The 9 Best Baby Formulas, Backed By Pediatricians for Their Nutrients (2024)

byKathleen Felton

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Backed by many pediatricians and parents alike, it’s hard to find fault with Enfamil’s extensive family of baby formulas. The brand recently received a 2023 What to Expect Feeding Award, and a 2023 What to Expect Mom Must-Have Award, so it’s clearly a favorite among What to Expect parents as well.

Enfamil’sEnspire andNutramigen varieties also earned spots on this list, but theirNeuroPro line is a go-to for many families. This formula also provides brain-building nutrients like DHA, as well as immune system-boosting prebiotics.

The structure makes this milk-based formula generally easy for babies to digest (although the brand also has specific lines to address common feeding issues — more on that later).

“My daughter was born as the formula shortage began, so we were forced to try a few different brands,” says Leah Rocketto, What to Expect’s Associate Commerce Editor. “Not only did she spit up less when drinking Enfamil, but her poop wasn’t as foul-smelling.” Leah, and many What to Expect moms, also appreciated that the container was dishwasher safe for continued use. “Being able to order refill packs instead of individual tubs was much more cost effective, andalso gave me some peace of mind when formula was hard to find.” This formula is also available as a powder or ready-to-feed formula, as well as in a gentle variety that may be beneficial for little ones prone to spit-up and gas. And at $1.68 an ounce, it’s relatively affordable.

To top it off, some What to Expect community moms were seriously impressed by Enfamil’s customer service, from general assistance to even receiving formula coupons.

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Enfamil's Enspireis the brand's closest formula to breast milk, thanks to the inclusion of proteins found in colostrum, like lactoferrin. (In fact, Enspire is the first and only infant formula in the U.S. to include lactoferrin as an ingredient, according to the brand.) Combined with nutrients like DHA and choline, plus all the other essential vitamins and minerals your baby needs to grow, it's a great pick to consider.

Lots of What to Expect community parents rely on this formula. Several report their little ones taking to it quickly and having positive experiences. "I use Enspire and baby loves it," one parent reported. "I pumped and supplemented with the formula. Went back and forth between this and BM [breast milk] for 6 months and never had any issues."

Other benefits include a proprietary blend of dual probiotics for immune system support, plus a reusable tub you can purchase refills for.

One downside with this line, though, is its higher cost than some other standard milk-based formulas (it’s $2.29 an ounce, one of the pricier picks on this list). Some parents report it being a little harder to find in stores, too, and it's also only available as a powder.

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If your little one is suffering from symptoms of gas and colic,Similac’s Alimentum may be worth a try. It’s a particular favorite among What to Expect community parents whose babies are gassy and colic-prone. This formula includes the necessary ingredients to boost brain and eye development and provide your baby the nutrition she needs, but it also has a hypoallergenic milk protein that helps eliminate allergic reactions and colic symptoms due to protein sensitivities.Alimentum is also available in a ready-to-feed format for families who prefer to take that route.

Alimentum is expensive, however — at $2.49 an ounce, it’s not exactly a budget-friendly pick. If your baby doesn’t have symptoms of gas or colic, you likely don’t need to spend more on a special formula like this. When in doubt, ask your pediatrician what they recommend for your baby’s symptoms.

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If you prefer to buy an organic baby formula for your little one, consider Earth’s Best Organic Formula. Not only does it have all the essential nutrients your baby needs to develop and grow, but it’s also one of the most affordable organic formulas on the market.

This milk-based powder formula is produced from cows fed with certified organic grain and hay, which are grown without any synthetic pesticides or fertilizers. It includes all the key ingredients your baby needs, plus DHA and ARA for brain and eye development and lutein for eyes. To top it off, it’s the brand’s closest formula to breast milk.

I used this formula for about four months with my first son, and I appreciated the fact that it’s organic but has such an accessible price point. Compared to some other formulas I had tried, I also found this one very easy to mix.

Reviewers also appreciate the packaging, which includes an easy-pull seal under its lid. Also nice: While some powdered formulas have a (totally harmless and subtle) smell, a number of parents mention that they like that Earth’s Best formula doesn’t have such a scent.

The brand also offers asensitive variety if your pediatrician recommends it.

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Aussie Bubs Organic Grass Fed Infant Formulais not only another excellent option for parents who would prefer an organic formula, but also for newborns specifically. As you might guess, Aussie Bubs is manufactured in Australia, but this company is FDA-compliant and was given the green light by the agency to import to the U.S. during the formula shortage. This Stage 1 formula is made to be extra sensitive on newborns' stomachs, who are fed more times a day than when they get older.

Aussie Bubs’ milk-based powder is made with grass-fed organic cow’s milk that contains milk fat globule membrane (MFGM), as well as probiotics. The brand’s formulas are Clean Label Project certified, which means they have been extensively tested for chemicals that could be concerning. Many parents in the What to Expect community report that they switched to this formula during the shortage when their go-to brand was unavailable and were pleasantly surprised by how well their babies did on it.

Worth noting: While most U.S. formulas are designed broadly for infants, Aussie Bubs’ milk-based powder formulas are stage-based. Stage 1 is for 0-6 month olds andStage 2 is formulated for 6-12 month olds — so make sure to purchase the right type for your little one’s age.

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Finding a baby formula that agrees with a sensitive stomach can involve some trial and error. Many parents in the What to Expect community swear by Gerber’s Good Start line, particularly for constipation, and for good reason. The brand has developed a variety of blends to suit various conditions that can affect newborns, and Gerber SootheProcontains probiotics that may calm her digestive system. (Note, though, that the jury is still out on whether probiotics are beneficial long-term for your baby, so double-check with your pediatrician before trying them, says the AAP.)

