The 7 Best Baby Formulas of 2025

All FDA-regulated infant formula sold in the US is safe and promotes normal growth and development for healthy babies from birth through 12 months. We think our picks offer the best value and meet an array of caregiver preferences. But your baby’s needs may differ, and the list below includes nearly all powdered milk-based formulas available in the US (sorted by brand, alphabetically). We’ve noted which carbohydrate(s) and extra nutrients each formula includes, but for complete information, check nutrition and ingredients labels and refer to our charts and descriptions above.

Enfamil and Similac offer some of their formulas in liquid concentrate (which must be diluted) and ready-to-feed versions. Ready-to-feed formulas, some of which come in 2-ounce or 8-ounce pre-portioned bottles, are the most convenient and foolproof option because they require no mixing or dilution. They are significantly more expensive than powdered formulas, though.

Enfamil traditional

Enfamil’s traditional formulas all cost more than our equivalent picks. Like our picks, all traditional Enfamil formulas have DHA and ARA, taurine, L-carnitine, and nucleotides, and many have polydextrose and galactooligosaccharides (prebiotics).

Infant: lactose; polydextrose and galactooligosaccharides; the protein from nonfat milk and whey is 60% whey and 40% casein

NeuroPro Infant: lactose; polydextrose and galactooligosaccharides; milk fat globule membrane (MFGM); the protein from nonfat milk and whey is 60% whey and 40% casein

Enspire Optimum: lactose; polydextrose and galactooligosaccharides; lactoferrin; milk fat globule membrane (MFGM); the protein from nonfat milk and whey is 60% whey and 40% casein

NeuroPro Sensitive: corn-syrup solids instead of lactose; milk fat globule membrane (MFGM); the protein from milk protein isolate and whey is 55% whey and 45% casein

A.R.: maltodextrin in addition to lactose; rice starch as a thickener (Young points out that there is no solid evidence that rice starch reduces painful spit-up); polydextrose and galactooligosaccharides; the protein is from nonfat milk and has no added whey

Enfamil partially hydrolyzed

Like our picks, the Enfamil partially hydrolyzed formulas have DHA and ARA, taurine, and L-carnitine. But they cost more.

NeuroPro Gentlease: corn-syrup solids instead of lactose; milk fat globule membrane (MFGM); the protein from partially hydrolyzed nonfat milk and whey is 70% whey and 30% casein before hydrolysis

Gentlease: corn-syrup solids instead of lactose; the protein from partially hydrolyzed nonfat milk and whey is 60% whey and 40% casein before hydrolysis

Reguline: corn-syrup solids and lactose; polydextrose and galactooligosaccharides; the protein from partially hydrolyzed nonfat milk and whey is 60% whey and 40% casein before hydrolysis

Enfamil fully hydrolyzed

Nutramigen: hypoallergenic formula that contains fully hydrolyzed proteins and is meant for babies with milk intolerance and/or allergy

Similac traditional

Similac traditional formulas cost more than our picks, and some use other sugars instead of lactose (which our experts preferred since lactose best models human milk). All traditional Similac formulas have DHA and ARA, lutein, taurine, L-carnitine, and nucleotides. They also contain a prebiotic in the form of 2’-Fucosyllactose (2’-FL), fructooligosaccharides, and/or galactooligosaccharides. None of Similac’s formulas contain palm oil.

Advance: lactose; lycopene; galactooligosaccharides; protein from nonfat milk and whey is 48% whey and 52% casein

Pure Bliss: lactose; galactooligosaccharides; formula is made from milk from grass-fed cows; the protein from nonfat milk and whey is 48% whey and 52% casein

360 Total Care: lactose; five prebiotics (2’-Fucosyllactose, lacto-N-tetraose, 3-Fucosyllactose, 6’-Sialyllactose, 3’-Sialyllactose); the protein from nonfat milk and whey is 48% whey and 52% casein

360 Total Care Sensitive: corn syrup; five prebiotics (2’-Fucosyllactose, lacto-N-tetraose, 3-Fucosyllactose, 6’-Sialyllactose, 3’-Sialyllactose); the protein from milk protein isolate is 18% whey and 82% casein

Sensitive: corn-syrup solids instead of lactose; lycopene; galactooligosaccharides; this formula does not have added whey, and it uses milk protein isolate as the protein source, making the protein 18% whey and 82% casein

Similac partially hydrolyzed

Total Comfort: maltodextrin instead of lactose; lycopene; galactooligosaccharides; the protein is 100% partially hydrolyzed whey (no casein)

Pro-Total Comfort: maltodextrin instead of lactose; lycopene; 2’-FL; the protein is 100% partially hydrolyzed whey (no casein)

Similac fully hydrolyzed

Alimentum: hypoallergenic formula that contains fully hydrolyzed proteins and is meant for babies with milk intolerance and/or allergy

More traditional formulas

a2 Platinum Premium Infant Formula is made with A2 milk (both whole milk and nonfat milk); lactose is the primary carbohydrate. It does not contain palm oil. DHA is in the form of docosahexaenoic acid powder, which is derived from tuna, unlike most DHA extracts that come from algae. It also contains choline and a prebiotic (galactooligosaccharides).

