I am all about empowering parents with the education to make their own informed decisions. BUT, without a doubt, the most common question I receive is, “What formula do you recommend?”

I hemmed and hawed about whether to write this article for several reasons. First, I want parents to make their own educated decisions, and not blindly follow recommendations. Secondly, all babies are different. One blanket recommendation won’t be the right fit for every single family. Often families have to try 2 or 3 formulas before finding the right fit for their individual baby’s little body. Switching formula is stressful and I recommend doing it in a planned and strategic fashion.

But everyone has to start somewhere. I totally get it! The majority of my parents I work with originally intended to breastfeed and then don’t know where to begin once they decide to use baby formula. Inevitably, you make the decision to try formula at 3AM, when the baby is screaming and you haven’t slept in 3 days. You don’t have time to read my enormous articles and casually decide. You need a recommendation NOW!

Well, as long as you promise to go back and read the articles about how to choose baby formula, I’ll give you some starting options to consider. These depend on the age of your baby:

For healthy term infants with no major health complications who are younger than 6 months, I recommend starting with either:

• Gerber Good Start – Gentle Pro

• Enfamil Reguline

Don’t just take my word for it!  Keep reading to see why I recommend it.

You know we have to start at the list of ingredients.  That’s all that matters.  The major ingredients are (color coded as: protein in red, fat in green, carbs in blue)

Gerber Good Start Gentle Stage 1

WHEY PROTEIN CONCENTRATE (FROM MILK, ENZYMATICALLY HYDROLYZED, REDUCED IN MINERALS), VEGETABLE OILS (PALM OLEIN, SOY, COCONUT, AND HIGH-OLEIC SAFFLOWER OR HIGH-OLEIC SUNFLOWER), CORN MALTODEXTRIN, LACTOSE

How do the major macronutrients stack up?

Protein: This is a whey partially hydrolyzed protein.  Awesome. Two thumbs up for little babies.

Fat: This blend does contain palm olein oil.  Since I’m giving this recommendation for healthy term babies, I’ve got no problem with that.  So the fat blend is OK

Carbohydrate: The last two ingredients are the carbs: corn maltodextrin & lactose.  Normally, I do prefer a lactose source.  However, I have never seen a hydrolyzed protein baby formula that also has only lactose.  They all seem to have at least some corn-based sugars.  Here, lactose is listed after corn maltodextrin, which usually means there is more maltodextrin than lactose.  However, Gerber is pretty awesome in that they are transparent about their ingredients and tell health care practitioners that this formula is 70% lactose and 30% corn maltodextrin… So mostly lactose, not bad.

How do the micronutrients stack up? 

POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE, CALCIUM CHLORIDE, POTASSIUM PHOSPHATE, CALCIUM PHOSPHATE, SODIUM ASCORBATE, SODIUM CITRATE, CHOLINE BITARTRATE, 2′-O-FUCOSYLLACTOSE, M. ALPINA OIL, C. COHNII OIL,  MAGNESIUM CHLORIDE, TAURINE, NUCLEOTIDES (CYTIDINE 5′-MONOPHOSPHATE, DISODIUM URIDINE 5′-MONOPHOSPHATE, ADENOSINE 5′-MONOPHOSPHATE, DISODIUM GUANOSINE 5′-MONOPHOSPHATE), INOSITOL, FERROUS SULFATE, ALPHA-TOCOPHERYL ACETATE, MIXED TOCOPHEROLS, ASCORBYL PALMITATE, CITRIC ACID, ZINC SULFATE, NIACINAMIDE, CALCIUM PANTOTHENATE, L-CARNITINE, COPPER SULFATE, VITAMIN A ACETATE, RIBOFLAVIN, THIAMINE MONONITRATE, PYRIDOXINE HYDROCHLORIDE, MANGANESE SULFATE, POTASSIUM IODIDE, FOLIC ACID, PHYLLOQUINONE, BIOTIN, SODIUM SELENATE, VITAMIN D3, VITAMIN B12, B. LACTIS CULTURES, SOY LECITHIN.

