The Best Organic Baby Formulas Compared

Choosing the right baby formula can feel overwhelming, especially with so many options out there. Baby formula is your baby's only source of nutrition for the first 6 months and provides most of their calories during their first year, so it's safe to say they'll be drinking a lot of it. But not all baby formulas are created equal. If you're leaning towards an organic one, how do you know which one is the best for your baby?

Families who live an organic lifestyle often choose organic formula for their babies to stay true to their values. The best organic baby formula options are made from organic ingredients and may offer additional benefits like inclusion of DHA or probiotics, or may be free from preservatives, allergens or other additives. In this guide, I'll break it down for you, and compare the top organic baby formulas. Hopefully, this will make your postpartum journey a little smoother and take the guesswork out of formula-feeding.

What is organic baby formula?

According to the USDA,”Organic products must be produced using agricultural production practices that foster resource cycling, promote ecological balance, maintain and improve soil and water quality, minimize the use of synthetic materials, and conserve biodiversity.” In other words, for a food to be labeled organic, it must be produced in the following way:

1. With sustainable agricultural production practices
2. Without the use of conventional pesticides, fertilizers made with synthetic ingredients or sewage sludge
3. Without the use of bioengineering, ionizing radiation, or GMOs.

So when it comes to organic baby formulas, it means they're made with 95% certified organic ingredients.

What's so special about organic?

Here are some benefits of feeding your baby organic formula:

1. They meet higher ingredient and manufacturing standards
2. They have less exposure to pesticides and chemicals from conventional farming practices
3. They contain no GMOs

While all infant formulas sold in the U.S. meet FDA safety and nutritional value standards, choosing organic can give parents extra peace of mind—by reducing their baby's exposure to potentially unwanted ingredients and chemicals. Ultimately, the best organic baby formula depends on your little one's health needs, your family values, and what fits your budget.

Ingredients to look for in organic baby formula

Here are some nutritional considerations when choosing a formula for your baby:

1. Carbohydrates: Infant formulas have a few different sources of carbohydrates including lactose, maltodextrin, corn syrup, or sucrose. Most infant formulas are made with lactose, the carbohydrate found in milk and the primary carbohydrate source in breast milk. If your baby has a dairy intolerance, your pediatrician will likely recommend switching to a lactose-free formula to help with easy digestion and tolerance.
2. Protein size: Most standard formulas have large proteins but there are also specialized formulas that have smaller proteins that are easier to digest. These include partially hydrolyzed, fully hydrolyzed, or hypoallergenic formulas. You can also purchase formulas made with soy protein if your baby cannot tolerate dairy proteins.
3. Iron: Babies need iron for healthy growth and development and to prevent iron deficiency, which is why the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) advises that all babies should be fed with an iron-fortified formula. According to the FDA, infant formulas sold in the U.S. must be labeled as either “infant formula with iron” or “additional iron may be necessary.”

Bonus nutrients: All baby formulas have to meet the FDA's nutritional standards, but some brands include additional essential nutrients like prebiotics, probiotics, and DHA, which can provide extra health benefits for your baby.

Top picks for the best organic baby formulas

I dove into the research and selected my top picks for the best organic formulas. Keep in mind, every baby is different and may react differently to certain formulas. It's always best to consult with your pediatrician before choosing a formula for your baby.

Bobbie

 

1. Organic ingredients: Lactose, nonfat milk, high oleic sunflower oil, soybean oil, whey protein concentrate, coconut oil, soy lecithin
2. Free From: Corn syrup, palm oil, GMOs, filler, maltodextrin, antibiotics, persistent pesticides, gluten
3. Suggested age: 0-12 months

Price: $46.00 for 1 – 24 oz can

Launched in 2019 by two moms, Bobbie is a “newcomer” to the United States formula sphere. It’s organic, non-GMO and contains locally sourced and produced ingredients. It’s lactose-based and fortified with both iron, DHA and AHA. One unique benefit of Bobbie formula is that it not only meets U.S. requirements for formula, but also European requirements, which are notably stricter. They received the Clean Label Project Purity Award which praises brands who are transparent with consumers about what’s in their products, while simultaneously meeting the rigorous safety standards. You can purchase Bobbie through their website (they have a subscription option too!) or online or in-store at Target.

