Formula milk, or also known as baby formula or infant formula, is usually made from a cow’s milk that has been processed to make it more suitable for babies. Nowadays, a wide range of brands and types of baby formula can be purchased over the counter. While breast milk is still best for babies for optimal nutrition, whether we like it or not, breast milk is not an option for everyone. So here are the seven best formula milk you might want to consider giving your little one.
Comparison Chart
IMAGE | PRODUCT | DETAILS | PRICE |
---|---|---|---|
OUR TOP PICK | Similac Pro-Advance Non-GMO Infant Formula with Iron | Similac Pro-Advance is the first infant formula with 2-FL HMO formulated to be closer than over to breast milk and essential for immune support. When switching to Similac Pro-Advance, moms reported a reduction in fussiness, gassiness, and crying after just one day of feeding. | |
RUNNER UP | Earth’s Best Organic Dairy Infant Powder Formula with Iron | Earth’s Best Organic Dairy Infant Powder Formula is produced from organic milk produced by cows fed with certified natural grain and hay that are grown without synthetic pesticides or fertilizers. This formula contains no added corn syrup solids. This formula has also met all FDA requirements for infant nutrition. | |
ALSO GREAT | Enfamil NeuroPro Gentlease Baby Formula Gentle Milk Powder | If your little one is gassy and fussy, and you’re looking for formula milk with brain-building nutrition inspired by breast milk, then the Enfamil NeuroPro Gentlease Baby Formula is the right one for you. The Enfamil NeuroPro is one of the leading and trusted brands designed for brain-building & immune support. | |
Happy Baby Organic Infant Formula Milk Based Powder | Happy Baby Organic Infant Formula is made with organic lactose, prebiotics, and key vitamins and minerals; the Stage 1 formula is modeled after breast milk. This formula is made with organic lactose, the principal carbohydrate found in breast milk, and provides key vitamins and minerals naturally found in breast milk. | ||
Gerber Good Start SoothePro Infant Formula | Gerber Good Start SoothePro Infant Formula is modeled after the complete nutrition & gentleness of breast milk. This formula offers nourishment for babies up to 12 months who experience colic, excessive crying, fussiness & gas. Gerber Good Start SoothePro is specially designed with exclusive comforting probiotics that clinically show to reduce crying time by 50% in colicky breastfed infants. | ||
Mama Bear Hypoallergenic Infant Formula Powder with Iron | Mama Bear Hypoallergenic Infant Formula Powder with Iron is a renowned hypoallergenic, iron-fortified, amino acid-based infant formula milk for the dietary management of infants experiencing severe cow’s milk protein allergy (CMA) and multiple food allergies. This formula is also designed to be suitable for specific conditions such as protein maldigestion, malabsorption/chronic diarrhea, short bowel syndrome, and eosinophilic esophagitis. | ||
Enfamil Nutramigen Hypoallergenic Colic Baby Formula Lactose Free Milk Powder | Enfamil Nutramigen Hypoallergenic Colic Baby Formula is a hypoallergenic formula proven to manage colic due to cow’s milk protein allergy, with 90% of infants improving within 48 hours. It is an expert-recommended formula since it has easy to digest hypoallergenic proteins, and so small the body is unlikely to recognize them as an allergen. |
Detailed Reviews of the 7 Best Formula Milk
Similac Pro-Advance Non-GMO Infant Formula with Iron
Similac Pro-Advance is the first infant formula with 2-FL HMO formulated to be closer than over to breast milk and essential for immune support. When switching to Similac Pro-Advance, moms reported a reduction in fussiness, gassiness, and crying after just one day of feeding.
Product Highlights
This best formula milk is complete in nutrition, providing a strong jump-start for your baby’s development. It contains DHA, Lutein, and Vitamin E needed for brain & eye development and is backed by more than 15 years of extensive research.
The Good
Similac Pro-Advance’s dairy ingredients come from cows that have not been treated with artificial growth hormones. Nielsen’s data is the leading brand chosen by moms and the number one brand fed in hospitals.
The Bad
After using the formula, some moms have reported that their baby’s tummy has been upset. Similac Pro-Advance may also be inconsistent, causing your newborn to experience some discomfort.
