The Best Baby Formula Options, According to the Bump Community

In a nutshell:

Based on extensive market research and advice from experts, we chose the Parent’s Choice Advantage Premium Powder Baby Formula as the overall best baby formula. It stood out because it offers a high-quality ingredient list that’s comparable to more expensive brands but sold at a reasonable price point.

Keeping baby happy, healthy and nourished is a top priority for parents. For various reasons, many decide to supplement breast milk with formula or rely solely on formula to meet their infant’s nutritional needs. Choosing to feed baby formula can come with a lot of mixed emotions for new parents. “I had a lot of anxiety about formula feeding,” shares Laura B., a mom of three from The Bump community. “Everything from worrying about preparing the formula to stressing how long a bottle is good for, to ensuring everything was sanitary. I wish I would have known that it’s not hard!”

A fact to help put your mind at ease: Baby formula is engineered to resemble the nutritional composition of breast milk with an array of proteins, carbohydrates, fats and vitamins. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) strictly regulates the 30 nutrients that must be included in infant formulas, along with minimum and maximum amounts, so you can rest assured that all baby formula sold in the US will meet baby’s nutritional needs.

While all formulas have to meet the same safety and nutritional requirements set by the FDA, what does vary are babies’ individual needs and personal preferences, and what works for one infant may not work for another. “Parents should feel reassured that there isn’t one ‘perfect’ formula—what matters most is finding what works best for their baby,” says Mona Amin, MD, a pediatrician based in Miami, Florida. To help you figure out what might be a good option for your child, we reached out to members of The Bump community to determine which formulas worked well for other families’ specific needs.

How We Chose the Best Baby Formula

To simplify your search for the best baby formula for your family, we conducted extensive market research and considered feedback from parents in The Bump community to identify the most recommended formulas on the market, taking the following steps:

• We reached out to parents on The Bump staff who have used baby formula with their children to learn about their first-hand experiences.
• We researched what was being said about infant formula in The Bump forums to learn what parents liked and disliked about certain brands and products.
• We read through parenting forums and message boards and user reviews to understand how these baby formulas have worked for families nationwide.
• We interviewed three pediatricians, a pediatric nutritionist, a pediatric gastroenterologist and a lactation consultant. They told us what factors parents should consider when choosing a baby formula, what to look for when choosing a formula for a specific need or dietary restriction and other general tips.
• We consulted safety guidelines and nutritional recommendations from the FDA and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) to learn about the nutritional makeup of infant formula in the US and how and when formula should be introduced into baby’s diet.
• We read relevant scientific studies to better understand the different types of nutrients in baby formula, and why and how these ingredients benefit infants.
• We looked at several factors—like primary carbohydrates, ingredient lists and price points—when choosing which baby formulas to include in our article. Based on recent findings from Consumer Reports, we only considered options on their “Top Choices” list, meaning that their research found no or low levels of harmful contaminants, such as arsenic, lead, PFAS and more.

Editorial integrity is at the heart of everything we publish. Read about how The Bump develops and reviews all articles, including product reviews.

Best Baby Formula Options

Types of Baby Formula

Baby formula comes in different consistencies, and small variations in the recipe might make a difference in special circumstances, says Young, a breast milk researcher. But while there’s a wide range of baby formula brands to choose from, there are only three types:

• Powder baby formula. Typically sold in canisters or cartons, powdered baby formula needs to be mixed with a specific amount of water before it can be given to baby. It’s often the least expensive of the three options, and the powder typically lasts a long time. However, always check the expiration date to ensure that the formula is still safe to use. While powdered baby formula has a long shelf life, it can be messy and isn’t the most convenient option for travel. Some brands offer single-use travel packets, but they tend to be more expensive. In terms of preparation, powder formula must be mixed with safe drinking water, as outlined by the AAP. This type of formula is not recommended for premature newborns whose immune systems are still forming, since powdered food isn’t sterile.
• Liquid concentrate baby formula. This option also requires mixing and shaking with water, but because it’s liquid, you skip the scoop, which means there’s less mess. There are a couple of drawbacks though. First, it tends to be more expensive than powder formula. And, once opened, you need to refrigerate and use the entire container within 48 hours, which might not be realistic if you’re using formula as a supplement to breastfeeding.
• Ready-to-feed baby formula. This type of baby formula is premixed; simply open, pour and feed to baby. Ready-to-feed formulas come in single-serve bottles or larger volumes that can be decanted into a baby bottle. There’s little danger of contamination and no chance of any errors in preparation. You don’t need to refrigerate unopened bottles. However, once a ready-to-feed bottle is cracked open, it must be finished or discarded after 48 hours of refrigeration. This type also comes in single-use packaging, so it’s a less sustainable option.