Pretty great!  All the vitamins and minerals are standard. DHA and ARA are added. This formula also has two bonus ingredients added – the PRObiotic Bifidobacterium Lactis.  This is a good probiotic that is in breast milk.  You can always add your own probiotic to your baby’s formula (see how here), so it’s not a requirement for me.  However, it’s nice to have Gerber do the work for you here. In the recent recipe change, Gerber also added a PREbiotic that is found in breast milk! To my knowledge this is the first major formula on the market that has BOTH a PRObiotic and PREbiotic.  Love that!

This formula is available at really any major store, or you can always buy it online.  

Enfamil Reguline

Partially hydrolyzed nonfat milk and whey protein concentrate solids, vegetable oil (palm olein, coconut, soy and high oleic sunflower oils), corn syrup solids, lactose

How do the major macronutrients stack up?

Protein: This is a partially hydrolyzed protein which is a great starting point for newborns.  The whey:casein ratio is 60:40 – like breast milk.  Awesome. Two thumbs up for little babies.

Fat: This blend does contain palm olein oil.  Since I’m giving this recommendation for healthy term babies, I’ve got no problem with that.  So the fat blend is OK

Carbohydrate: The last two ingredients are the carbs: corn syrup solids & lactose.  Normally, I do prefer a 100% lactose source.  However, I have never seen a US hydrolyzed protein baby formula that also has only lactose.  They all seem to have at least some corn-based sugars.  However, Enfamil is pretty awesome in that they are transparent about their ingredients and tell health care practitioners that this formula is 50% lactose and 50% corn syrup solids..

How do the micronutrients stack up? 

polydextrose, galactooligosaccharides, Mortierella alpina oil, Crypthecodinium cohnii oil, vitamin A palmitate, vitamin D₃, vitamin E acetate, vitamin K₁, thiamin hydrochloride, riboflavin, vitamin B₆ hydrochloride, vitamin B₁₂, niacinamide, folic acid, calcium pantothenate, biotin, ascorbic acid, choline chloride, inositol, calcium carbonate, calcium phosphate, magnesium phosphate, ferrous sulfate, zinc sulfate, manganese sulfate, cupric sulfate, sodium selenite, sodium citrate, potassium chloride, potassium iodide, taurine, L-carnitine

Pretty great!  All the vitamins and minerals are standard. DHA and ARA are added. This formula does not have a PRObiotic, but you can always add your own probiotic at home (see how here), so it’s not a requirement for me.  Reguline does have a PREbiotic! Love that!

This formula is available at really any major store, or you can always buy it online.  

For healthy term infants with no major health complications who are older than 5 months, and have eaten dairy foods with no reaction, you have TONS of great options.  I recommend starting with either:

• Earth’s Best Dairy Organic Formula (red can)

• Happy Baby

• Similac Pure Bliss

• Enfamil Infant (any type)

If your baby has tried any type of dairy (yogurt, cheese, cottage cheese, etc), and tolerated it well, then there’s no reason to avoid intact cow’s milk protein in formula.  So, literally every formula option is available to you!

Since that’s the case, I would recommend an organic formula that has minimal carbohydrate from corn sugar.   But There are quite a few of these on the market, and I have a pretty darn cool breakdown of all the organic formula in the US here.  But if you’re in a pinch, these are 3 great options to start with.

• All of these formulas are organic.
• All are cow’s milk based with additional whey (score!).
• All contain lactose as the sole carbohydrate (like breast milk).  This means no corn sugar or glucose syrup.
• All are easy to find in stores and online!

