Best baby formulas

Voted Best Formula by 111 parents out of 682 Best of BabyCenter Awards voters, Similac is the formula of choice among BabyCenter parents. They say Similac Pro-Advance has the "best taste" and is easily tolerated: "I breastfeed and then feed my little one two ounces of Similac Pro Advance (silver lid) to help with weight gain. He loves it and the package says it's their formula that's closest to breast milk."

Similac is a trusted brand that offers standard, organic, and non-GMO formula, as well as options for babies with sensitive stomachs and babies needing specialized nutrition. But the Pro-Advance is a solid choice for most babies, given its ingredients: it's a cow's milk-based formula containing lactose, which is similar to breast milk. Pro-Advance also contains the probiotic 2'-FL human milk oligosaccharide (2'-FL HMO), which is the difference between Similac's Pro-Advance and Advance formulas (a.k.a. "silver top" and "blue top" for their packaging). "Oligosaccharides are naturally occurring in breast milk," says pediatrician Pierrette Mimi Poinsett, MD,, adding that prebiotics and human-made oligosaccharides promote a healthy gut.

But it's not just the nutritional value that makes Similac stand out. The brand's free Similac Rewards program sends members discount offers, formula coupons, and samples.

Heads up

Some parents say the powdered formula clumps. Additionally, others found the Pro-Advance was tough on babies' tummies, recommending the Pro-Sensitive option instead.

Parents say

"My son has taken this formula since he was about 1 month old. He's almost 11 months now. He hasn't been gassy and barely spit up."

"Another fan of the Pro-Advance here! My daughter used it from about 5 weeks old till we weaned her to whole milk at 1 year. We never had any issues with it."

"I used this for my daughter. She wouldn't drink any other formula. On this formula she never had any stomach or gas problems. I loved it! Also, you can sign up with Similac and they send you coupons."

"When my supply dropped and I had to supplement with formula, my son refused every kind except Similac. It's the best!"

Specs

• Protein source: Nonfat milk, whey protein concentrate
• Carbohydrate source: Lactose
• Added nutrients: Iron, DHA, lutein, 2'-FL HMO

Enfamil applies decades of research to its products and categorizes its formulas into four main groups: everyday nutrition, tummy troubles, allergy issues, and toddler nutrition. Enfamil Enspire, one of the "everyday nutrition" options, contains immune-supporting lactoferrin, a protein also found in colostrum and breast milk. It also contains DHA, a blend of prebiotics that includes 2'-FL HMO, and Milk Fat Globule Membrane (MFGM), an ingredient positively associated with neurodevelopment.

Heads up

Enspire also comes in a sensitive version, Enfamil Enspire Gentlease, with easier-to-digest partially hydrolyzed milk protein, and reduced lactose.

Parents say

"We used Enfamil to supplement when my milk supply started to drop with my daughter. She was actually a much happier baby compared to when she was just having my breast milk. It helped with all her gas bubbles."

"I love this Enfamil formula because it has a few key ingredients that aren't available in any other formulas out there. I feel very good about giving this to my daughter!"

Specs

• Protein source: Nonfat milk, whey protein lipid-concentrate, whey protein concentrate
• Carbohydrate source: Lactose
• Added nutrients: Iron, lactoferrin, 2'-FL and LnNT HMOs, MFGM, DHA, ARA

The cow's milk base is recommended by the AAP and Gerber Good Start GentlePro's formula contains all the marquee ingredients found in non-sensitive formulations: brain-building DHA and ARA, probiotic b. lactis, 2'-FL HMO. The difference here is in the cow's milk protein, which has been "hydrolyzed," broken down into smaller parts that are easier for sensitive digestive systems to handle, which Gerber calls "comfort proteins."

