Finding an Alternative Formula

By Alison Heyerdahl

On 17 February 2022, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced it was investigating several reported cases of Salmonella Newport infections in infants and toddlers likely linked to the infant formula produced in Abbott Nutrition’s Michigan Facility.

This was only the beginning of what would turn out to be a national crisis. No one could imagine that the USA would face a formula shortage, leaving parents in a state of panic about how to feed their babies.

This article intends to provide information on various formulas so that you can make an informed decision if you have to order a different formula from the one you usually use. It provides details of various formula products available in the United States and abroad and their pros and cons.  

Bobbie

Established in 2018, Bobbie is relatively new on the market. Co-created by two moms who had to turn to formula early on in their parenting journeys, the founders promised that they would only develop a product that they would be happy to feed their own babies.  As a result, Bobbie is the first organic, European-style recipe in the US with DHA levels that meet the standards of the EU (the US currently has no DHA standards).  While some parents may be concerned that because Bobbie is so new on the market, it has not been extensively tried and tested, it has undergone over 2,000 quality checks.  

Bobbie is designed for babies between the ages of 0 - 12 months as a sole source of feeding or as a supplement to breastfeeding. 

Pros of Bobbie infant formula:

• FDA-approved and meets the strictest EU and US standards.

• Unlike other formulas, Bobbie contains no palm oil, corn syrup, maltodextrins, GMOs, or artificial colorants. 

• Iron-fortified 

• High levels of DHA

• Produced with a Whey to Casein ratio of 60:40, which is roughly the same as breast milk.

• Does not contain gluten.

Cons of Bobbie infant formula:

• Bobbie does not have added pro/prebiotics, so parents must supplement. Prebiotics and probiotics are often added to replicate the immunity-boosting properties of breast milk. Prebiotics such as galactooligosaccharides is very similar to human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs), while probiotics like Lactobacillus are commonly found in breast milk and other types of lactic acid bacteria.

• Contains soy oil, which is not as bad as soy proteins, but which does apparently block the absorption of Zinc.  Zinc is necessary for optimal neurodevelopment.   

• Does not have a range of formulas for different stages of development.

• Bobbie is more expensive at 24 USD per 14 oz can than some of the other formula products on the market.  However, this cost may be justified considering the quality of the ingredients.

Overall, Bobbie is an excellent organic formula produced by moms for moms.  It contains higher levels of DHA than are typically found in other formulas and contains no added sugar (including corn syrup or maltodextrins).  It also contains no GMOs and is nutritionally similar to breastmilk.  On the whole, Bobbie is a good option for parents who don’t mind paying slightly more for such high-quality ingredients.  

Holle

Founded in 1933 in Switzerland, Holle has an excellent reputation for developing the highest quality organic products for over 80 years.   Holle is supplied by Demeter, a brand that curates only the best organic ingredients from biodynamic farmers.   Biodynamic farming is similar to organic farming but also includes numerous ethical and holistic methods.  For example, biodynamic farmers use moon cycles to guide the planting calendar.  While it may seem that the end products are similar to those of its organic counterparts, biodynamic farming has significant environmental benefits. 

Additionally, Europe has a much stricter system of organic controls than those found worldwide.  Holle is manufactured in Germany, the largest organic food market in Europe. 

Pros of Holle Formula

• Ingredients come from biodynamic farming practices.

• Contains high levels of DHA

• Does not contain corn syrups or sucrose.

• Does not contain gluten or soy products.

• Iron-fortified.

• FDA and USDA approved.

• Does not cause gas, indigestion, or constipation. 

• Holle has a range of formulas for different stages.

Cons of Holle Formula

• Holle uses maltodextrin as a carb (Stage 1+).

• Palm oil is used as a fat source.

• Stage 2 and stage 3 infant formulas are slightly low on iron.

• Does not contain pre/probiotics, so parents will have to supplement.   

• Produced outside of the USA, which means it has to be imported.

• At 22.99 USD per 14 ounces, Holle is more expensive than the locally-produced formulas.

Overall, Holle has gained a reputation for being one of the best organic formulas on the market.  It also has a range of formulas for different stages.  It contains high-quality organic ingredients produced by the most sustainable methods, with no artificial additions.  However, it does contain palm oil, which is not unhealthy for babies but is often harvested unsustainably, causing harm to the environment.  It also contains maltodextrins, which are sugars.  Lastly, because Holle is manufactured in Germany, it has to be imported.  

Enfamil

Introduced in 1959, Enfamil was Mead Johnson's first routine formula designed after the nutritional composition of breast milk.  Enfamil prides itself on supporting infant neurodevelopment with the high levels of DHA found in its ingredients.  It contains MFGM, or Milk Fat Globule Membrane, a DHA fat protein that is only found in breast milk. DHA (Docosahexaenoic acid) is an omega-3 fatty acid that helps support eye and brain development. A baby’s brain grows 175% in the first year of life, so providing the correct nutrition during this window is important.  Enfamil also has a range of formulas for babies with digestive sensitivities.  In fact, it guarantees that babies will experience less fussiness and discomfort within 24 hours of starting the formula. 

