Best baby formulas 2024

How are you supposed to figure out which baby formula is right for your family when every single one of them is claiming they can do amazing things for your baby? 

It’s nearly impossible for the average parent to understand the complexities of baby formula and to be able to see through the marketing strategies baby formula companies  target us with. So don’t worry if you’re feeling overwhelmed, we were too. That’s literally why we did so much research on the topic 🙂

Having lots of products to choose from is ultimately a good thing because it means there is now a formula that suits just about every family’s individual needs and preferences. But it also means you’ve got to put in some effort to understand it. 

Luckily, we’ve got all the tools for the job. Our team spends hundreds of hours combing through every detail of every formula because we believe parents have the right to know what they’re feeding their babies. Check out the best baby formulas of 2024 below. 

How we chose the best baby formulas

As parents, our team has personally used many of these formulas with our own children. That means we have felt them, smelt them, and even tasted them. We’ve cleaned up the bottles, we’ve used the scoops, we’ve shopped online and in-store and we’ve had to decipher the feeding instructions on many of the amazing European formulas we feature below. 

But for the purpose of this research we did not do any physical testing with babies. It would be impossible to control for all of the variables that might make a baby prefer one formula over another. 

So our team went deep into the scientific research, spoke directly with the formula companies (at least the ones who answered our calls and emails), chatted with over 100 Baby Swag parents about their experiences and analyzed tons of comments and feedback online. 

Our criteria for our best baby formulas of 2024

• Prioritize formulas that most closely mimic the protein, carbohydrate and fat content found in breast milk 
• Focus only on powdered formula since it’s the most economical and widely available
• Provide a global view of the formula industry since there are many European and Australian brands now available in the US
• Analyze every formula based on the cost per ounce to make it easy to compare
• Consider each formula brand’s reputation, history and customer experience

As you can see, only the first bullet point above is looking at the actual formula recipe. That’s because choosing a baby formula is not just about the ingredients, it’s about what suits your budget, lifestyle and preferences as a parent as well.

Best baby formulas of 2024

Best overall formula

Bobbie Organic

Bobbie is made with high-quality, GMO-free, organic ingredients free from corn syrup, maltodextrin, sucrose, brown rice syrup, soy allergens, palm oil, or fillers. They meet Kosher, Halal, USDA Organic and EU Organic guidelines. They don’t have prebiotics or probiotics but you can easily add those in if you’d like. 

In addition to all of that, Bobbie has a subscription service that delivers their formula straight to your doorstep which you can change, cancel or pause with ease through their customer service channels. 

We love their transparency around the ingredients they use and they have committed to invest over $100m in research to advance the industry by 2030. They’ve hired an all star team of health practitioners and researchers to lead the way. 

It’s not the cheapest formula, but we think the ingredients, their mission as a company and the customer support they provide make it an easy choice for our #1 spot. 

BUY DIRECT FROM BOBBIE FOR THE BEST DEALS AND EXPERIENCE

Best affordable formula

Store Brand Advantage Premium

Store brand formulas are all manufactured in the US by a company called Perrigo which has been making formula for 35+ years. They resell their formulas to big retail companies like Amazon, Walmart, Target, Kroger, Walgreens, CVS, BJs, Costco. 

They are all the exact same formula, just a different sticker on the front. This means if you bought Mama Bear Advantage Premium (Amazon), you could also buy up & up Advantage Premium (Target), Parent’s Choice Advantage Premium (Walmart), Kirkland Signature ProCare (Costco).  

This formula boasts 2’FL HMO prebiotic for immune support, no artificial growth hormones, is non-GMO, plus has additional nutrients found in breast milk, such as DHA (Omega-3), Lutein and Vitamin E, to support growth, brain and eye development. This formula is similar* to Enfamil NeuroPro and Similac Pro Advance but is much cheaper without the name brand attached to it. 

