Baby's Only, for instance, derives DHA from egg phospholipids using water only. Looking for a versatile, safe, easy to use, reliable, effective, efficient, and Mommyhood101 is funded by parents like you! Monde Selection awarded Kendamil with a Gold Metal as the world's best organic baby formula, and you might recognize the name from its use by the Royal Family (the Duchess of Cambridge fed Kendamil to Prince Louis)! only one she would take. It's a very comprehensive infant formula that is widely respected around the world for its macro- and micro-nutrient profile, and widely recommended by pediatricians and infant feeding specialists for sensitive stomachs. Both of them took to this formula without any issues, and continued feeding with it for several bottles. These are all things to consider when picking a baby formula, and things we think about when doing our reviews. Based in Switzerland, they work directly with the best German raw organic ingredient suppliers and carefully track the sourcing, sustainability, and quality of every ingredient they include in their baby formulas. Shaking also created a lot of bubbles that will likely cause issues with babies who are sensitive to gas and reflux. Lots of moms in the What to Expect community love Bobbie, and What to Expects Art Director, Alexandra Bison, has first-hand experience using this formula with her little one. We think you'll also be happy to hear that the Loulouka formulas are very reasonably priced for a European formula, coming in at just over $1.00/ounce! Also, we love the fact that it contains milk fat globule membranes (MFGM) just like breast milk, which are associated with healthy brain development and cognitive outcomes in children. It is also kosher and the packaging and formula itself contain no BPA. Note that Earth's Best also makes a low lactose version, called the, The best organic formulas should be modeled after breastmilk and allow flexible supplementing of breastfeeding and facilitate transitions. For minerals and vitamins, formulas tend to contain at least iron, calcium, potassium, zinc, folic acid, and vitamins A, B, C, D, E, and K. Some infant formulas also add in fatty acids such as DHA and ARA, some also add in bacteria, prebiotics, and/or probiotics to aid digestion. Protein is provided with nonfat cow's milk and whey protein concentrate, and fats come from palm, soy, coconut, and safflower and/or sunflower oils. 60:40 Whey to Casein ratio. We categorize these as the good ingredients, the bad ingredients, and the downright ugly ingredients. Other ingredients include a variety of vitamins and minerals (including 1.8mg iron and 1.5IU vitamin E), lutein, DHA, and choline. Note that while we are fully aware that the label says "Toddler Formula," the manufacturer suggests that this is only because they recommend exclusively breastfeeding babies under 1 year old and therefore this formula has not been FDA approved for infant feeding. Made with organic milk and packed with DHA, AHA, lutein and vitamin E, this USDA-certified formula is a great option for your little one. We also don't appreciate the inclusion of maltodextrin and food starch in Stages 2-3. The same Burt's Bees we know and love for their broad range of beauty and personal care products, with their beeswax ingredients and adorable packaging, has officially entered the baby formula market with three varieties. It also did not make her stool smell really foul like other formulas did and that was a huge plus for me. Inositol, Lutein, & Choline. Negatives? In this version, the Whey & Dairy with DHA version, the formulation is much more like breast milk, using lactose as the primary carbohydrate. The Happy Tot organic baby formula was discontinued several years ago, which is unfortunate because it was pretty decent! HiPP is one of the best-selling European formulas (made in Germany and sold in Dutch, UK, and German varieties), and for some great reasons. Cons? Some of their more popular formulas such as the lactorelief version do not contain lactose, which they substitute with brown rice syrup (which is not the best). As of today, we can still get our hands on HiPPandHolle Bio(click the links to see them), two of our top-rated organic formulas. Read more about the, In our testing, we found that the formula mixed very well with warm water without any clumping, bubbling, or excessive foaming. Hexane is a solvent that is also used as a chemical degreaser and industrial cleaner and is a known neurotoxin. We all know the old mantra "Breast is Best," but not all moms can follow that advice. For all the details, check out our full, In our testing, the formula mixed very efficiently with warm water (about 100 degrees F) and had a very nice texture and taste; there was no excessive bubbling, foaming, or clumping. There are many barriers to breastfeeding that can cause moms to supplement or replace breast milk with baby formula. They have a monthly subscription program that is one of the easiest and most flexible we've ever used, allowing you to speed