Here’s a look at the ingredients and a summary of the differences between the three:

Earth’s Best Dairy Formula Ingredients:

Organic Lactose, Organic Nonfat Milk, Organic Oils (Organic Palm or Palm Olein, Organic Soy, Organic Coconut, Organic High Oleic Safflower or Sunflower Oil), Organic Whey Protein Concentrate, Less Than 1%: Mortierella Alpina Oil, Crypthecodinium Cohnii Oil, Fructooligosaccharide, Lutein, L-Carnitine, Vitamin A Palmitate, Beta-Carotene, Vitamin D (Cholecalciferol), Vitamin E (d-Alpha Tocopheryl Acetate), Mixed Tocopherol Concentrate, Vitamin K (Phytonadione), Ascorbyl Palmitate, Thiamine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Cyanocobalamin, Niacinamide, Folic Acid, Calcium Pantothenate, Biotin, Ascorbic Acid, Choline Bitartrate, Inositol, Calcium Carbonate, Calcium Chloride, Calcium Hydroxide, Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate, Cupric Sulfate, Magnesium Phosphate, Potassium Bicarbonate, Potassium Chloride, Potassium Iodide, Potassium Hydroxide, Potassium Phosphate, Sodium Selenite, Sodium Citrate, Taurine, Organic Soy Lecithin, Nucleotides (Cytidine-5′-Monophosphate, Adenosine-5′-Monophosphate, Disodium Uridine-5′-Monophosphate, Disodium Guanosine-5′-Monophosphate, Disodium Inosine-5′-Monophosphate).

Happy Baby Organic Formula Ingredients:

ORGANIC LACTOSE, ORGANIC NONFAT MILK, ORGANIC PALM OLEIN OR PALM OIL, ORGANIC SOY OIL, ORGANIC COCONUT OIL, ORGANIC HIGH OLEIC (SAFFLOWER OR SUNFLOWER) OIL, ORGANIC GALACTOOLIGOSACCHARIDES (GOS), ORGANIC WHEY PROTEIN CONCENTRATE, LESS THAN 1%: FRUCTOOLIGOSACCHARIDE (FOS), CHOLINE BITARTRATE, POTASSIUM CHLORIDE, ORGANIC SOY LECITHIN, CALCIUM HYDROXIDE, MORTIERELLA ALPINA OIL, CALCIUM PHOSPHATE, SODIUM CITRATE, ASCORBIC ACID, MAGNESIUM CHLORIDE, CRYPTHECODINIUM COHNII OIL, POTASSIUM BICARBONATE, INOSITOL, ASCORBYL PALMITATE, FERROUS SULFATE, ZINC SULFATE, MIXED TOCOPHEROL CONCENTRATE, VITAMIN E (dl-ALPHA TOCOPHERYL ACETATE), NIACINAMIDE, CALCIUM PANTOTHENATE, CUPRIC SULFATE, VITAMIN A PALMITATE, RIBOFLAVIN, THIAMINE HYDROCHLORIDE, PYRIDOXINE HYDROCHLORIDE, MANGANESE SULFATE, BETA-CAROTENE, POTASSIUM IODIDE, FOLIC ACID, VITAMIN K (PHYTONADIONE), BIOTIN, SODIUM SELENITE, VITAMIN D (CHOLECALCIFEROL), CYANOCOBALAMIN. CONTAINS MILK AND SOY INGREDIENTS.

Similac Pure Bliss Formula Ingredients:

Nonfat Milk, Lactose, High Oleic Sunflower Oil, Whey Protein Concentrate, Soy Oil, Coconut Oil, Galactooligosaccharides. Less than 2% of: C. Cohnii Oil, M. Alpina Oil, Beta-Carotene, Lutein, Potassium Citrate, Calcium Carbonate, Ascorbic Acid, Soy Lecithin, Potassium Chloride, Magnesium Chloride, Ferrous Sulfate, Choline Bitartrate, Choline Chloride, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Salt, Taurine, m-Inositol, Zinc Sulfate, Mixed Tocopherols, d-Alpha-Tocopheryl Acetate, Niacinamide, Calcium Pantothenate, L-Carnitine, Vitamin A Palmitate, Copper Sulfate, Thiamine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Folic Acid, Manganese Sulfate, Phylloquinone, Biotin, Sodium Selenate, Vitamin D3, Vitamin B12, Calcium Phosphate, Potassium Hydroxide, Potassium Iodide, and Nucleotides (Adenosine 5’-Monophosphate, Cytidine 5’-Monophosphate, Disodium Guanosine 5’-Monophosphate, Disodium Uridine 5’-Monophosphate).

