3 Best Organic Baby Formulas, According to Pediatricians and Parents

If you’re committed to an organic lifestyle, the task can feel even more arduous, since the vast majority of baby formulas aren’t crafted with certified organic ingredients. Thankfully, if that's what you're looking for, some of the most trusted names in the industry have developed organic baby formula options.

What is organic baby formula?

Organic baby formula comes from milk products produced without using pesticides, herbicides, antibiotics or growth hormones. While conventional formulas may meet some of these qualifications, organic baby formulas are made exclusively with organic milk and organic ingredients, explains Tina Feeley, M.D., a pediatrician and member of the What to Expect Medical Review Board based in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. 

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), organic products must be made using certain production standards, such as minimizing the use of synthetic materials and maintaining and improving soil and water quality. Products have to be made with substances approved by the USDA — and they have to be produced without any prohibited methods (think genetic engineering, for instance). All products are overseen by an agent authorized by the USDA National Organic Program and must follow all USDA organic regulations.

Are organic formulas better for babies than conventional options?

Steven Abelowitz, M.D., F.A.A.P., a pediatrician and regional medical director of Coastal Kids Pediatrics in Newport Beach, California, says that while there are theoretical benefits of organic formula (such as the absence of growth hormones, genetically modified ingredients and pesticides, for instance), research on the subject doesn’t show a clear, long-term health advantage to using organic formula over conventional. When you’re looking at outcomes of babies who were served organic versus conventional formulas, the benefits are “quite slim,” he says.

The price tag also tends to be higher for organic formulas, Dr. Abelowitz notes. “I always say for parents, if the cost is not inhibitive … then having that theoretical benefit of non-organic versus organic could be a consideration that parents want to take into account,” but again, only if the prices of organic formula fit your budget.

Dr. Feeley recommends thinking about why you would like to use organic formula. If it’s because organic foods are an important part of your household’s approach to eating, then a certified organic formula will likely be the best fit for you. But if you’re looking for something specific in a formula — like no growth hormones in milk, for example — you could look for either an organic or conventional formula that doesn’t have any hormones. 

While each formula is different, both organic and conventional picks often include nutrients that are beneficial to your baby, such as:

• DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and ARA (arachidonic acid), which help baby’s brain, vision and immune responses grow
• Lutein, which helps baby’s eyes develop
• Prebiotics, which are designed to support immune and gut health. A common prebiotic you’ll notice on formula labels is HMO, aka human milk oligosaccharides, which are found in breast milk. The verdict is still out on whether or not prebiotics make a big difference for your little one, but they’re not thought to hurt, says Dr. Feeley.

As always, talk to your pediatrician about what matters for you when deciding on a baby formula (organic or not) and they can help you decide.

Types of organic baby formula

If you select an organic formula for your little one, note that there are a few main types:

• Milk-based: As you might expect, milk-based formula is made with cow's milk — it’s just been altered to more closely resemble breast milk and provide the right balance of nutrients for infants. This is the most common type of formula, for both organic and conventional picks.
• Partially hydrolyzed: These formulas have milk proteins which have been partially broken down, which may help babies that struggle with colic or gas, for instance.
• Soy-based: These formulas are made from soy proteins and are often used in place of milk-based formulas. The AAP recommends that soy-based formulas only be used in rare situations, so don’t use one unless your pediatrician recommends you do so.

How to choose the right organic baby formula for you

It can feel confusing trying to select an organic formula that’s right for your family. Take comfort in knowing that all baby formulas sold in the U.S. must meet firm regulations from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), so any brand you choose will meet essential safety requirements.

That said, here are some other things to do when you’re narrowing down on a formula:

• Consult with your baby’s pediatrician. Your doctor may have more experience with some formulas versus others, in addition to knowing your baby and your family’s wishes, says Dr. Abelowitz. She can help you make an informed decision.
• Look for a USDA Organic seal. These products are certified to meet USDA organic regulations, which specify what ingredients and production methods are allowed. If the formula does not have that seal, you’ll likely see one from a USDA-accredited certifier in its place that says “made with organic…” This means the formula is made with at least 70 percent organically produced ingredients, but not necessarily all organic ingredients.
• Look for helpful nutrients on the ingredients list. Think of the ingredients we listed above: DHA, ARA and lutein, for instance, which are essential for your baby’s mental and visual development. As mentioned earlier, some formulas will also include prebiotics for immune and gut health. 
  

How we made our picks for the best organic baby formula

Here’s how we picked the best organic formulas to highlight:

• We made sure every formula on this list is USDA-certified organic.
• We spoke with three leading pediatricians — Dr. Abelowitz, Dr. Feeley and Dr. Poinsett — to get their expert input on all things organic formula. We also followed guidance from top health organizations such as the AAP and USDA.
• We combed through recommendations from members of the What to Expect community, plus asked our staff, to see what their families have tried and loved.
• We read through online reviews of each formula to hear the experiences of countless parents and caregivers who tested them.

Ready to dive in? Below, the best organic baby formulas.