PROs
- The leading brand for immune support
- No artificial growth hormones
- Contains the same nutrients that can also be found in breast milk
CONs
- May be inconsistent in taste
- Some packaging might come with a broken seal
Earth’s Best Organic Dairy Infant Powder Formula with Iron
Earth’s Best Organic Dairy Infant Powder Formula is produced from organic milk produced by cows fed with certified natural grain and hay that are grown without synthetic pesticides or fertilizers. This formula contains no added corn syrup solids. This formula has also met all FDA requirements for infant nutrition.
Product Highlights
Earth’s Best Organic Dairy Infant Powder Formula is designed to support brain and eye development. This formula milk contains no prohibited synthetic pesticides and fertilizers and has no artificial growth hormones.
The Good
It contains Omega 3 DHA and Omega 6 ARA fatty acids that are naturally found in breast milk. Earth’s Best Organic Dairy Infant Powder is USDA-Certified Organic and made with non-GMO ingredients.
The Bad
It may come as a little bit expensive. If your little one has a sensitive stomach, you might want to think twice about giving this formula milk to them.
PROs
- Contains Lutein for Eyes and Prebiotic Fructooligosaccharides for Immunity
- Easy to digest and nutritionally complete for baby’s first twelve months
- No added corn syrup solids
CONs
- Not for sensitive stomachs
- A little bit expensive
Enfamil NeuroPro Gentlease Baby Formula Gentle Milk Powder
If your little one is gassy and fussy, and you’re looking for formula milk with brain-building nutrition inspired by breast milk, then the Enfamil NeuroPro Gentlease Baby Formula is the right one for you. The Enfamil NeuroPro is one of the leading and trusted brands designed for brain-building & immune support.
Product Highlights
Enfamil NeuroPro Gentlease Baby Formula is suitable for easing fussiness, gas and crying within 24 hours. This baby formula is also known to be the only formula with a fat-protein blend of MFGM and DHA that can previously only be found in breast milk.
The Good
This best formula milk has easy-to-digest proteins and vitamins and minerals for immune health. Moreover, there is emerging evidence from a recent clinical study showing that MFGM in the formula could support cognitive development.
The Bad
Some parents reported their child to have constipation after consuming the formula. So if your baby has a sensitive stomach, you might want to think twice to avoid further discomfort. Reports have also been recorded where some of the product’s outer golden seal seemed to be broken.
PROs
- The only formula that has a fat-protein blend of MFGM and DHA
- Enfamil NeuroPro Gentlease helps ease feeding issues and nourishes your baby’s brain first because everything begins here
CONs
- May not be fit for some babies and cause gas problems instead.
- Can cause constipation to a sensitive stomach
Happy Baby Organic Infant Formula Milk-Based Powder
Happy Baby Organic Infant Formula is made with organic lactose, prebiotics, and key vitamins and minerals; the Stage 1 formula is modeled after breast milk. This formula is made with organic lactose, the principal carbohydrate found in breast milk, and provides key vitamins and minerals naturally found in breast milk.
Product Highlights
As compared to other formulas, the Happy Baby Organic Infant Formula is made four times more prebiotics than other organic infant formula. This formula also delivers two prebiotics, GOS & FOS, fibers that have the ability to replicate the function of prebiotics, which promote healthy gut bacteria in infants.
The Good
Happy Baby Organic Infant Formula has no added corn syrup solids and doesn’t contain any carrageenan – an additive used to thicken, emulsify, and preserve foods and drinks. Further, the formula also develops premium organic recipes perfectly matched with your child’s age and stage, an organic and delicious option for your baby’s nutritional journey.
The Bad
Some parents have reported the formula to have a distinct smell, which leads to their babies not being able to consume the organic infant formula. Happy Baby Organic Infant Formula is also reported to cause gassiness, so giving it to your little one who has a sensitive stomach might be such a bad idea.
PROs
- Modeled after breast milk and with organic lactose
- Happy Baby Organic Infant Formula delivers two prebiotics, GOS & FOS
CONs
- Not recommended to use after 30 days of opening
- If any water or moisture comes into contact with the formula, bacteria can begin to grow
Gerber Good Start SoothePro Infant Formula
Gerber Good Start SoothePro Infant Formula is modeled after the complete nutrition & gentleness of breast milk. This formula offers nourishment for babies up to 12 months who experience colic, excessive crying, fussiness & gas. Gerber Good Start SoothePro is specially designed with exclusive comforting probiotics that clinically show to reduce crying time by 50% in colicky breastfed infants.
