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Parenting

Bobbie Infant Formula Review: A Mom’s Honest Review

NEW MODERN MOM

8/24/24

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Written by:

Barbara Mighdoll

Before having Caden, I pictured myself breastfeeding and bonding with my baby. I wasn’t against formula, but I never considered it because breastfeeding was always the plan. Then, three days after Caden was born, our pediatrician raised concerns about his weight. I was still in the hospital recovering and couldn't leave until he gained more weight. Like many c-section moms, my milk hadn’t come in yet.

And that's when our formula journey officially began. At that point I had done zero research on baby formula, so I sprung into frantic action and did a ton of research on how to pick a formula, because I knew I wanted one made with quality ingredients from a brand I trusted. This is why I always recommend new moms during their third trimester pre-pick a formula and have it on hand when their child is born.

With Caden, I opted for a European infant formula company because they tend to have higher ingredient standards. But by the time Willow was born, there were some new US-based formula companies on the market, and instead of European formula, I had narrowed my options to US brands ByHeart and Bobbie. After dealing with long shipping times for European formulas with Caden, I preferred something more convenient. Both ByHeart and Bobbie had great reviews and positive research on ingredients and safety, but ByHeart was on a shipping freeze, so we decided to go with Bobbie baby formula. Here’s my honest review of Bobbie infant formula.

bobbie formula

Choosing the right infant formula

It’s always important to check with your pediatrician when you’re thinking about starting or switching formulas. Every baby is different, and what works for one might not for another. That said, once I started doing my own research, I realized how many factors go into choosing the right formula.

Here are a few of the things I paid closest attention to:

  • Third-party testing: I wanted to know the formula I chose was safe, clean, and met the highest standards.
  • Whey-to-casein ratio: This is one of those behind-the-scenes details that can really affect digestion. Breast milk has more whey than casein, so I looked for a formula that mimicked that 60:40 ratio.
  • Organic ingredients: It was important to me that the formula I used didn’t include unnecessary additives or pesticide exposure. Organic sourcing also made a difference.
  • No added sugars or syrups: Some formulas include corn syrup solids or added sugars. I knew I wanted to avoid those from the start.
  • Convenience: I wanted something that shipped easily, mixed well, and offered a subscription model.
  • Mission and transparency: I found myself drawn to brands that were built by parents, for parents, and who were upfront about how their product was made.

Understanding European vs. U.S. formula standards

One of the main reasons Bobbie stood out to me? It’s modeled after the ingredient quality and sourcing standards found in many European formulas, which are often stricter than what’s required here in the U.S. (and why I shopped and relied on a European formula for my son before options like Bobbie hit shelves).

Most U.S. formulas I came across missed the mark on one or more of these:

  • Organic, high-quality dairy
  • A breast milk–like 60:40 whey-to-casein ratio
  • No added sugars or corn syrup
  • No palm oil or synthetic preservatives
  • Transparent sourcing practices

Bobbie checked all those boxes and it’s made in the U.S., which made it even easier to trust and get on a regular basis.

bobbie formula
bobbie infant formula review

What is Bobbie formula?

Bobbie organic infant formula is an infant formula made with high-quality, USDA organic ingredients made in the United States. Bobbie is inspired by the ingredient sourcing practices and nutritional standards of EU infant formula brands, which adhere to higher criterion than the FDA standards in the US.

And for babies with more sensitive tummies, Bobbie also offers a Gentle Formula made with partially hydrolyzed proteins (essentially, proteins that are broken down just enough to be easier to digest). It’s a great option for fussy or gassy babies without compromising on clean, organic ingredients.

What about whole milk infant formula?

If you’re looking for something beyond the original Bobbie formula, they’ve recently launched two new whole milk options and they’re definitely worth a look.

Organic Whole Milk Infant Formula
Made with whole milk fats (instead of skim + added oils), which is closer to breastmilk and can be easier to digest.

Grass-Fed Whole Milk Infant Formula
Made with milk from pasture-raised cows and A2 protein. Bonus: it’s palm oil free.

