As a soon-to-be mom of two, I learned (the hard way!) to always be prepared with baby formula on hand. The recent infant formula shortages are still fresh in my mind, and I’m not taking any chances this time around.
Having one little one already (and another on the way), I’ve realized that buying in bulk is one of the easiest ways to save time and money. And infant formula is no exception. I shop at Costco often, so I took a closer look at the top four formulas to see how they stack up against one another. If I’m spending money, I want the best value and the best quality. Here’s my honest take on Bobbie, Kirkland, Enfamil, and Similac.
Quick legend:🥇category winner |🥈category runner-up
How to choose a baby formula
If you’re starting to explore formula or thinking about supplementing, here are a few key things to look for:
- Milk source: Whole milk formulas use more natural milk fat in addition to added oils, which more closely mirrors the fat profile of breast milk. This naturally-occurring milk fat provides added brain support, in the form of milk fat globule membrane (MFGM), and can also mean easier digestion for some babies.
- Whey:casein ratio: Whey and casein are the two main types of protein in breast milk. Whey is easier to digest and empties from the stomach faster as it stays liquid during digestion, while casein digests more slowly and helps babies feel full. A 60:40 whey-to-casein ratio matches what’s found in mature breast milk, which can help with smoother digestion and make formula feeding feel more natural for your baby.
- Clean ingredients: Look for formulas without palm oil, soy oil, or corn syrup solids. If it’s USDA organic, that’s usually a good sign you’re getting a higher-quality option. It’s harder to source and has the most stringent organic standards in the world (even more so than EU Organic!)
- Beneficial additives: Look for nutrients like DHA and choline for brain development, milk fat globule membrane (MFGM, from whole milk) to support cognition. But don’t just look– ask how much is in it. While many brands say they “include DHA” there is no minimum in US formulas so some have zero, 2mg or some have 15 or 20mg (the EU bare minimum).
- Safety and transparency: Where and how a formula is made matters. Brands that own their manufacturing and/or meet both U.S. and many EU standards offer added peace of mind. Made in the US often means it’s more reliable and faster from formula facility to your doorstep.
- Convenience: Whether it’s subscription delivery or in-store availability, you want a formula you love, but also one that’s easy to find and fits your routine.
- Cost: Formula can add up quickly. Consider what works for your budget while still meeting your ingredient preferences. Keep in mind that some formulas offer subscribe & save discounts for committed customers!
Criteria #1: Nutrition
Since breast milk and/or formula provides most of your baby’s calories in their first year, good nutrition is non-negotiable. My criteria:
- Quality carbohydrates, proteins, and fats to ensure my baby gets a strong start.
- Modeled after breast milk—since that’s what nature intended. This means the formula should have a whey to casein ratio of 60:40 (like mature breast milk) which is easier for little tummies to digest.
- No palm or palm olein oil, since it may cause firm 💩(which you don’t want to deal with).
- European-style formulas (aka those modeled after European guidelines, because they are not allowed to use corn syrup and must include a specific amount of DHA, a fatty acid found in breast milk that supports brain and eye development).
- No soy since my first baby had a sensitivity.
- Transparent ingredients lists with the exact amounts used
🥇 Bobbie Organic Original:
- Protein: 60:40 whey-to-casein ratio (same as that of mature breastmilk)
- Carbohydrate: 100% lactose.
- Fat: High oleic sunflower and safflower oil, low erucic acid rapeseed oil, and coconut oil.
- Extra nutrition: 20 mg/100 kcal of plant-based omega-3 DHA to support brain development, meeting European standards.
- Palm or palm olein oil? No.
- Soy Allergens? No.
🥈 Kirkland Signature ProCare:
- Protein: 52:48 whey-to-casein ratio.
- Carbohydrate: 100% lactose.
- Fat: High oleic sunflower and safflower oil, soy oil, and coconut oil.
- Extra nutrition: Omega-3 DHA to support brain development, 2′-FL and LNnt Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMOs) for immune support and digestive health, and lutein for eye health.
- Palm or palm olein oil? No.
- Soy? Yes
Enfamil NeuroPro Care:
- Protein: 60:40 whey-to-casein ratio (same as that of mature breastmilk)
- Carbohydrate: 100% lactose.
- Fat: Palm oil, coconut oil, soy oil, and high oleic sunflower oil.
- Extra nutrition: Milk Fat Globule Membrane (MFGM) and omega-3 DHA for cognitive function (unspecified amount), beta carotene for eye health, and HMOs and HuMO6 for immune and digestive health.
