents, though the FDA has deemed its use as a processing agent safe.)

From a strictly scientific standpoint, it’s not certain that organic baby formula is better than conventional. What is certain is that it’s pricier and that “there’s no difference nutrition-wise,” Arévalo says. Still, if your wallet can handle it—and going organic gives you peace of mind—give it a try, Young says.

Whatever you decide, it’s important to remember that the best organic baby formula is one that answers the needs of your child, so if you can’t find an option that checks all the boxes (for example, baby needs hydrolyzed proteins for digestive issues), then it’s better to go with the formulation baby requires, whether it’s organic or not, Arévalo says. The best formula for baby is one that fulfills all of their nutritional and dietary needs.

Best baby formula for breastfed babies

If you’re supplementing your breast milk with formula, there’s no need to find a special baby formula, Young says. Still, you’ll find some formulas marketed especially for supplementing.

Most importantly, the best baby formula for breastfed babies is less about the product and more about the protocol. Each time you don’t feed baby from the breast, your milk ducts get the signal that there’s less demand, and produce less milk. To avoid a dip in your supply, pump when you can to make up for the missed breastfeeding session.

Best baby formula for gassy babies

“All babies have gas,” says Young. “Babies eventually learn how to eliminate it themselves.” So before searching for the best formula for gassy babies, make sure your child isn’t excessively gassy for other reasons. Feed baby upright, always with their head above their tummy. Choose a bottle nipple that flows more slowly, and burp baby more frequently. If you’re using powder formula, let the bubbles settle before the feeding starts, or try using a liquid concentrate or ready-to-feed formulation. Angled and vented bottles can help reduce gas too.

In rare cases, gassy babies may be sensitive to lactose, a sugar naturally found in cow’s milk (and therefore most baby formulas). Lactose is also in breast milk, but breast milk contains other compounds that help baby digest it, explains Young. In this case, the best baby formula for gas, may be a partially hydrolyzed option with no or low lactose.

That said, even a “no lactose” baby formula typically contains a smidge of lactose, so if your child is completely intolerant, talk to your pediatrician about a soy formula, adds Melanie Greifer, MD, a pediatric gastroenterologist at NYU Langone Health in New York City. However, the AAP doesn’t recommend a soy formula for babies that weigh less than 3.96 pounds.

Best baby formula for constipation

It’s not easy to poop lying down, so if baby looks like they’re putting in a lot of effort, just know that it’s completely normal. However, if they’re straining for more than 10 minutes—or if they’re pooping noticeably less than before—your little one might be constipated. Other clues include fussiness, hard stools and unusually frequent spit-up.

Before you switch formulas, try to help baby poop by laying them on their back and “bicycling” their legs or giving them a warm bath. Contrary to popular belief, iron-fortified baby formula doesn’t cause constipation (and, in fact, is helpful to baby’s growth), according to the AAP.

Best baby formula for colic

A colicky baby is defined as an otherwise healthy baby under 3 months of age who cries for more than three hours a day, more than three days a week and for more than three weeks in a row for no apparent reason, much to the distress of their caregivers. Doctors aren’t sure exactly what causes colic, but it’s natural to wonder whether their baby formula has something to do with it. (And yes, gastrointestinal issues could be a part of the problem.)

But before you switch your baby formula, “give it at least a week or two,” Arévalo says, and see if any tips and tricks for relieving a gassy or constipated baby help. That said, if your child is also vomiting; coughing and wheezing; has trouble breathing; breaks out in a rash; gets diarrhea and/or has itchy, watery or swollen eyes, they might be sensitive to the protein in formula, or—in the case of the more severe symptoms—an all-out milk-protein allergy, says Greifer. If digestive troubles are the cause for baby’s extreme fussiness, talk to your pediatrician about trying partially hydrolyzed proteins, advises Young.

If a baby formula specifically designed for colic doesn’t work, you may need to try an option made with thoroughly hydrolyzed proteins. The proteins in these formulas are broken down into even smaller units so baby’s immune system won’t revolt against them. A switch to a fully hydrolyzed option shouldn’t be taken lightly though, since these types of baby formula tend to taste bitter and have an unpleasant odor, says Young. To merit the change, baby should be diagnosed as having a full-on milk protein allergy. Keep in mind that switching to a soy-based formula wouldn’t necessarily help either, because as many as half of all infants allergic to milk protein are also allergic to soy protein.

