The 7 Best Baby Formulas, According to Doctors and Dietitians

No matter how you do it, feeding an infant is hard, and baby formula is a miraculous product we should all be grateful for. Breast milk, baby formula, or a combination of both should be the main source of nutrition for babies from birth to their first birthday, and you can rest assured that baby formula provides all of the essential nutrients your growing infant needs. 

The composition of baby formulas is modeled after breast milk, and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) tightly regulates baby formula in the United States to ensure it meets certain nutrient and safety standards. It's wise to check with a healthcare professional before starting a formula, but once you do, a standard formula is a good place to start—you can switch if you suspect your baby doesn't tolerate it or has different needs. All standard formulas provide 100 calories per five ounces with similar amounts of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. They are also required to contain important key minerals for infant growth and development, like iron. Additional ingredients like omega-3s may also be added.

To determine the best baby formulas for this roundup, our dietitians evaluated top baby formulas on the market, analyzing nutrition labels and ingredient lists and comparing them to the latest research on the most important nutrients for infants. We also interviewed pediatricians and several pediatric dietitians, including one who helped develop an infant formula. 

Our Top Picks

• Best Overall: Similac 360 Total Care Infant Formula
• Best for Breastfed Babies: ByHeart Whole Nutrition Powder Infant Formula
• Best Organic: Bobbie Baby Organic Powder Infant Formula
• Best for Gassy Babies: Enfamil NeuroPro Gentlease Baby Formula
• Best Hypoallergenic: Nutramigen Hypoallergenic Baby Formula
• Best for Babies 0-6 Months Old: Enfamil Infant Formula
• Best to Help Babies Gain Weight: Similac Neosure Powder Infant Formula

Should I Buy Powder, Liquid, Or Ready-to-Feed Formula?

Baby formula is available in powdered form, liquid concentrate, or ready-to-use liquid. All three types are comparable nutrition-wise, but they differ in cost and how they are prepared. Always follow the instructions on the label for how to prepare the formula.

• Powdered formula is the least expensive and must be mixed with water prior to giving it to your baby. While formula is safe in general, powdered formula it is the most vulnerable to contamination (both in a factory and at home), so keep this in mind if you're feeding an especially vulnerable baby.
• Liquid concentrate requires the addition of water and is more expensive than powdered formula. However, a healthcare professional may recommend liquid formula for fragile babies, as this form has a lower risk of infection compared to powdered formula.
• Liquid ready-to-use formula is the most convenient since it doesn’t have to be mixed prior to being given to your baby. It's also sterile, so it's the least vulnerable to contamination. You can find it in larger jugs or smaller portions, where you can pop on a nipple and serve. It is the most expensive option.
  

Baby Formula Safety and Recalls

Whether you opt for name-brand or store-brand, organic or conventional, hypoallergenic or standard, all FDA-reviewed, U.S formulas are strictly regulated. Recent formula recalls (including a large-scale one of Similac, Alimentum, and EleCare powdered formulas in 2022) rocked consumer confidence, but baby formula is, in general, quite safe.

You can control many risk factors associated with baby formula. Wash your hands before preparing a bottle, use properly cleaned bottles, follow safe storage guidelines, and check your formula's expiration date. Once a baby starts to consume a bottle, the formula must be used within one hour, while an untouched bottle can stay at room temperature for two hours or in the fridge for 24 hours. Powdered formula should be discarded once it's been open for a month, and opened liquid formula lasts in the fridge for up to 48 hours.

Best Overall: Similac 360 Total Care Infant Formula

Why We Recommend It

Similac has been making baby formula for over 90 years, and Similac 360 Total Infant Formula is one of their newest products, modeled closely after breast milk. It contains five different human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs), which are prebiotics naturally found in breast milk but not typically found in baby formula. More research is needed on the addition of HMOs in baby formula, but research suggests they can benefit a baby’s gut microbiome and play a role in warding off hostile bacteria and viruses.  

The main carbohydrate in Similac 360 Total Infant Formula is lactose, which is the main sugar found in breast milk. The protein comes from whey protein concentrate, and soy and coconut oil are the main fat sources. Similac 360 Total Infant Formula contains all of the important nutrients for infants, including iron. Plus, it has DHA and arachidonic acid (ARA), two fatty acids essential for growth and development. 