What to Look for When Choosing Baby Formulas for Specific Needs

For most healthy babies, the formula that’s in the baby-care package that your hospital sends you home with will probably do just fine, says Sandra Arévalo, RDN, a spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. But when it’s time to restock, you may want to try something different.

To determine the best formula for your child, start by talking with your pediatrician. Discuss any allergies or dietary issues you might have, along with any nutritional concerns or worries about allergies for baby. From there, they can help you choose the best formula for your little one. If you try a formula and baby doesn’t react well, contact your pediatrician to discuss what to do next.

Below, find expert advice on what exactly you should look for when choosing baby formulas for every age, need and dietary restriction.

Best baby formula for newborns

Steven Abrams, MD, chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Nutrition, explains that breast milk ingredients are dynamic: They constantly change to fulfill a growing infant’s needs, from bolstering their developing immune system to building muscle strength. As a set formulation, any baby formula is going to have a tough time truly competing with what breast milk offers newborns.

Still, if your family is formula-feeding, you don’t need to worry that you’re not meeting the bar for your child. Standard formulas will work for healthy newborns, Arévalo says. Pediatrician Amin further explains: “Infant formula is designed to provide complete nutrition for babies from birth through 12 months.” But if you’re worried, she also notes that “some formulas are marketed specifically for newborns (0 to 3 months). These may have slight differences in composition, such as modified protein ratios or added whey for easier digestion. However, most standard infant formulas meet the needs of both newborns and older infants.”

According to Amin, there are several features parents should look for in formula for newborns. Our choice for overall best baby formula, Parent’s Choice Advantage Premium, meets all of these criteria, as do other options in our list:

• Lactose as the primary carbohydrate. Formulas with lactose as the primary carbohydrate “closely mimics breast milk and supports digestion,” Amin explains.
• Contains whey-predominant protein: “Breast milk naturally has more whey than casein, which can help with digestion,” Amin states.
• Includes DHA and ARA. Amin explains that these fatty acids support brain and eye development.
• Has iron. “This is essential for healthy growth and brain development,” says Amin.

The exception here is very premature babies (born at 28 to 32 weeks), who would receive specific feeding recommendations from the NICU that could potentially include donor breast milk. Once baby arrives home, your doctor will recommend the appropriate feeding regimen. For older preemies (born at 32 to 37 weeks) or underweight term babies, baby formula options may open up more.

Best organic baby formula

Organic baby formula is sourced from cows raised on an organic diet (no pesticides, no antibiotics), and uses naturally-derived vitamins instead of those made from petroleum. That said, just because it’s organic doesn’t mean it’s automatically free of other controversial ingredients, such as corn syrup, palm oil or hexane-sourced DHA and ARA. (Hexane, a byproduct of petroleum refining, doesn’t sit well with some parents, though the FDA has deemed its use as a processing agent safe.)

From a strictly scientific standpoint, it’s not certain that organic baby formula is better than conventional. However, what is certain is that it’s pricier. According to Arévalo, “there’s no difference nutrition-wise.” Still, if your wallet can handle it—and going organic gives you peace of mind—give it a try, Young says.

Whatever you decide, remember that the best organic baby formula is one that answers the needs of your child. If you can’t find an option that checks all the boxes (for example, baby needs hydrolyzed proteins for digestive issues), then Arévalo says it’s better to go with the formulation baby requires, whether organic or not.

Best baby formula for breastfed babies

Many brands market particular products as supplementary formulas for breastfed babies. However, Young says there’s no need to buy a special formula if you’re supplementing your breast milk with formula.

Most importantly, formula-feeding for breastfed babies is less about the product and more about the protocol. Each time you don’t feed baby from the breast, your milk ducts get the signal that there’s less demand, and produce less milk. To avoid a dip in your supply, pump when you can to make up for the missed breastfeeding session.

Best baby formula for gassy babies

“All babies have gas,” says Young, “Babies eventually learn how to eliminate it themselves.” So before searching for the best formula for gassy babies, make sure your child isn’t excessively gassy for other reasons. Feed baby upright, always with their head above their tummy. Choose a bottle nipple that flows slowly and burp baby frequently. If you’re using powder formula, let the bubbles settle before the feeding starts, or try using a liquid concentrate or ready-to-feed formulation. Angled and vented bottles may also help reduce gas in infants.

