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The process of choosing baby formula can be overwhelming. With so many options available, it can be hard to determine which option is the best for your baby. I'm a Board Certified Health Coach and mom of 2, and I've done all of the research so you don't have to! Read on to learn my recommendations for the healthiest and best organic baby formula.
Though I had the highest of hopes for breastfeeding my kids for a year and beyond, nursing my daughter was one of the most difficult parts of new motherhood. With the constant feedings, pumping, and troubleshooting of breastfeeding-related issues, many days ended in tears. At 8 months, I finally made the decision to transition her to formula.
This decision wasn't made lightly, and I made it with the commitment to finding her the best and cleanest baby formula available. I spoke with pediatricians, pediatric dietitians, and experts, and scoured formula labels to learn all about baby formulas, what ingredients to look for, and which to avoid.
Every family and baby has their own unique needs when it comes to formula. Your child may have gas issues and could benefit from a sensitive digestion formula. Or, maybe you're looking to continue breastfeeding but want to supplement with formula. Possibly, you're looking for the best healthy baby formula that works with your budget.
Many high-quality and non-toxic baby formulas are available today, made with organic ingredients, and formulated to meet your infant's nutritional needs. Below we will share the different types of formula and the top formula brands so you can find the best organic infant formula for your precious little one.
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Types of Baby Formula
Walking down the formula aisle, you will see many different types of baby formula! Here's a quick primer on the main types:
Cow's Milk
These formulas are made with a cow's milk base and are supplemented with carbs, protein, healthy fats, and vitamins to be a complete infant nutrition source. Cow's milk formula is the most common type of formula.
Goat Milk & A2 Milk
Whereas most cow milk formulas contain the A1 beta-casein protein, goat milk formulas contain the A2 beta-casein protein, which is known to support gentle digestion ( source). Some cow's milk formulas also have the A2 protein instead of the A1 protein, making them also more gentle on infant stomachs.
Soy & Alternative Proteins
Choose a soy or other alternative protein source formula for children who have lactose intolerance, follow a vegetarian or vegan diet, or need to avoid milk for any other reason directed by your child's doctor. Common alternative protein sources include soy, rice, pea, and almond.
Sensitive
These formulas are made with partially hydrolyzed proteins. They also sometimes have carbohydrate sources other than lactose, the easy-to-digest carbohydrate in breast milk and natural baby formula, or reduced levels of lactose. Because hydrolyzed proteins cannot be considered organic, sensitive formulas containing them are not labeled organic but can be made with otherwise organic ingredients.
Hypoallergenic
Hypoallergenic formulas are made with fully hydrolyzed proteins or amino acids, which are easier on infant digestive systems. They are made for babies with cow milk protein allergy (CMPA), cow milk allergy (CMA), and other food allergies. Often, they contain non-lactose carbohydrate sources such as maltodextrin or corn syrup, as lactose can be problematic for these conditions.
Organic Baby Formula
Baby formula can be labeled organic if 95% or more of its ingredients are certified organic. This means that no pesticides, genetically modified organisms, or antibiotics were used to produce the formula.
The Best Organic Formulas
The FDA regulates all formulas sold in the United States, and the European Commission regulates all formulas manufactured and solid in the EU. The European Commission sets stricter regulations than the FDA does, but know that formulas sold in either of these countries are considered safe and complete sources of infant nutrition.
The way top formula brands source, create, and formulate their formulas are different, and no two formula brands are the same. Depending on your family's and child's needs, one type of formula may be better than others. Explore our list of the cleanest formulas for babies below:
A woman and mother-owned company, Bobbie is an American all-star formula brand! This certified organic formula is made with a European formula recipe; it has higher levels of DHA than many American formulas, features organic lactose as the carbohydrate source, and does not contain any sugar syrups, palm oil, gluten, or soy.
You can purchase Bobbie on their company website or at your local Target. Bobbie's only drawback is that it doesn't contain prebiotics or probiotics. The company now offers infant probiotic supplements, however.
2. The Best European-Made Organic Baby Formula: HiPP Dutch
With thousands of 5-star ratings, HiPP Dutch is the line's most popular formula. Organic lactose is the only carbohydrate, and the formula contains prebiotics, probiotics, DHA, and ARA. The newest version of this formula also now contains Metafolin to prevent infantile folate deficiency.
Though the price tag is higher ($46.99), the can is a large 800g, making it a competitively priced formula.
A can of Baby's Only Organic Infant Formula costs $24.64. Each can is about 21oz or almost 600g, making it substantially less expensive than other natural formula for babies, especially considering it is made with organic grass-fed milk.
With organic whey, lactose, no palm oil, a Clean Label Purity Project award Baby's Only is one of the cleanest, budget-friendly formulas for babies.
RELATED: BABY'S ONLY FORMULA REVIEW
Not only can prebiotics and probiotics help support gentle infant digestion, but they also offer immune support ( source). HiPP German Organic Formula offers prebiotics, probiotics, and DHA and ARA.
This German-manufactured formula exceeds the EU's strict standards for organic formula, ensuring it is free of pesticides, soy, refined sugar, GMOs, growth hormones, and more. It certainly is one of the best organic formulas for babies!
