Best Baby Formulas of 2025

European formula is the preferred option for many parents thanks to the EU’s strict regulations on ingredients and appeals to parents prioritizing organic, simple and high-nutrition options—all boxes Kendamil checks, making it our best European formula pick.

Relatively recently approved for the US market, Kendamil is a European Certified Organic formula from the UK designed for infants from birth to 12 months. It contains whole milk fats (similar to those found in breast milk) from grass-fed cows combined with a whey-to-casein protein ratio that supports softer stools and less stomach discomfort. Another reason parents like European formula brands is the recent EU requirement to include DHA in all formulas. Kendamil has both DHA and arachidonic acid (aka ARA) for healthy brain and vision development as well as a custom prebiotic blend of HMOs (human milk oligosaccharide, which are prebiotics similar to those found in breast milk) to support a healthy immune system. It also contains milk fat globule membrane (MFGM), a component associated with cognitive development and immune support. 

What makes European formulas different from US formulas? “Whether we are talking about brands, or about organic versus not, [it’s] in the sourcing of the ingredients,” says Emily Oster, author, economist and founder of ParentData. Kendamil sources all of its milk ingredients—both cow’s and goat’s milk—from grass-fed animals on farms with strict animal welfare policies. 

As far as accessibility, Kendamil is available in quite a few US stores, including Target, Walgreens, Rite Aid and Walmart. The brand wasn’t affected by the formula shortage a few years ago, and generally has consistent stock. However, in October, Kendamil experienced some issues with availability as a result of a port strike (see the brand’s post for more information. As of the time of this writing, the issue seems to have been resolved, but we’ll keep an eye on the situation.

Target’s Up & Up line of formula is super affordable, between $0.99 to $1.20 per ounce. Like many baby formulas, it’s designed to mimic breast milk and contains HMOs to support your baby’s immune system and digestive health. There’s also DHA, vitamin E and choline for brain and eye development. Parents rave in their reviews about how much they appreciate that this formula is easy on the wallet but provides them the comfort of knowing their babies are getting everything they need to grow and develop. Quite a few mentioned they appreciate the canister design, especially the separate area for storing the scoop. 

Store brand formulas (like Target’s Up & Up line) are considered “generic formulas”, but what does that mean? Despite different labels, all generic formulas are manufactured by the same company, Perrigo. So whatever your preferred store is—Target, Walmart, Costco, to name a few—each store brand formula still meets the same FDA-regulated nutrient specifications as their name-brand counterparts. “We [don’t] have any data showing that having a fancier formula has better outcomes for kids,” assures Oster.

Parents (and their babies) have very few complaints about this formula. A few noticed an increase in gassiness in their babies after switching to this formula, which could be because it contains palm oil (an ingredient that can cause constipation in some babies, though experts say this isn’t an issue for the majority of them). Some also mentioned an unpleasant odor when opening the canister and once it’s mixed in the bottle, which could be a turn-off for some babies. It’s worth noting that it’s only available at Target, so in the case of stock issues you wouldn’t be able to find it at another store.

Similac has been one of the leading formula brands since the 1920s, offering high-quality formulas that aren't cost-prohibitive for most families, which is why it’s our top pick for the best affordable name-brand formula. Though the price will vary a bit across locations and retailers, in general, it’s about $1.52 per ounce. Not only is it affordable, it contains all the good stuff babies need.

It’s an iron-fortified formula made with a blend of nutrients designed to support brain development, eye health and your baby’s immune system. It also contains DHA, an Omega-3 fatty acid that supports babies’ brain development, and “one of the most important additions to baby formula,” says Barnes. DHA inclusion is not currently a requirement here in the US, though a few brands (including Similac) add it to their formulas. Barnes says she personally recommends all parents choose a formula that contains DHA to ensure baby is getting enough. 

There are a few rather important cons parents mention in their reviews. Some noted the formula gave their baby gas, likely due to the protein blend used in this formula. It also has an inconsistent texture—some parents wrote in their reviews that they found it tricky to blend without a lot of shaking (which can introduce air bubbles into the liquid) while some felt it blended easily. Similac has also had quite a few recalls over the years—including two in the last couple of years—which can be though for parents to navigate. They’ve been for different reasons like contamination or faulty caps on their ready-to-feed bottles. The issues have since been addressed, and we want to note that there haven’t been any recalls for this line of Advance formula specifically. 

A gassy baby usually equals a fussy baby, which is why this Enfamil Gentlease formula is our top pick for sensitive tummies. This popular baby formula is made with sensitive digestive systems in mind and features a blend of five HMO prebiotics similar to those found in breast milk. What’s that, you ask? HMO is an immune-system nourishing prebiotic that’s beneficial because it feeds good bacteria to the gut, where the majority of the immune system exists. NeuroPro Gentlese is just that—gentle on babies’ tummies and part of Enfamil’s NeuroPro line, which is backed by years of research on breast milk and clinical studies around its brain-building nutritional qualities. Gentlease is designed to support the immune system, brain development and overall digestive health. 

Pro tip: other buzzwords to look for when you’re shopping for an easy-on-the-belly baby formula include hydrolyzed, partially hydrolyzed, calm and gentle.

This formula is another on our list that contains MFGM, a three-layered membrane that surrounds milk fat globules—which was previously found only in breast milk—and that’s been proven to support brain development. NeuroPro also contains DHA, proteins and baby probiotics for immune support. Parents love the gentle formula and report it helps reduce fussiness, colic and gas. 

