Best Organic Baby Formulas

Though many parents may wish to breastfeed their infants, sometimes, it’s not possible. “I could not breastfeed due to having a breast reduction years earlier, so I used two different supplemental nursing systems for a few months each,” mom of four Romana Sinegal told Mom.com. For moms like Sinegal, baby formula is a critical option.

First things first: what is organic baby formula? Well, it’s really exactly what it sounds like: it’s baby formula made from at least 95% organic ingredients and processing aids. If you live in the U.S. and are looking at formulas with a USDA Organic Seal, the formula also cannot contain anything barred by the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances.

Organic baby formula generally means that the formula contains no:

• Artificial colors
• Synthetic preservatives
• Pesticide residue
• Growth hormones
• Genetically modified organisms (GMOs)
• Potentially toxic substances

If you’re looking at EU organic certified formulas, it is similar to the U.S. wherein at least 95% of the ingredients need to be organic, but it is even more comprehensive and transparent. The EU has even stricter regulations on all baby formulas — regardless of organic status — and bans any detectable levels of certain toxic substances and sucrose (except in certain specialty formulas).

According to pediatric gastroenterologist Meghana Sathe, M.D., and Children’s Health, the most important thing to consider is if your child is receiving the right nutrients — organic or not. “Nutritionally, there really is no significant difference between organic food and other foods,” Dr. Sathe told Children’s Health. “We don’t tell parents not to buy organic, but it is more a matter of parent preference.”

Keeping that in mind, here are some benefits to using organic formulas should you have the means to use them:

Mimics nutritional profile of breast milk
Many of the best organic formulas try to replicate the kinds of lactose, fatty acids, and carbohydrates found in breast milk.

May contain additional whey
This makes the protein ratios of casein and whey in the formula closer to that of breast milk.

Added prebiotics and probiotics
Again, to get as close as possible to the properties of human chest milk, prebiotics and probiotics can be added to reproduce immunity-boosting aspects of breast milk. This helps to develop the brain and a healthy gut biome, reducing risks of infection and allergies.

Avoids unhealthy and potentially harmful substances
Thanks to various organic regulations, organic formulas can provide vital nutrients for your child without traces of toxins like pesticide residue, chemicals, GMO ingredients, and artificial preservatives

Choosing an organic formula can be anxiety-inducing — especially if your baby may have food intolerances. Pennsylvania pediatrician Dr. Steph Lee told Mom.com that though it can take a few tries to get right, your baby will find a formula that will work for them.

“Signs of milk protein intolerance include excessive spit-up, constipation, or if very severe, blood-stained stool. Sometimes switching to a soy-based formula can help,” said Dr. Lee. “There are hypoallergenic formulas that have proteins more extensively broken down to allow your baby to more easily digest the milk. Talk to your pediatrician if you think your baby might have milk protein intolerance to go over your options.”

While there is no such thing as the perfect baby formula, below are a few of the best on the market at the moment.

1) HiPP Dutch Stage 1
Free of GMO ingredients, added synthetic nutrients and preservatives, soy, sugars, and starch, this organic baby formula also mimics the ratio of whey to casein in breast milk. Plus, it uses vegetable oils for fat, and contains prebiotics and probiotics, and DHA/ARA.

2) HiPP PRE Germany
Similar to HiPP Dutch Stage 1 in terms of ingredients, HiPP PRE is designed for the first three months for premature babies. Also, it comes in a cardboard box instead of a can.

3) Holle Goat Kendamil
Made with goat’s milk, this organic baby formula provides the same nutrients as cow’s milk formulas and can be a good option for infants who have difficulty digesting cow’s milk protein or have intolerances.

4) Baby’s Only formula
If your baby is lactose intolerant or on a vegan diet, Baby’s One offers several options. As one of the few U.S. formula brands who offer organic, non-GMO, plant-based formulas, they use organic brown rice syrup in lieu of lactose.

5) Bobbie Organic Infant Formula
This new U.S. based infant formula company is the first U.S. based organic, European-style formula that also meets Federal Drug Administration (FDA) nutritional requirements and EU nutritional standards. Modeled after breast milk and uses milk from Organic Valley cows, it contains no palm oil, corn syrup, cane sugar, maltodextrin, and natural or artificial flavors or colors. Plus, it is gluten-free and non-GMO.