Researching information on baby formula can be overwhelming! We’ve done our best to make it easy for you. Read on for our guide to the best organic baby formula, including what to look for in a formula and what to avoid, organic versus conventional formula, types of organic formula, and our recommendations for the best US and European brands of organic baby formula.

Graphics for post – best organic formula for Baby, recommendations, FAQ, infants to 12 months. Images I have a baby line on a white sheet drinking a bottle of formula and a grid of formulas on our way back around.

Medically reviewed and co-written by Jamie Johnson, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN), and Lauren Braaten, Pediatric Occupational Therapist (OT).

In this guide, you’ll find: show

Organic Baby Formula

Deciding how and what to feed your baby are important questions all parents face. While some parents choose to breastfeed, for others this is not an option. Fortunately, there are many excellent quality, organic baby formulas to help ensure your little one is getting the best nutrition possible.

Infants can also benefit from supplementing with organic baby formula when breast milk alone isn’t enough to meet a growing baby’s nutritional requirements. Supplementing or switching to organic baby formula may be necessary if your baby isn’t gaining weight adequately, has trouble latching, or is diagnosed with jaundice. A parent’s return to work or simply a desire to no longer breastfeed may also be reasons where introducing organic baby formula is needed.

Benefits of Organic Baby Formula

Organic formula is a wonderful alternative or supplement to breast milk. In order to receive an “organic” label, companies need to comply with specific guidelines set out by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). This ensures organic baby formula won’t contain any synthetic ingredients and the cows will have eaten higher quality food.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which organic formula is best?

There is no right answer because there is no one-size-fits-all for infant baby formulas. This will depend on your baby’s needs, your preferences, and budget.

Is organic baby formula worth it?

This depends on your budget and what you are comfortable with feeding your baby. Organic baby formulas will be free of synthetic pesticides, but more expensive than regular baby formula so this is a personal decision for you and your family.

Is organic formula milk better for your baby?

Organic formula will be the same nutritionally as a comparable standard formula, however it will be free of synthetic pesticides, which may cause harmful health effects in the long term.

What to Look for in a Formula

All formulas sold in the US have to meet strict FDA guidelines and approval, are safe for your baby, and have a specific fat/carbohydrate/protein ratio and vitamin and mineral profile to meet an infant’s needs. However, there may be some specific ingredients you want to look for to support your baby’s needs (you’ll need to look at the ingredients list). The first ingredient to look for is the type of protein found in the formula (usually cow’s milk or soy) to make sure you aren’t giving your baby something he cannot tolerate. Cow’s milk protein is the first choice but if your baby cannot tolerate it, then look for a soy-based formula. Then look for the type of carbohydrate that’s predominantly found in the formula. Lactose is preferred over corn sugar/syrup, since that’s the main carb found in breast milk. After that, look for the following…

Iron

Most infant formula sold in the US is fortified with iron but to be sure, always read the label. Iron is important, especially for infants, to help prevent iron deficiency anemia, which can lead to developmental delays if left untreated. Most babies have enough iron stores from mom for the first 4 months, but after that, it’s important to give iron-fortified foods or supplements (or formula) to help prevent this deficiency.

DHA and APA

DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and ARA (arachidonic acid) are fatty acids found in breastmilk (and fatty fish, eggs, and other foods) that may or may not be included in a formula as it’s not required to add them, but have been shown to support brain and eye development. More health benefits could less risk of skin and respiratory allergies and illnesses.

Probiotics and Prebiotics

These aren’t required to be included in formulas either but breast milk also contains these so many companies include them to try to get formula closer to the gold standard of breast milk. Including them may help infants’ GI tract resemble those breastfed babies. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, probiotics, or good bacteria, in infant formula can help promote a balance of bacteria by offsetting the growth of bad bacteria which can cause infections and inflammation. Formula supplemented with probiotics may help prevent and treat infectious diarrhea and eczema and reduce the risk of food allergies, asthma, UTI’s, and colic symptoms.

