Toddler & Infant Formula / PediaSure Grow & Gain, Organic Baby Formula & More

But with so many formulas on the market, it can be hard to decide which to choose. The good news is, you don’t have to choose on your own. You can ask your doctor, find out from friends, or read on below.

Best Baby Formula

Formulas Most Similar to Breast Milk

Breast milk is always the best option, but when it isn't a possibility, Enfamil Enspire and Gerber Good Start are both optimal choices. They're both very similar to breast milk, and provide a lot of the same nutritional benefits.

Formula for Newborns

49 percent of pharmacists recommend Enfamil as the best formula for newborns. Contrast that with Similac and Pediasure; they are both among the top rated baby formulas, but Similac milk is recommended by 21% of pharmacists, & PediaSure milk, by just 17%.

Based on this, if you’re looking for a standard top rated baby formula for your healthy, developing infant, Enfamil newborn formula is the way to go.

Formula for Preemies

Premature babies are sometimes unable to tolerate milk immediately after birth, but need plenty of nourishment nonetheless. Formula designed specially for preemies, such as Similac Neosure and Enfamil Enfacare, has more proteins, vitamins, and calories than regular formula, so that the baby can catch up in growth.

Organic Formula

Organic baby formula is created entirely from certified organic ingredients, so that it is chemical free, and has no synthetic ingredients. Babies often find organic formula easier to digest than regular formula. Similac Organic is known to be one of the best organic baby formulas.

Formula for Spit Up and Gas

Spitting up can be a sign of gas buildup, which is very uncomfortable for babies, and is a common cause of colic. If your baby is spitting up very often, a spit up formula may be just what he or she needs. Enfamil and Similac Spit Up are both designed for babies with sensitive stomachs to reduce spit up.

If you have reason to believe your infant is lactose intolerant, or your baby is unusually gassy, you may want to try Enfamil ProSobee Similac Soy Isomil, or other soy-based lactose intolerance formula that is dairy-free.

Formula for Toddlers

Toddler formula is the perfect supplement for that in-between stage when your child is beginning to eat solids, but not enough that he or she is receiving adequate nutrients from it. The best toddler formulas, in order of popularity, are Enfagrow, Gentlease, Pediasure Grow and Gain, and Similac Go and Grow.

However, unless your toddler is a very picky eater, or is at this stage, he or she can do just as well with regular milk and solid foods. If the child is unable to consume normal food, formula for toddlers may be an option, but a physician should be consulted to confirm that this is what your child needs.

Hypoallergenic Formulas

Infants and children with severe allergies who can’t eat many foods and therefore don’t receive adequate nutrients can take super hypoallergenic amino-acid based formulas such as Neocate or Elecare Infant Formula to get adequate nutrition. Aside from being for babies with multiple allergies, EleCare is also used for infants who cannot tolerate intact or hydrolyzed protein. In contrast to Elecare, Neocate Infant Formula is manufactured in an entirely dairy-free environment. Nutramigen Toddler is a hypoallergenic formula for older infants and toddlers.

Formula for Children

Children who suffer from GI conditions often supplement their diet with PediaSure Peptide or other Peptamen based formulas or protein shakes for kids. These are perfect for children who are unable to eat standard foods.

Important Note: Peptamen does contain milk, so it's not suitable for anyone allergic to cow’s milk.

Now that you’re aware of the benefits provided by each type of formula, you can choose the one that’s best for your child!