up or delay a shipment at the touch of a button. Based in Spain, the Bioland company has been making this top-rated European organic infant formula for several years. Even better, because this baby formula is suitable for use from birth onward, it is great for exclusive bottle feeding, which makes it a really unique addition to the organic baby formula market. So that was a bit more work than we may have desired, at least relative to other options on this list. It includes DHA and ARA, and the subscription-based shipping model means youll never have to worry about running out of formula. You can check out the Happy Baby Formula at Amazon. Cons? Just like breast milk, this formula uses lactose as the primary carbohydrate source, and it contains a macronutrient (proteins, fats, carbohydrates) profile that is very similar to breast milk. This awesome baby formula uses only sunflower, coconut, and rapeseed oils as sources of fat. They sell a starter pack which is 2 canisters for the price of 1.. In general, baby formulas need a source of protein, fat, carbohydrate, and vitamins and minerals. Baby's Only loves to brag that they are awarded "best in class" by the clean label project among all US formulas, which is a testament to their use of high quality and traceable ingredients. Overall, we appreciate this new addition to the organic formula market, and think Similac did a pretty decent job with it. We have no direct evidence of this, but we suspect this product is a slightly tweaked and rebranded Similac or Happy Baby formula; if anyone has the scoop, send us a message on Facebook or email! You can check out the HiPP Combiotik Formula here! The Ultra Gentle variety is organic and non-GMO, and has quite a few good things going for it: the first ingredient (primary carbohydrate) is lactose, it provides DHA, ARA, and LA for omegas (and the DHA is not extracted using hexane), it is gluten-free, and it doesn't contain maltodextrin, starch, sucrose or glucose syrup solids. (In particular, many were impressed with how well it mixed in comparison to other formulas a win for caregivers everywhere.) The educational health content on What To Expect is reviewed by our medical review board and team of experts to be up-to-date and in line with the latest evidence-based medical information and accepted health guidelines, including the medically reviewed What to Expect books by Heidi Murkoff. Baby's Only, for instance, derives DHA from egg phospholipids using water only. Also, while it doesn't contain lactose, we're not super excited about having syrup and maltodextrin as the primary carbohydrate sources. Below, the best organic baby formulas. Not only is it made in the USA with an excellent ingredient and nutritional profile, it is also easy to order online, prepare, and use. For carbohydrates, the best baby formulas usually contain lactose (milk sugar), but others also use maltodextrin (plant-based sweetener and thickener), corn syrup solids, glucose syrup solids, brown rice syrup, or just plain sugar. Meets federal feeding guidelines. In addition to those fats, carbohydrates, and proteins, it also contains prebiotics, Omega-3 (DHA and ARA), and Omega-6 (LA). In the USA, the FDA does not approve infant or toddler formulas before they can be marketed; however, they must meet federal nutrient requirements and manufacturers must notify the FDA before marketing a new formula. And while it does contain iron (1 mg per serving), it doesn't contain as much iron as many other formulas (which are typically around 2mg). Some think there may be trace levels in baby formulas containing DHA and ARA extracted using hexane. Bobbie is making waves among discerning parents with its European-inspired formulation, organic and non-GMO ingredients, and superior nutritional composition. Baby's Only, for instance, derives DHA from egg phospholipids using water only to avoid these possible issues. Even five years ago, it was difficult to get your hands on European baby formulas and they were very expensive to import to the US. If that doesn't give you peace of mind, the simple and thoughtful ingredients and nutrition facts will. We also want to point out that this is one of the few baby formulas to receive the highest rating from the Clean Label Project, which is one of the best ways to tell you're getting a high quality and sustainably sourced product. Lactose is the primary carbohydrate in breast milk, accounting for about 40% of all calories found in breast milk; if you're looking for an organic baby formula that is similar to breast milk in terms of macronutrient composition, this probably isn't a good bet. Also, like most formulas it contains palm oil, which is a bit controversial for use in baby formula due to its risk of causing mild gassiness. First of all, many parents do not appreciate the use of soy and palm oils in their formulas, and Loulouka listened! Lebenswert Stage 1 Organic Baby Formula, 13. This is an outstanding option for babies who seem to have some issues related to digesting dairy, such