Babies fed formula supplemented with prebiotics, or the food probiotics feed on, tend to have better stool consistency and frequency and have a higher concentration of the good bacteria bifidobacteria in their intestines compared to those fed standard formula. Prebiotics added to formula may also help support the immune system and lessen the risk for infection and allergies.

What you Want to Avoid in a Formula

All infant formulas sold in the U.S. are safe for consumption but each baby is different in how they may tolerate different formulas. Most babies will do fine with a standard cow’s milk protein formula, but if not, it can be hard to determine which specific ingredient baby is having a hard time with. Sometimes it takes switching formulas a few times to find one that baby is happy with.

Here are a few things to consider:

Allergens/Intolerances

The main thing you want to avoid is anything that your baby has an intolerance or allergy to. Most healthy babies are fine to have cow’s milk protein (which is recommended above soy), however, if they have an adverse reaction to it, or you are a vegan family, you obviously want to avoid this and choose a soy-based formula instead.

Sugars

Ideally, the main carbohydrate/sugar you want in your baby’s formula is lactose, instead of corn syrup, corn syrup solids, corn maltodextrin, glucose syrup, brown rice syrup, or sucrose. The vast majority of babies tolerate lactose just fine and lactose helps your baby absorb calcium in the formula and feeds gut bacteria in your baby’s gut. However, if your baby is on a U.S. soy-based formula, it will be lactose-free.

Palm Oil

This one is a little controversial, as it’s found in so many infant formulas, because it provides palmitic acid, a fatty acid found in breast milk. However, it is not digested the same as the palmitic acid found in breast milk. In some babies, it can cause G.I. upset and cause them to absorb less calcium and fat. It is also a major contributor to deforestation in the world, so if that’s important to you, you may want to avoid fat blends where palm oil is listed as the main ingredient, or avoid it altogether.

Baby Formula Stages

Some formulas come in different stages to model the changing composition of breast milk as your baby gets older. They are usually listed as stage 1 for 0-6 months of age and stage 2 for 6-12 months of age; however, feeding different stages isn’t required. In European formulas, these stages are required and regulated, however this is not the case in U.S. formulas.

Organic vs. Conventional Baby Formula

Organic formula does not necessarily mean healthier formula (or any food for that matter). A formula can still have unwanted ingredients, though organic, and yet still not be recommended ingredients for your baby. Organic sugar and fillers are still sugar and fillers. The type of protein, carbs and fat, etc. are more important than whether these ingredients are organic or not. However, if you can find a formula that meets your baby’s needs and your preferences when it comes to protein, fat, carbs, iron, DHA, etc, AND it’s organic, then by all means, buy the organic one if it fits in your budget.

Organic formula will be free from synthetic pesticides, synthetic hormones and antibiotics which may have long-term health effects.

Types of Organic Formula

Cow’s Milk Formula

This is what is recommended as the first choice for most babies. A majority of babies will be fine with these formulas and tolerate them well. The proteins in cow’s milk formula are whey and protein, which are actually both found in breastmilk, too, just in different ratios. If you want formula to more resemble breast milk, you may want to choose a formula that has additional whey added.

Goat’s Milk Formula

Goat’s milk actually has the same proteins, whey and casein, as cow’s milk, so if your baby has been diagnosed with a cow’s milk protein allergy, he will not be able to tolerate goat’s milk formula either. However, if your baby just has a sensitivity to cow’s milk, goat’s milk may help, because it is digested more quickly and completely than cow’s milk. This could result in less gas, cramping, and constipation, and therefore discomfort, for your baby.

Unfortunately, there are no U.S. infant goat’s milk formulas on the market yet so you’ll have to get a European brand.

Soy Based Formula

This is the alternative if your baby has galactosemia, is truly lactose intolerant, or if your family is vegan and does not consume milk products. U.S. soy-based products are lactose-free (which means the carbohydrates are likely coming from corn syrup); however European soy-based formulas have a minimum of 30% lactose as the carbohydrate.

Hypoallergenic Baby Formula

Cow, goat and soy proteins are larger than proteins found in breastmilk and therefore harder for your baby to digest. They’re also more allergenic. Formulas that are hypoallergenic have had these proteins broken down or predigested to create less of an immune response, and to help ease digestion for your baby. These formulas are labeled as partially hydrolyzed, extensively hydrolyzed and free amino acid-based, depending on how much the proteins have been broken down. They are usually recommended for babies who are at risk for food allergies or certain immune diseases.

