When giving your baby breast milk isn’t a viable option, you may think it’s time to panic. There is no need to do that, as there are many products out there that can lend a helping hand. You now have a great number of choices when it comes to baby formula, including organic types. In fact, there are so many out there that you may become frazzled. Check out this list of the best organic baby formulas, to ease your concerns and figure out how to find the one you want.
How to Decide
If you are searching for an organic baby formula and are wondering why it is better than a regular formula, there are a few things to think about beforehand. Here is a quick look at these things.
The Meaning of Organic
If you are someone that chooses to eat organic foods or use organic products, you probably have a good understanding of why you would want this for your child too. Being organic doesn’t guarantee that something is absolutely safe, but it may mean it was grown cleaner than conventional crops.
For example, organically fed cows are not allowed to be exposed to harmful pesticides and GMO crops. This likely produces milk that is higher in quality than the traditionally raised cows.
Research
It is always a good idea to do your own research. While it may be confusing at first, it is highly important to be aware of what you are giving your baby. After all, they aren’t able to tell you if it is causing them a problem. You will have to pay attention to the differences in their behavior and habits.
Check out as many resources as you can find to verify which formulas are best and what other users describe. Take all the time you need, but also make sure that the information you are gaining is truthful. There is a not of misinformation out there. Check out resources like this, which provides you with specific information that you can institute in your own life.
Ingredients
This is another area where you will need to do a great amount of research. You should not give your baby a formula that has ingredients that are unfamiliar to you. You need to know what is in your child’s food, so you need to learn what these things are. Once you are schooled on these ingredients, you will have a better understanding of how they can have a good impact on your little one’s development. In turn, you’ll also be aware of when they are getting something that is good for them.
Here’s a look at some of the most common ingredients and what they are used for.
- Proteins. Most formulas are either soy or cow’s milk based. In the cow’s milk versions specifically, the proteins are whey and casein. These two proteins are also found in breast milk and are present in different ratios, depending on the brand.
- Carbs. The carbohydrate source in formula can be comprised from a number of things, but the most common are lactose, sucrose, maltodextrin, and corn syrup or corn syrup solids. Lactose is a type of sugar that is found in milk, but babies sometimes have sensitivity to it. That is why there are reduced and lactose-free formulas that you can purchase. No one of these substances is really worse than another however. It is mainly about what you feel comfortable giving to your child.
- Fats. This is a source of contention with many parents, since some oils are controversial and others are considered not to be. The most common oils used in organic formulas are coconut, sunflower, safflower, and palm oils. Palm oil is the type some people don’t like, due to the fact that babies react to it differently. Most of the time, a product has a mix of a few of these. This is likely in order to get the fat content correct in the product.
- Prebiotics. These are nutrients that are placed in foods that help with gut bacteria. They promote the growth of healthy bacteria in your system, so that you can break down food thoroughly. Prebiotics can be in the form of things like lutein or lycopene.
- DHA/ARA. These two fatty acids are also omega-3s. You may have heard of omegas and know that they are beneficial to many parts of the human body. In the case of baby formula, they are considered to be good by some and not by others. This is because of the way it is obtained. In most cases, it comes from algae and is extracted using hexane. Hexane is a substance that is used in the petrochemical industry. Still, there is a very small amount of hexane in products that have these omegas extracted through this method. There are also options that have hexane free DHA and ARA.
Price
Organic formulas can be very expensive. This is why you need to be certain that you are getting the best one for the price you can afford. Be honest with yourself and get the one that is the most beneficial for your baby and your budget. The most expensive options are not always the ones that will work the best for you.
Outcome
There is not really a shortcut available for figuring out which option will be best for your child. You will have to start somewhere, in order to see what works well. Once you do that, you’ll be able to tell if you need to change the formula you use, or if the one you chose works the best. Some people swear by one brand, and others mix a couple of brands together to get the proper amount of nutrients and results that they want. Keep trying until you get the outcome you are looking for. There are plenty of milks out there for you to try.
The Honest Company Organic Premium Infant Formula
If you are looking for a formula that is completely balanced and is gluten free, this is the one for you. It has absolutely no corn syrup solids and it mixes well each time. You won’t have to be concerned about large clumps.