as gas, reflux, or bloating. Founded in 1962, Kendamil is one of the longest-running baby formula companies in Europe. Negatives? While every infant is different, reviewers and What to Expect community moms praise Earth's Best Formula forhow well their babies reacted to this formula. Coming in at only about $1 per ounce, this is the cheapest organic baby formula on our list. Both readily accepted this formula, which wasn't particularly surprising given its sweetness and otherwise bland flavor. In our testing, we tried out this formula ourselves and with two babies, one 4 months and the other 8 months. We prefer to stay out of that debate given the lack of sound scientific data one way or the other. At 79.7 cents per ounce, thisorganic formula from Parents Choice is one of the most affordable organic picks on the market yet still offers all the essential ingredients your baby needs. All of their formulas are organic, including their well-loved Organic Dairy Infant Formula with Iron. We use Earths Best Organic with LO and also used it with my first, shared one community parent. Just like human breastmilk, Bobbie formula uses lactose as a primary carbohydrate and maintains an ideal 60:40 whey to casein ratio. This organic formula is suitable for infants 0-12 months and is based on organic nonfat cow's milk, with secondary ingredients including maltodextrin, sugar, and three oils: sunflower, soy, and coconut. Other than the palm oil and soy oil, this is a great overall ingredient profile, very similar to what you find in other front-runners on this list. Some of the infant formulas reviewed on this page may not meet those standards. So from that point until 1 year, we supplemented with Earth's Best. We loved the consistency, ease of mixing, and taste - and so did our test babies, who showed high acceptance and no signs of gas, indigestion, or constipation! Only one of the four babies, the 4-month old breastfed one, developed a bit of gas. Bobbie is owned and operated by moms, and it shows in how they handle customer service. Both of them took to this formula without any issues, and continued feeding with it for several bottles. We believe you should always know the source of the information you're reading. You can read more about our testing in our comprehensive Loulouka baby formula review. Interested? The maltodextrin is a very common carbohydrate powder that is used as a cheap replacement for lactose, and also as a thickener and preservative; your body processes maltodextrin like a sugar, so it can cause a quick blood sugar increase. The cow version contains organic whole (Pre) or skim (Stages 1+) milk and whey powder as the first two ingredients, then organic vegetable oils (palm, rapeseed, sunflower), and vitamins and minerals. We would brag too! Well, this Baby's Only formula doesn't contain Omega-6 fatty acids, prebiotics, or probiotics. It is important to note, however, that whole milk baby formulas can be a bit more difficult to digest, especially for infants with the most sensitive tummies. Baby formulas vary widely in which of these ingredients they use, and how much of each they use. Of course, you also want the formula to mix easily and settle without bubbles or clumping, show high acceptance, and reduce gas, reflux, spit-up, constipation, and colic. Note that while they label it as such, Baby's Only told us that this is only because they encourage breastfeeding for babies under 1 year old. In addition to DHA, it also contains ALA and LA, for additional essential fatty acids. Cons? Check out our comparison of Lebenswert vs. Holle formulas! And definitely cheaper.. It is made in the USA, which means not only is it certified USDA organic, it is also regulated by the FDA (which European formulas are not). This review is of the Dutch version, which we think is the best of the pack (, In fact, its ingredient profile is a bit more similar to some US brands such as Baby's Only and Happy Baby, but it excels relative to the typical formula in its sensitivity and nutritional composition, making it a great formula for babies with GI sensitivity (gas, colic, reflux) and more complex nutritional needs (of course, always ask your pediatrician first!). If your baby has any food-related sensitivities, this does contain soy (just FYI). Protein is provided with nonfat cow's milk and whey protein concentrate, and fats come from palm, soy, coconut, and safflower and/or sunflower oils. Both babies took the formula without any issues with acceptance, though one did have some spit-up and gassiness after. hexane solvent, acid, or bleach as part of their extraction. No issues with gas or discomfort were experienced, but the babies we tested on tend to be pretty resilient in this regard to begin with. For protein it includes nonfat cow's milk and whey protein concentrate, like many other formulas. We also want to point out that this is one of the few baby formulas to receive the highest rating from the Clean Label Project, which is one of the best ways to tell you're getting a high