This baby formula is non-GMO and does not contain artificial growth hormones or palm olein oil. Palm olein oil is added to baby formulas with the aim of replicating the fatty acids found in breast milk. However, research shows that it could lower DHA and calcium absorption when compared to formulas that do not contain palm olein oil.

But Take Note

This formula contains soy, so is not a safe option for infants with a soy allergy.

Product Details:

• Type: Powder
• Carbohydrate Source: Lactose
• Protein Source: Whey protein concentrate
• Added Nutrients: 5 different human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs), DHA, ARA
  

Closest to Breast Milk: ByHeart Whole Nutrition Powder Infant Formula

Why We Like It

ByHeart Whole Nutrition Powder Infant Formula comes highly recommended by Nechama Flomin, RDN, a registered dietitian with experience working in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Flomin recommends ByHeart as a great organic formula option that is closely modeled after breast milk. “The company conducted the largest clinical trial in 25 years comparing the benefits of their formula to leading brands and found theirs to have the most comparable formula to breast milk,” Flomin says.

“The formula is one of the only formulas on the market to contain major proteins found in breast milk, including lactoferrin (which aids in iron absorption and immune function). Proteins are partially broken down for ease of digestion and, in the trial, the babies on the formula had less spit up and softer poops,” says Flomin. Enhanced nutrient absorption and better weight gain were other benefits, she notes. 

ByHeart sources lactose from organic, grass-fed whole milk and is the only baby formula in the U.S. to include both alpha-lactalbumin and lactoferrin, two of the most abundant proteins in breast milk. It contains galacto-oligosaccharide (GOS), a prebiotic that supports a healthy gut, along with the fatty acids DHA and ARA. You won’t find corn syrup, gluten, GMOs, soy, artificial growth hormones, or palm oil in ByHeart Whole Nutrition Powder Infant Formula. Also, ByHeart received the Clean Label Project’s highest-tier Purity Award, which tests for 700 contaminants, compared to the FDA-required 400. 

But Take Note

This formula is more expensive than standard formulas.  

Product Details:

• Type: Powder
• Carbohydrate Source: Lactose
• Protein Source: Whey protein
• Added Nutrients: Alpha-lactalbumin, Lactoferrin, DHA, ARA, galacto-oligosaccharide (GOS) - a prebiotic

Best Organic: Bobbie Baby Organic Powder Infant Formula

Why We Like It

If buying organic baby formula is important to you, Bobbie Baby Organic Powder Infant Formula is your best pick. Bobbie is certified not only as USDA organic but also as European Union (EU) organic, which is a more stringent and comprehensive certification. “I love Bobbie formula because it is strongly modeled after breast milk—for instance, it uses lactose as the main source of carbohydrate and contains the same ratio of whey and casein protein, which is helpful for digestion,” says pediatric dietitian Dana Peters, MS, RD.

Bobbie has DHA, an essential omega-3 fatty acid, that is not required to be in U.S. formulas but is critical for brain development in the early years of life, says Peters. Bobbie sources its DHA from sea algae and provides more DHA than other formulas (20 mg per 100 calories). Bobbie Baby Organic Powder Infant Formula also has arachidonic acid (ARA), which is another fatty acid that, together with DHA, supports infant growth and development.

Bobbie Baby Organic Powder Infant Formula is soy-free and instead uses a blend of coconut oil, safflower/sunflower oil, and expeller-pressed canola oil to ensure infants receive all of the essential fats. Bobbie does not have corn syrup, palm oil, or gluten. The company is also a recipient of the Clean Label Project’s Purity Award, which tests for 700 contaminants.  

But Take Note

This formula is more expensive than standard formulas.  

Product Details:

• Type: Powder
• Carbohydrate Source: Lactose
• Protein Source: Whey protein concentrate
• Added Nutrients: DHA, ARA
  

Best for Gassy Babies: Enfamil NeuroPro Gentlease Baby Formula

Why We Like It

Enfamil is a well-trusted formula brand, and Enfamil NeuroPro Gentlease Baby Formula is a great option for gassy babies. It’s common for babies, especially newborns, to be gassy because their digestive tracts are not fully formed. They also sometimes swallow excess air while feeding or crying. If you’ve exhausted other options like burping and pumping their legs, switching formulas could help. Amber Rodenas, RD, LDN, a pediatric registered dietitian with experience developing an infant formula, recommends Enfamil NeuroPro Gentlease Baby Formula for babies with gas because it’s low-lactose, the proteins are partially hydrolyzed (partly broken down), it’s easy to digest, and more gentle on tummies.

