How to know if a new foreign baby formula is right for your baby (when you can’t find your normal US brand)
When the shortage is over – spend some nerd hours reading through my baby formula series to become the a jedi-master of formula. Right now, I know you’re too busy and likely too anxious, and need an answer now. So, how do you figure out which one of the new foreign formulas suddenly available in the US is right for your baby? Well, the answer is also (conveniently) my mantra:
Ignore the front label! It’s all about the list of ingredients!
Dr Bridget Young, PhD
Start by looking at the first few ingredients of the formula you normally use. This will tell you the protein, fat, and carbohydrate sources of your normal formula. Then, look at the ingredients of the new formulas available.
Focus on matching protein first!!!
If your normal formula has “partially hydrolyzed whey” then look for a formula that has “partially hydrolyzed whey” in the first few ingredients. If you see “milk” and “whey” somewhere in the first few ingredients, then try to find those words in the new formula.
You can also match carbohydrate and fat sources as well… but matching the protein source is the most important factor for a smooth transition.
But how do I find out what the ingredients are on all these new baby formulas becoming available?
I got you my dear! Here’s a chart of the new formulas approved by the FDA for US sales. Here’s the link to the FDA site where they list new formulas coming in. And here’s the ingredient breakdown you need to make your decision:
| Label | Formula | Protein | Carb | Fat | Sexy Additive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | A2+Platinum Stage 1 – NEW ZEALAND | Milk protein, whey protein | Lactose | High oleic sunflower, soy, coconut, canola oils, cream | Prebiotics: GOS |
 | A2+Platinum Stage 2 – NEW ZEALAND | Milk protein, whey protein | Lactose | Soy, High Oleic Sunflower, Coconut, cream | Prebiotics: GOS |
 | Care A2+ (0-12 mos) – AUSTRALIA | Skim milk, whey protein | Lactose | coconut, sunflower, high oleic sunflower, canola oils | Prebiotics: GOS and FOS Lactoferrin |
 | Bellamy’s Organic Infant Formula Step 1 (0-6mos) -AUSTRALIA | Organic milk, organic whey protein | Organic lactose | cream (from whole milk), palm olein, soy, coconut organic oils | Prebiotics: Organic GOS |
 | Bellamy’s Organic Follow-On Formula Step 2 (6-12mos) – AUSTRALIA | Organic milk, organic whey protein | Organic lactose | cream (from whole milk), palm olein, soy, coconut organic oils | Prebiotics: Organic GOS |
 | Aptamil – First infant milk (Stage 1) – IRELAND | Milk protein, whey protein | Lactose and fermented lactose | High oleic sunflower, coconut, rapeseed, sunflower oils | Prebiotics: GOS and FOS |
 | Bubs Organic Grass Fed 1 – AUSTRALIA | Cow’s milk and whey protein | Lactose | High oleic sunflower, coconut, soy, canola oils and cream | Prebiotic: GOS Probiotic: Bifidobacterium longum |
 | Bubs Organic Grass Fed 2 – AUSTRALIA | Cow’s milk and whey protein | Lactose | High oleic sunflower, coconut, soy, canola oils and cream | Prebiotic: GOS Probiotic: Bifidobacterium longum |
 | Bubs Supreme A2 Beta-Casein 1 – AUSTRALIA | A2 Cow’s milk and whey protein | Lactose | Sunflower, canola, coconut, high oleic sunflower oils and cream | Prebiotic: GOS, FOS Probiotic: Bifidobacterium longum BB536 |
 | Bubs Supreme A2 Beta-Casein 2 – AUSTRALIA | A2 Cow’s milk and whey protein | Lactose | Sunflower, canola, coconut, high oleic sunflower oils and cream | Prebiotic: GOS, FOS Probiotic: Bifidobacterium longum BB536 |
 | Bubs Easy-Digest Goat Milk 1 – AUSTRALIA | Whole Goat’s milk and whey protein | Lactose | Palm Olein, high oleic sunflower, canola, sunflower, coconut oils and goat cream | Prebiotic: GOS |
 | Bubs Easy-Digest Goat Milk 2 – AUSTRALIA | Whole Goat’s milk and whey protein | Lactose | Palm Olein, high oleic sunflower, canola, sunflower, coconut oils and goat cream | Prebiotic: GOS |
 | Kendamil Classic First Infant Milk 1 – UK | Whole milk and whey protein enriched in alpha-lactalbumin | Lactose | Sunflower, coconut, rapeseed oils and cream | Prebiotic: GOS, FOS |
 | Kendamil Organic First Infant Milk 1 – UK | Whole milk and whey protein | Lactose | Sunflower, coconut, rapeseed oils and cream | Prebiotic: GOS |
 | Kendamil Goat First Infant Milk 1 – UK | Whole Goat’s milk and whey protein | Lactose | Sunflower, coconut, rapeseed oils and goat cream | Prebiotic: GOS |