Pros of Enfamil

• FDA-approved         

• Contains high levels of DHA – these are prominent in the NeuroPro formulas.

• Has a range of formula options for fussy babies or those with digestive issues (though not as many as Similac)

• The NeuroPro line is frequently recommended for preterm infants (sometimes referred to as premature infants), due to the unique nutrient combination. 

• Has high levels of pre and probiotics, including galactooligosaccharides which are found in breast milk.

• Iron-fortified   

• Enfamil costs around 37.90 USD for a 28 oz. can of formula is slightly more expensive than Similac but more cost-effective than organic formulas. 

Cons of Enfamil

• Enfamil has the most products containing GMOs. These include Enfamil with Iron, Enfamil with Low Iron, Enfamil Lacto Free, Enfamil 22, Enfamil Next Step (both soy and milk varieties), Enfamil Nutramigen, and Enfamil Pro-Soybee.  Although Enfamil NeuroPro does not contain GMOs.

• Most of the Enfamil products contain corn syrup, one of the more problematic syrup options, as it is hard for babies to process.  However, it must be noted that the levels of sugars found in Enfamil are lower than those of Similac. 

• Contains palm oil

• Contains soy proteins

• It contains Carrageenan – an ingredient known to cause inflammation of the intestines – but it’s not incorporated in all Enfamil formulas. 

Another point, which is both positive and concerning, is that Enfamil has a soy formula for babies that can’t digest the proteins in cow’s milk – although, as mentioned previously, soy proteins containing high levels of estrogens can be harmful to your baby.  For example, it can lead to early menstruation in girls and delayed reproductive development in boys.

Enfamil is an excellent formula for babies struggling with digestive sensitivity and gas.  It is also one of the few formulas that has MFGM, or Milk Fat Globule Membranes that are found in breastmilk, which is full of DHA.  As mentioned previously, DHA supports an infant’s neurodevelopment, which is vital in the first year of life.  It should be noted that many of Enfamil’s formulas contain GMOs and soy proteins which can be harmful to a baby’s health. 

Gerber

The Gerber Products Company is an American-based producer of baby foods and baby products and is also a subsidiary of Nestle.  Its baby formulas contain no GMOs and have many variants for a baby’s changing needs, including stage-appropriate formulas and those for babies with digestive sensitivities or fussiness.   It also has a liquid concentrate which only requires mixing with an equal quantity of water, which is convenient.

Pros of Gerber

• FDA approved

• Ingredients contain no GMOs

• Mixes quickly and easily

• Iron-fortified

• Gerber Good Start Gentle formula contains Human Milk Oligosaccharide (HMO) – a probiotic found in breast milk that helps maintain a healthy digestive system and build strong immunity.

• Contains DHA, important for neurodevelopment.

• The formula is made to be more easily digestible for babies.

• Starting at 28.94 USD for a 20 oz. can, Gerber is much more cost-effective than organic formulas and does not contain any GMOs.

Cons of Gerber Formula

• Parents may find that while it’s made to reduce gas, it may actually contribute to constipation in babies instead.

• It contains corn syrup and maltodextrin.

• Most of the formulas in the range contain palm oil, which, as mentioned previously, is often harvested unsustainably, causing damage to the environment.  

• Contains soy oils, but, as mentioned previously, these are not as harmful as the soy proteins found in other formulas. 

• The formulas have 100% whey instead of the whey/casein mix found in the other formulas.  This makes it harder to digest.  

• Sometimes has a fishy smell (likely due to the omegas in the formula)

Overall, Gerber is a good choice for parents who have babies with digestive sensitivities or fussiness.  It contains high probiotics, which help build a baby’s immunity and maintain healthy digestion.  All its ingredients are non-GMO, and many parents report how easy it is to mix.  One drawback is that it contains higher levels of maltodextrins and corn syrup than its counterparts and high levels of palm oil. 

Overview

This article has provided a broad overview of some of the market's most popular alternative formula brands.  When choosing a formula, parents should be aware of choosing a formula that babies can tolerate.

While most pediatricians start babies on standard milk-based formulas, some may recommend a switch to gentle varieties if the following symptoms are reported:

• Colic and fussiness

• Excessive crying after feeding

• Gassiness

• Vomiting

• Spitting up

• Poor weight gain

• Hypersensitivity to lactose

• Constipation and other digestive issues. 

Gentle formulas also better mimic breast milk in terms of protein size.  Most formulas are made from cow’s milk which have larger milk proteins than those found in breast milk, while the gentle varieties have partially hydrolyzed proteins, which are easier for tiny stomachs to digest.  However, parents should be aware that because they contain whey and casein, even gentle formulas are not appropriate for babies with true milk allergies.

If you feel that your child may be suffering from the symptoms of Salmonella poisoning due to formula contamination, visit your nearest emergency room.