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Our experts tested over 90 popular baby formulas on the market and found 3 best Enfamil alternatives for your baby. The great news is that when it comes to finding the best baby formula, you can’t really go wrong – all baby formulas are FDA-regulated.
However, the most suitable baby formula for your little one would depend on the ingredients and organic enrichment. Along with hands-on testing, we consulted renowned pediatricians and baby food experts to finalize the best Enfamil alternatives.
Why Many New Noms are Switching to Enfamil Alternatives?
Enfamil can actually be ordered in BULK directly from the main brand. Because it's direct to consumer, this means extra savings for you, plus if you have any product quality issues it's MUCH easier to deal with Enfamil directly.
While the Enfamil Baby Formula comes with maximum nutrition to mimic breast milk such as prebiotic, probiotic, and a few superfood ingredients too, it’s somewhat expensive, ringing in at about $35-$39 for 20.5 oz.
Some Enfamil Baby Formulas such as Enfamil Gentlease also contain synthetic corn syrup solids which are not good for the baby’s digestive system and typically cause constipation and gas. Therefore, many new moms are exploring the market to find the best Enfamil alternatives that come with only lactose as the sweetener and are pocket-friendly.
Conventional Formula Price Comparison Chart
|
$35 – $ 39 (20.5 oz) |
$27 (23 oz) |
$36 (32 oz) |
$23 (26 oz) |
$32 (32 oz) |
How We Found the Best Enfamil Alternatives
To pick the best Enfamil alternatives, we browsed various research papers, scientific studies, and reviews of existing customers. Here’s a detailed account of how we found the best substitutes to Enfamil baby formula:
We tested about 90 baby formulas considering they all are FDA-approved and safe
There’s no dearth of infant formula on the market. Our initial list included around 90 baby formulas having the same base mixture of carbohydrates, fats, proteins, and essential minerals and vitamins. Many baby formulas also come with beneficial bacterial, additional fatty acids, and are iron-fortified.
When it comes to mimicking breast milk, Enfamil Baby Formula is the closest; however, our mission was to find an Enfamil-like baby formula that mimics breast milk the best.
We rounded up a list of Enfamil alternatives – the budget-friendly ones
Along with the variety of ingredients and health benefits, we also considered the prices and analyzed the cost-effectiveness of the best Enfamil alternatives on the market.
We preferred Enfamil alternatives that contain lactose as the sweetener
An Infant Behavior and Development research shows that babies prefer a sweet taste like adults. Natural breast milk gets its sweetness from lactose; however, lactose is expensive.
Therefore, many baby formula manufacturers used low-cost plant-based sweeteners such as glucose syrup solids, corn syrup solids, cane sugar, and maltodextrin. These lactose alternatives can lead to childhood obesity, therefore, the EU mandates using lactose for at least 50% of the carbohydrate. So, we favored Enfamil alternatives that use lactose as the primary sweetener.
We focused on Enfamil alternatives made for easy digestion
There are 2 main factors that can make baby formulas easily digestible – an adequate whey – casein ratio and hydrolyzation. Partially hydrolyzed baby formulas can lead to the incomplete breakdown of proteins.
Many baby formulas on the market these days come with prebiotics and probiotics to promote healthy digestion. So, we gave extra points to Enfamil alternatives that include prebiotics and probiotics.
We shortlisted Enfamil alternatives containing non-GMO ingredients
GMO crops often contain pesticide residue. Therefore, we required our top picks to comprise non-GMO ingredients.
Ingredients You May Come Across While Finding the Best Enfamil Alternatives
|
Arachidonic Acid (ARA) |
Omega-3 fatty acid naturally found in breast milk |
|
Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) |
Omega-3 fatty acid naturally found in breast milk |
|
Corn Maltodextrin |
A corn-based sweetener which is much sweeter than lactose |
|
Corn syrup solids |
A corn-based sweetener which is much sweeter than corn maltodextrin |
|
Hydrolyzed protein |
A protein which is broken down into amino acids to make the infant formula easily digestible |
|
Organic lactose |
Sugar which is naturally found in breast milk |
|
Prebiotics and probiotics |
Help in aiding the growth of good bacteria in the baby’s stomach |
|
Soy |
A protein extracted from soybeans |
|
Lactoferrin |
A protein found in breast milk |
Best Enfamil Alternatives – Our Top 5 Picks
Based on the factors discussed in the previous section, we narrowed down our choice to top 3 Enfamil alternatives listed at the beginning of the guide. We put together detailed reviews of all 3 baby formulas to help you make an informed purchase.
