Breastfeeding can be a demanding aspect of caring for a newborn. Whether you pump and bottle-feed breast milk or need to supplement with formula, there are various reasons for doing so. You might underproduce, be returning to work, or prefer a more convenient option. Selecting the best formula for breastfed babies is crucial.

For new parents, adding a couple of cans of formula to your newborn checklist is a smart move.

What to consider when buying baby formula

  • Carbohydrates

    Experts say most babies do well on formula with lactose (the same sugar in human milk) as the sole carbohydrate

  • Protein

    Protein in formula can be either intact or partially or fully broken down, which may be easier for some babies to digest

  • Extra ingredients

    All baby formulas must meet the same basic nutritional requirements. Some include extra nutrients like DHA, ARA, and prebiotics

  • Organic

    Organic products are important to both adults & babies, especially when choosing between dairy-based formula from cow or goat milk

Breastfeeding can be a demanding aspect of caring for a newborn. Whether you pump and bottle-feed breast milk or need to supplement with formula, there are various reasons for doing so. You might underproduce, be returning to work, or prefer a more convenient option. Selecting the best formula for breastfed babies is crucial.

For new parents, adding a couple of cans of formula to your newborn checklist is a smart move.

What to Look for in the Best Formula for Breastfed Babies

Every baby is unique, but Dr. Whitney Casares, MD, MPH, FAAP, recommends choosing an FDA-approved formula. This ensures rigorous testing for safety and quality before reaching store shelves, meeting the highest standards for contamination and expiration.

Dr. Casares suggests selecting a formula with prebiotics to support a healthy microbiome, which is essential for your baby's overall health. Look for formulas containing DHA and ARA, the fatty acids found in breast milk, which positively influence neurodevelopment and immune function.

To boost gut health and energy, Dr. Casares highlights the importance of Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMOs). She advises avoiding formulas with high fructose corn syrup, a less desirable ingredient found in older formulations but still present in some modern ones.

Granola Baby's #1 Choice for Breastfed Babies

1. LittleOak

LittleOak is our #1 choice of formulas for babies who are breastfeeding due to it being sourced and made wholly with organic ingredients. The brand adheres to a stricter European guideline for their formulas, meaning less processing, resulting in a formula that more closely resembles breastmilk. LittleOak products are designed to meet the dietary needs of growing little ones and are boosted with 16 essential vitamins and minerals. The formulas are made with fresh whole goat milk straight from dairy in New Zealand, packed with A2 proteins and boasts the world's first certified palm-oil free formula. LittleOak is the all-around best choice for nurturing and growing your little ones from birth to 4 years of age.

Key Product Info:

  • The world's first approved palm oil free baby formula
  • Made from organic whole goat milk
  • Packed with 16 essential vitamins and minerals
  • Highest concentration of naturally occuring A2 proteins

Shop LittleOak

Best All-In-One Formula

2. ByHeart

ByHeart was developed from the ground up to obsessively innovate and improve on behalf of babies and their parents—which means going further in every way. The brand aims replicate (as closely as possible) an organic baby formula that resembles breast milk since breast milk has always been the organic blueprint as it's the perfect natural first food for a baby. That's why they worked for 5 years to make an infant formula, the only product they sell.

Key Product Info:

  • Closest-to-breast-milk patented protein blend
  • Made from organic, grass-fed whole milk (not skim)
  • Won the Clean Label Project Purity Award
Shop ByHeart

Affordable Pricing

3. Aussie Bubs

Aussie Bubs is a well known baby formula brand that focuses on creating a formula with the right protein mix to match breastmilk. Their formulas are created without additives like palm oil, corn syrup, and added sugars, ingredients that can lead to gassy and sensitive stomachs. With a manufacturing process that's aimed at being organic, Aussie Bubs formulas are a perfect solution to help parents either transition or complement breastfeeding.

Key Product Info:

  • First 1,000 Days and Clean Label Certified
  • Naturally occurring A2 protein is easy to digest
  • Perfect for toddlers with sensitive tummies.
Shop Aussie Bubs

Best Cow Milk Option

4. Holle

For breastfed babies making the transition to formula, Holle baby formula stands out as an excellent choice. Sourced from Demeter farms with the highest European organic certification, it offers purity and quality akin to breastmilk. With its smooth texture and natural taste, Holle provides a gentle alternative that closely mimics the breastfeeding experience, ensuring a seamless transition for breastfed babies.

Key product info:

  • Certified organic ingredients sourced from biodynamic farms ensure the highest standards of purity and quality, making it an ideal choice for breastfed babies.
  • Smooth texture and natural taste reminiscent of breastmilk make it easily accepted by breastfed infants, facilitating a smooth transition to formula feeding.
  • Formulated without starch and with organic ingredients, Holle provides gentle nourishment that closely resembles breastmilk, promoting comfort and satisfaction.
  • Positive feedback from parents highlights Holle's effectiveness in satisfying breastfed babies, making it one of the best formulas for those transitioning from breastfeeding.
Shop Holle

Certified Kosher & Halal

5. Kabrita

Kabrita Goat Milk Infant Formula is a gentle and nutritious alternative to cow's milk-based formula, specifically designed to meet the nutritional needs of newborns and infants. Made with high-quality non-GMO goat milk, this formula is naturally easy to digest and gentle on little tummies. Kabrita formulas make a great alternative choice for babies who are still breastfeeding with a protein and oil mix that closely matches breastmilk.

  • Unique oil blend. Shown to promote more healthy bacteria in the gut, reduce colic and gas, reduce constipation, and allow for better absorption of fat and calcium.

  • No GMO ingredients added under EU regulations

  • Good carbohydrates & fats to match breastmilk
Shop Kabrita

In conclusion...

In our quest to identify the most suitable formula options, we focused on cost-effective selections that offer supplementary advantages beyond meeting basic nutritional requirements. Our approach involved extensive consultations with experts and a thorough review of over a dozen scientific sources, including studies, journals, reports, and advancements, to gain insights into formula composition, nutrients, and related components.

It's recognized that both traditional and organic formulas should contain lactose as the exclusive carbohydrate source. Given lactose's natural presence in mammalian milk and its role as the primary energy provider, formulas strive to emulate human milk as closely as feasible. According to infant feeding specialists, opting for formulas with lactose as the sole sugar is preferable. The majority of healthy infants typically tolerate lactose well, and there is scant evidence indicating that reducing lactose or opting for lactose-free formulas alleviates colic symptoms. Hence, formulations marketed as "sensitive" and devoid of lactose were not considered within our assessment.

Our investigation also delved into regulatory frameworks established by the FDA and CDC governing the production and testing of formula within the United States. Furthermore, we meticulously scrutinized the nutrition and ingredient labels of approximately 50 formulas to discern their variances and resemblances.