Product Highlights
Gerber Good Start SoothePro is not made with genetically engineered ingredients, and no artificial growth hormone has been added to the formula. This best formula milk comes in recyclable packaging and is made with small proteins that are easy for tiny tummies to digest.
The Good
It’s also worth noting that Gerber Good Start SoothePro contains carbohydrate blend with 30% lactose to help ease fussiness and gas. Being the closest formula to breast milk, Gerber Good Start formula features prebiotics, comfort proteins & Probiotics that improve the good bacteria in tummies & promote soft stools.
The Bad
Too much iron content may upset your child’s tummy. Some parents have noted that if your child has a sensitive tummy, the formula may yield gas pain instead of minimizing fussiness.
PROs
- It is the first and only formula with 2′-FL HMO* (Human Milk Oligosaccharides) and probiotics
- Expert-recommended DHA to help support brain and eye development
- Exclusive Probiotics helps reduce crying time by 50%
CONs
- Not for sensitive tummies
- Not intended for treatment or management of allergy
Mama Bear Hypoallergenic Infant Formula Powder with Iron
Mama Bear Hypoallergenic Infant Formula Powder with Iron is a renowned hypoallergenic, iron-fortified, amino acid-based infant formula milk for the dietary management of infants experiencing severe cow’s milk protein allergy (CMA) and multiple food allergies. This formula is also designed to be suitable for specific conditions such as protein maldigestion, malabsorption/chronic diarrhea, short bowel syndrome, and eosinophilic esophagitis.
Product Highlights
Mama Bear can be an infant’s sole nutrition source through 6 months of age, and could also be a significant supplemental nutrition source until two years. Further, studies demonstrated to support normal growth in healthy infants, formulated with 33% MCT oil to help facilitate fat absorption.
The Good
Mama Bear Hypoallergenic Infant Formula Powder with Iron contains DHA and ARA, some known essential nutrients that can also be found in breast milk, supporting brain and eye development. The formula also makes an excellent dietary regulator of infants with multiple food protein allergies.
The Bad
Some parents have reported that the formula tastes like a certain chemical that prohibits their babies from consuming the product. It is also worth noting that some colicky babies have watery stool after taking the formula.
PROs
- A complete source of nutrition
- 100% free amino acids as a nitrogen source
- can be an infant’s sole nutrition source through 6 months
CONs
- Not for sensitive tummies
- May yield a watery stool for your little ones
Enfamil Nutramigen Hypoallergenic Colic Baby Formula Lactose Free Milk Powder
Enfamil Nutramigen Hypoallergenic Colic Baby Formula is a hypoallergenic formula proven to manage colic due to cow’s milk protein allergy, with 90% of infants improving within 48 hours. It is an expert-recommended formula since it has easy to digest hypoallergenic proteins, and so small the body is unlikely to recognize them as an allergen.
Product Highlights
According to experts, Enfamil Nutramigen is formulated to reduce the incidence of future allergy challenges by 50%. Studies show that the formula aids the baby’s immune system return to consuming traditional milk protein formula without an allergic response.
The Good
This best formula milk contains a complete lactose-free and sucrose-free nutrition for the first 12 months. Enfamil Nutramigen Hypoallergenic Colic Baby Formula contains DHA and ARA, nutrients that can also be found in breast milk that is essential for the baby’s brain and eye development.
The Bad
For a starting digestive system, some parents say that Enfamil Nutramigen has an awful ingredient that can affect extra sensitive tummies. Additionally, Enfamil Nutramigen may also come as a little bit pricey.
PROs
- Specially designed to be a hypoallergenic infant formula
- It includes the probiotic branded LGG – the most extensively studied probiotic for allergy management & supporting your baby’s digestive health
CONs
- Expensive
- After starting Nutramigen, some babies may experience frequent, loose stools, especially during the initial days of feeding
Conclusion
Although breast milk is still preferable for some, it is not an option for all. Commercially prepared best formula milk is a nutritious option to breast milk and includes some vitamins and nutrients that breastfed babies need to get from supplements.
The most important factor to consider before choosing the right formula for your little one is to seek professional advice. In that way, you can ensure that whatever you give to your child will help him or her, and not put him in potential danger. Find out more about baby milk.