1. UPDATE for 2020: Holle Organic Formula
With all of the confusion around recent baby food recalls, many parents are opting out completely from the US-based supply chain and looking towards Europe. Europe has different standards than the US that many say are more strict, including stronger Organic certifications and Non-GMO labeling.
Holle is definitely our family’s go-to when now and we noticed a big difference in our son’s colic when we switched from Enfamil (please consult your physician, this is NOT medical advice). What’s more, the Non-GMO ingredients and Demeter Certification (Biodynamic – goes further than Organic), means that we – as parents – can rest easier knowing the quality of ingredients.
The hard part can be FINDING a reliable supply of European formula in the US. Thankfully, we have a couple of go-to retailers that have recently consolidated the market a bit.
I am often asked which baby formula I actually use at home. The Answer is Holle. Yes, slightly more expensive, but the quality ingredients are worth every penny. Use code TBS10 to save 10% at The Milky Box OR compare bulk pricing via HolleUSA.
- OrganicBabyShop.com: They have been around for a few years now and carry Holle, HiPP, and Lebenswert varieties.
- Organic Baby Food is an EU-based online retailer and wholesaler. They supply the best organic baby formula from Holle, HiPP, and Lebenswert. They offer the lowest prices and provide free shipping for wholesale orders. Check out OrganicBabyFood.shop collections here.
Further Research on Holle:
- Full Holle Formula Review
- Holle vs Enfamil Compared
- Holle vs Similac Compared
- Holle vs Baby’s Only Compared
- Holle vs HiPP Compared
- Holle vs Lebenswert Compared
2. Earth’s Best Organic Infant Formula
General specifications
|
Quantity |
23 oz. |
|
Price |
$23.72 |
|
Average customer rating |
3.8 out of 5 stars |
|
Organic |
Yes |
|
Non-GMO |
Yes |
|
Lactose |
Yes |
|
Suitable for |
Babies up to 1 year |
Earth’s Best Organic Infant Formula is a great Enfamil alternative. The baby formula contains only lactose with extra prebiotics – something you won’t find in other baby formulas on the market. It does not contain any low-cost synthetic sweetener. And, the best thing is that it’s much cheaper than Enfamil Baby Formula.
Earth’s Best Organic Infant Formula also comes with ARA & DHA, superior-quality proteins, carbohydrates, minerals, vitamins, and essential fatty acids such as Omega-6 ARA and Omega-3 DHA fatty acids. It’s very close to Enfamil Baby Formula when it comes to mimicking breast milk.
When it comes to digestion, the baby formula is easy on the baby’s stomach and partially hydrolyzes to break down proteins and reduce gas and fussiness in babies. Therefore, you can use it as a substitute for breast milk without worrying about your baby’s digestive system.
No traces of fertilizers, pesticides, or other harmful chemicals have been observed in the Earth’s Best Organic Infant Formula so far. It is clinically approved, FDA-tested, and suitable for feeding infants and babies up to 12 months.
Related Read: Earth’s Best Sensitive Formula Review
Earth’s Best Organic Sensitivity Infant Formula with iron is designed especially for babies with fussiness or gas. It is a reduced lactose formula that is easy for little tummies to digest. The formula is fortified with iron for red blood cell development and contains DHA and ARA, two fatty acids found in breast milk that help support brain and eye health.
Features:
- Milk-based powder formulation
- Soy-based
- Organic and non-GMO
- Contains ARA/DHA
- Contains iron
- No added corn syrup solids
- Contains lutein for the eyes
Pros
- Comes with prebiotics and probiotics for easy digestion
- Uses lactose as a sweetener
- Contains organic and Kosher ingredients
- Does not contain any synthetic corn syrup solids
- Comes with same thickness and texture as breast milk
Cons
- High sugar content
- Hexane is used to extract some ingredients
- Strong odor which makes it unsuitable for picky babies
- Not suitable for babies with lactose intolerance
3. Gerber Good Start Gentle Powder Infant Formula
General specifications
|
Quantity |
32 oz. |
|
Price |
$36.12 |
|
Average customer rating |
4.2 out of 5 stars |
|
Organic |
Yes |
|
Non-GMO |
Yes |
|
Lactose |
Yes |
|
Suitable for |
Babies up to 1 year |
If you’re looking for an Enfamil alternative that can provide maximum comfort to your baby’s tummy, Gerber Good Start Gentle Powder Infant Formula can be a good choice. It comes with complete nutrition and contains HMO (Human Milk Oligosaccharide), Protein, DHA, and Probiotics.
Gerber Good Start Baby Formulas do not comprise milk from cows treated with antibiotics. Even though the price is a little toward the higher end, for a large container, it’s not as expensive as Enfamil Baby Formula.