Best ‘gentle’ formula

Bobbie Organic Gentle

A ‘gentle’ formula is typically one where the proteins are partially hydrolyzed. This just means the proteins are broken down into smaller pieces which makes them easier for your little one to digest. Make sure you talk to your pediatrician about moving to a gentle formula, the majority of babies are able to digest routine formulas just fine. 

Bobbie has recently released their Bobbie Organic Gentle formula and, just like their flagship formula, we think it is best in class. Bobbie Organic formulas are free from corn syrup, maltodextrin, sucrose, brown rice syrup, soy allergens, palm oil, or fillers.

Bobbie is as transparent as possible about where they source their ingredients, what they believe as a company, and what they’re doing to support families through their feeding journey. 

BUY DIRECT FROM BOBBIE FOR THE BEST DEALS AND EXPERIENCE

Check out our Best Gentle Baby Formula rankings for more

Best affordable ‘gentle’ formula

Store Brand Gentle Premium

Just like with the best affordable formula above, our choice here is easy. It’s the store brand Gentle Premium formula. This is a high quality formula that won’t break the bank compared to its name brand competitors.

On top of all the essential vitamins and minerals, this formula includes two immune-supporting Human Milk Oligosaccharide (HMO) prebiotics, DHA (a healthy omega-3 fatty acid), and choline to help support brain development. It also has no artificial growth hormones and non-GMO ingredients, which means there is nothing genetically engineered. 

You can find this formula at big retailers like Amazon, Walmart, Target, CVS, Kroger and more. This makes it really convenient as well since you can pick it up while you do your other shopping.

Best goat milk formula

Kabrita

In early 2024, Kabrita introduced the first and only goat milk-based infant formula that meets all FDA requirements. This comes after completing years of clinical testing to prove that Kabrita’s infant formula is safe and that it provides complete nutrition for a baby’s growth in the first year. 

They are backed by 75 years of infant formula experience and claim to be the #1 goat milk formula brand worldwide, feeding approximately 1.5 million babies daily. This formula, sourced from Dutch family-owned farms, is available in major U.S. retailers like Amazon, Sprouts, Thrive Market and direct from their website. 

In addition to being FDA approved, Kabrita has become the first and only goat milk-based infant formula to earn three certifications from the Clean Label Project (CLP): the First 1,000 Day Promise, Purity Award, and Pesticide Free Award. These certifications reflect Kabrita’s commitment to surpassing FDA standards for infant formula safety and purity. 

BUY DIRECT FROM KABRITA OR ON AMAZON 

Check out our Best Goat Milk Formula rankings for more

Best ‘sensitive’ formula

Earth’s Best Organic Sensitivity

‘Sensitive’ formulas are easily confused with ‘gentle’ formulas but they are actually quite different. Sensitive formulas typically reduce the amount of lactose (the main carbohydrate in breast milk and most formulas) in their recipe. This is in contrast to gentle formulas that break apart the proteins into smaller pieces to make them easier to digest. 

Made with organic milk from grass and grain-fed cows, Earth’s Best Organic Sensitivity has lutein, prebiotics, and DHA and ARA to give your baby nutrients that support immunity, brain development, and eye development. It has 95% less lactose as compared to standard milk-based formulas.

As USDA Organic certified & Kosher, their formulas are free from artificial flavors, colors, preservatives, GEI, growth hormones, antibiotics, steroids or potentially harmful pesticides/herbicides.

BUY DIRECT FROM AMAZON

Best affordable ‘sensitive’ formula

Store Brand Sensitivity Premium

Store Brand Sensitivity Premium is manufactured in Ohio by a company called Perrigo. Just like we’ve mentioned above, Perrigo white labels their formula to big brands such as Amazon, Walmart, Target and CVS. These brands then sell the exact same formula under their own name. It can be a bit confusing, but it actually means you have a lot of options for finding and purchasing these formulas once you understand they are all exactly the same. 

