Pediatricians Thomas and Porto both told us that parents should feel comfortable using store-brand or generic infant formulas because they contain all of the same FDA-required nutrients and ingredients as formulas made by Enfamil, Similac, and Gerber whose brands can cost two to three times as much. 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.
Aside from formulas for babies who have particular medical needs, there are formulas marketed for constipation , colic , spit-up , or fussiness ; for certain stages of infant development; and for babies who are supplemented with formula while breastfeeding. On the other hand, some formula companies misleadingly suggest that changing brands could be bad for a baby. Some otherwise healthy babies without allergies do have trouble digesting certain formulas and can exhibit gassiness, spit-up, constipation, or fussiness.
Formula companies add these ingredients because they may confer potential benefits or are designed to make the formula more similar to breast milk. Porto and Thomas told us they recommend soy-based formulas only if the baby has a medical need for it, or if parents want their baby to follow a vegan diet; this is also the guidance from the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Porto and Young both said they prefer babies to be on lactose-based formulas. Our research showed that each formula brand uses its own standard blend of fats in all of its formulas. Fat is the second-most-abundant component of human breast milk, after carbohydrates. But all US formulas use plant-based fats, the most common being coconut, soy, sunflower, safflower, or palm oil. He would first make sure that the baby was hydrated, and then maybe recommend a formula with hydrolyzed proteins, since, as we note above, some babies have difficulty digesting intact milk proteins.
Each of these companies makes a half-dozen or more types of formula, and in , we ended up with a list of over 50 formulas. For a update of this guide, we reanalyzed the formulas some had been discontinued , and we scrutinized the compositions and ingredients of eight new formulas. We focused on powdered formulas, because they are the most commonly used PDF and most economical, and they come in the most varieties. Enfamil, Similac, and Gerber offer some of their formulas in liquid concentrate which must be diluted and ready-to-feed versions.
Ready-to-feed formulas, some of which come in 2-ounce or 8-ounce pre-portioned bottles, are the most convenient and foolproof option because they require no mixing or dilution. They are significantly more expensive than powdered formulas, though. 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. If the label lists milk in addition to hydrolyzed milk or hydrolyzed whey, then it contains both intact and partially hydrolyzed proteins. This is because, according to Young video , the presence of some intact proteins will negate any benefits the partially broken down proteins could offer. Finally, we considered cost.
We found that many cheaper formulas had most or all of the same extra nutrients as more expensive formulas. Because European formulas are not FDA-regulated, and shipping them abroad carries risks , experts recommend against using them in the US. If you want to learn more about why some parents are drawn to European formulas, read our article on this topic. Yet it is just as safe and nutritious as formulas that cost much more. The Costco representative we corresponded with said its policy is to not disclose the company that manufactures its formula, but Perrigo Nutrition lists the Kirkland formula on its website.
As noted above, most babies tolerate switching formulas well, and the ingredients in the old and new versions differ very little. Some reviewers have also complained that the ProCare formula comes with an opaque blue scoop, which makes it harder to gauge the measurement. This formula is available online only as a pack of four ounce containers, enough for about 8-ounce bottles. But even with that charge, this formula remains significantly less expensive than similar formulas from Similac and Enfamil.
It also uses safflower oil, rather than palm oil. 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. Some caregivers seek out European formulas for their babies, due in part to the slightly different regulations on ingredients and sugars.
European formulas also tend to have fewer overall ingredients than US formulas. But because European formulas are not FDA-regulated, and shipping them from abroad carries risks , experts recommend against using them in the US. Bobbie, manufactured by Perrigo Nutrition, is made with organic nonfat milk from pasture-raised cows. This formula lacks some added ingredients that many other US formulas have, but they are ones that many European formulas leave out like a prebiotic, lutein, nucleotides, beta-carotene, taurine, and extra L-carnitine.
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. We think our picks offer the best value and meet an array of caregiver preferences. But for complete information, check nutrition and ingredients labels, and refer to our charts and descriptions above.