How will you know if your baby needs a sensitive formula? Gust says babies show signs of intolerance in many different ways including fussing, arching their backs, or crying shortly after eating. But she also notes that this but that doesn't necessarily mean they have a dairy allergy. "Some babies may be sensitive to specific components of a formula," Gust expalins "If parents think their baby isn't tolerating a formula it's great to talk to their pediatrician first particularly if they have concerns about how much they are eating or if the growth seems off." If you notice blood or mucus in your baby's poop, Gust says, talk to your doctor right away, "as that is a sign of more significant intolerance or possibly an allergy."

Heads up

If you're interested in organic formula, you'll want to opt for Gerber's Natura formula instead.

Parents say

"This formula mixes well and my daughter is thriving on it. She rarely spits up, she poops great, and she seems to like the taste."

"My daughter loves this formula. We tried other brands but she would spit it up after eating. She's never spit or burped up this formula; the difference is amazing. It's really easy to prepare a bottle since it includes the scoop and scoop holder in the lid."

"My son has reflux and struggles with other top-brand powder formulas, so I tried this one. This has been the best formula we've tried! This helps his reflux, he doesn't choke while drinking it, and he has much less – little to no – spit-up."

Specs

• Protein source: Whey protein concentrate
• Carbohydrate source: Lactose, corn maltodextrin
• Added nutrients: Iron, 2'-FL HMO, DHA, ARA, b. Lactis

Earth's Best is a pioneer of organic formula and baby food. Its formulas are made from organic cow's milk and free from genetically modified organisms (GMOs), artificial growth hormones, and corn syrup solids. The latter is particularly important, as several formulas use corn syrups for their carbohydrate component. But, like breast milk, Earth's Best gets its carbohydrate content from lactose. Earth's Best formulas also contain several other nutrients: DHA and ARA, an omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acid respectively, that help with visual acuity and brain development, lutein for eye development, and prebiotics, which may improve your baby's gut health.

Earth's Best also works to make the feeding journey easier on parents. Through its monthly newsletter, which is available to all parents, the brand provides coupons and expert-backed feeding tips.

Heads up

Some parents say that this formula can be foamy or frothy when mixed.

Parents say

"We switched to Earth's Best, because on a previous formula my baby was constipated and her gas smelled really bad. Since we switched she has had much more regular poops, less gas, and she seems happier. I also like that Earth's Best is less sticky."

"Earth's Best fits the bill for my son. He has had no troubles and, in fact, his tummy troubles decreased and his eczema cleared up. It mixes up much easier and seems to be less gummy, and isn't yucky smelling. I feel better knowing it's organic."

Specs

• Protein source: Nonfat milk, whey protein concentrate
• Carbohydrate source: Lactose
• Added nutrients: Iron, DHA, ARA, prebiotics

Although the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) work together in the United States to ensure that foods containing GMOs are safe for people to eat, many people still prefer to eat GMO-free food.

Parents appreciate that Happy Baby's formula is both GMO-free and organic (no need to choose between the two), and that it contains a two important prebiotics: fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) and galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS), to encourage gut health.

Happy Baby's formulas are made with organic cow's milk and contain no corn syrup solids. They're available in a two-stage system for babies 0 to 6 months and 6 to 12 months; there's also a sensitive formula for babies 0 to 12 months who have fussiness and gas.

Heads up

Some parents say the formula powder has a fishy smell.

Parents say

"My baby loves it. He doesn't get constipated. He spits up less. I can't say enough good things!"

"Best formula around. My baby has had no digestive issues at all, no gas, no constipation, and his poops don't even smell that bad."

Specs

• Protein source: Nonfat milk, whey protein concentrate
• Carbohydrate source: Lactose
• Added nutrients: Iron, DHA, ARA, prebiotics

If your baby has a true cow's milk allergy, other food allergies, or gastrointestinal conditions, Neocate may be the answer for you. Unlike other formulas, which are made from soy or milk, Neocate is made from amino acids, the building blocks of protein. These types of formulas are also known as "elemental" and may be recommended by your pediatrician if your child has a milk allergy. Neocate Infant DHA/ARA is is also produced in a dairy-protein-free facility for even more caution.