Enfamil NeuroPro Gentlease Baby Formula can help ease digestion because it has one-fifth the amount of lactose as standard protein and has easy-to-digest partially hydrolyzed whey protein concentrate as the main protein source. In addition to including easier-to-digest ingredients, this formula prioritizes infant brain health: It contains DHA and ARA, along with milk fat globule membrane (MFGM). Milk fat globule membrane surrounds the fat droplets in breast milk and supports a baby’s cognitive development. 

Enfamil NeuroPro Gentlease Formula is also available in liquid form, which may be recommended for premature or babies with a fragile immune system. We also appreciate there are no GMOs, artificial growth hormones, or gluten in this formula. 

But Take Note

This formula does contain palm olein oil, which research shows can lower DHA and calcium absorption when compared to formulas that do not contain palm olein oil.

Product Details:

• Type: Powder or liquid
• Carbohydrate Source: Corn syrup solids
• Protein Source: Partially hydrolyzed nonfat milk and whey protein concentrate solids (soy)
• Added Nutrients: MFGM, DHA, ARA 

Best Hypoallergenic: Nutramigen Hypoallergenic Baby Formula

Why We Like It

A milk protein allergy can have symptoms of distress beyond fussiness and gas, such as colic, rashes, diarrhea, or bloody stool. If this is the case for your baby, consult a healthcare professional to determine the cause of these symptoms. These symptoms may indicate that the baby could benefit from a hypoallergenic formula like Nutramigen Hypoallergenic Baby Formula, which has been clinically shown to reduce colic related to a milk allergy. Pediatrician Dr. Bidisha Sarkar, MBBS, DNB, recommends this formula as the perfect choice for babies with a milk allergy because of the hypoallergenic protein blend that helps minimize allergic reactions.

The protein in Nutramigen Hypoallergenic Baby Formula is casein hydrolysate, which is derived from cow’s milk but is partially broken down and is safe for babies with a milk protein allergy to consume. While many parents suspect a cow’s milk allergy when their baby is excessively fussy or gassy, in reality, only about 2–3% of infants have a milk protein allergy, and most outgrow it by the age of seven.

However, babies don’t have to have an allergy to benefit from a hypoallergenic formula. Nutramigen Hypoallergenic Baby Formula can benefit babies with sensitive stomachs as well. It is lactose-free and has DHA and ARA to support healthy brain development. Nutramigen also includes the probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) to support the gut and immune system. Some studies show that this strain of probiotics may also reduce the incidences of other allergic manifestations, such as asthma and eczema, in children with a cow’s milk allergy.

But Take Note

This is a more expensive formula, and it does contain palm olein oil. 

Product Details:

• Type: Powder
• Carbohydrate Source: Corn syrup solids
• Protein Source: Casein hydrolysate
• Added Nutrients: ARA, DHA, LGG probiotic 

Best for Babies 0–6 Months Old: Enfamil Infant Formula

Why We Like It

All formulas are designed and regulated to meet the needs of babies 0–12 months old, and the amount of formula given should be adjusted to meet the baby’s age and individual needs. However, Enfamil Infant Formula is recommended by Rodenas, a pediatric dietitian, as well as pediatrician Dr. Sarkar because it’s tailored to the development needs of early infancy.

The main carbohydrate source is lactose, which mimics breast milk, and whey is the main protein source. It contains brain-boosting nutrients, including DHA, ARA, and choline, which are important for early brain and eye development. This formula also has galactooligosaccharides and polydextrose, two prebiotic fibers that feed the good bacteria in the gut and keep the immune system healthy, which is particularly important in those first six months of life.

Enfamil Infant Formula is available in powdered or liquid form, which is useful for young babies because liquid formula is sterile.  

But Take Note

This formula does not contain corn syrup, artificial growth hormones, GMOs, or antibiotics, but does contain palm olein oil.

Product Details:

• Type: Powder or liquid
• Carbohydrate Source: Lactose
• Protein Source: Whey protein concentrate
• Added Nutrients: DHA, ARA, prebiotics, probiotics

Best to Help Babies Gain Weight: Similac Neosure Powder Infant Formula

Why We Like It

If your baby needs to gain weight, a higher-calorie formula like Similac Neosure can help, says Rodenas. Higher-calorie formulas are typically used for premature infants, so Rodenas recommends using them under the guidance of your pediatrician or dietitian so they can monitor your baby’s weight and growth trends. This particular formula comes recommended by a pediatric dietitian, contains higher levels of important nutrients for infant growth, and does not have palm olein oil or artificial growth hormones.

