Baby Formula 101: What to Choose, What to Avoid, and Why It Matters

Hi! I’m Christine, your pediatric feeding therapist, and today I want to talk about something that often gets overlooked when building your baby registry—baby formula.

Most parents focus on the cute outfits, the baby swing, or the perfect bottle warmer—but formula? It’s rarely top of mind. And yet, it’s one of the most expensive and important decisions you’ll make.

So let’s get into the basics of baby formula, what to avoid, what to look for, and why I don’t recommend adding it to your registry just yet.

🎥 Want to dive deeper? Watch my full breakdown on baby formulas on YouTube here where I go into even more detail about ingredients, types, and what to look for.

🍼 Why I Don’t Recommend Registering for Baby Formula

Even if you’re planning to formula-feed from the start, I still don’t recommend stocking up on any specific formula brand right away. Even if you used it successfully with past children. Why?

Because you won’t know how your baby will react to it.

Instead, try signing up for sample boxes—like the one from Target—or request free samples directly from formula companies. These are a better place to start and give you flexibility without the waste or expense.

❌ What to Avoid in Baby Formula

Unfortunately, many mainstream baby formulas contain ingredients that can be hard on your baby’s gut. Here are some of the big red flags to look out for:

• Corn syrup solids (often the first ingredient in big brands like Similac, Gerber, and Enfamil)

• Soy and palm oils

• Synthetic nutrients like folic acid (you want folate instead)

• Preservatives and additives

• Heavy metals, especially in rice-based formulas

• Non-recognizable protein sources

If you’re grabbing something off a shelf at the drugstore, flip it around and look at the label—most generic formulas include one or more of these.

✅ What to Look For in a Better Baby Formula

Here are a few qualities to prioritize when choosing formula:

• Organic (though organic doesn’t always mean “clean”)

• Lactose as the primary carbohydrate (not corn syrup)

• Whole milk or goat milk base if tolerated

• Probiotics

• Natural ingredients you can recognize

• Fish oil sourced from algae (rather than chemically extracted)

🔍 Understanding the 5 Main Types of Baby Formula

There’s no one-size-fits-all formula. Here are the five categories you’ll likely encounter:

1. Regular Cow’s Milk Baby Formula

This is the most common type, and for babies without sensitivities, it can be a great choice. Cleaner brands to consider:

• Bobby Organic

• ByHeart

• Kendamil

• Jovie (imported from Europe)

These tend to avoid palm oil, corn syrup, and use higher-quality milk. European brands are popular because they follow stricter ingredient guidelines.

2. Partially Hydrolyzed (Sensitive) Baby Formulas

These are formulas where the milk proteins are partially broken down—like a mirror that’s been cracked but still mostly whole. They may work for babies with mild sensitivities, but not true allergies.

Examples include:

• Gerber Good Start GentlePro

• HiPP Comfort

• Similac 360

Be cautious: many still contain corn syrup, added sugars, and processed oils.

3. Extensively Hydrolyzed Baby Formulas

These are for babies with moderate to severe sensitivities, where proteins are broken down into tiny peptides. Think of that same mirror smashed into dust.

Options:

• Nutramigen

• Alimentum

• HiPP HA (European)

These formulas are more digestible but still not “clean”—many contain palm oil, corn syrup solids, and additives. However, they’re sometimes necessary to reduce colic, reflux, or eczema.

4. Amino Acid-Based Baby Formulas

These are for the most severe allergies or conditions like FPIES. They contain no intact protein at all, just individual amino acids.

Examples:

• Neocate

• EleCare

They are completely hypoallergenic but highly processed and often full of glucose syrup solids, vegetable oils, and preservatives. These are prescription formulas, and while they’re not ideal, they can be lifesaving in the right circumstances.

5. Goat Milk-Based Baby Formulas

Some parents turn to goat milk as a gentler alternative. Goat milk proteins are easier to digest and structurally closer to human milk, which may help babies with mild sensitivities.

However, goat milk:

• Still contains lactose

• Must be fortified with iron, folate, and vitamin D

• May still contain added sugars and palm oils (check labels!)

European goat milk formulas tend to be cleaner than American ones, but many need to be imported.

🛒 So What Should You Put on Your Registry Instead?

Skip the formula aisle for now. Instead, consider adding:

• Gift cards to pharmacies or baby supply stores

• Formula sample boxes

• Probiotics for infants (with your pediatrician’s guidance)

Choosing a formula isn’t just a nutritional decision—it can impact your baby’s gut health, comfort, and even emotional associations with feeding. Knowing what to look for and when to pivot is critical.

Save this post (or video) to reference when you’re troubleshooting formula feeding, and check out our other registry videos to help you prepare for a healthy, happy start.

💡 Still Struggling After Switching Baby Formulas?

Colic, gas, reflux, or eczema might not be just formula-related. If you’ve already tried different formulas and your baby is still struggling, there’s likely something more going on.

👉 Colic is common, but that doesn’t mean it’s normal.

We can help you uncover the root cause—virtually. Our evaluations include photo and video reviews, so you get expert eyes on your baby from anywhere.

🎯 Book a feeding evaluation with us today and get clarity on what’s really going on and how to help your baby thrive. You can learn more about our process for evaluating your child’s oral motor skills here.