This post contains a sponsored inclusion of Bobbie but all of the opinions within are those of The Everymom editorial board.
"The choice to formula-feed or breastfeed is yours, but it is sometimes out of your control. What matters, though, is feeding your baby the nutrition they need to thrive in their first year of life and thereafter. Formula is a great option to feed your baby and there are many types to choose from, including organic formula. In fact, organic formula has many nutritional benefits for your baby so you can feel confident that your baby will thrive.
When I was a first-time mom, I remember standing in the grocery aisle with a fussy baby in one hand while I read formula label after label trying to find the right one that would best suit my baby’s needs and not cost half of our paycheck. Formulas have all sorts of labels from organic, non-GMO, grass-fed, iron-fortified, dairy-free, and so on. And is there a real difference between organic and non-organic besides the price tag? Parents are left to ponder what all of it means and what formula would best suit their family.
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) certifies that a food product is organic if the product is at least 95% organic (excluding salt and water). The USDA sets standards for growing and processing organic foods. These guidelines speak to the quality of soil, animal rearing practices, additives, and pesticide use.
Feeding your baby organic formula may provide you and your family with peace of mind when it comes to ingredients and sourcing. We are so lucky to have many options for FDA regulated organic formulas in the United States.
Because we care about easing the pressure many families face, especially on the heels of the formula crisis, we want to provide you with great organic formula options. We’ve rounded up a list of nine organic formulas manufactured and sold in the United States. Remember, every baby and family is different, so the curated list below is meant to simply be informative and is not all inclusive. We recommend you consult with your pediatrician before choosing any formula.
Tips When Researching Formulas
Based on our research and in consultation with wellness experts, we recommend you consider the following information:
- Consider a formula that has the USDA Organic seal.
- Look for a formula with lactose listed as the first ingredient on the nutrition label.
- Consider whether Non-GMO is important for you and your family.
- When possible, opt for easy-to-digest fatty acids like sunflower, soybean, and coconut oil.
- Be aware that palm oil is not always easily tolerated.
- Be mindful that formula made outside of the United States is not legal for sale in the U.S.
- Be aware of maltodextrin as a substitute for lactose.
- Some formulas contain highly-processed sweeteners, such as corn syrup and glucose.
Shop the Organic Formulas We Recommend
A European-style formula which meets the FDA nutritional requirements in the United States, Bobbie is the only female-founded and mom-led infant formula company in this country. It contains high-quality ingredients such as lactose—the primary carbohydrate found in breast milk—as well as DHA, which supports brain and eye development. Bobbie recipes are also soy allergen free and made from high quality grass-fed, Organic Valley Milk. It is free of palm oil, corn syrup, cane sugar, gluten, maltodextrin, heavy metals, and pesticides. In fact, Bobbie is the first infant formula to receive both the Clean Label Project Purity Award and the Pesticide-Free Certification, which serves as testament of its commitment to only using the most nutritional ingredients in its formula. It’s also easy on a baby’s tummy. Price: $26 per can for 14.1 oz with a monthly subscription. Baby's Only Organic Formula is modeled after breast milk and fortified with iron, and is free from ingredients like corn syrup, palm oil, or ingredients processed with harsh chemicals. Baby's Only also received the Clean Label Project Purity Award and is the least expensive organic formula on the market. Price: $24.99 a can for 21oz Also designed to model breast milk, this formula contains lactose (coming from cows raised on organic farms) as the main source of carbohydrates. DHA and ARA fatty acids for brain and eye development are included, as well as dual prebiotics to support your little one’s digestive system. Happy Baby comes in Stage 1 (0-12 months) and Stage 2 (6-12 months) options to help provide your baby with the proper nutrition needed throughout their entire first year of life. Produced in the United States. Price: $30 per can for 21 oz. Also made with lactose as the first ingredient on the label to model after breast milk, this Burt’s Bees Baby infant formula contains iron and omega-3 DHA to support your baby’s brain and eye development. Prebiotics are included to aid in digestion and support the immune system as well. For babies with sensitive tummies, this formula has both Ultra Gentle and Sensitive options. Made in the United States. Price: $32 per can for 23.2 oz. This is Enfamil’s first organic formula inspired by breast milk and formulated with natural ingredients. It contains omega-3 DHA for brain development, vitamins C and E for immune system support, and prebiotics for gut health. It is made without any antibiotics, added preservatives, corn syrup, or artificial growth hormones. It contains a combination of lactose and maltodextrin for its source of carbohydrate. Made in the United States. Price: $40 per can for 19.5 oz.
Bobbie
Baby's Only
Happy Baby
Burt’s Bees Baby
Enfamil
Source: Polina Tankilevitch | Pexels
Mama Bear
This formula claims to be similar to Similac Organic, but at a cheaper price point. It is comprised of omega-3 DHA, omega-6 ARA, vitamin E, and lutein to support healthy brain and eye development, and more than 25 other necessary vitamins and minerals. It does not contain lactose, but instead uses organic corn syrup solids and organic maltodextrin as its source of carbohydrates.
Made in the United States with a combination of domestic and imported ingredients.
Price: $24 per can for 23.2 oz.
Parent’s Choice
This milk-based formula offers nutrition for the first year of your baby’s life and is the most cost-effective formula on this list, which can explain its popularity. It contains omega-3 DHA and omega-6 ARA for healthy eye and brain development and is gluten free, non-GMO, and certified Kosher by the Orthodox Union.
Made in the United States.
Price: $17 per can for 23.2 oz.
Similac Organic
This formula is formulated with OptiGRO—a unique blend of omega-3 DHA, lutein, and vitamin E to help support brain and eye development. It contains the necessary vitamins and minerals to support a baby in the first year of their life without using palm oil or corn syrup, which is a benefit of using this formula.
Made in the United States.
Price: $40 per can for 19.5 oz.
Baby’s Only
This formula is intended for children 12-36 months of age and is made without corn syrup or palm oil. It contains a nonfat milk protein source and incorporates DHA and Choline to support a child’s brain and eye development while being gluten free, kosher, and non-GMO.
Manufactured in Ohio.
Price: $14.99 a can for 12.7 oz.
We hope you and your family feel supported with this list of excellent organic formula choices. Since they are all FDA regulated, you can be assured that no matter what product you decide, your baby will receive all the valuable nutrition they need in their first year.
This post was in partnership with Bobbie but all of the opinions within are those of The Everymom editorial board. We only recommend products we genuinely love.