A Deep Dive Into Baby Formulas
- Amber Kenmuir
- Apr 9
- 7 min read
When I first started looking into formulas, I had no idea what a rabbit hole I was diving into! Now, I don't personally have kids but I have talked to a number of parents about different formulas, especially for those kiddos who have sensitive tummies or known allergies. I wanted to have a better understanding of what formulas were out there, which ones would be good according to dairy vs. non-dairy, gluten-free, easily-digestible, etc. I did not expect to find some of the things I did find, some of which made me mad and sad at the same time. I'll do my best to provide a breakdown of what is out there, different options according to dietary requirements, and some things to look for when picking a formula for your little one.
Dairy vs. Non-Dairy
A lot of people think because a formula says it's dairy-free, does not mean it actually contains no dairy. In the food world, many times "dairy allergy" refers to an inability to digest the main sugar in milk, called lactose. There's an enzyme in the stomach, called lactase, which breaks down the lactose molecule, allowing the tummy to digest it. Sometimes people can be lacking, or not have enough of, the lactase enzyme, and so when people eat dairy they end up with an upset stomach because their stomach is having a hard time digesting the lactose sugar.
Having a true dairy allergy refers to the body's reaction to the milk protein itself. The body recognizes the milk protein as foreign (or as an invader) and mounts a response to fight it. Symptoms can range vastly:
hives
eczema
itching
diarrhea
wheezing
vomiting
abdominal cramps
runny nose and watery eyes
swelling of the lips and tongue
anaphylaxis (the most severe reaction)
The tricky thing with a true dairy allergy is that the body may not just recognize the dairy protein as foreign, but can also recognize sheep and goat milk proteins as foreign as well, and can respond with an allergic response to these forms of milk also.
Babies also may respond to the milk that their breastmilk is coming from. Many people are unaware that milk proteins that mom ingests can pass through their body, into their breastmilk and then into baby. If you suspect your baby may have an intolerance, then both baby and the breastfeeding individual need to cut dairy completely from their diets.
To truly know if an individual has a true dairy allergy or is just responding to the lactose in the milk, an allergy test would be needed. You can also simply switch formulas and see how your baby responds. But if you have tried that and your little one still reacts then an allergy test would be advised.
So, having covered that, which formulas are advised? Are some better than others? Are formulas as good as breastmilk? Unfortunately, nothing compares to breastmilk. It is an amazing thing that is constantly changing and adapting to baby's changing needs. That will be the topic of another blog because it is such a vast topic that it can't adequately be covered in a couple sentences. Plus, this blog is focused on formula so we will stick to that. But stay tuned for a blog on breastmilk!
The one thing I will say about breastmilk is a brief overview of its' composition. Breastmilk is made up of:
water 87%
lactose 7%
fat 4%
protein 1%
There is no formula that will mimic exactly what is found in breastmilk. Some formulas come close but most have other additives in it to make it more palatable. The biggest one, and most concerning, is sugar. Yes, that is correct. Many formulas add sugar - sometimes they say straight out sugar (sucrose), other times it's called corn syrup, corn maltodextrin, glucose syrup, to name a few you may see in the ingredient list. Sugar can spike blood sugar levels abruptly, and then cause a blood sugar crash when baby has used the sugar all up. This may lead to abrupt mood changes, increased weight gain, and can pre-dispose them to weight issues later in life. A study performed in 2021 found that infants with higher sugar intake in infancy through formula preferred sugary foods later in life and were more likely to have weight issues as kids into adulthood.
So, when looking for a formula, make sure that the first few ingredients don't contain sugar, sucrose, corn syrup, glucose, etc. as the first few ingredients are the ones found the most in the formula. Sadly, there were numerous formulas I looked at where corn syrup (sugar) was the first ingredient listed.
Below is a sample ingredient list. You can see the first ingredient here is water, meaning water makes up the largest percentage of the formula. Then we have lactose, which again, is a naturally occurring sugar in milk, which is the next ingredient in the list so that's okay. You will normally find added minerals and vitamins added to formula to help make sure baby is getting all the nutrients they need.
Some commonly added ingredients in formula include:
2'-fucosyllactose: occurs naturally in breastmilk as a sugar but in formula comes from a bacterial strain, and is supposed to be chemically equivalent to the form found in breastmilk.
Taurine: is an amino acid found naturally in meat, fish, and eggs, and is added for energy production in the body. It is also helpful in brain and heart function, as well as nerve development.
