Organic infant formula & feeding support
How to Choose a Baby Formula
Read time: 3 minutes
As a lactation counselor and mother, I know that every parent embarks on a different feeding journey with their baby.
While the American Academy of Pediatrics and the World Health Organization tell us that breast is best, exclusive breastfeeding isn’t always possible, and no one should feel bad about feeding their baby formula.2
When a parent decides, for whatever reason, to formula feed their baby, walking through the formula aisle of a supermarket can be a daunting task for anyone, let alone a new parent. How do you choose?
Organic, non-organic, cow’s milk, goat’s milk, A2 milk, European-made, U.S.-made. And we haven’t even started on formulas for sensitive bellies. This helpful guide is designed to assist anyone who wants to understand how to choose a baby formula that’s right for their little one.
What are the types of baby formulas?
In addition to cow’s milk-based formulas, other formulas you may see are soy based, predigested or hydrolyzed, goat’s milk, lower lactose (sensitive), lactose free and specialized formulas.3
Since all babies are different there is no one formula that meets the needs of everyone. Most important is to have a conversation with your pediatrician regarding formula selection for your little one.
Here’s some information to help you along.
Cow’s milk-based baby formula
Most healthy term infants need a basic iron fortified formula.4
These formulas are modeled after breast milk’s nutrient composition and contain 20 calories per fluid ounce.4
Their main carbohydrate sources may be lactose and nonfat milk, which also contains lactose. Some baby formulas may also include ingredients such as maltodextrin, glucose syrup solids and corn syrup solids as additional carbohydrate sources.4
Protein in most baby formulas comes from casein and whey, proteins found in cow’s milk and breast milk. In breast milk, the ratio of whey to casein varies, but is usually mostly whey with a smaller percentage of casein, usually about 60:40.5
While many baby formulas contain more casein than whey due to cow’s milk’s natural proteins, other formulas try to mimic the protein ratio in breast milk and are able to provide more whey than casein.
While formula manufacturers may have their own proprietary formulations, they all must contain at least the minimum levels of all nutrients specified in FDA regulations without going over the maximum levels.12
Learn more: Why is Iron Important for My Baby and Toddler?
Soy Formula
Soy-based baby formula is an option for babies who experience transient lactase deficiency or a baby with galactosemia.3 These contain protein from soy and the carbohydrate is different than the lactose found in a cow’s milk-based formula.
If you are concerned about lactose intolerance or insufficiency and are considering a soy formula for that reason, there are now lower lactose cow’s milk-based formulas available.3 Speak with your baby’s pediatrician for advice.
If your little one has a true milk allergy, it is possible to also have a sensitivity to soy protein. For this reason, a soy-based formula may not be a good option.3 Always check with your baby’s pediatrician.
Hydrolyzed or Hypoallergenic Formula
Hypoallergenic formulas contain protein that is broken down into smaller pieces. These formulas may be used for babies who have a cow's milk protein allergy or are intolerant to a cow’s milk or soy-based formula.6
The protein in these formulas is sometimes referred to as “predigested”, which means they are broken down and easier for your baby to digest. Consult with a pediatrician if you feel that your baby needs a hydrolyzed formula or may have a cow’s milk protein allergy.3
Goat’s Milk Formula
Goat’s milk-based formula has a slightly lower lactose content and different protein structure compared to cow’s milk formula.7
Advocates for the use of goat’s milk baby formula might suggest its use to reduce symptoms for babies who have colic and gastrointestinal distress; however, more research needs to be done before considering this as an alternative feeding.8
Consult with your pediatrician if you have questions about a goat’s milk-based baby formula.
Note: Regular goat’s milk is not recommended for babies under 12 months of age.19
Learn More: What Type of Milk Should My Toddler Drink?
Lactose Free vs Lower Lactose (Sensitive) Formula
A formula with a lower lactose content may be referred to as sensitive baby formula. Parents and pediatricians often give these formulas a try for a gassy and colicky baby whose symptoms are related to lactose sensitivity.
A lactose free formula will be used primarily for babies who are diagnosed with galactosemia and true congenital or primary lactase deficiency.4
Always speak with your baby’s pediatrician before trying a lactose free or lower lactose (sensitive) formula.