Aptamil First Infant Milk Stage 1 is an imported milk-based formula from the parent company Danone that contains lactose as the primary carbohydrate. It contains two prebiotics (galactooligosaccharides and fructooligosaccharides), it does not contain palm or soy oil, and the protein comes from skimmed milk powder and whey powder. Stage 1 can be used for babies 0 to 12 months. If you choose this formula, it’s important to note that the mixing instructions are different than most US formulas: mix one scoop of powder with one ounce of water (most US formulas are one scoop for two ounces of water). Always use the scoop that comes with the formula.

Aussie Bubs 365 Day Grass Fed is a whole milk–based formula with lactose as the sole carbohydrate. It was our former organic pick, but its former organic label was based on Australia’s organic requirements, not the US’s (the formula was introduced to the US during the 2022 formula shortage). The company says it is going through the process to become USDA organic–certified. It has added whey, making the whey-to-casein ratio 60:40, and it has 6.4 mg of DHA per 100 calories.

Aussie Bubs Essential Infant Formula is a whole milk–based formula with lactose as the sole carbohydrate. It contains a prebiotic (fructooligosaccharides); it does not contain soy oil or palm oil; and the protein is from whey protein and whole milk (making the whey-to-casein ratio 60 to 40). It has more DHA (35.3 mg per 100 calories) than many formulas.

Bobbie Grass-fed Whole Milk Infant Formula is a whole milk infant formula that launched in 2024. Most of the ingredients are organic, but it’s considerably more expensive than our organic pick, Kendamil Organic, which is made in the UK and also contains whole milk. Like Kendamil Organic, this formula has added whey, making the whey-to-casein ratio 60:40. Like Kendamil, it also has high levels of DHA, at 20 mg per 100 calories. It’s also more expensive than other whole milk options, like Aussie Bubs 365 Day Grass Fed.

Good Start GentlePro, formerly a Gerber brand, was acquired by Perrigo in 2022. It contains lactose and maltodextrin; 2’-FL (a prebiotic), B. lactis cultures (a probiotic); and the protein is hydrolyzed and is 100% whey (no casein).

Good Start SoothePro, formerly a Gerber brand, was acquired by Perrigo in 2022. It has maltodextrin instead of lactose; 2’-FL (a prebiotic), L. reuteri cultures (a probiotic); and the protein is hydrolyzed and is 100% whey (no casein).

Kendamil Infant Formula is made with whole milk and has carbohydrates in the form of lactose, plus a prebiotic (galactooligosaccharides). It has no soy or palm oils, and it contains protein from whole milk, nonfat milk, and whey protein (making this formula’s protein 60% whey and 40% casein). It has 22mg DHA per 100 calories.

Mama Bear Sensitivity Premium is made by Perrigo, and it is also sold as Up & Up Sensitivity Premium, CVS Health Sensitivity Premium, and Member’s Mark Sensitivity Premium, among other store brands. It contains corn-syrup solids and sucrose instead of lactose, and the protein comes from milk protein isolate with no added whey.

Mama Bear Complete Comfort Premium, manufactured by Perrigo, is also sold under other store brands as “Complete Comfort” formulas. It is similar to Similac Pro-Total Comfort—both contain corn maltodextrin as the main carbohydrate, partially hydrolyzed whey as the source of protein, and 2’-FL as a prebiotic, and neither contains palm oil.

More organic formulas

Baby’s Only Organic Complete Nutrition Infant Formula has lactose as its only carbohydrate, and it includes added whey. It does not contain palm oil. It also does not contain many other commonly added ingredients like DHA, ARA, lutein, taurine, L-carnitine, nucleotides, and a prebiotic or probiotic. We were surprised that it forgoes DHA, which is found in human milk, and is required in European formulas. Though DHA is not currently required by the FDA, the experts we spoke with say choosing a formula with some DHA may be a good idea.

Baby’s Only A2 Organic Milk Infant Formula is very similar to the Baby’s Only Organic Premium formula, except that it uses A2 nonfat milk instead of standard nonfat milk.