Enfamil Infant (NeuroPro*) Formula Ingredients:

NONFAT MILK, LACTOSE, VEGETABLE OIL (PALM OLEIN, COCONUT, SOY, AND HIGH OLEIC SUNFLOWER OILS), WHEY PROTEIN CONCENTRATE, WHEY PROTEIN-LIPID CONCENTRATE (MILK)* AND LESS THAN 2%: GALACTOOLIGOSACCHARIDES, POLYDEXTROSE, MORTIERELLA ALPINA OIL, SCHIZOCHYTRIUM SP. OIL, CALCIUM CARBONATE, POTASSIUM CITRATE, POTASSIUM CHLORIDE, FERROUS SULFATE, CALCIUM PHOSPHATE, SODIUM CHLORIDE, MAGNESIUM OXIDE, ZINC SULFATE, CUPRIC SULFATE, MANGANESE SULFATE, POTASSIUM IODIDE, SODIUM SELENITE, SOY LECITHIN, INOSITOL, CHOLINE CHLORIDE, ASCORBIC ACID, NIACINAMIDE, CALCIUM PANTOTHENATE, VITAMIN A PALMITATE, RIBOFLAVIN, THIAMIN HYDROCHLORIDE, VITAMIN D₃, VITAMIN B₆ HYDROCHLORIDE, FOLIC ACID, VITAMIN K₁, BIOTIN, VITAMIN B₁₂, VITAMIN E ACETATE, NUCLEOTIDES (CYTIDINE 5’-MONOPHOSPHATE, DISODIUM URIDINE 5’-MONOPHOSPHATE, ADENOSINE 5’-MONOPHOSPHATE, DISODIUM GUANOSINE 5’-MONOPHOSPHATE), TAURINE, L-CARNITINE.

Here is how the four differ:

• All four have a carbohydrate that is 100% lactose. This is a great place to start off from. All four have some type of  PREbioic. This is not essential, but is a nice bonus. All four provide DHA.
• The big difference is the whey:casein ratio of the formulas.
  • Enfmail Infant is 60% whey and 40% casein
  • Similac Pure Bliss is roughly 50% whey and 50% casein
  • Both Organic formulas are 30% whey and 70% casein
• The two organic formulas – Earth’s Best and Happy Baby – are VERY similar formulas. Earth’s Best has a few additional “extras” (the nucleotides and Lutein). My  personal opinion is that these don’t matter very much for older infants.  Happy Baby is a simpler recipe with a slightly larger amount of PREbioic.
• Similac Pure Bliss is not organic, but is is grass-fed which may have some benefits.  Find out more here!
• Enfamil Infant has the highest whey:casein ratio. The “NeuroPro” version provides the sexy-extra: MFGM (which stands for milk fat globule membrane). This extra ingredient does have benefits. But if you are starting formula for the first time, these benefits are less well-known.
• As long as the ingredients match, generic versions of these formulas totally count!!!

The decision to feed formula is difficult to make.  Always check with your doctor before doing so.  After you’ve made the decision to feed formula, the overwhelming selection and lack of support is literally enough to bring a postpartum-hormone-ridden-sleep-deprived-mother to tears!  Remember, there is no bad choice!!

My hope is that these suggestions start you off on the right path and buy you some peace of mind while you continue to do your own research.

After you are back from the grocery store, read my series all about infant formulas.  This will make you an EXPERT on formula ingredients.  If you have to switch formulas, you’ll be able to do so like a pro! 

Still feeling overwhelmed? Wish I could walk with you and give you a step-by-step solution to finding the right baby formula? You’re in luck because I absolutely can! I offer an online course if you need extra help. 

 This course comes with a money-back guarantee to remove your anxiety around formula.  Click here to get more information on the course and to watch a short video. I am excited to take this journey with your family. 

Your baby is just the best!
Dr. Young