The Best Baby Formula for 2023
This list helpfully lays out the best baby formulas to help you provide wholesome nutrition for your little one.
For the first 12 months, a baby requires either formula or breastmilk. While breastmilk seems the ideal option due to its nutrient-rich contents, breastfeeding presents multiple challenges for the modern mom. From medical issues to time pressures, and societal taboos, mothers face many issues that can lead to poor milk production. As such, having a quality formula to hand can be life-changing.
Baby formula is carefully made to offer the nutritional composition of breast milk, and we have compiled the best milk or soy-based options to ensure that your baby receives the necessary nutrients.
Everything We Recommend
1. Best Product
Enfamil NeuroPro Gentlease Baby Formula
2. Runner Up
Gerber Good Start Baby Formula Powder
3. Cost Effective
Earth’s Best Organic Dairy Infant Powder Formula
4. Almost Made the Cut
Similac Pro-Advance Infant Formula
1. Best Product
1. Best Product
Enfamil NeuroPro Gentlease Baby Formula
This rich formula is proven to ease fussiness, gas, and spit-ups.
Specifications
- Weight
- 1.75 Pounds
- Dimensions
- 5.50 x 4.40 x 6.30 Inches
- Form
- Powder
- Size
- 19.5 Oz
- Format
- Reusable Tub
Pros
Contains DHA for brain development- Non-GMO
- Immune Health Support
- Made With Gentle Proteins
Cons
Baby May Consipitate In The First Week- May Trigger Lactose Intolerant Babies
Previous Customer Experience
| Flavor |   | 4.3 |
| Value for money | | 4.3 |
| Comfort | | 4.2 |
About The Product
Gentlease won our top spot as it is an improved formula from the initial Enfamil NeuroPro formula, with easy-to-digest proteins to ease gas, crying, and spit-ups.
This option has a scientific formula with non-GMO ingredients and no artificial growth hormones, making this pick the only baby formula containing a fat-protein blend of MFGM (Milk Fat Globule Membrane) and Omega 3 DHA, previously only found in natural breast milk. This new formula has also proven to support brain development, as Omega 3 and related DHA (Docosahexaenoic acid) are fatty acids that may improve or prevent chronic conditions such as heart disease, certain cancers, depression, and rheumatoid arthritis.
Due to being a milk-based formula, this option is not for those with lactose allergies or sensitivities. This product is not suitable for babies with galactosemia. Please get in contact with a doctor or a health care professional for further recommendations.
Testing also showed that this pick does not soften or ease hard stools. For this, you may consider purchasing Enfamil Reguline.
One purchase buys you a 19.5oz tub of powdered formula and a scooper. For parents on the go or any who require a ready-to-use option, Gentlease is also available in liquid form.
We also recommend not using a microwave to warm this formula; this may result in burns or spoiled milk. Once prepared, baby formulas can spoil quickly, so you must feed them immediately or store them in a refrigerator for no longer than 24 hours at 35-40°F. Do not use the formula frozen or unrefrigerated for more than 2 hours.
2. Runner Up
Best For Tummy Comfort
Gerber Good Start Baby Formula Powder
This rich formula is formulated to mimic the gentleness of breastmilk and will get your baby off to a good start.
Specifications
- Weight
- 32 Ounces
- Form
- Powder
- Allergen Information
- Non-GMO
- Formula Type
- Milk-based
- Packaging Type
- Canister
Pros
- Complete Nutrition For Babes Up To 12 Months
- Easily Digestible Proteins
- Includes Probiotics To Improve Digestive And Immune Systems
- Reduces Fussiness and Gas
- Sizeable 32-Ounce Container
Cons
- Allergen Warning: Soy And Vegetable Oils
- The Lid May Not Close Tightly After Initial Opening
Previous Customer Experience
| Comfort | | 5 |
| Value for Money | | 4.6 |
| Flavor | | 4.5 |
| For traveling | | 3.9 |
About The Product
Gerber Good Start GentlePro earned our runner-up spot because it is widely available and scored highly amongst our testers due to its complete nutritional profile and reasonable price. This option contains small, easy-to-digest proteins to help soothe your baby's stomach and also has DHA to support healthy brain and eye development.
Gerber claims that its GentlePro baby formula is the first and only one that contains both prebiotics and probiotics. These are fibers used to maintain gut bacteria, helping the body to grow stronger and have an improved immune response.
This option aids in promoting softer stools in infants due to containing a formula of only 30% lactose. Our testing showed that this lactose gentleness mirrors natural breast milk and its ability to relieve infants with colic.
