Baby Formulas: Which Are the Best Ones & Why?

For new mothers, it can be extremely confusing to decide on a baby formula. You want to give your baby the best nourishment you can. There are many infant formulas, but it’s difficult to choose between them and to make an informed choice. The fact that three of the most popular organic infant formulas are produced not by food companies but by the pharmaceutical industry doesn’t sit well with many parents either.

Let’s look a little closer at baby formulas to see what can be recommended.

Are There Organic Baby Formulas?

For consumers, we hope that when the word organic is used, it means the same thing with products from different countries. However, this is just not the case which muddies the water.

The National Organic Standards Board make their recommendations, but the USDA has only chosen to accept some of those recommendations. The result is that baby formula products from American companies can be marketed as organic, yet this classification isn’t as strict as elsewhere like in the UK and Europe.

Food Company or Big Pharma?

When you examine the three largest companies producing their versions of organic baby formula in the U.S. market, you discover that they’re involved with pharmaceuticals production rather than having a long background in baby food products.

The Similac Organic products get produced by Abbott Laboratories. With the popular Baby’s Only Organic Formula from Nature’s One, the company is classed as a medical company that’s involved in nutrition. PBM Nutritionals makes the other popular organic baby formula; Perrigo are behind them, a manufacturer of medicines sold over-the-counter.

When Sweet is Too Sweet

Breast milk is naturally sweet. Formulas from the U.S. use sucrose which is banned across Europe due to its links to obesity. Lactose is preferred for sweetness and is found in European organic baby formulas like the HiPP formula. Maltodextrin, another safe to use ingredient for sweetness, is used in the European-based Holle baby formula which is safe for infants too.

Some non-European baby formulas also sneak in a few unwanted ingredients like DHA fatty acids, soy, or carrageenan, none of which should be present with an infant milk formula.

How is Holle Formula Different?

The Holle formula is derived from cow-based sources. Maltodextrin is present for sweetness, not sucrose. There are four stages to the formula to suit infants from birth through to their weaning stage. The right number of scoops of formula mixed with water is all it takes to prepare it.

The other option for a dependable European baby formula is HiPP. You can read a good comparison between HiPP and Holle baby formulas at Formuland. Check out their website to learn more.

How is the HiPP Formula Different?

The HiPP formula is available as an organic baby formula as either a UK or German product with different formulas to suit each market. HiPP has a wide array of baby formulas with speciality items for babies with sensitive stomachs, excessive gas after eating or acid reflux. HiPP has lactose, not an artificial sweetener, so it sits well with babies who are picky about what they consume.

The formula contains a healthy number of vitamins and plenty of antioxidants too. No artificial preservatives or synthetic compounds like DHA are present. The company screens out over 1,000 unwanted substances to ensure they don’t get accidentally included in their final product.

Finding the right formula for your baby is important. When they don’t keep their food down or it messes with their sensitive systems at such a tender age, we worry what it’ll mean for them as they get older. Just make sure that when you shop for organic baby formula, you get what you thought you were getting.