quality and sustainably sourced product. You can check out the Bobbie infant formula here at their website! Amazon Mama Bear Organic Infant Formula, Kabrita Non-GMO Goat Milk Toddler Formula, FDA does not approve infant or toddler formulas, 1968 S. Coast Hwy, #1103, Laguna Beach, CA 92651. Prebiotics, which are designed to support immune and gut health. This experience left us in a bit of a pickle: we love the concept of this baby formula, and appreciate the introduction of new organic baby formulas made by US companies, but the execution definitely left something to be desired. Baby's Only, for instance, derives DHA from egg phospholipids using water only to avoid these possible issues. We may earn commissions from shopping links. If your baby has a more sensitive tummy, check out our ByHeart formula review for a similar option that includes prebiotics. For carbohydrates, try to avoid formulas using processed sugars such as maltodextrin, food starch, corn syrup solids, glucose syrup solids, and sugar itself. Just like breast milk, it has an ideal whey to casein ratio of about 75/25, and contains lactic acid bacteria cultures (B.lactis) that can help reduce colic and irritability (according to published research). These ingredients fall somewhere between "OK" and "run away" and unfortunately they are very common in most baby formulas. This is particularly the case with organic baby formulas suitable for newborn infants. Interested? We are also impressed that Baby's Only has managed to make a great sensitive baby formula without including many of the ingredients that we prefer not to find in a formula, such as glucose or corn syrup solids, palm oil, or DHA sourced using hexane. Plus some added bonuses like two different prebiotics (FOS and GOS), Omega 3 and Omega 6 (ARA and DHA), and choline. For carbohydrates and protein, it is based on skimmed milk (first ingredient) and whey powder, achieving a suitable whey to casein ratio similar to breast milk. You can see more details about our testing in our full review of Kendamil organic baby formula. Update: The word on the street (as of May 2022) is that Loulouka has been discontinued indefinitely; any stock you find might be nearing its expiration date. Notice that it doesn't use lactose as a carbohydrate, replacing it with corn syrup solids and maltodextrin, both of which are not ideal in a baby formula. Note that Earth's Best also makes a low lactose version, called theSensitivity Infant Formula. Whether you have low milk supply, a medical condition, or your baby is having difficulty latching, you should never feel guilty about choosing to supplement or exclusively feed with organic baby formula. We believe you should always know the source of the information you're reading. Earths Best has everything from formula to purees to toddler food. While this ingredient is very common in baby formula, if we had a choice we would prefer different oils (e.g., coconut, sunflower). Baby's Only Premium Organic Baby Formula, 7. Mixing this formula with water, we found that it blended very nicely and didn't leave any powdery film in the bottle. We have no major issues with the sunflower or coconut oils, and think they are a good replacement for palm oil, but we also understand that some parents might be avoiding soy due to potential allergies. We also didn't have any big issues with bubbles or foaming. In our experience, nearly every family who tries Bobbie falls in love with everything about it. Thankfully, if that's what you're looking for, some of the most trusted names in the industry have developed organic baby formula options. In our testing, we tried out this formula ourselves and with two babies, one 4 months and the other 8 months. Note also that while this formula uses egg lecithin, testing shows that there is no detectable level of egg allergen in the formula. It is organic, non-GMO (of course), and contains no corn syrup solids or other sweeteners, maltodextrin or food starch. Not certain how some companies are getting away with it, but likely because the organic food market is not yet well-regulated (and even when it is, the US only requires 95% organic content to become USDA certified organic). Both were exclusively formula-fed from birth, with one using Similac Advanced and the other using Holle Bio Stage 2. The Omega-3 content is derived from M. Alpina oil and Cohnii oil, likely usinghexane solvent, acid, or bleach as part of their extraction. While likely not dangerous, it is concerning that these synthetic ingredients are present (in very low quantity) in many organic products. For protein it includes nonfat cow's milk and whey protein concentrate, like many other formulas. Or for even more details, check out our full Lebenswert baby formula review here. Infant formula comes in dozens of brands and varieties, and figuring out what's best for your baby can be a daunting task, especially for discerning parents who want the best for their babies. For protein sources, most agree that a soy-based formula is not ideal given