All in all, be aware that special formulas that feature bonus ingredients, such as probiotics or DHA, are touted as offering particular benefits for baby, but experts say this is largely just marketing. “Take it with a hefty grain of salt,” says Kimberly Gronsman Lee, MD, associate professor of pediatrics at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston. “Any infant formula that’s sold in the US should be FDA regulated and acceptable in terms of nutrition.”

How To Find Baby Formula When Your Store Is Out

If you run out of formula and can’t find it at your regular stores, call around to pharmacies and baby supply stores in your area. These places aren’t often top-of-mind for shoppers on the hunt for formula, and they may still have some in stock. You can also ask your pediatrician if they have any samples to tide you over. If you typically receive and use WIC or SNAP benefits to purchase formula and don’t see your WIC products, contact your local food bank or women’s shelter. (Your state may also allow you to use WIC for a larger selection of products when certain formulas are out of stock.)

If you can’t find your typical brand and type of baby formula, consider switching to whatever is available. While changing brands and types of formula can be okay for some babies, others might experience discomfort as they adjust to the new formula. If you’re concerned that baby won’t handle a new formula well, or if baby has special dietary needs and you’re not sure what to get, contact your pediatrician. The AAP warns against feeding baby cow’s milk or watered-down formula, or trying to make your own homemade version of formula as a replacement, as that could be dangerous for baby’s health. (For more resources on navigating the baby formula shortage, click here.)

The Best Baby Formulas for Your Child’s Needs

For most healthy babies, the formula that’s in the baby-care package that your hospital sends you home with will probably do just fine, says Sandra Arévalo, RDN, a spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. These are typically made with cow’s-milk protein (which is a combination of 80 percent casein protein and 20 percent whey protein) plus whey protein concentrate, so the protein ratio more closely resembles breast milk (which is 60 percent whey and 40 percent casein). But there are certainly times you may want to try something different.

The fact is, there’s no single option that’s universally the best formula for all babies. So how do you know what the best baby formula for your child will be? Start with your pediatrician. Discuss any allergies or dietary issues you might have, along with any nutritional concerns or worries about allergies for baby. From there, your pediatrician can give you guidance to help you choose the best formula for your little one.

Ultimately, choosing the best formula for baby is about paying close attention to how your child’s body responds to the formula you try. It’s also essential that you purchase your baby formula safely: Make sure that it’s not expired, that it’s sealed correctly and that the packaging is in good condition. If you try a formula and baby doesn’t seem to be reacting well, contact your pediatrician to discuss what to do next.

Now that you have all the facts, you’re well-equipped to pick out the best baby formula for your little one. Below, browse top-rated baby formula options for every age, need and dietary restriction.

About the experts:

Kimberly Gronsman Lee, MD, is board-certified in pediatrics and neonatal-perinatal medicine, and is an associate professor of pediatrics at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston. Her clinical interests lie in breastfeeding and feeding difficulties. She earned her medical degree from Wayne State University School of Medicine and her master’s degree from Harvard School of Public Health.

Bridget Young, PhD, CLC, is a breast milk researcher at the University of Colorado School of Medicine in Anschutz and has a PhD in perinatal and pediatric nutrition from Cornell University. She’s also a certified lactation consultant and the founder of BabyFormulaExpert.com.

Sandra Arévalo, MPH, RDN, CDN, CDE, is a registered dietician-nutritionist and a spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. She also serves as director of nutrition services and community outreach at Community Pediatrics, a program of Montefiore and The Children’s Health Fund.

Steven Abrams, MD, is chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Nutrition and professor of pediatrics at the University of Texas Dell Medical School in Austin. He earned his medical degree from Ohio State University and completed a fellowship in neonatal-perinatal medicine at Baylor College of Medicine. From 2012 to 2015, he served as a member of the Dietary Advisory Committee of the US Department of Agriculture.

Melanie Greifer, MD, is a pediatric gastroenterologist at NYU Langone Health in New York City and a clinical associate professor of pediatrics at NYU Grossman School of Medicine. She earned her medical degree from SUNY Brooklyn, and completed her fellowship in gastroenterology at Weill Medical College of Cornell University.

Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.

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