Bobbie Organic, manufactured by Perrigo, fashions itself as a “European-style” formula. It’s made from grass fed organic milk, lactose is the sole carbohydrate, and the formula has added whey (making the protein ratio 60% whey and 40% casein). Bobbie’s blend of oils contains coconut, sunflower or safflower, and canola oils; it has no palm oil. Bobbie contains more DHA than many other formulas available in the US, and only slightly less than our organic pick, Kendamil Organic (Bobbie has 20 mg per 100 calories, Kendamil has 22 mg per 100 calories). This formula lacks some added ingredients that many other US formulas have, but they are ingredients that many European formulas leave out (a prebiotic, lutein, nucleotides, beta-carotene, and taurine). Like ByHeart and Aussie Bubs, Bobbie is also Clean Label Project certified. Bobbie costs about $1.75 per powdered ounce at Target, making it one of the most expensive organic formulas.

ByHeart, which manufactures its own formula, produces one of the handful of formulas available in the US made with whole milk (ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula is made with grass-fed organic whole milk), which naturally contains milk fat globule membrane (MFGM), an ingredient added to some formulas. The other ingredient that makes ByHeart’s formula unique is alpha-lactalbumin, which is a prominent protein in human milk, but isn’t found in other formulas. Lactose is the sole carbohydrate, and it has added hydrolyzed whey, making the protein ratio 80% whey and 20% casein. ByHeart contains DHA at a level that is higher than in many of the most common formulas in the US (18 mg/100 calories), it also includes a prebiotic (galactooligosaccharides). This formula leaves out some ingredients commonly added to US formulas, such as nucleotides, beta-carotene, and taurine (beta-carotene and taurine are naturally found in the milk used in many US formulas). It also lacks palm oil and contains lower levels of iron than many US formulas (though it’s still within the FDA’s requirements). It’s also Clean Label Project certified, which means the company tests for concerning chemicals, including heavy metals, pesticides, and plasticizers.

Earth’s Best Organic Dairy Infant Formula has lactose as its only carbohydrate, and it includes added whey (making this formula’s protein 30% whey and 70% casein), as well as the extra nutrients DHA and ARA, lutein, taurine, L-carnitine, nucleotides, and a prebiotic (fructooligosaccharides). It contains palm oil. Previously a pick in this guide, Earth’s Best remains a great choice, but at the time of publication it was more expensive on a per-ounce basis when compared with Kendamil Organic.

Earth’s Best Organic Low Lactose Sensitivity has corn-syrup solids as the main carbohydrate, and the protein sources are organic milk proteins and whey proteins. It also contains palm oil.

Earth’s Best Organic Gentle contains partially hydrolyzed whey proteins, but it also contains intact proteins (in the nonfat milk), which, according to Young, counters the benefits that the partially broken-down proteins could offer. It also contains maltodextrin in addition to lactose, as well as palm oil.

Happy Baby Organic Infant Formula Powder Stage 1 relies on lactose and contains two prebiotics (fructooligosaccharides and galactooligosaccharides) and the protein is from organic nonfat milk and whey (making its protein 60% whey and 40% casein). DHA is in the form of tuna fish oil, unlike most DHA extracts that come from algae. It contains palm oil. It’s Clean Label Project certified, meaning the company tests for concerning chemicals, including heavy metals, pesticides, and plasticizers.

Happy Baby Organic Infant Formula Powder A2 is very similar to Happy Baby Organic Infant Formula Powder, but it’s among the few formulas made from A2 (nonfat) milk.

Other formulas

Kabrita Goat-Milk Based Infant Formula is a Netherlands-based brand from Kabrita’s parent company Ausnutria. It contains lactose, nonfat dry goat milk, and goat whey. It has both soy and palm oils. It also contains some added sugar in the form of glucose syrup solids.

Kendamil Goat Infant Powder Formula is a goat-milk formula from a UK-based brand that is here to stay in the US. It contains whole goat milk and goat whey (making the whey-to-casein ratio 60:40), plus a prebiotic (galactooligosaccharides). It doesn’t have palm or soy oils. This formula is similar to our goat-milk pick, Aussie Bubs Goat Milk Infant Formula, but Kendamil goat contains more DHA than many formulas, including Aussie Bubs (22 mg versus 8.8 mg per 100 calories).

Up & Up Gentle Premium, which is manufactured by Perrigo, is also sold as Parent’s Choice Gentle Premium, CVS Health Gentle Premium, Aldi Little Journey Gentle Premium, Member’s Mark Gentle Premium, and Amazon’s Mama Bear Gentle Premium, among others. This formula contains intact proteins (in the nonfat milk) in addition to partially hydrolyzed whey proteins, which would negate any benefits the broken-down proteins might have. It also contains corn syrup as the main carbohydrate.

Nestle Extensive HA, which is manufactured by Nestle, is a hypoallergenic formula that contains fully hydrolyzed proteins and is meant for babies with milk intolerance and/or allergy.