Free amino acid formulas are meant for babies who have severe digestion problems and cannot digest protein and should only be given under the supervision of their pediatrician. As always, consult your pediatrician when choosing any formula.

US Brands of Organic Formula

European Brands of Organic Formula

US vs. European Formula Brands

All formulas sold in the US have undergone strict regulation by the FDA and meet the minimally required standards for formulas to meet infants’ needs. European formulas bypass safety regulations set forth by the FDA which can increase their risk of contamination. This is not to say European formulas are not safe, they just have a different set of regulations in Europe. And when they are imported illegally, there’s a higher risk of being tampered with, so if you choose to buy a European formula, make sure you are using a trusted 3rd party seller.

Also, keep in mind not all versions of the formula are the same. Brands have manufacturers in different countries so they may have different ingredients than what you are expecting, depending on what country your specific box of formula is coming from, and the label may be in a different language. Make sure your supplier can tell you what is in the formula you are buying if you cannot read the label and what manufacturer or version you are buying.

Make sure your supplier has an established supply chain and will not have an unexpected shortage once you place your order. Ideally, they will maintain a local U.S. inventory so the shipping estimate is accurate. I’d also confirm that they only use air freight only since it’s quicker than a boat to reduce the chance that the product has been exposed to high heat and is not expired.

Here are some major key differences in US and European formulas…

Farming practices

In Europe, all infant formulas are required to be completely free of all pesticides, which is essenially organic. In the US, synthetic pesticides can be used, or crops may have been contaminated by neighboring farms that are not organic and subsequently have traces of pesticides on them. In Europe, standards are stricter and most formulas come from grass-fed, sustainable farms.

Staging System

European formulas follow a staging system that is regulated and these stages have different nutrients in them based on the needs of the child. In the U.S., these stages are not required or regulated.

Iron

European formula does not have as much iron included as U.S. formulas do. Their requirement is about as half as much as what the U.S. requires.

Carbohydrates/Sugar

The U.S. does not have requirements on the type of carbohydrate found in formulas- it can be anything from lactose to sucrose to corn syrup. European formulas do not allow any sucrose in their formulas, and have a minimum requirement of 30% lactose, even in soy formulas.

Additives

European standards are more conservative when it comes to additives- they do not contain any gums or carrageenan.

Best Organic Formulas for Baby

The following organic formulas are free from synthetic pesticides, synthetic hormones and antibiotics. Many include both probiotics and prebiotics, as well as DHA and ARA.

Happy Family Organics

Key Ingredients

  • Made with milk from organic dairy farms, including lactose
  • Prebiotics that mimic the function of prebiotics in breast milk
  • Formulated with DHA, ARA, iron, folic acid, choline, vitamin D and calcium

Why our Experts Love it

Happy Family Organics has 4 times more prebiotics than most other organic infant formulas including fibers that mimic the function of prebiotics found naturally in breast milk.

Formula Options

Pros + Cons

Pros

  • formulated with prebiotics, no corn syrup solids and no carrageenan

Cons

  • tends to produce more foam when mixing formula

Parents Review

…The first ingredient of Happy Baby is lactose– milk. I can’t tell you the difference in my baby in just one day. It’s a total turnaround. He’s happy again, he isn’t crying hours on end, he doesn’t have bad gas, he’s playing more and has less reflux. Today is day 2 and we are all so amazed. After 7 weeks of struggle, I can’t say enough good about this product and how thankful I am this is available.

-Danielle

Burt’s Bees Organic Infant Formula

White yellow and green can of baby formula from birds bees baby.

Key Ingredients

  • Provides vitamins D, E and K, calcium, and DHA
  • Contains prebiotics for immune support
  • Gluten free and contains no added hormones, preservatives, or antibiotics

Why our Experts Love it

Crafted from quality ingredients and patterned after breast milk, this milk-based infant formula is scientifically researched to ensure your baby is receiving critical nutrients to support growth and development.