Kendamil

 

1. Organic ingredients: Grass-fed whole milk, demineralized milk whey protein powder, sunflower oil, coconut oil, rapeseed oil, skimmed milk, galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS)
2. Free From: Palm oil, corn syrup, soy, fish oil
3. Suggested age: 0-12 months
4. Price: $39.99 for 1 – 28.2 oz can

Kendamil is a UK-based, European formula that uses grass-fed whole milk as its base, designed to mimic breast milk. They're proudly vegetarian, and include a unique blend of prebiotic HMOs and GOS to support your baby's immune system. They also include plant-based DHA and ARA to support brain and vision development. You can purchase Kenamil formula online on their website or online or in-store at Target and Walmart.

Baby’s Only

 

1. Organic ingredients: Lactose, nonfat milk, high oleic sunflower oil, soybean oil, whey protein concentrate, coconut oil, soy lecithin
2. Free From: corn syrup, palm oil, GMOs, artificial dyes or colors, growth hormones, prohibited pesticides, maltodextrin
3. Suggested age: 0-12 months

Price: $24.64 for 1 – 21 oz can

Personally, Baby's Only formula is the best kept secret of organic formulas, as it's the best priced option out there. This infant formula is USDA Organic Certified with an ingredient formula resembling breast milk composition. It's crafted in an independent state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Ohio, allowing the brand to maintain greater safety control throughout the production process. It's available online on their website, Amazon, in-store at Whole Foods, or online or in-store at Target and Walmart.

Earth’s Best

 

1. Organic ingredients: Lactose, nonfat milk, palm oil, palm olein oil, soy oil, coconut oil, high oleic safflower oil, sunflower oil, whey protein concentrate,
2. Free From: Corn syrup, GMOs, artificial growth hormones
3. Suggested age: 0-12 months
4. Price: $39.99 for 1 – 21 oz can

If you’re looking for a USDA Organic Certified infant formula, Earth's Best is a popular choice. It includes lutein, prebiotics, and DHA and ARA to support immune health, brain development, and eye development. It can be purchased online at Walmart, Vitacost, or in-store at select grocery stores like Whole Foods and Kroger.

HiPP

 

1. Organic ingredients: Skimmed milk, whey product, palm oil, rapeseed oil, sunflower oil, lactose, galacto-oligosaccharides from lactose
2. Free From: Starch, gluten, GMOs, steroids, pesticides, soy, refined sugar, growth hormones, and non-medically necessary antibiotics
3. Suggested age: Age-based
4. Price: $46.99 for a 3-pack of 800g cans

This European brand formula is designed for infant needs based on age (stage/age based formula). It includes DHA, ARA, prebiotics and probiotics to support a healthy gut microbiome. The brand makes slight variations depending on the country (UK, German, Dutch), with the Dutch version available in a can with a longer-shelf life. This is the formula I selected for Caden and I only have positive things to say. It's hard to find in the States, but you can find it on this website.

Holle

 

1. Organic ingredients: Full-cream goat milk, lactose, full-cream goat milk powder, vegetable, sunflower oil, rapeseed oil
2. Free From: Soy, gluten, GMOs, sugar, corn syrup, synthetic ingredients, artificial chemicals, preservatives, and flavors
3. Suggested age: Age-based
4. Price: $57.99 for a 3-pack of 800 g cans

Holle's European-based formula is unique because it's made with whole organic goat’s milk instead of cow’s milk. This formula includes A2 protein, which is easier on digestion, especially helpful for babies who have sensitive bellies. It's hard to find in the States, but you can find it on this website.

Bubs Organic

 

1. Ingredients: Lactose, high oleic sunflower, coconut oil, soy oil, canola oil, whole milk powder, whey protein concentrate, skim milk powder, galacto-oligosaccharide (GOS)
2. Free From: GMO, corn syrup, maltodextrin, growth hormones, artificial sweeteners, chemicals, pesticides, colors or preservatives
3. Suggested age: Age-based
4. Price: $42.00 for 1 – 800g can

Bub’s Organic, an Australian infant formula company founded by moms, offers an organic infant formula that’s Clean Label Award certified too. They are known for their commitment to responsible farming, and their cows roam free all year. Although the label is changing to no longer say “organic,” the ingredients and recipe remain the same, still meeting Australian and New Zealand organic standards (but not USDA Organic).

 

I hope this roundup of the best organic baby formula options helped you choose the best fit for your baby. You can find more of my parenting essentials on my baby registry checklist and newsletter, and don’t forget to follow me on Instagram. I can’t wait to connect with you!

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