As much as we love this formula, it only comes in powdered form, making it more time-consuming for on-the-go moms. We were also privy to check our purchase production date as a specific batch (products manufactured between January 2 and January 18, 2023) was recalled this year due to potential contamination.
3. Cost Effective
Best For Organic Nutrition
Earth’s Best Organic Dairy Infant Powder Formula
This milk-based formula contains lactose derived from grain and grass-fed cows, making it one of the safest formulas.
Specifications
- Formula Type
- Milk-based
- Age Range
- Up To 12 months
- Size
- 21 Ounces
- Container Type
- Powder
- Allergen Information
- Soy, Dairy
Pros
- Ideal For Lactose Sensitive Babies
- Easily Digestible Proteins
- USDA Organic Certified
- Fortified With Iron, Prebiotics, And Lutein
Cons
- Different Taste and Smell From Non-Organic Formulas
- Allergen Warning: Soy And Vegetable Oils Allergen Warning: Soy And Vegetable Oils
Previous Customer Experience
| Ingredient Quality | | 4.1 |
| Value for Money | | 3.9 |
| Flavor | | 3.9 |
About The Product
This option offers healthy ingredients without artificial colors or flavors at a very reasonable price.
Earth's Best Organic Dairy Infant Powder Formula contains iron, omega-3 DHA, and omega-6 ARA. These fatty acids improve heart health, reduce inflammation and the risk of diseases, such as arthritis, and improves overall concentration in children. Its composition includes DHA and ARA, two fatty acids typically found in breast milk that aid brain and eye development, and prebiotics. These USDA-certified organic and non-GMO ingredients help infants from zero to 12 months develop into healthy children.
Our testers main feedback was surrounding the unpleasant smell and taste, making it a task to persuade young babies to swallow it.
Some of our testers were skeptical of this formula due to the cheaper price tag. However, research showed it contains beneficial additives in other expensive baby formula brands.
4. Almost Made the Cut
Best For Colic Management
Similac Pro-Advance Infant Formula
This is a ready-to-drink hypoallergenic infant formula designed specifically for babies who are allergic to cow milk protein.
Specifications
- Item Form
- Ready to Feed
- Flavor
- Alimentum
- Number of Items
- 6
- Unit Count
- 192 Fl Oz
- Weight
- 14.2 Pounds
- Specialty
- Hypoallergenic
Pros
- Gentle on Baby’s Tummy
- 2-FL HMO For Immune Nourishment
- Ready To Feed
Cons
- Unpleasant Taste And Scent
- Requires Refrigeration Once Opened
- Expensive Compared To Powder Formula
Previous Customer Experience
| Flavor | | 4 |
| Value for money | | 3.9 |
| Comfort | | 3.8 |
| Scent | | 3.3 |
About The Product
This liquid formula from Similac was one of the best products we tested for newborns with a sensitivity to lactose.
With no palm oils nor artificial growth hormones, Similac boasts its formulas as the first hypoallergenic formula to include 2-FL HMO. Oligosaccharide (HMO) is an immune-nourishing prebiotic similar to that found in breast milk. Oligosaccharide acts as a prebiotic that offers a range of health benefits, including an improved immune system and gut health. These ingredients and broken-down proteins aid digestion, especially for babies with pre-existing allergies or colic due to a sensitivity to proteins.
Although not as expensive as some bulk purchases, this option comes as a pack of 6 bottles - each 32 fl oz - with a price tag of double our other picks.
Similar to our most cost-effective option, our testers reported that this pick has a bitter taste which some babies rejected or spat back up.
As with most formulas, this pick should not heat in the microwave. Once prepared, do not use this milk after 48 hours.
Who This Is For
These products provide complete nutrition for babies from day one to the first 12 months.
Due to the different forms, types, and nutritional elements available, selecting the perfect formula for your child is even more complicated than in previous years. While ready-to-feed is safe and convenient, our research and testing showed that most parents opt for powdered formula rather than ready-to-feed due to the cheaper nature of the former. A powdered formula can also store for longer, up to one month after opening, and is more widely available. As such, we have recommended the best powder formulas here, but many of the products also come in a liquid form if you prefer.
Following advice from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), we recommend baby formula or breastmilk exclusively from birth to six months. This advice is due to baby formula coming in two stages; stage 1 and stage 2. These two stages are nutritionally the same. However, the first-stage infant formula predominately uses whey protein and is ideal for feeding until 12 months of age, while the second stage contains casein protein and is suitable for babies over six months.