The Sensitivity Premium is a solid formula at a very affordable price compared to its closest name brand counterparts from Enfamil and SImilac. . 

It contains Lutein and Vitamin E, plus DHA, an Omega-3 fat important in brain and eye development. It is gluten free, non-GMO and contains 2′-FL HMO, a prebiotic commonly found in breast milk, which aids growth of beneficial bacteria in baby’s digestive tract for improved immune support.

Best European formula

Holle Organic

Holle has been leading the way for over 85 years. They were one of the first companies to manufacture organic baby food, so this crew really knows what they’re doing. Holle takes a holistic approach that respects the well-being of people, animals, and mother nature. They guarantee the highest possible safety measures to achieve high-quality taste and nutrition in their products which helps set Holle formula apart from other European baby formulas on the market.

Their products are free from fish oil and soy, contain DHA (Omega-3) & ARA (Omega-6) from algae and are made without artificial sweeteners, flavors, GMOs, or preservatives.

The European Commission (EC) regulates baby formulas in the EU just like the FDA does in the US. At the moment though, their requirements are quite different. The EC requires formula manufacturers to have ZERO detectable levels of pesticide residues in their products. This means that all European formulas are organic. And many of them are from “biodynamic” Demeter farms which is like organic squared. The farming practices must be sustainable, and the cows graze and consume their natural food source, which is grass. They also don’t allow their routine formulas to have any sugars (sucrose).

BUY FROM THEMILKYBOX OR ORGANICSBEST

Best plant based formula

Sprout Organics

Did you know that 1 in 50 kids are allergic to dairy in milk? And did you know that there are many parents that have cultural, religious or lifestyle dietary restrictions that have historically had very little options to choose from. Well, things are changing. And Sprout is now leading the way. 

There are a variety of soy-based formulas that have been around for a long time, however soy is a common allergen and not recommended for infants under six months of age. Sprout Organic is the world’s first 100% plant based, organic and vegan certified formula. They use rice starch as the base ingredient rather than soy which we love to see. (Rice starch has been used in European formulas for many years). 

Their ingredients are 100% plant-based, clean, certified organic and adhere to the HACCP protocol (meaning they know the co-operative regions and growers directly supplying them). Sprout Organic’s plant-based nutrition offers a dramatically lower carbon, water, and ecological footprint compared to dairy-based counterparts.

Sprout is a newer company and is working hard to expand their footprint around the world, including the US. You can order directly from Sprout on their website and have it shipped straight to your door from Australia. How cool is that? Hopefully soon, we’ll be able to update this and tell you it’ll be available direct from US retailers. 

BUY DIRECT FROM SPROUT WITH EXPEDITED INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING 

Best hypoallergenic

HiPP HA Combiotik

HiPP’s HA formula is specially crafted using extensively hydrolyzed milk proteins that reduce the likelihood of an allergic reaction. Hydrolyzed milk proteins are broken down through hydrolysis into their simplest and smallest form, which will help your baby get the nutrition they need while preventing allergic reactions. 

Note: This type of formula should only be given to babies that have been diagnosed with a milk allergy from a pediatrician.

To mirror the natural composition of breast milk, HiPP HA contains lactose as a primary carbohydrate source. It also has natural probiotic lactic acid cultures originally extracted from real breast milk and prebiotics to help fortify your baby’s intestinal wall and protect them against allergens and unwanted bacteria.

Hypoallergenic formulas have a reputation for having a bad taste and smell. HiPP HA was consistently the highest rated HA formula by parents in these categories of all the HA formulas we researched.

Note: you might notice there is a HiPP German and HiPP Dutch version of this formula. They are the same recipe, the formula just comes in slightly different packaging sizes (600g for German and 800g for Dutch). The German range also has an option for premature babies. 