Similac Neosure has 100 calories per 4.5 ounces, whereas standard formulas have 100 calories per 5 ounces. The higher amounts of protein, carbohydrates, and fat help babies catch up on the growth chart. Similac Neosure also has higher amounts of calcium and phosphorus to support infants’ bone growth, as well as lutein, DHA, and ARA for healthy brain and eye development. 

The carbohydrate sources are corn syrup solids and lactose, and the protein comes from whey. Similac Neosure does not have palm olein oil or artificial growth hormones. It is available as a powder or liquid. 

But Take Note

Use this option under the supervision of your pediatrician. 

Product Details:

• Type: Powder or liquid
• Carbohydrate Source: Corn syrup solids, lactose
• Protein Source: Whey protein concentrate
• Added Nutrients: DHA, ARA, lutein

Should I Feed My Baby Formula?

If breastmilk and breastfeeding aren't an option (for any reason, including not wanting to breastfeed), "infant formula is essential for babies' growth and development,” says Malina Malkani, MS, RDN, CDN, registered dietitian nutritionist and author. Your baby does not need formula if he or she is able to breastfeed or drink pumped breast milk from a bottle and gain weight appropriately. However, combination feeding, in which you offer a baby breastmilk or formula, depending on what is available, is a perfectly valid way to feed your child. 

Infants can start eating solid foods around the age of six months but should still receive breastmilk or formula as their main source of nutrition. At 12 months of age, it’s recommended that infants switch from formula to full-fat cow’s milk, along with solid foods. 

Our Supplement Review Process

To determine the best baby formulas for this roundup, our dietitians evaluated several top baby formulas on the market, analyzing nutrition labels and ingredient lists and comparing them to the latest research on the most important nutrients for infants. We also interviewed several experts in the field listed below.

Typically, we prioritize third-party tested supplements since the FDA does not review dietary supplements. However, the FDA does regulate baby formula in the United States to ensure it meets certain nutrient and safety standards. For this reason, you can trust that any formula you buy in the U.S. meets the FDA’s standards.

Our Experts

Experts we spoke to for choosing the best baby formulas include:

• Amber Rodenas, RD, LDN, pediatric registered dietitian with experience developing an infant formula 
• Malina Malkani, MS, RDN, CDN, registered dietitian nutritionist and author
• Dana Peters, MS, RD, pediatric registered dietitian
• Nechama Flomin, RDN, registered dietitian (formerly a NICU dietitian)
• Dr. Bidisha Sarkar, MBBS, DNB, pediatrician 
• Anne Cook Carroll, MS, RD, CDN, registered dietitian and our nutrition and supplements editor

How Much Formula Do Babies Need?

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), newborn babies should receive 1–2 ounces of formula per feed in the first week of life. After that, you can gradually work up to 3–4 ounces per feed in the first month of life for a total of 32 ounces per day. This equates to feeding 3–4 ounces of formula every 3–4 hours. At six months of age, 6–8 ounces of formula per feed is recommended at feeding intervals of every 4–5 hours in a 24-hour period.

These are general recommendations, so check with your healthcare provider for specific recommendations for your baby if you aren’t sure or if your baby needs to gain more weight, for example. In general, the AAP recommends not exceeding 32 ounces of formula per day.