How will you know if your baby needs a hypoallergenic or elemental formula? "If your baby is fussy after feeds, starts refusing to drink their formula, if they have excessive gas, a change in stool consistency – these may all signal a possible need for a change in their formula," says Dr. Regan. "If your baby has blood in their stool, this could be a sign of true milk allergy, and you should talk with your baby's doctor."

Heads up

This formula should only be used with the supervision of your baby's doctor. Also, it's expensive, but some insurance providers will cover Neocate.

Specs

• Protein source: Amino acids
• Carbohydrate source: Corn syrup solids
• Added nutrients: Iron, DHA, ARA, prebiotics

Designed specifically for babies who suffer from gas and fussiness caused by a lactose sensitivity issue, Similac Pro-Sensitive contains the partially hydrolyzed (or, as the AAP calls them, "predigested") milk proteins that babies with sensitive stomachs can better digest. It's not lactose-free, but is suitable for babies with a sensitivity to or intolerance of lactose because the amount of lactose is reduced compared to other formulas.

Pro-Sensitive also has just about every potentially beneficial add-on you could ask for: ARA, DHA, lutein, and vitamin E for your baby's growth, brain, and eye development, as well as prebiotic 2'-FL HMO.

Heads up

Like other types of Similac formula, Pro-Sensitive can clump when mixed.

Parents say

"My baby girl has been using Similac Pro-Sensitive, the one with the gold lid, since she was a few days old! We love it; she’s hardly ever fussy due to colic."

"I saw a HUGE difference...happier baby, less dramatic feeding times."

Specs

• Protein source: Milk protein isolate
• Carbohydrate source: Corn syrup
• Added nutrients: Iron,, ARA, DHA, 2'-FL HMO

Although it's made for babies who are allergic to the cow's milk protein found in most infant formulas, Nutramigen is not a soy-based formula. Rather, Enfamil extensively breaks down the proteins in the milk so they're easier to digest, while also removing the lactose entirely, so there's nothing for a lactose-sensitive digestion to react to.

Nutramigen also includes Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG), a probiotic strain whose beneficial properties have been well-documented in preventing and treating allergies, as well as diarrhea and gastrointestinal infections.

Heads up

Because Nutramigen still contains milk, it is not suitable for babies who are allergic.

Parents say

"From the first day we started the Nutramigen she was a different baby. No longer always crying, she stopped gulping and sucking in air while she was taking her bottle, and the weird goat noises she would make after a bottle...gone. She is much happier!"

"My son was put on it when he was almost a month old because of his colic; it was a life saver -- his colic stopped."

Specs

• Protein source: Casein hydrolysate
• Carbohydrate source: Corn syrup solids
• Added nutrients: Iron, ARA, DHA, LGG probiotics

If your baby has certain disorders (such as galactosemia), your pediatrician may recommend a soy-based formula. ProSobee has all the vitamins and minerals your baby needs for development, including vitamins A, C, and E, as well as iron, with DHA added for brain and visual development. There's no lactose, artificial colors, sweeteners, or flavors, and the formula is vegan, which plant-based families may be drawn to.

Dr. Poinsett notes that soy formula is mainly used for infants with a lactase deficiency, a condition known as galactosemia (an inability to digest one of the components of lactose), or in vegan families who want to avoid animal products. "Soy formula is not recommended in infants that are cow milk allergic as 40 percent of soy protein is the same as cow milk protein. Instead, infants that are cow milk allergic should be given 100 percent hydrolyzed formula," says Dr. Poinsett. 

Heads up

Some parents say it causes constipation.

Parents say

"Within two days, she was having regular BMs and has been a super happy baby since then. We've never had any trouble with this formula, she seems to really love it. She's gaining the proper weight, hitting all her developmental milestones, etc."

"My first daughter was on it from eight weeks. It was a miracle for us. The only thing is it constipated her."

Specs

1. Protein source: Soy protein isolate
2. Carbohydrate source: Corn syrup solids
3. Added nutrients: Iron, ARA, DHA