Formula Options

Pros + Cons

Pros

  • inspired by breast milk, DHA for brain and eye development, and complete nutrition for the first year

Cons

  • some parents report constipation with this formula

Parents Review

I was looking for the best baby formula on the market and after comparing and trying a couple of them I finally found this one! It’s organic, doesn’t use any corn fructose and solids and is very well digested by my 1 month old.

-Eric Byron

Bobbie Organic Infant Formula

Key Ingredients

  • Made with Lactose, DHA, Inositol, Choline, Omega-3 and Omega-6
  • No maltodextrin or starch
  • No sucrose or glucose syrup solids
  • Gluten-free

Why our Experts Love it

Bobbie Organic Infant Formula uses a European-style formulation with quality ingredients and nutritional composition. The company’s website has incredibly helpful feeding charts and offers a monthly subscription service. 

Formula Options

Pros + Cons

Pros

  • excellent quality formula that mixes up smoothly
  • no clumping and a very uniform consistency

Cons

  • does not contain any prebiotics or probiotics
  • more expensive than most other US organic brands

Parents Review

We are a huge fan of the ingredient list that Bobbie boasts. Feeding formula to our babies was never a huge issue, but it certainly does help when the formula composition mimics the real stuff. We feel great about the pasture-raised cows, the fatty acids, and lack of nasty stuff (corn syrup, palm oil, artificial flavors). 

-Nat

Earth’s Best Organic Baby Formula

Key Ingredients

  • All lactose milk-based powder formulation
  • Prebiotic Fructooligosaccharides for Immunity and Lutein for eye health
  • Omega 3 DHA and Omega 6 ARA fatty acids
  • Iron-fortified

Why our Experts Love it

We love that Earth’s Best Organic formula is fortified with iron for red blood cell development and contains DHA and ARA, two fatty acids found in breast milk that help support brain and eye health.

Formula Options

Pros + Cons

Pros

  • nutritionally complete formula with no added corn syrup solids or artificial growth hormones

Cons

  • some parents have mentioned it has a strong smell and it does contain palm oil

Parents Review

Amazing formula. We put baby on this at 1 week old because of severe diarrhea that caused horrible diaper rash. No help from pediatrician who said “it’s because babies first few bowel movements are highly acidic” or some such nonsense. Put her on this, found at my local Walgreens, diarrhea stopped the same day. We’ve had zero spit up and zero stomach issues. I highly recommend this formula.

-Tabatha

Holle Baby Formula

Key Ingredients

  • First ingredient is whole or skim milk
  • Omega-3 and Omega-6 (LA, ALA, DHA)
  • No sucrose or corn syrups
  • Gluten and soy free

Why our Experts Love it

Holle is a reputable company known for producing high-quality, organic infant formulas, while also using sustainable farming and manufacturing processes.

Formula Options

Pros + Cons

Pros

  • first ingredient is whole or skim milk
  • all stages of Holle formulas include both omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids
  • nothing artificial in the ingredients

Cons

  • does contain palm oil and maltodextrin is used as a thickening carbohydrate in some of the formula options

Parents Review

We think this formula is the best and closest thing to breast milk. We have tried everything that has been labeled as the best and nothing comes close to this formula.

-Sahar F.

HiPP Formula (UK formula)

Key Ingredients

  • First ingredient is skim milk
  • Prebiotics in all Stages
  • Omega-3 and Omega-6
  • Nutrition at FDA and USDA guidelines
  • Gluten and soy free

Why our Experts Love it

We love this formula’s excellent macronutrient and micronutrient contents, including the addition of Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids and prebiotics.

Formula Options

Pros + Cons

Pros

  • gentle on sensitive tummies
  • no maltodextrin, starch, sucrose or corn syrups

Cons

  • all of the stages use palm oil and do not contain probiotics

Parents Review

This formula is awesome! I really wanted formula that was going to be good for my baby and that didn’t have any the bad stuff like high fructose corn syrup, which is prevalent in most of the U.S. made formula. This formula is very easy to digest, and it mixes very well. I and my baby are a fan!

-Rachel