This non-GMO milk-based formula also includes DHA for brain and eye development and has no artificial growth hormones. Just note that it’s available in a powder format only.

Something to keep in mind: Your little one may not actually be constipated. “Babies that are formula-fed are going to have less frequent bowel movements and often firmer bowel structure, or stool structure, as opposed to breastfeeding babies,” explainsSteven Abelowitz, M.D., F.A.A.P., a pediatrician and regional medical director of Coastal Kids Pediatrics in Newport Beach, California.

Tina Feeley, M.D., M.P.H., a board-certified pediatrician practicing at Chestnut Hill Pediatrics in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts and member of the What to Expect Medical Review Board, also adds: “The first thing we actually will look at if the baby's really constipated is: Are the parents mixing this formula correctly? Because a lot of times they're not, and then that can be why the babies are getting constipated from it.”

Bottom line? Check with your pediatrician to make sure your baby is truly constipated before switching formulas, and ask about which one is best for your baby specifically. Some parents do also note that their babies’ bowel movements took time to adjust starting this formula, which is something to keep in mind when making the switch.

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TheEnfamil Nutramigen hypoallergenic formula is designed for babies with food allergies, and includes bonus nutrients like DHA in addition to those that they need.

“If [babies] have a milk protein allergy, then they would need to go on a hydrolyzed formula, which would be like a Nutramigen or Alimentum — which is still actually based from cow’s milk, but they break down the protein so they're not allergic to it,” explains Dr. Feeley. Enfamil’s Nutramigen is a great hydrolyzed formula option, with several What to Expect community members saying they saw a huge difference when they switched to it.

"Nutramigen was honestly a lifesaver; my son was miserable with his allergy symptoms before we tried it," says Sarah Darby, What to Expect Senior SEO Strategist. "I really liked that Nutramigen wasn’t clumpy when mixed. My son thrived on it!"

Many note that their baby didn’t spit up or get constipated as often as they did before, and one parent in particular found that their baby stopped fighting bottles when they switched to Nutramigen. What’s more is that although this product is very similar to Similac’s Alimentum, which is also a hydrolyzed formula, many parents note that they preferred the smell of Nutramigen, which ultimately made them choose this one instead.

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For parents intrigued by European baby formulas, consider Bobbie, an organic baby formula that’s both FDA-approved and meets the most recent European Union (EU) standards when it comes to ingredients like DHA and iron.

This formula is USDA-certified organic, meaning the ingredients were created without GMOs, synthetic pesticides or fertilizers. Caregivers will also appreciate where Bobbie sources its key ingredients from — like pasture-raised dairy, whey and casein from small family farms in the U.S., for instance. It’s also the only female-founded and mom-led infant formula company in the U.S.

When my second son stopped breastfeeding, I switched him to formula and was very lucky to nab a Bobbie subscription during the height of the formula shortage. Not only did my son do well on this formula, but I was very impressed by the company: Their customer service is top-notch, and I’d often receive texts from them asking if I was pacing OK with my formula supply and whether I needed more cans early (often, I did).

Many parents on the What to Expect staff have also used Bobbie with much success:

"We tried all different formulas and [my daughter] likes the taste of Bobbie," saysLisafe Carreon, What to Expect Senior Project Manager.

Alexandra Bisonó, What to Expect's Senior Art Director, also likes Bobbie and appreciates the ingredients (especially the lack of sugar). "Since the first bottle, we kept a close eye on any signs of constipation, and we were surprised to see that our baby’s bowel movements stayed very consistent," she says. "Their subscription service is key so that we never had an issue with running low."

"I liked the convenience factor that it was shipped monthly," saysShelley Gingrich, What to Expect Director of Brand Solutions."My daughter did really well on it."

We also appreciate how informational yet easy-to-use Bobbie’s website is. For starters, there’s a whole page dedicated to its ingredients and what each one does. There’s helpful guidance for how many cans you should buy based on baby’s age and whether or not you’re also breastfeeding — or you can snag a “starter bundle,” which gives you one can at half price.

One considerable downside, though, is that it can be hard to find. The only major retailer it's available at is Target, and their stock can often be low or empty.

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Because all baby formulas in the U.S. must adhere to the same FDA rules and regulations, there’s no reason to buy an expensive formula if you don’t want or have to.Kirkland’s Signature ProCare formula from Costco is a widely loved generic option that parents in the What to Expect community consistently praise for its more affordable price tag.

“My daughter had the same response to Costco’s formula as she did to Enfamil — little spit-up and less stinky poops, so we used the two interchangeably, depending on availability,” says Leah.

It includes all the nutrients and extra ingredients that name-brand formulas do (as well as DHA for brain growth and lutein for baby’s eyes), but comes at a fraction of the price. It also contains no artificial growth hormones, and is certified kosher and certified halal. And although this formula is currently only available at Costco and non-members have to pay a small surcharge, the price per ounce is still significantly lower than other options.

The only (very minor) complaint some parents have about Kirkland formula is that it can sometimes be a little more frothy than other brands after it’s just been mixed. Swirling the bottle gently to incorporate the formula rather than shaking it too hard can help to ease bubbles, parents say.

Also good to know: More great options that come at a lower price point include Up&Up from Target and Member’s Mark from Sam’s Club, both of which several What to Expect community parents love.

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What formula do pediatricians recommend?

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