- Palm or palm olein oil? Yes (palm olein).
- Soy? Yes
Similac 360 Total Care:
- Protein: 52:48 whey-to-casein ratio.
- Carbohydrate: 100% lactose.
- Fat: High oleic safflower oil, soy oil, coconut oil.
- Extra nutrition: Blend of 5 HMO prebiotics for immune and digestive health, omega 3 DHA for cognitive function (unspecified amount) , and lutein and vitamin E for eye health.
- Palm or palm olein oil? No.
- Soy? Yes
Criteria #2: Ingredient quality and safety
Where and how a formula is made truly matters, so I look for brands that are upfront about ingredient quality and follow strict safety standards—bonus points if they meet US and many EU regulations or guidelines.
🥇Bobbie Organic Original:
- Organic?: Yes, USDA organic certified as well as certified to meet EU organic standards (via equivalency), which means it’s made without GMOs, antibiotics, hormones, or synthetic pesticides (like glyphosate).
- Made without: Maltodextrin, fillers, soy fat blend, palm or palm olein oil, and corn syrup.
- Certifications: Clean Label Purity Award and Pesticide Free Certification.
- Additional quality and safety measures: Over 2,000 quality checks per batch. Recipe and ingredients are tested and backed by clinical studies, rigorous heavy metal testing, and transparent ingredient sourcing with full supply chain oversight.
- Owns Manufacturing Facility? Yes.
- Bonus: Milk is sourced from grass-fed cows on small family-run farms, and the organic fat blend is made without inorganic bleaching agents, chemical solvents (like hexane), or synthetic pesticides.
Kirkland Signature ProCare:
- Organic?: No.
- Made without: Palm or palm olein oil, artificial growth hormones, gluten, and GMOs.
- Certifications: None.
- Additional quality and safety measures: Unknown.
- Owns Manufacturing Facility? Yes.
- Bonus: None.
Enfamil NeuroPro Care:
- Organic?: No.
- Made without: GMOs.
- Certifications: Non-GMO.
- Additional quality and safety measures: Unknown.
- Owns Manufacturing Facility? Yes.
- Bonus: None.
Similac 360 Total Care:
- Organic?: No.
- Made without: Palm or palm olein oil, artificial growth hormones, and GMOs.
- Certifications: Non-GMO.
- Additional quality and safety measures: Unknown.
- Owns Manufacturing Facility? Yes.
- Bonus: None.
Criteria #3: Consistency and mixability
🥇Bobbie Organic Original:
When I tested Bobbie’s formula, I was impressed with how easily it mixed. After mixing it with water and shaking the bottle, there were no clumps and very little foam.
Kirkland Signature ProCare:
Mixing the Kirkland Signature ProCare formula was frustrating—no matter how much I shook the bottle, it always left clumps of powder at the bottom and never fully dissolved.
🥈Enfamil NeuroPro Care:
The Enfamil NeuroPro Care formula was easy to mix and provided little to no foam.
Similac 360 Total Care:
While the Similac initially had little to no foam, it took a lot of shaking to fully dissolve the formula, which ended up creating a noticeable layer of foam on top.
Criteria #4: Cost
Bobbie Organic Original:
Costco price: $39.99 per 2-pack of 14.1 oz cans, or $1.42 per oz.
Alternative retailer: $24.99 per 14.1 oz can, or $1.77 per oz.
🥇 Kirkland Signature ProCare:
Costco price: $29.99 per 42 oz can, or $0.71 per oz.
🥈 Enfamil NeuroPro Care:
Costco price: $56.99 per 2 pack of 20.7 oz cans, or $1.38 per oz.
Alternative retailer: $48.99 per 28.3 oz can, or $1.73 per oz.
Similac 360 Total Care:
Costco price: $55.99 per 40 oz can, or $1.40 per oz.
Alternative retailer: $49.99 per 30.8 oz can, or $1.62 per oz.
Bobbie Organic Whole Milk formula is my top choice!
Bobbie continues to be my top choice of formula as it stands out for its exceptional nutritional, ingredient, and manufacturing quality, all offered at a great price.
✅ High nutritional quality, with a recipe modeled after breast milk
✅ Omega-3 DHA fatty acids at levels that meet EU standards
✅ USDA Organic, Clean Label Purity Award, and Pesticide Free Certification
✅ Gentle on digestion
✅ No maltodextrin, fillers, soy allergens, palm or palm olein oil, or corn syrup
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