There are also many other things it is made without. These things include latex, fragrances, lotions, and carrageenan. It seems like only top of the line ingredients are present in this option, and it comes in an easy to open container.
You will not find any DHA in this one, which is something you may want, depending on what your preferences are. If you still want it, you can buy DHA drops separately and add them in, so you’ll know exactly what is in the supplement you select.
Pros
- Gluten free
- Has no corn syrup solids
- Mixes well
Cons
- Has no DHA
Plum Organics Grow Well Organic Infant Formula
Many people use this as a supplement to their breast milk when they are unable to provide it every time it is needed. It works great for this purpose. However, it will also work just as well if you are unable to provide any amount of breast milk for your son or daughter.
It’s packed with DHA, ARA, and Vitamin D, as well as other beneficial nutrients. It is unlikely that it will cause gas, even if your little one has a sensitive stomach. The sweetener used in this one is lactose, which is an ingredient that is important, since it is found in breast milk. It is also considered to be much more advantageous and safe than other sweeteners.
This brand is rather expensive compared to other brands, so you might want to try it once to make sure your infant likes it before you buy a surplus of it.
Pros
- Offers nearly seamless supplement to breast milk
- Doesn’t cause gas
- Uses lactose as sweetener
Cons
- Pricier than other brands
Earth’s Best Organic Infant Powder Milk with Iron
One reason why this item is popular is because it helps babies that have colic. This is when a baby cries quite frequently for seemingly no reason. It can save you a lot of headache if you are able to help alleviate this problem, so you and your kiddo can get the rest you need. It helps babies that have gas as well, so it is good for their overall digestive health. Like other brands, it has DHA, ARA, and fiber, so it can be better rounded. It doesn’t have a bad smell or taste to it either.
Besides this, it is also easy to digest. It does have added iron, which can lead to constipation. Pay close attention to your baby’s diaper to make sure they are producing healthy stool every day. If they are not, you may need to try a different formula or add additional liquids to their diet.
Pros
- Easy to digest
- Has iron added
- Good for babies with colic
Cons
- May cause constipation
Baby’s Only Organic LactoRelief
For babies that are sensitive to lactose, this is one of the top choices that you can give them. It is still a dairy-based product, but the lactose content is very low. In some cases, parents have to resort to soy-based formulas, but you can use this instead for something more natural.
It is hexane free, but still contains the fatty acids to make the formula complete. There is no palm oil in it either, which should make many parents happy, since it is sometimes considered to be a more dangerous oil than others, like coconut and safflower.
When you smell it, it may have a fishy smell to you. This is not something to worry about, even if it seems off-putting. Your child will probably not have a problem with it.
Pros
- Has no palm oil
- For lactose sensitive kids
- Hexane free
Cons
- May have a fishy smell
Earth’s Best Organic Sensitivity Low Lactose Infant Formula
This is another formula that has a low amount of lactose. It contains omegas and fiber, and is made with no extra flavors or colors, which is always a good thing. It is also certified Kosher, which means there are no unclean animal products present in it.
It does contain soy to supplement some of the nutrition, so that is something you should be aware of if you intend to purchase it. It also may produce a lot of foam when you mix it in a bottle. To prevent this, be sure that you are using the cleanest water you can. You may want to use distilled water, in order for the nutrients to mix properly into the solution.
Pros
- Has no flavors or colors
- Has added fiber
- Contains omegas
Cons
- Produces foam when mixed
Happy Baby Organic Stage 1
This product has 4 times the prebiotics that other options out there contain. The reason for this is so it can help with digestion and keep a baby’s stomach from getting too upset or backed up. Another thing that is added is vitamins. You can count on vitamins like choline, copper, iron, and more to be in every bottle you make.
While most of the formulas in this list are modeled after breast milk, people that use this one think it is rather close, in consistency when mixed and in taste.
You may have to be careful with the container though because it will break easily. Open it with care and be sure to store it somewhere where it cannot be smashed.
Pros
- Contains prebiotics
- Has many vitamins and minerals
- Won’t back them up
- Very similar to breast milk
Cons
- Packaging is easy to break