Choose your own adventure
The best pick is the one that helps your baby grow and thrive. The truth is, there may be dozens of formulas that check those boxes. So how to choose? Understanding your options is a good starting point.
Cow’s milk-based
soy-based
or
Behind the buzzwords
Almost all formulas are made with DHA, a fat found in fish oil that may be beneficial for brain development. Some formulas advertise higher levels than others (and therefore claim to be more “brain boosting”). But there’s not enough research to show that more DHA is necessarily better – any formula with DHA is good for your baby.
Brain Nourishing
Organic
This means the ingredients are free of pesticides or other synthetic chemicals and meet the USDA’s organic requirements. There isn’t any significant research that shows organic formula is better than a standard formula. That said, if you prefer to buy organic and are okay with the typically higher price tag, there’s certainly no reason not to go organic.
For Fussiness
You’ll typically see this on sensitive or gentle formulas. This language is not regulated, so ingredients may range from brand to brand. A “sensitive” formula typically has reduced lactose and a “gentle” formula may have a partially hydrolyzed source of protein to make it easier to digest. Most babies thrive on standard infant formula, but if you have concerns about gas or colic, talk to your pediatrician about considering other options.
About those ingredient lists...
Ingredients: Nonfat milk, lactose, high oleic safflower oil, whey protein concentrate, soy oil, coconut oil, human milk oligosaccharides (2'-fucosyllactose, lactoNtetraose, 3-fucosyllactose, 6'-sialyll-actose, 3'-sialyllactose), less than 2% of: Schi-zochytrium sp. oil, M. alpina oil, beta-carotene, lutein, potassium citrate, calcium carbonate, ascorbic acid, soy lecithin, potassium chloride, magn-esium chloride, ferrous sulfate, choline bitartrate, choline chloride, ascorbyl palmitate, salt, taurine, inositol, zinc sulfate, mixed tocopherols, d-alpha-tocopherol acetate, niacinamide, calcium pantothenate
Cow’s milk-based or soy-based:
The majority of formulas are made from cow’s milk because it’s most similar to breast milk. And in cow’s milk, the carbohydrates are lactose. Unless your pediatrician says your baby has a medical reason to avoid lactose (which is very rare!), it’s a good idea to start with a lactose-based formula.
Whole milk
skim milk
Whole milk or skim milk:
With whole milk, the fat comes from a mix of oils and naturally occurring fat in cow’s milk. Skim milk formulas rely more heavily on a mix of oils that mimic the fat found in breast milk. The difference is personal preference. Some parents like that whole milk has a greater portion of fat content from milk instead of seed oils. But there’s no evidence that babies should avoid seed oils.
Standard
specialty formula
Standard or specialty formula:
While standard formulas use lactose as the carbohydrate, specialty formulas typically use corn syrup solids, rice syrup, or maltodextrin to help with lactose sensitivities. Some also have hydrolyzed proteins to help with digestion. Most babies do not have lactose sensitivities or need a specialty formula. If your baby has a true cow’s milk protein allergy or specialized medical need, your pediatrician can guide you through this choice. But if you’re just starting out, a standard formula should be just fine.
European
U.S.-style
European or U.S.-style:
Both follow the same general nutrient profile and are designed to mimic breast milk. There are some differences: European-style is more commonly made with whole milk fat, while U.S.-style tends to have more iron, for example. There’s no definitive research linking either style of formula to better outcomes in babies, so ultimately it comes down to personal choice.
Ready-to-feed
powder
Ready-to-feed or powder:
Ready-to-feed formula is an already prepared liquid product. It’s sterile and a safe option for premature, newborn, or immunocompromised babies at risk of infection. It’s also more convenient since you can pop on a disposable nipple and feed your baby straight from the container. Powder formula is more widely available and therefore less expensive, but it’s not sterile. As long as you follow the instructions for preparation and storage, powder formula is safe for most babies.
lactose
Lactose is a sugar naturally found in cow’s milk, and it’s also the most common source of carbohydrates in baby formula. That’s because it’s what you’ll find in human breast milk.
Whey protein concentrate
This is a common protein source in formula, usually labeled as whey protein concentrate or whey protein. Some formulas get their protein from cow’s milk, goat milk, or soy.
Oligosaccharides
These prebiotics are added into formula to better resemble human milk and help improve gut health. While there hasn’t been a ton of research comparing formulas with and without oligosaccharides, they may be beneficial.
Ingredients: Corn syrup solids, partially hydrolyzed nonfat milk and whey protein concentrate solids (soy), vegetable oil (contains one or more of the following: palm olein oil, coconut oil, soy oil, high oleic sunflower oil), Mortierella alpina oil, Schizochytr-ium sp. oil, vitamin A palmitate, vitamin D3, vitamin E acetate, vitamin K1, thiamin hydrochloride, riboflavin, vitamin B6 hydrochloride, vitamin B12, niacinamide, folic acid, calcium pantothenate, biotin, ascorbic acid, choline chloride, inositol, calcium carbonate, calcium phosphate, magnesium phosphate, ferrous sulfate, zinc sulfate, manganese sulfate, cupric sulfate, sodium selenite, sodium citrate, potassium chloride, potassium iodide, taurine, L-carnitine.
...And a specialty formula
Corn Syrup Solids
Infants who don’t tolerate lactose well, or have a dairy protein allergy, may benefit from a different carbohydrate option. The carbohydrates in these formulas will typically come from dehydrated corn syrup, maltodextrin, or rice syrup. All are sources of glucose to meet your baby’s carbohydrate needs.
HIGH OLEIC SUNFLOWER OIL
A number of different oils, including some seed oils, are used to mimic the fatty acid profile in breast milk. These oils are an important source of omega-6 fatty acids, which support brain development. Despite what you may read online, there is no evidence that you should avoid seed oils for your baby.
partially hydrolyzed nonfat milk
This means the protein source has been broken up into smaller molecules to be easier to digest. It’s an alternative to milk protein concentrate, although most babies handle milk proteins just fine. Your pediatrician may recommend switching to a partially hydrolyzed protein if your baby is having digestive issues. If your formula is hypoallergenic, you may see extensively hydrolyzed protein. This means the protein source has been broken down into even tinier particles, so as not to trigger a reaction in a baby with a true cow’s milk protein allergy.
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Here's what all of that marketing jargon on formula containers really means.
For a standard baby formula...
SOURCES: STEVEN ABRAMS, M.D., CHAIR OF THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PEDIATRICS COMMITTEE ON NUTRITION; JESSIC KNURICK, PH.D., R.D.N.; MIRIAN KNOPP, R.D.N., L.D., NATIONWIDE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL
high oleic safflower oil
A number of different oils, including some seed oils like high oleic safflower oil, are used to mimic the fatty acid profile in breast milk. These oils are an important source of omega-6 fatty acids, which support brain development. Despite what you may read online, there is no evidence that you should avoid seed oils for your baby.
Whey Protein Concentrate Solids (Soy)
This is a common protein source in formula.