CHECK OUT OUR BEST HYPOALLERGENIC FORMULA RANKINGS AND AMINO ACID FORMULA RANKINGS FOR MORE

Best affordable hypoallergenic

Store Brand Hypoallergenic

It wasn’t until mid 2021 that parents had a more affordable hypoallergenic formula. Up until then parents only had access to the more expensive version from Europe or from the 3 major US manufacturers (Enfamily, Similac and Gerber). But thankfully, Perrigo, who has been in the formula game for nearly 40 years, released a store brand hypoallergenic formula that has been clinically studied for cow’s milk allergy. 

This means you can now buy a store brand formula from big box retailers like Amazon, Walmart, Target and CVS. They are all exactly the same recipe, just a different label on the front. 

The proteins are broken into small pieces to make this hypoallergenic baby formula easier for your baby to digest just like the more expensive hypoallergenic formulas. 

With non-GMO ingredients, no artificial growth hormones plus an added probiotic to help support digestive health and DHA for brain support, this formula provides complete nutrition through 12 months.

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What’s in baby formula?

Baby formulas are the most nutritious and highly regulated foods on the planet. Which is exactly what they should be since many babies rely on it as their sole source of nutrition. So it’s got to have everything a baby needs to grow and thrive. Luckily after ~150 years of tinkering around with formula recipes and breast milk, we’re getting pretty good at it. 

Baby formulas are all required to include 29 essential vitamins and minerals that meet a certain set of nutritional standards set out by the FDA. European formulas, which are regulated by the European Commision (EC), follow a similar (but different) approach. 

So it’s important to note that every formula sold in the US meets the nutritional standards for your baby to grow and develop. 

The big differences between formulas lies in the actual ingredients, where they are sourced, how they are processed and then blended together. So as a parent, you can rest assured that any formula sold in the US is going to be safe for your baby. Whether your baby tolerates that formula well or requires a specialized formula for health reasons are different questions.

What is the ideal criteria for the best baby formula?

Here are some of the things we looked out for when we our picks for the best baby formulas:

• Meets the required nutritional standards set by the FDA or EC
• Certified Organic (either USDA certified organic and/or EU certified organic)
• A protein ratio that closely matches mature breast milk (60:40 whey to casein)
• Lactose base with no added sugar, sucrose, or syrup solids 
• Omega 3 Fats (DHA, ALA) and Omega 6 fatty acids (ARA, LA)
• Non-GMO meaning there are no genetically modified organisms produced in a lab, we want the all natural
• Prebiotics and probiotics that support the digestive and immune systems
• Customer feedback and reviews on how well it mixes (hopefully not leaving any big clumps) and that is doesn’t smell awful
• Added bonuses: MFGM (Milk Fat Globule Membrane) and Lactoferrin

What ingredients should you try to avoid?

• Palm oil free (or at least uses organic palm oil)
• Gluten free, soy free (with the exception of organic soybean oil, and organic soy lecithin)
• Free from processed refined sugars like corn syrup solids, brown rice syrup, or sugar. Manufacturers use these because they are cheaper than lactose. 
• No carrageenan which is typically added as a stabilizer to ready-to-feed formula in the US. Carrageenan is not allowed in the EU as it has been linked to intestinal inflammation.
• No hexane extracted ingredients if possible.. Hexane is a toxic chemical that is used to extract edible oils from seeds and vegetables, as a special-use solvent, and as a cleaning agent. Many formula companies use this to extra some ingredients like DHA) and that process could leave trace amounts of hexane behind. 

Unfortunately, there really isn’t a formula out there that has ALL of the good and NONE of the bad. It would be really hard to do (maybe even impossible at this stage). Plus it would probably be too expensive for just about everyone. 

Keep this in mind as you try to figure out what is most important for your family.

What is the difference between European vs American baby formula?

European baby formula is typically manufactured in Germany, the United Kingdom (U.K.), or the Netherlands. Let’s start by keeping it real and not try to scare you like some other websites will do. 

Overall there are more similarities than differences between formulas from the EU vs the US. Let’s break them down.