Formula Ingredients

• Carbohydrates: “Infant formulas contain a variety of carbohydrate sources, including lactose (the type of carbohydrate found in milk), and lactose-free sources such as corn syrup, sucrose (table sugar), or maltodextrin (made from plant starches),” says Rodenas. She recommends starting with a lactose-containing formula since it is the primary carbohydrate found in breast milk. If excessive tummy troubles arise, you can opt for a low-lactose or lactose-free option that contains maltodextrin or a combination of low lactose with maltodextrin, which can help with digestion.
• Protein: The type and size of the proteins make a difference in how easily a baby can digest a formula. “The options include standard (large), partially hydrolyzed (somewhat broken down and easier to digest), or fully hydrolyzed proteins (small and designed for babies with an allergy to cow’s milk)," says Malkani. "Most healthy babies tolerate standard-sized protein formulas just fine, and a good rule of thumb (unless your healthcare clinician has recommended otherwise) is to start with a standard formula and see how your baby does with it.” If your baby has been diagnosed with a cow’s milk protein allergy, Rodenas recommends a soy formula or a special hypoallergenic formula containing broken-down proteins called amino acids. Goat milk protein is another option, as it may be less allergenic, she says. 
• Iron: In the third trimester of pregnancy, infants store up iron from the mother, which lasts through the first few months of life. But around 4–6 months of age, infants will begin to run out of iron stores that accumulated during pregnancy, says Rodenas. Therefore, it’s important to use a baby formula that is fortified with iron.
• Other nutrients: The FDA requires baby formulas to contain specific nutrients at specified levels, but sometimes other nutrients are added. “Extra ingredients like DHA, probiotics, and prebiotics may be beneficial, but are not required,” says Malkani. Check with your healthcare provider if you have questions about any added nutrients in your baby’s formula. Linoleic acid, an essential fatty acid, is required, says Rodenas, “but DHA (omega 3 fatty acids) is preferable and important for brain development.” DHA is not currently required to be added to formulas in the U.S., but many brands are starting to add it. 
  

How Do I Know If My Baby Needs Special Formula?

Most infants will tolerate a standard formula. However, if your baby is gassy, has an allergy, or doesn’t seem to tolerate the formula you are giving, you may need to seek out a different formula to suit his or her specific needs better. 

“For babies with fussiness and excess gas, partially hydrolyzed formulas can be helpful because the proteins are broken down into smaller particles and are easier for babies to digest,” says Malkani. 

If your baby has a milk allergy, try a soy-based formula or a hypoallergenic formula. There are also lactose-free formulas that are worth trying if your baby is gassy or seems sensitive to lactose. Check with your pediatrician for recommendations based on your baby’s specific needs.

It doesn’t matter if you choose a brand-name or store-name formula. “Many store-brand infant formulas are manufactured by the same companies that manufacture name-brand formulas,” says Rodenas. 

“Choosing a brand comes down to personal preference and what is important to your family. It may also depend on whether or not your baby has any special nutritional needs, such as a milk protein allergy, or needs a sensitive formula due to digestion challenges. Since all formulas must meet the FDA standards, it doesn't really matter if that's generic or brand name,” says Peters.

Your Questions, Answered

What is the closest formula to breast milk? 

“All formulas are modeled after breast milk, but some use ingredients that seem to get it a little closer,” says Peters. Formulas that have DHA, ARA, and HMOs more closely mimic breast milk since breast milk contains these essential fatty acids and prebiotics, but they aren’t required to be added to baby formula. All formulas can be good choices for families depending on their personal preferences, Peters says. 

How do I transition my baby to another formula? 

“For babies who don’t require specialized or hypoallergenic formulas, transitioning to another cow’s milk-based formula is generally well tolerated,” says Malkani, “however, some babies prefer the taste of one brand over another.” 

To help increase acceptance, Malkani recommends making the change gradually. Use a ratio of ¼ new formula with ¾ old formula when mixing a bottle, she says. If the baby tolerates and accepts the combination, you can increase the ratio of the new formula to the old formula over the next few days, she explains. You can also use this process with pumped breast milk.

Does it matter what brand of formula you use? 

Experts agree that it doesn’t really matter which brand of formula you use. “Choosing a brand comes down to personal preference and what is important to that family,” says Peters. “It may also depend on whether or not the baby has any special nutritional needs such as a milk protein allergy or needs a sensitive formula due to digestion challenges.” 

“In terms of providing adequate and appropriate nutrition for babies,” says Malkani, “it’s helpful to remember that all non-specialized, FDA-regulated infant formulas in the U.S. (whether brand name or generic) provide the same basic ingredients and standard nutrients (like iron and vitamin D) that are recommended at specific levels for adequate growth and tightly regulated by the FDA. Brands and products may differ in a variety of different ways, including flavor and the inclusion of non-required nutrients like DHA, probiotics, and prebiotics,” she says.

Who We Are

Lainey Younkin, MS, RD, LDN is a registered dietitian and mom of three (almost four) who knows how stressful feeding babies can be. While she was able to breastfeed her babies, she approached this article as if she were shopping for formula for her own baby. This meant carefully scrutinizing the nutrition labels and ingredient lists, comparing them against the latest research, and speaking with experts like a pediatrician and several pediatric dietitians to come up with recommendations you can trust.