Learn More:
How Can I Help Relieve Constipation for my Baby and Toddlers
How Can I Manage my Baby’s Colic?
Additional ingredients to look for in a formula
Some baby formulas contain special ingredients, often those also found in breast milk, to help support your baby’s health.
Prebiotics and probiotics
Both prebiotics and probiotics are found in human breast milk, so it may be beneficial to also look for these in baby formula as well. Probiotics are microorganisms that are intended to have health benefits when consumed.9 Prebiotics are fibers that act as food for the healthy bacteria in our gut.
Probiotics are often included in formulas and may include the strains Bifidobacterium as well as Lactobacillus.10 These two strains have decades of research behind them.
Prebiotics are the special carbohydrates that feed the probiotics in our gut. Prebiotics that may be found in formulas include fructooligosaccharides and galactooligosaccharides.
DHA
DHA is an important omega-3 fatty acid found in breast milk and can vary from mother to mother depending on her diet. Studies show that DHA helps support brain and eye development. This type of fat in baby formula often comes from marine algae or fish oil.11
How to Switch Formula
If you find that your baby doesn’t seem to be tolerating the formula they are on, chat with their pediatrician to understand what might be going on. Some symptoms may be considered a normal part of growth and development, while others may indicate a new formula is needed.
Should the pediatrician recommend switching formula for a medical reason, they may suggest switching formula right away without a transition period. If switching needs to be done more slowly and strategically, you may want to mix the two formulas until baby is only taking the new formula.
Learn more: Switching Baby Formula and What To Expect
FAQs
Here is a bit more information to help you choose the right formula for your baby.
Is baby formula FDA approved?
While the FDA does not approve baby formulas before they are sold, all baby formulas sold in the United States (even if they are imported from overseas) must meet federal nutrient requirements.
Baby formula manufacturers must notify FDA and submit their product information for review before they can legally sell their baby formula in the US .1213
Is it worth getting organic baby formula?
Whether you go for organic baby formula is a highly individual choice.
Organic means that the baby formula’s ingredients are grown without the use of pesticides or genetically modified organisms.14 In addition, United States organic regulations prevent companies from using dairy products from animals who have been treated with antibiotics or given growth hormones.14
The protein source (such as whey) in organic products comes from animals that are fed organic feed and raised with access to the outdoors according to USDA regulations. The ingredients providing fat and carbohydrates are sourced from suppliers that meet organic requirements.14
Choosing a formula is a very personal decision. You and your pediatrician can go through the different options if you have any questions or concerns.
What is A2 milk?
In milk there are two primary types of proteins, casein and whey. In cow’s milk, casein is the most abundant type of protein. Casein breaks down even further into two types: A1 and A2 beta casein.16
Most milk products on the market contain a combination of A1 and A2 beta caseins, however, it turns out that some people can’t digest A1 quite as well as A2. For these people, a product that contains only A2 milk may be a promising alternative.1718
The A2 milk in these products comes from cow’s selectively bred to produce only A2 beta-casein-containing milk.
Because of the potential for A1 being more difficult to digest for some, some brands now offer baby formulas produced with A2 milk.
What is the 'Rule of Thumb' for feeding baby formula?
Once you choose the right formula for your baby, understanding how much your little one needs to drink each day is the next question that pops up.
A general rule of thumb for babies 0-6 months is that your baby needs about 2.5 fluid ounces of baby formula per pound.15 So, if your baby weighs 10 pounds, they need about 25 fluid ounces of baby formula per day.
Of course, how much your baby eats each day will increase or decrease depending on growth spurts and hunger levels, so be sure to listen to their hunger and fullness cues!
Read more: How Much Infant Formula Does My Baby Need?
Let's Chat!
We know parenting often means sleepless nights, stressful days, and countless questions and confusion, and we want to support you in your feeding journey and beyond.
Our Happy Experts are a team of lactation consultants and registered dietitian nutritionists certified in infant and maternal nutrition – and they’re all moms, too, which means they’ve been there and seen that. They’re here to help on our free, live chat platform Monday - Friday 8am-6pm (ET). Chat Now!
Read more about the experts who help write our content!
For more on this topic, check out the following articles:
Why is Iron Important for my Baby and Toddler
Sources