Similarities between European and American formulas

• Extremely strict regulation by the FDA and the European Commission (EC)
• Similar nutrient guidelines for both macronutrients (protein, carbs, fat) and most micronutrients (vitamins and minerals)
• Similar ingredients, including milk, lactose, and a mixture of coconut, sunflower/safflower, soy, palm or canola oils
• Similar requirements for organic certification, although the EU has some varieties of organic that are higher than what you would find in the US

We like to mention this upfront because all of the formulas from these two respective regions will be safe for your baby. Millions of children use them every year. It’s just about finding the one that your baby tolerates well and fits your family preferences. 

Differences between European and American formulas

• For European baby formula, ingredients such as goat milk and whole cow milk are allowed in their formulations and have been for years, while whole milk formulas weren’t allowed in the U.S. until 2022. 
• European formula manufacturers are restricted from using corn syrup or corn syrup solids in their recipes, and are also limited in the total volume of carbs that can come from sucrose (table sugar). 
• The EC requires a certain amount of DHA, a fatty acid that’s been linked to brain and eye development, while the U.S. has no requirement for DHA.
• Lastly, European baby formulas are staged by age group. Typically, stage 1 formulas are for 0-6 or 0-12 months and have lower iron plus more whey protein. Stage 2 is for 6-12 months and includes higher levels of iron and more casein protein.

These are the points you’ll want to keep in mind as you continue to search for the right formula for your family. Remember though, there is no truth to a blanket statement that European formula is better than American formula. Or vice versa. 

What to know about formula recalls

Baby formula is one of the most highly regulated foods, and manufacturers are required to test each bath extensively. Recalls due to potential pathogens are rare, but they do happen. Ask any parent that was trying to feed their child during the middle of 2022 and you’ll know how scary a big formula recall can be. 

Sometimes recalls happen for other reasons (such as things ending up in the formula that don’t belong there).

Though potentially harmful bacteria can sometimes come from powdered infant formulas, they can also be introduced during the process of preparing formula and feeding a baby. 

How to prepare baby formula safely

For each type of formula, it’s important to follow the instructions exactly to prevent fluid, electrolyte, and nutritional imbalances that can happen with improperly made formula. Get into a good routine from the beginning because once you do it a handful of times it will become second nature to you. 

Top tips for safely preparing baby formula

• Wash your hands before you start the process because powdered formula is NOT sterile. This is the best thing you can do to avoid bacterial contamination.
• Clean and disinfect the surface you’re working on. Who knows what you left on there after last night’s dinner. 
• Get good at sterilizing everything, not just the bottle. Separate all the pieces and do them all. Whether you like to boil the bottles or use an electric sterilizer, just find what works for you. Important to note that you’ll want to sterilize your bottles more often if your baby is younger than 3 months, was born prematurely, or has a compromised immune system. Once their immune system is more developed, washing with hot soapy water and air drying is a good way to keep bottles clean. 
• Use level, unpacked scoops and level off with a clean knife. Make sure you follow the measurement instructions closely, especially if you’re using a European formula that might use different measurements than you’re used to. 
• Add the measured, cooled water into the bottle first and add powder to the water second. This is to ensure the correct amount is used.

Our final thoughts on what makes the best baby formulas

The baby formula industry is constantly changing. Between the new research, the scientific and technological breakthroughs that happen more frequently than ever, plus all the new companies getting into the market, we’re hopeful that one day soon today’s highest quality formulas are the bare minimum and we can bring down the prices at the same time. 

As professional researchers and parents who have all experienced the formula world ourselves, we have formed some strong beliefs about the industry as a whole. These form the basis of our balanced approach to our research, testing and recommendations. 

Our kids deserve nothing but the best start in life and for any parent that needs or wants to use formula, we should be doing everything we can to ensure that happens. All the best with your decision. Please leave a comment or question below if we can help!

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