In rare cases, gassy babies may be sensitive to lactose, a sugar naturally found in cow’s milk (and therefore most baby formulas). Lactose is also in breast milk, but breast milk contains other compounds that help baby digest it, explains Young. In this case, the best baby formula for gas may be a partially hydrolyzed or an amino acid-based option with little to no lactose. As always, check with your pediatrician before switching to wither of these formulas.

Best baby formula for constipation

It’s not easy to poop lying down, so if baby looks like they’re putting in a lot of effort, just know that it’s completely normal. However, if they’re straining for more than 10 minutes—or if they’re pooping noticeably less than before—your little one might be constipated. Other clues include fussiness, hard stools and unusually frequent spit-up.

Before you switch formulas, try to help baby poop by laying them on their back and “bicycling” their legs or giving them a warm bath. Contrary to popular belief, iron-fortified baby formula doesn’t cause constipation (and is helpful to baby’s growth), according to the AAP.

Best baby formula for colic

A colicky baby is defined as an otherwise healthy infant under 3 months of age who cries for more than three hours a day, more than three days a week and for more than three weeks in a row for no apparent reason. Doctors aren’t sure exactly what causes colic, but it’s natural to wonder whether baby formula has something to do with it. (And yes, gastrointestinal issues could be a part of the problem.)

Before switching your formula, Arévalo says to “give it at least a week or two,” and see if any tips and tricks for relieving a gassy or constipated baby help. That said, if your child is also vomiting, coughing and wheezing, has trouble breathing, breaks out in a rash, gets diarrhea and/or has itchy, watery or swollen eyes, they might be sensitive to the protein in the formula or—in the case of the more severe symptoms—an all-out milk protein allergy, explains Melanie Greifer, MD, a pediatric gastroenterologist at NYU Langone Health in New York City. If you suspect digestive troubles are the cause for extreme fussiness, Young advises parents to talk to a pediatrician about trying partially hydrolyzed proteins.

If a partially hydrolyzed baby formula doesn’t work, you may need to try an option made with thoroughly hydrolyzed proteins. The proteins in these formulas are broken down into even smaller units so baby’s immune system won’t revolt against them. A switch to a fully hydrolyzed option shouldn’t be taken lightly though. These types of baby formula tend to taste bitter and have an unpleasant odor, says Young. To warrant this step, baby should be diagnosed as having a full-on milk protein allergy. Keep in mind that switching to a soy-based formula won’t necessarily help either. According to the AAP, “soy formulas are not recommended in infants with cow milk allergy because up to half the infants who have milk allergy are also sensitive to soy protein and therefore must be given specialized formula (such as amino-based or elemental) or breast milk.” As always, speak with your pediatrician to understand if and how this switch may affect baby.

All in all, be aware that special formulas that feature bonus ingredients, such as probiotics, are touted as offering particular benefits for baby, but experts say this is largely just marketing. “Take it with a hefty grain of salt,” says Kimberly Gronsman Lee, MD, associate professor of pediatrics at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston. “Any infant formula sold in the US should be FDA-regulated and acceptable in terms of nutrition.”

How to Find Baby Formula When Your Store Is Out

Formula shortages are an unfortunate possibility. If you run out of formula and can’t find it at your regular stores, call around to pharmacies and baby supply stores in your area. These places aren’t often top-of-mind for shoppers searching for formula, and they may still have some in stock. You can also ask your pediatrician if they have any samples to tide you over. If you typically receive and use WIC or SNAP benefits to purchase formula and don’t see your WIC products, contact your local food bank or women’s shelter. (Your state may also allow you to use WIC for a larger selection of products when certain formulas are out of stock.)

If you can’t find your typical brand and type of baby formula, consider switching to whatever’s available. While changing brands and types of formula can be okay for some babies, others might experience discomfort as they adjust to the new formula. If you’re concerned that baby won’t handle a new formula well, or if baby has special dietary needs and you’re not sure what to get, contact your pediatrician. The AAP warns against feeding baby cow’s milk or watered-down formula. The AAP also advises parents not to make homemade formula as a replacement, as it could be dangerous for baby’s health.

About the writer:

Emma O’Regan-Reidy is an editor for The Bump. She specializes in writing e-commerce content and has spent years researching the most popular baby formulas and feeding gear. Based on her extensive market knowledge, Emma strives to create supportive, informative articles to help new and seasoned parents find the best baby formulas for their little ones.

Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.