Why You Should Trust Us
Searching for the best baby formula dumps over five hundred million results in your lap. At National Today, we have made this process infinitely easier for all new mothers by testing the best ten products and narrowing them down to the top three. We are an unbiased company, aiming to make finding the best purchase easy to manage.
We tested the products highlighted in our list over several months. Our testers are trusted members of our team, evaluating and reinforcing the authenticity of products. We all do our best to break down complex topics into easy-to-understand language, making even the most technical products accessible to readers of all backgrounds. With no sponsors encouraging us to present any particular product outside of our careful judging factors, you can rely on us to offer accurate, detailed, and honest results of how these products perform.
We are constantly updating and improving our content for our readers, so if you buy any of our recommendations, let us know your experience by contacting us at —.
How We Picked
Organic Ingredients
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) strictly regulates core components in baby formulas to ensure each is acceptable in nutrition. However, due to the different consistencies and ingredients in recipes, available baby formulas will vary.
The picks in our article have ingredients that support natural growth and sport easily digestible proteins to reduce stomach discomfort. These benefits come through formulas including partially hydrolyzed formulas which, although still including milk or soy proteins, are more broken down. The breaking down is due to hydrolyzed formulas having a higher absorption rate and better muscle protein synthesis.
There are multiple benefits of purchasing organic baby formula over non-organic choices, such as less exposure to chemicals or pesticides from manufacturing. Our recommendations all have non-GMO ingredients.
Sensitivity
Options such as our Runner-Up and Most Cost-Effective recommendations are lactose-free. These formulas are cow’s milk-based but go through a process to replace the lactose – the sugar found in milk – with an alternate carbohydrate, typically corn syrup, which makes it easier to digest.
Although all our recommendations are labeled as easy to digest or include gentle proteins to relieve colic or stomach upsets in babies, some newborns are sensitive to formula. Formula intolerance shows symptoms caused by certain formula ingredients. Symptoms include excessive crying multiple times, spitting up more than usual, gassiness, or difficulty passing stool. More severe reactions include vomiting, blood in stool, slowed growth, or inconsolable crying after feeding. This intolerance is not an allergy, as it does not affect the immune system, though the symptoms are the same, so if symptoms do not fade, contact medical assistance.
Form
Powder
The powdered formula is loose powder that needs to mix with water. This form is typically available in small tubs or single-serve packets. The benefits of this form are cheaper than liquid and can keep for longer. These formulas need handling with utmost care to prevent sterilization issues.
Liquid Concentrate
Liquid concentrate is a formula that needs mixing with sterilized water and prevents bacteria from being ingested. This form is typically packaged in a can and comes at a lower price point than ready-to-go liquid formula.
Ready-To-Go Liquid
The ready-to-go liquid is a ready-to-serve method of feeding your baby and typically comes in individual bottles. This form is the quickest and most convenient as it requires no clean-up. The ingredients and formula of ready-to-go are made sterile and do not require heating up.
How We Picked
Ingredients
Our picks have ingredients to support natural growth and easily digestible proteins to remove discomfort or pain post-feeding.
Form - Liquid or Powder
Baby formula is available in three forms, named liquid concentrate, powder, and ready-to-feed liquid. To aid with purchasing, we have only recommended powdered formulas.
Age of Baby - Formula Stage
All the options recommended in this list come under stage 1. Stage 1 means all options are for infants aged zero to 12 months.
Cost-Effectiveness
We have recommended products at many prices to support parents of all budgets to give their babies the necessary nutrients.
Care and Maintenance
How to prepare
Once you prepare the baby’s formula, ensure to feed immediately or cover and store in a refrigerator at 35 to 40°F for no longer than 24 hours. Use boiled water cooled to body temperature to dilute the concentrated formula.
Perishability
We remind you that powdered formula requires ingesting within an hour of mixing with water. If your baby does not drink the serving, do not save it for later. Throw away any leftovers, wash the bottles and nipples with soap and warm water, and do not use a microwave oven to heat the prepared formula, as it can create hotspots that can burn your baby’s mouth.
Wash hands thoroughly before handling baby formula.
It is crucial to always wash your hands thoroughly before handling baby formula and to mix the formula safely using the directions on the label. Discard the formula if any foul odor, discoloration, or separation of baby formula liquid components happens. Lastly, we recommend gradually changing the formula option if your baby begins to spit up excessively or stops adding weight.
Sources and Research
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