Both are USDA Organic, non-GMO, and designed to meet all the same high standards Bobbie’s known for.

If your baby’s sensitive to other formulas or you’re just exploring the best fit, these could move to the top of your list.

Bobbie's infant formula review

I’m impressed with Bobbie, and my baby seamlessly transitioned into combo feeding with Bobbie, and eventually full formula feedings. Here are just a few reasons why we loved it.

Ingredients

Bobbie formula is a milk-based powdered formula made from organic grass-fed, pasture-raised milk without antibiotics or pesticides. Designed to mimic breast milk, it features a 60:40 whey-to-casein ratio that’s gentle on the tummy for easier digestion.

I also appreciate that Bobbie:

  1. Partners with small, family-owned farms to source milk from organic, grass-fed cows.
  2. Includes DHA to support healthy brain development, an added bonus since there is no requirement for DHA inclusion in infant formula in the US.
  3. Uses only lactose as a source of sugar, the sugar naturally found in milk, unlike other formula companies that may use additional sources of sugar like sucrose, maltose, corn syrup, glucose syrup, brown rice syrup, or maltodextrin.
  4. No palm oil!
bobbie infant formula review

Safety

I prefer to shop for organic products whenever possible because I want my family to eat foods with fewer pesticides and additives. The same applies to my children's baby formula. Organic baby formulas, like Bobbie, adhere to strict standards and are made with clean ingredients free from harmful chemicals and synthetic pesticides, making them feel like a safer choice.

Other reasons why Bobbie is a safe option:

  1. It adheres to FDA requirements for quality and nutrition
  2. It's a USDA certified organic formula
  3. Undergoes a rigorous third-party testing for quality, safety, and purity, for over 400 industrial and environmental contaminants and toxins, including heavy metals, pesticide residues, and plastics
  4. It’s the first formula to receive the Clean Label Project Purity Award 
  5. Tamper evident cans
  6. Product traceability

Availability & convenience

Subscription option available at Bobbie’s direct website. This is how I ordered it, I love the convenience and lightening of the mental load knowing I always have formula on order to arrive when I need it.

Available in-store and online at Target.

Cost

14.1 oz can: $26, which makes about 105 fl. oz ($0.25 per fl. oz)

bobbie infant formula

My experience with Bobbie Formula: pros & cons

After using Bobbie formula for a few months, here are some of my personal pros and cons:

Pros:

  1. Easy to mix and dissolves quickly in warm water with no clumping
  2. Willow enjoys the taste and had no issues with digestion
  3. I appreciated the peace of mind given to me with the subscription and the ability to run to Target and pick up a few extra cans, when I was in a pinch
  4. USDA organic
  5. Superior ingredients 
  6. Rigorous safety testing and product security

Cons:

  1. Higher cost compared to other infant formulas on the market (Baby's Only formula is an awesome alternative if you're trying to be more price-conscious).
  2. No leveling scooper built into the can for concise measurements; and scoop can get lost under formula in the can.
Pros and cons of bobbie infant formula

Subscription model explained

I really appreciate the subscription service for infant formula because it simplifies my life in so many ways. As a busy parent, having one less thing to worry about is a huge relief. The convenience of having Bobbie formula delivered right to my doorstep means I never have to worry about running out of formula or making last-minute trips to the store. It's hassle-free and ensures that I always have a fresh supply on hand. Plus, the flexibility of the subscription model allows me to adjust the delivery frequency based on my baby's needs, making it a truly personalized service.

Where to buy Bobbie Infant Formula

Outside of participating in a Bobbie subscription (which I definitely recommend to ease your mental load and avoid ever being in a formula bind), you can also purchase from Target, Whole Foods or Amazon.

I feel confident Bobbie was the best choice for my second baby.

bobbie infant formula review

Author

This post may contain affiliate links including the Amazon Associates Program. When you make purchases through links in this post, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.  I only endorse products I believe in.