Like our picks, all traditional Enfamil formulas have DHA and ARA, taurine, L-carnitine, and nucleotides, and many have polydextrose and galactooligosaccharides prebiotics. But they cost 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 breast milk.
For Supplementation : marketed as a formula for babies who are also breastfed, but it meets the same criteria as all formulas. Again, they cost more than our picks. Like Similac Organic, these generics contain sugars, in addition to lactose, as carbohydrates; fructooligosaccharides as a prebiotic; and no added whey.
Unlike Similac formulas, these store brands have palm oil. Happy Baby Sensitive is an organic reduced-lactose formula with maltodextrin and corn syrup solids as the main carbohydrates, and it has added whey, as well as palm oil.
It also contains palm oil. The emails have been sent. Please consider subscribing to PureWow. Sign up for PureWow to get more daily discoveries sent straight to your inbox. Thanks for Sharing! Now like us on Facebook. Want more where that came from? By Michele Laufik Jul. Similac for Supplementation As the name suggests, this formula is geared toward moms who are doing double duty, breastfeeding and bottle feeding.
Gerber Good Start Soothe This formula is made with partially hydrolyzed proteins, and aims to ease colic and excess gas, which can happen if your baby has difficulty digesting lactose. Plum Organics Gentle Infant Formula Modeled after breast milk, this organic baby formula contains no added corn syrup solids or genetically engineered ingredients and it is U. Similac Pro-Total Comfort Made from partially hydrolyzed whey protein, this baby formula is designed for reflux-prone infants, since whey protein is digested faster and is easier on sensitive stomachs.
Cecchini says. Omega-3 fatty acids naturally produced in breast milk are added to some formulas, so they are safe for infants to consume and have been associated with enhanced brain development in infants. Specialized formula Doctors will usually recommend a hydrolyzed formula for babies who are allergic to milk proteins.
In this scenario, avoidance of milk- or soy-based formulas is important and choosing a hydrolyzed formula with the guidance of your pediatrician is key. Cecchini explains. The 3 forms of baby formula Like a choose-your-own-adventure game, you get to decide how you want your formula: powder, liquid or ready-to-feed.
Powder formula needs to be mixed with the correct ratio of water one scoop of powder to every two fluid ounces of water Liquid formula is concentrated and requires the addition of water as directed on the packaging Ready-made formulas are good to go; just add a nipple. The ready-made formulas are typically the most expensive option, says Dr. SHARE PIN IT 0. From Around The Web. More Stories From our Partners.
Manage Your Account Enter your registered email below! Hey, you know what would make your day better? Georgia - 7 months ago. Gerber has changed the recipe just for this can size. If you accidentally switch cold turkey, that's a recipe for an upset baby due to GI distress.
The ingredient lists on Target and walmart don't reflect the change but the can's label and the contents have. You NEED to watch this! July " for more details. We have been using this formula since our baby was 1 month old. We give him formula once in the evening, and the rest of his feedings he nurses. He took to this formula since day one and seems to be very gentle on his system. It's a bonus because I pump in the evening in place of nursing him, and this has allowed me to stack up breast milk.
Game Changer! He became so gassy, restless and stopped up. So, not even a week ago I started researching other formulas closest to breast milk and reading reviews on them. What a complete change for the better it has done for my baby! The formula even mixes well, with no foamy bubbles and literally looks almost just like my breastmilk! What a game changer!! Great standard formula BUT 4 out of 5 stars. Whoknows - 1 year ago. Why only change the formulation in the 12oz cans? I'll tell you why: cut manufacturing costs bc primarily WIC recipients are getting this size.
Why not produce in bigger cans then? Despite that I think it's a great formula in comparison to enfamil and similac's flag ship formulas especially the "bare bones" ones. I'm glad they kept the 2'fl and probiotics. I love it and the fact that it does so great on her little stomach. Load 8 more. Get top deals, latest trends, and more. Email address. Sign up. About Target Careers. Email Signup. Target Brands. Advertise with Us. Bullseye Shop. Target's Coronavirus Response.
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