controversy over hormonal effects of soy consumption, and its generally poor nutritional profile relative to cow or goat milk (i.e., there's no whey or casein). Trying to figure out whether HiPP or Holle is best for your child? If you select an organic formula for your little one, note that there are a few main types: It can feel confusing trying to select an organic formula thats right for your family. For fats, it includes the usual suspects: palm oil, soy oil, coconut oil, and safflower or sunflower oils. If you are at all concerned about allergies, then you'll need to decide whether you want to risk coconut or soy oils (ask your doctor). Instead, they took the high road and used ingredients they could stand behind. Importantly, neither of them developed any abnormal gassiness, reflux, or spit-up. ), and the new Jovie goat milk formula (check out our Jovie formula review here!). Check out our comparison of HiPP vs. Holle formulas! This brand is easily a favorite of What to Expect community parents when it comes to organic formulas, and its easy to see why. In our testing, we thought the formula mixed really easily with water, without forming any clumps or major bubbling issues, and without leaving a powdery film in the bottle. Of course, we want to point out that the FDA and USDA advise against iron-reduced infant formulas, and there is no strong scientific basis for iron contributing to constipation in formula-fed infants. Omega-3 fatty acids (DHA, ALA). Just as important is what Loulouka stage 1 does not contain: added sugars, palm oil, soy or soy oil, GMO ingredients, synthetic nutrients or preservatives, starch, or maltodextrin. If youre committed to an organic lifestyle, the task can feel even more arduous, since the vast majority of baby formulas arent crafted with certified organic ingredients. These can be medical, professional, social, cultural, or any other reason. The Lebenswert formula is based on organic skim milk, organic whey, organic vegetable oils (palm, rapeseed, sunflower), organic lactose, and vitamins and minerals. It is also kosher and the packaging and formula itself contain no BPA. You can check out the Earth's Best baby formula here. For more details on our testing of HiPP formulas, see our full in-depth review of Dutch, UK, and German HiPP Combiotik. Cons? Baby's Only makes five different varieties of organic baby formula, all labeled as Toddler formula. We also don't appreciate the inclusion of maltodextrin and food starch in Stages 2-3. We read through online reviews of each formula to hear the experiences of countless parents and caregivers who tested them. You can see more details about our testing in our full, HiPP stands out for its high sensitivity and tolerability for infants who struggle digesting other baby formulas. For more specifics about Holle, be sure to read our Holle baby formula review here. We combed through recommendations from members of the What to Expect community, plus asked our staff, to see what their families have tried and loved. Shaking also created a lot of bubbles that will likely cause issues with babies who are sensitive to gas and reflux. At about $1/ounce, we think the Baby's Only option is awesome and relatively budget-savvy option, but suggest that it's used for infants over 6 months of age. Here are some additional formula options we've tested, but do not strongly recommend. The 3-month old was formula-fed, and 7-month old was weaning from breastfeeding with supplemental formula. The Lebenswert formula is based on organic skim milk, organic whey, organic vegetable oils (palm, rapeseed, sunflower), organic lactose, and vitamins and minerals. Interested? We also didn't have any big issues with bubbles or foaming. Cons? Large yellow clumps appeared and settled at the bottom of the bottle, and when we flipped the bottle over for feeding, they slowly sank down and clogged the nipple. Fats come from the usual suspects, including soybean oil, coconut oil, and safflower or sunflower oil. What makes it so great? It is important to point out that Loulouka's nutritional profile fits within both FDA and USDA guidelines for infant feeding, as well as EU infant feeding requirements and their relatively strict organic food requirements. It's a relatively simple formulation, and we believe it doesn't need to conform with FDA or USDA recommendations for infant formulas because it's marketed as a Toddler formula. Fortunately, this European baby formula is available here in the US from certain online stores like MyOrganicCompany, making it less expensive than it used to be. More recently, companies such as MyOrganicCompany have popped up to fill the US distribution gap, making it more affordable and efficient to purchase European baby formulas online. We tried it out with two formula-fed babies, 3 and 7 months old, one who typically drinks HiPP Combiotik and the other Earth's Best. Costs about a dollar per ounce if you buy in bulk, which is a very good price for an organic infant formula. In comparison to Baby's Only, Earth's