The biggest gripe parents have about this formula is that corn syrup solids are the first ingredient. While it sounds very similar to high-fructose corn syrup, and both are derived from corn, they’re not the same thing. The corn syrup solids are primarily used for nutrition and digestion, particularly in infant formula. They serve as the main source of carbohydrates. High fructose corn syrup is used to make things sweeter. 

Enfamil Gentlease works well for most babies, though some may experience tummy troubles, particularly if they have any underlying lactose sensitivities. A few parents mention in their reviews that it has an unpleasant odor, which some babies may not tolerate. There’s also an Enfamil Gentlease without the NeuroPro formulation that some babies like better (either because it tastes better or agrees with their tummies). NeuroPro Gentlease also isn’t the cheapest formula on the market, averaging about $1.94 per ounce.

Enfamil has also experienced recalls and stock issues, most recently issuing a voluntary recall in December 2023, due to a possibility of contamination (though not specifically with this line of formula). In July 2024, there was a minor shortage in certain Enfamil products due to a tornado damaging their warehouse, but the issue was quickly resolved. You can always check their website for the most current product safety and recall info.

If you’re looking for a formula for your breastfed baby, ByHeart is our top pick because of its breast milk-like formulation. The brand launched in 2021 after five years of product development, an ecosystem of experts and the largest clinical trial by a new infant formula brand in 25 years. ByHeart prides itself on being the closest-to-breast-milk formula on the market, because it uses a blend of both whole and broken-down proteins and also includes alpha-lac, one of the main proteins in breast milk, and lactoferrin, the number one protein in colostrum (the early milk produced in the days following baby’s birth). 

No product is perfect, including this formula. ByHeart has issued voluntary recalls due to potential contamination in the past, most recently in August 2023. It’s also spendy compared to generic and even name brand formula options out there. However, if you set up a subscription on their website, the cost comes to about $1.62 per ounce. ByHeart also comes in larger bundles if you need to stock up. Another thing to consider is that ByHeart doesn't currently make any specialized formulas, so if you’ve got a baby with sensitivities, this may not work for them. 

Bobbie is a relatively newer formula brand and earned its spot on our list as the best organic option because of its high-quality ingredients and the fact that it meets both USDA and EU formula standards. It’s the only formula made in the US that meets EU requirements for DHA, a nutrient that plays a key role in brain and eye development. Lactose is the sole carbohydrate (not corn syrup) and contains a whey-to-casein ratio designed to be gentle on your baby’s stomach. Bobbie is also gluten-free, non-GMO and milk derived from organic, grass-fed cows. 

If this all sounds great to you but you need something that’s sensitive-belly friendly, Bobbie makes an Organic Gentle Infant Formula, with a partially hydrolyzed protein formula that supports easy digestion. They also make a grass-fed whole milk organic option, too. 

The brand hasn’t had any significant availability issues aside from an increase in demand earlier in 2024 that led to them limiting new subscriptions. Quite a few parents who were already using Bobbie formula wrote in their reviews that the company made sure they got what they needed during that time. Bobbie’s formula is produced and packaged in its own facility here in the US and it also maintains a partnership with Perrigo, a veteran formula manufacturer, to ensure consistent availability.

According to their reviews, parents' biggest gripe is that this formula doesn’t contain any pre- or probiotics, which can help with digestion. A few also noted the metallic taste and smell was off-putting to their babies. Bobbie isn’t the most budget-friendly option but recently announced they lowered the price of their formulas by 15 percent to counter rising costs as a result of inflation. It applies to this type of formula only and brings the price down to $25 per 23 ounce can. They also offer a “Subscribe, Sip and Save” deal if you set up an ongoing subscription, saving you a few more dollars.

Aussie Bubs Goat Milk Formula is a great option for parents seeking an easy-to-digest alternative to traditional cow’s milk formulas. Goat’s milk is naturally rich in the essential nutrients calcium, vitamin D, DHA and ARA. It also contains naturally occurring oligosaccharides that act as prebiotics, which promote a healthy gut microbiome and aid digestion. In fact, many parents love that this formula is easier for their babies to digest than other brands, leading to less gas and fussiness. Without getting too sciency, the proteins in goat’s milk are smaller than the proteins found in cow’s milk, which is essentially what makes it easier to digest since they’re similar to hydrolyzed proteins found in gentle (or sensitive) formulas. 

“Goat’s milk formulas can be easier for some sensitive babies to digest because the protein in them is a little more similar to what’s found in breast milk. [But] both cow’s milk and goat’s milk formulas have lactose,” says Barnes. So this pick won’t necessarily be a suitable replacement for a baby with cow’s milk sensitivity.

Though not necessarily better than cow’s milk, some consider goat’s milk more similar to human milk because it contains A2 beta-casein (while cow’s milk contains A1 beta-casein). 

Aussie Bubs is another formula on our list that also contains MFGM, which is beneficial for brain development. Aussie Bubs is made without ingredients like palm oil, corn syrup or GMOs—something a lot of parents looking for a “cleaner” formula appreciate.

There are a few things parents think could be better about this formula. It’s a bit pricey, at around $1.75 per ounce, and isn’t typically covered by WIC (though you’ll want to check the lists in your specific state). Some parents noticed their babies became gassy and constipated after switching to this formula. And though it’s available online and at a few big retailers (like Walmart, Target, Kroger and Safeway), stock can vary by location. Some parents found they needed to order online more often than not.