Carrageenan: is a compound used to thicken liquids, and comes from various red seaweed. It doesn't really have any nutritional value.
ARA (aka: arachadonic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid): are fatty acids found in breastmilk that is helpful for early infant development.
Whey: is the protein-rich liquid left over that separates from milk during cheese production. It is commonly used as a protein supplement, aka: whey protein. It is used in infant formula as a source of essential amino acids and other nutrients. It is easier to digest for infants as it remains liquid in their tummies, instead of curdling, unlike the other milk protein, casein. Whey is commonly used in formulas for colic and other digestive issues.
Corn maltodextrin: is a highly processed carbohydrate made from corn starch. It is used to thicken and stabilize a liquid, as well as add sweetness. It is related to corn syrup solids but has less sugar. It still has a higher glycemic index than table sugar. It can cause digestive issues, like gas and bloating.
So, are there formulas that are better than others? Yes, there are. I will include a chart at the bottom listing many of the more common types of formula, with very brief lists of ingredients, whether they contain dairy or are more dairy-free friendly, the main sugars found in them, and the ages they are recommended for. It is by no means a complete list as there are many different brands and types of formulas under those brands (think calcium fortified, iron-added, etc). I will list some of the more recommended formulas for non-sensitive babies, dairy-sensitive babies, and some other categories that may be helpful. If you have deeper questions I strongly recommend chatting with a naturopath or dietician who specializes in infants to find which may be best for your baby.
A Quick Word on Sugars
Sugars come in many different forms and can cause varying reactions in the body. Sugars are rated according to their glycemic index, or how quickly they raise an individual's blood sugar levels. The higher the rating on the glycemic index, the faster it causes your blood sugar to rise, and the less ideal it is to consume it. Sugar is in almost any product that has been processed, and that includes baby formula. I have listed below the more common forms of sugar found in formulas. What is important to also take into consideration when looking at forms of sugar in formula, is where it comes in the list of ingredients,. The closer to the beginning of the list, the higher the percentage it is found in the product. If it's first on the list, that means it makes up the majority of the product. Obviously, we want to avoid those ones!
Name of the Sugar | Glycemic Index Rating (low = <55, medium = 56-69, high = >70) |
Corn Syrup (dark) | 115 |
Corn Maltodextrin | 110 |
Glucose | 100 |
Table Sugar (aka: sucrose) | 65 |
High Fructose Corn Syrup | 50-56 |
Lactose | 46 |
Fructo-oligosaccharide | LOW (can cause gas and bloating due to fermentation) |
Galacto-oligosaccharide | LOW |
Recommended Formulas According to Ease of Digestion and Lower Sugar Levels:
Regular formula:
Nestle Good Start Stage 1
Nestle Good Start Plus 1
Similac Pro-Advance Stage 1
Similac Alimentum Hypoallergenic
Holle Bio
Hydrolyzed Proteins (easier to digest)
Similac Total Comfort
Similac Sensitive Lactose
Similac Pro-Total Comfort
Niuriss
HIPP Anti-Reflux (AR)
Kendamil Organic
Kendamil Comfort
Kendamil Bio Nature
Gerber Good Start Gentle
Nutricia Neocate DHA & ARA (*has corn syrup as first ingredient)
Contains Goat Milk
Kabrita (does contain whey)
Capriss
HIPP Bio Combiotik
HIPP Bio Ziegenmilch
Nanny Care
Little Oak
Contains Soy (should be dairy-free but read the ingredients)
Gerber Good Start Alsoy
Similac Isomil (*has corn syrup as first ingredient)
*Enfamil formulas I have not included as in many cases, corn syrup was the very first ingredient.
By no means is this a comprehensive list, and there are so many other factors we could discuss when it comes down to formulas. Honestly, the best thing for baby is breastmilk but I understand that there are MANY different reasons why that may not be possible. An option is donated milk. Some cities have companies where chestfeeding individuals donate excess milk for others who cannot produce their own, or can't produce enough, and don't want to go the formula route. Researching the options in your community to see if this is an option for you, is a possibility. At the end of the day, as long as baby is growing and developing as they should, and are comfortable, that is what matters. If you have further questions I strongly recommend talking to a naturopath, a medical doctor, a midwife, or a lactation consultant. They would be much better qualified to guide you, and can monitor your baby to make sure they are getting the nutrients they need to grow healthy and strong.
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