Made with DHA and ARA derived from marine algae, no fish oil, and full-fat organic cow milk, Kendamil Organic Infant Formula is our favorite pick for vegetarian all natural formulas. It has been made in Britain for over 60 years and doesn't contain palm oil, soy, corn syrup, or starches.
Kendamil was introduced to the American formula market during the 2022 formula shortage and is now available at Target and other online European formula retailers.
6. Best Clean Formula: Lebenswert
If you're looking for the best clean formula for babies, look no further than Lebenswert. This formula is proudly made in Germany with organic milk from cows raised according to the strict guidelines of the Bioland Association. Biofarming is an organic farming approach focusing on plant, soil, animal, and environmental sustainability. It has strict standards against using fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, and GMOs.
Lebenswert is the most natural baby formula: it is made without corn syrup, artificial ingredients, preservatives, or other synthetic additives and is enriched with organic vitamins and minerals. Unfortunately, this clean baby formula does not contain probiotics or prebiotics, so you may want to discuss additional probiotic supplementation with your child's doctor.
7. Best Organic A2 Milk Formula: Holle A2
The most advanced formulation from one of our favorite companies, Holle A2 is made with A2 cow's milk. Unlike other popular A2 cow milk formulas, Holle A2 is 100% organic, and is enriched DHA and ARA. It is also Demeter-certified, which is one of the highest clean certifications a formula can receive in Europe.
RELATED: HOLLE FORMULA REVIEW8. Best Organic Formula for Gassy Babies: HiPP Comfort
Just because your baby suffers from gas, constipation, or other uncomfortable digestive issues doesn't necessarily mean that a natural formula is off the table. HiPP Comfort is made with partially hydrolyzed proteins, reduced lactose content, a premium fat blend, probiotics, and prebiotics to support gentle digestion.
HiPP Comfort cannot be certified organic because the hydrolyzed protein cannot be certified organic. All other ingredients in this formula are organic, however.
Note: if your doctor prescribes a hypoallergenic formula for your baby, choose HiPP HA for the most natural option.
RELATED: BEST BABY FORMULAS FOR GASSY BABIES9. Best Organic Formula for Breastfed Babies: Löwenzahn Organics
For the best breast milk-like formulation, choose Löwenzahn Organics. Whether you want to supplement breastfeeding or transition your child entirely to formula, this is one of the healthiest baby formulas. All carbs come from organic lactose, the formula is supplemented with prebiotics, and parents rave about the smooth and creamy texture.
Löwenzahn formula also has some of the highest levels of DHA and ARA. It has equal amounts of each in quantities higher than EU law requires (the FDA currently does not require or set standards for DHA in formula), making it one of the best natural formulas for supporting infant brain and eye development ( source).
RELATED: LÖWENZAHN FORMULA REVIEW10. Best Organic Vegan Baby Formula: Sprout Organic
A vegan or plant-based formula can be a great option for children dealing with cow's milk or food allergies or following a vegetarian or vegan diet. Sprout Organic is the world's first organic plant-based formula, and it remains the best natural baby formula made with plant proteins.
This formula uses organic rice starch, organic rice and pea proteins, and organic vitamins and minerals instead of animal milk and organic lactose. It can occasionally go out of stock but is otherwise a fantastic alternative protein formula.
RELATED: BEST PLANT-BASED AND VEGAN BABY FORMULAS
Else makes an organic toddler, or follow-on formula, you can trust. This USDA organic and Clean Label Project-certified formula is a nutritious and delicious supplement for picky eater toddlers, made with organic almond butter and buckwheat flour base.
Though not technically vegan due to the addition of animal-derived vitamin D3, Else Plant-Based Toddler formula is otherwise corn syrup-free, gluten-free, dairy-free, and made without soy or palm oil.
RELATED: BEST TODDLER FORMULAS
With a Clean Label Project award and a clinical trial of the formula with 311 babies, ByHeart is a new American formula company you can trust. This innovative new formula is certainly one of the best natural formulas currently available: it is made with organic grass-fed whole milk, no common food allergens, all carbs from lactose, organic prebiotics, and more.
Though ByHeart doesn't have the same protein ratios as mature breast milk, it is endorsed by pediatricians as an easy digestion formula.
13. Best Goat Milk Baby Formula: Jovie
Made with full-fat goat milk, DHA, ARA, and lutein for eye development ( source), Jovie is as easy for young tummies to digest as it is nutritious. The medium-chain fatty acids found in goat milk are easier for babies to utilize and reduce the amount of vegetable oils needed to supplement the formula.
Jovie is the premiere goat milk formula because it is certified organic, has three stages to support your baby as they grow, and is made with only organic lactose (no sugar or corn syrup)!
Final Thoughts
When choosing the best formula for your baby, you can consider many factors, including ingredients, budget, protein source, formula style, and more. As a parent, you want to give your child only the best. All formulas on this list meet FDA guidelines or the European Commission's strict standards, meaning you can give them to your child with the utmost peace of mind.
Always consult your child's doctor before starting or changing them to another formula, especially if your child has food allergies or other medical concerns. If there is a formula on this list that you have tried or another brand you'd like to recommend, please share it in the comment section below. I respond to every comment I receive!