The hydrolyzed protein is whey protein which will aid your baby’s digestion. When it comes to the sweetener, Lactose isn’t the primary sweetener in this baby formula; it also contains 30% maltodextrin. The word “Gentle” in the baby formula’s name speaks volumes of its gentle reaction on the baby’s stomach.
Gerber Good Start Gentle Powder Infant Formula is specifically engineered to protect sensitive stomachs from harmful ingredients.
The formula is closely designed to be similar to breast milk in terms of density and texture. It comes with ARA/DHA, prebiotics, probiotics, and antioxidants to speed up the breakdown of protein. Unlike Earth’s Best Organic Infant Formula, it does not come with a strong odor. The expert moms on our team observed reduced spit-up accidents after feeding their babies Gerber Good Start Gentle Powder Infant Formula.
Related Read: Ultimate Gerber Good Start Soothe Formula Review
Gerber Good Start is the best choice because it's made of non-GMO ingredients, it's easy to digest and provides the daily dose of iron and probiotics babies should ingest.
Features:
- Comes with prebiotics and probiotics for good digestive health
- Comes with HMO (Human Milk Oligosaccharide), a prebiotic which aids digestive health and repairs the immune system
- Comes with comfort proteins that are easy on the baby’s sensitive stomach
- Comes with expert-recommended ARA and DHA to support eye and brain development
- Does not contain any artificial growth hormone
Pros
- The powder-based formula mixes smoothly without any bubbles
- A non-GMO formula that mimics breast milk
- Comes with special comfort proteins for convenient digestion
- Does not cause constipation, gas, nausea or vomiting
- Helps in reducing infant spit up accidents
Cons
- A little expensive as compared to the other 2 Enfamil alternatives on the list
- Not suitable for babies with lactose intolerance
4. Gerber Good Start Soy Infant Formula
General specifications
|
Quantity |
25.7 oz. |
|
Price |
$27.4 |
|
Average customer rating |
4.6 out of 5 stars |
|
Organic |
Yes |
|
Non-GMO |
Yes |
|
Lactose |
Yes |
|
Suitable for |
Babies up to 1 year |
If your baby is suffering from lactose intolerance or milk-protein allergy, soy formulas can be a good Enfamil alternative. Even though these conditions are rarely observed in infants, you simply cannot take a chance with your baby’s digestive system, especially if you have a family history of both conditions.
Our expert moms liked Gerber Good Start Soy Baby Formula because it’s extra gentle for sensitive babies. The soy protein is easily broken down by partial hydrolysis to aid digestion. It’s also one of the only soy-based baby formulas comprising non-GMO ingredients and mild sweeteners.
The main sweetener is corn maltodextrin and some amount of sucrose. It’s less pungent than other soy-based baby formulas on the market. At $27 for 25.7 oz., it’s affordable and reasonably priced. However, unlike Gerber Good Start Gentle Powder Infant Formula and Earth’s Best Organic Infant Formula, it doesn’t come with prebiotics and probiotics required for the baby’s stomach.
Gerber Good Start Gentle Soy Infant Formula is specially designed to give your little one all of their much-needed nourishment that is milk and lactose free.
Features
- Milk and lactose-free baby formula
- Contains soy proteins for easy digestion
- Comes with expert-recommended DHA for the eye and brain development of your babies
- Does not contain any genetically modified ingredients
Pros
- Suitable for babies with lactose intolerance and milk protein allergy
- Provides relief from constipation
- Prevents gas and reflux
Cons
- Not suitable for babies with a soy allergy
- Occasionally leaves clumps even after mixing thoroughly
- Give out an unpleasant odor like many other soy-based baby formulas on the market
5. Kirkland Signature Non-GMO Baby Formula with Iron
General specifications
|
Quantity |
32 oz. |
|
Price |
$32 |
|
Average customer rating |
3.5 out of 5 stars |
|
Organic |
Yes |
|
Non-GMO |
Yes |
|
Lactose |
Yes |
|
Suitable for |
Babies up to 1 year |
Kirkland Signature Non-GMO Baby Formula with Iron is another gentle baby formula on the list. It is specially formulated for infants with special digestive needs. The baby formula helps in reducing bloating, gas, and fussiness. It mimics the calorie density and texture of breast milk. To make the baby formula tasty and nutritious, it comes with an excellent blend of essential nutrients, especially iron that aids growth and development in babies.
The ingredients of Kirkland Signature Baby Formula are similar to those found in Gerber Good Start Gentle Powder Infant Formula. The only sweetener used in the baby formula is organic lactose.
Kirkland Formula is fortified with iron and vitamin D to ensure your baby gets all the vitamins and minerals he or she needs.