Best appears to use the traditional hexane method for extracting DHA and ARA from lab-grown algae and fungus. Interested? This is a baby formula intended for highly discerning parents who are looking for a European baby formula that doesn't break the bank. We couldn't find much information about this online, and haven't tested it ourselves. We did find it difficult to dissolve in water, taking a lot of shaking and stirring to get it to fully dissolve and not leave any clumps. Whole milk as the first ingredient, Omega-3 (DHA, ALA), Omega-6 (LA), amino acids, prebiotics (GOS from milk), inositol, and choline. One of the parents said their baby developed a bit more constipation than they were used to with the HiPP, but the other one said everything was moving smoothly. You can check out the, This is one of the original and best organic formulas on the US market, and over the past several years Earth's Best has made several improvements to their formula in response to both parent feedback and changing FDA and USDA recommendations. Hes always clamoring for more. If you're intimidated by the fact that the information on the box is not in English, just head to the MyOrganicCompany website to see ingredients and instructions in English. It is definitely one of the best high-quality organic formulas for sensitive stomachs made in the US, and parents rave about its flavor - much better than the Similac Sensitive or Enfamil Gentlease, and it has no corn syrup or genetically modified ingredients. Use of this site is subject to our, Rest assured that as doctoral-level scientists, parents, and the owners of this small business, we have over 20 years of combined experience testing and reviewing over 2400 different baby and toddler products. This review is of the Dutch version, which we think is the best of the pack (see why here). No spit-up or gas in either, but if your baby has a more sensitive tummy we suggest considering the Baby's Only LactoRelief version, or HiPP Combiotic. The Similac organic formula was recalled a couple years ago, putting a bad taste in people's mouths about large companies attempting to pull the fleece over people's eyes and claiming organic while being a bit careless in manufacturing processes. Like all the best organic baby formulas, Hipp Combiotik is relatively expensive (about $1.60/ounce) in comparison to Loulouka or US formulas; note that you can save 5% with our Mommyhood101 coupon code at MyOrganicCompany, which helps a bit! These include the primary protein sources such as various milks (cow, goat, nonfat, skim, reduced fat, etc), whey, and protein powders (such as whey protein). So that was a bit more work than we may have desired, at least relative to other options on this list. Like any baby formula, some parents suggest that it can cause mild constipation, but we didn't experience any in our tests, and certainly any gassiness will likely be less than with any of the non-sensitive options. One of the parents said their baby developed a bit more constipation than they were used to with the HiPP, but the other one said everything was moving smoothly. You can check out the Loulouka Organic Baby Formula here! You can check out the Kendamil Organic formula here and also here at Target! The good news is you're not alone: most US moms use formula to supplement or replace breastfeeding by 3-6 months of age. No palm oil! We have no major issues with the sunflower or coconut oils, and think they are a good replacement for palm oil, but we also understand that some parents might be avoiding soy due to potential allergies. Happy Baby formula also boasts the full USDA certification, with milk that comes from cows raised on organic farms. This made for a somewhat grainy formula that left a residue in the bottle. A common prebiotic youll notice on formula labels is HMO, aka human milk oligosaccharides, which are found in breast milk. Check with your pediatrician before switching formulas. If your pediatrician recommends a gentle formula for your baby, ask her about Burt's Bees Baby Ultra Gentle Organic Formula. Mama Bear now makes a wide range of baby formulas, including Gentle, Sensitive, Advanced, and more, but this is the only USDA organic version available. Loulouka formulas are made in Switzerland using only milk from cows fed organic grass and hay, conforming to high Swiss standards for sustainable organic farming and using locally-sourced ingredients. You can check out the, This Lebenswert formula sets the gold standard for how organic formulas should be sourced and manufactured. The taste was very similar to Baby's Only and Lebenswert, as was the thin consistency similar to breast milk. They have a monthly subscription program that is one of the easiest and most flexible we've ever used, allowing you to speed up or delay a shipment at the touch of a button. They also vary widely in the extent to which they use ingredients that are generally safe but might be sourced or extracted using harch chemicals.

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