Features
- Contains only organic lactose as a sweetener
- Specially formulated for babies with ongoing digestive issues
- Does not contain any synthetic sweeteners
- 100% non-GMO and safe
- Reduces bloating, gas, reflux, and constipation
Pros
- Comes with an exclusive blend of minerals and vitamins
- Easy to digest
- Promote eye and brain development in babies
- Rich in iron
- Mixes very well as compared to Enfamil Baby Formula
- Value for money
- Light and easy on the baby’s stomach
Cons
- The mixture can be too foamy at times
- Doesn’t hydrolyze milk-protein completely like Gerber Good Start Gentle Powder Infant Formula
- Not suitable for babies with lactose intolerance
Our Alternatives to Enfamil – A quick recap
|
Earth’s Best Organic Infant Formula |
Gerber Good Start Gentle Powder Infant Formula |
Gerber Good Start Soy |
Kirkland Signature Non-GMO Infant Formula |
|
|
Sweetener |
Organic lactose |
70% lactose and 30% corn maltodextrin |
Corn maltodextrin and sucrose |
Organic lactose |
|
Prebiotics and Probiotics |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
|
DHA/ARA |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Non-GMO |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Protein |
Organic cow’s milk and whey concentrate |
Whey protein concentrate |
Soy |
Whey protein concentrate |
|
Pungent odor |
No |
No |
Yes |
No |
|
Average Customer Rating |
3.8 out of 5 stars |
4.2 out of 5 stars |
4.4 out of 5 stars |
3.5 out of 5 stars |
How to Stay on Top of Your Baby’s Nutrition – 3 Useful Tips
- Babies should only consume breast milk or infant formula for the initial 6 months after birth as their digestive system cannot absorb the right balance of nutrients from soy milk or cow’s milk.
- DHA and ARA present in almost all infant formulas on the market are good for your babies’ eye and brain development. Even though the names docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and arachidonic acid (ARA) sound a bit scary, they’re simply omega-3 fatty acids that are naturally found in breast milk.
- If the infant formula is not doing well with your baby, you’ll know soon. Your baby will begin experiencing digestive issues such as constipation, gas, reflux, and vomiting. Not only this but the negative food response will hamper your baby’s appetite, sleeping pattern, and cause mood swings. Babies will food allergies will show signs and symptoms such as skin rashes, diarrhea, and dryness. So, try one brand at a time, and don’t rush. You have all the time in the world and a plethora of options to explore. Sometimes, it can take even up to a week for signs and symptoms to show.
Our Verdict
Now that you’ve gone through the list of best Enfamil alternatives on the market, what do you think about the products listed above? Have you picked a suitable option for your baby? Don’t worry if you haven’t; it’s a good idea to not rush into a decision.
Take time and perform thorough research. Ask your pediatrician if required, especially if your baby has lactose intolerance or milk protein allergy. Based on hands-on testing and market research, our expert moms have declared Earth’s Best Organic Infant Formula as the CONVENTIONAL winner.
It’s reasonably priced, comes with organic lactose as the only sweetener, and contains all the necessary minerals and vitamins required for eye and brain development, as well as the healthy growth of your baby. So far, no existing customers have reported any allergic reactions after feeding their babies Earth’s Best Organic Infant Formula.
That said, you UNCONVENTIONAL pick has to be Holle Organic Formula here. The quality of ingredients (in my view) is just so much higher than what we were used to in the US.
I am often asked which baby formula I actually use at home. The Answer is Holle. Yes, slightly more expensive, but the quality ingredients are worth every penny. Use code TBS10 to save 10% at The Milky Box OR compare bulk pricing via HolleUSA.
Best Enfamil Alternatives (Conventional) Summary
|
Earth’s Best Organic Infant Formula |
The Best Organic Enfamil Alternative |
|
Gerber Good Start Gentle Powder Infant Formula |
The Best Quality Enfamil Alternative |
|
Gerber Good Start Soy Baby Formula |
The Best Soy Enfamil Alternative |
|
Gerber Good Start Soy Baby Formula |
The Most Reasonably Priced Enfamil Alternative |
We hope you found the guide useful. If you have any questions regarding the products mentioned in the guide, please post them in the comment section below.
Our expert moms and dads will take up all your queries and get back to you with the answers soon. Also, if there’s any other Enfamil alternative that you’d like us to review, kindly write to us, and we’ll help you.
Recommended Reads:
- Enfamil vs Similac Formula Brand
- Enfamil vs Parent’s Choice Brand
- Enfamil vs Aptamil Formula Brand
- Stop Colic Now! These 5 Baby Formula Options REALLY Helped Us
- Non-GMO vs Regular Formula – Which Is The Best For Your Baby?
- Where To Buy Baby Formula Online
