Much like selecting a stroller or deciding which diaper brand to buy, choosing a newborn baby formula can overwhelm any parent (so many types of formula—but they all do the same thing, right?!). Soon enough, decision fatigue strikes, and so you just click ‘add to cart’ and then wonder every night while mixing up that late night bottle whether you’ve made the right choice regarding baby formula ingredients (OK, that last part is maybe just us). 

What ingredients are in baby formula?! Are there toxic ingredients in baby formula? We’re here to help make your baby’s formula feeding journey simpler. Knowing how to read the baby formula nutrition facts on your formula can help you make the best growth and development choice for feeding your baby. 

Keeping these tips in mind the first time you make the baby formula decision will give you peace of mind when you’re mixing up every subsequent bottle—we want that for you! Switching infant formula isn’t ideal, so here’s what to look for when comparing formula cans.

10 Things to Know About Baby Formula Ingredients

How to Read a Baby Formula Ingredients List

When choosing how to feed your baby, you may be wondering, “what’s in baby formula?” or, “what’s the best formula I can give my baby?” Pro tip: don’t just look at the front label of a formula can in order to understand its quality. Flip the can over and check out the ingredients list! You can find the baby formula ingredients list on the back of every can/package of the formula. You’ll mainly want to pay attention to the first couple of lines in the list of ingredients because that is where the macronutrients are listed (carb sources, protein sources, and the fat blend). The rest of the ingredients list are the micronutrients (vitamins and minerals). The micronutrients tend to be incredibly similar among different formula recipes. The macronutrients at the beginning of the list is where formulas really differ from each other. 

Watch for these ingredients in baby formula

• Corn syrup: if you want your baby formula to mimic human milk as closely as possible, you’ll want to avoid corn syrup and opt for a formula with lactose as the carb source.
• Palm oil: Not only can it cause constipation in babies, it may also be unethically sourced which can lead to deforestation and loss of biodiversity in the rainforest. 

Explore European baby formula ingredients

While baby formula in both the U.S. and Europe are highly regulated, there are some differences that European formulas can offer.

• DHA: In the EU, infant formulas are required to contain no less than 20 mg of DHA per 100 calories. DHA supports your baby’s brain and eye development.
• Lactose: EU formulas are prohibited from using corn syrup/corn syrup solids. Therefore, lactose is a predominant carb source in European baby formula recipes. Fun fact: this lactose often comes from cow’s milk or organic cow’s milk, but it can also come from goat’s milk!

How to Read a Baby Formula Label

Every formula label is slightly different. For example, here’s what the Bobbie Organic Non-GMO infant formula label tells us:

• Blended in Vermont and Ohio
• FDA regulated
• Certified USDA organic
• Made with organic, pasture-raised milk
• Features a European style recipe
• Contains no palm oil
• Doesn’t include syrup solids like corn syrup
• Contains 100% lactose, which is the predominant carbohydrate in mature human breast milk
• Has DHA levels that meet EU standards
• Features a whey to casein ratio that matches breast milk and is more easily digested

Baby Formula Ingredients and Labels to Look For

When you’re glancing at that baby formula ingredients list on brands made in the United States, here are the main points you want to look for:

1. Lactose should be the first baby formula ingredient

First, scan the can to find the baby formula nutrition facts label, then locate the list of ingredients. What’s up top? Most of the time, it should be lactose in a cow’s milk formula.

Lactose, or milk sugar, is the main source of carbohydrate nutrition in human breast milk. As such, your baby’s formula should contain lactose as the first ingredient. In truth, most infant formulas use nonfat milk as the first ingredient. This would not be the case if your baby has a cow milk sensitivity. If you have any questions, chat with your pediatrician.

Fun fact: Formulas that don’t contain lactose as the primary ingredient usually contain other sources of easy-to-digest carbohydrates such as corn syrup solids, which tend to be cheaper and easier to digest for infants with lactose sensitivities.

2. You want baby formula to have a good amount of DHA

DHA is a special type of long-chain omega-3 fatty acids that supports your baby’s brain and eye development. In the US, infant formula manufacturers are not required by the Food and Drug Administration to include DHA in formula. 

In the EU, infant formulas are required to contain no less than 20 mg of DHA per 100 calories. In the US, most standard infant formulas provide between 8-17 mg of DHA per 100 calories. Since the listing of the DHA amount is not required for US formulas, the only way to know for sure how much DHA is in your baby’s formula is to contact the manufacturer – you can find their phone number on the back of the canister. You can check with them about any vitamins and minerals as well.

3. The milk source should align with your preferences

Unless you’re using a hypoallergenic soy based formula, all milk based formulas contain cow’s milk. But where that milk comes from is also important.

Organic milk, for example, is required to be sourced from cows who haven’t been given growth or reproductive hormones or treated with antibiotics, and who receive at least 30% of their diet from pasture grazing. Conventional (non-organic) milk doesn’t share these requirements. 

To put it simply, the same factors apply whether you’re choosing formula made from organic milk or organic milk for your fridge.

4. Baby formula should have the USDA Organic Seal

Check for the green and white USDA organic seal on the front label. Infant formula is available in the US in both organic and non-organic blends, and yep, there’s a difference, as organic formulas tend to be free of synthetic pesticides and preservatives as they are not used in the farming or manufacturing processes. 

Organic non-GMO formula predominantly contains ingredients that have been grown, harvested, and processed in a manner that doesn’t involve chemicals from pesticides or fertilizers. That USDA organic certification also means the ingredients that come from animals don’t contain growth hormones, and that the ingredients are not genetically modified. 

5. Baby Formula Should Feature an FDA Statement

There is no regulation that says any kind of FDA statement or stamp is required. Speak to your pediatrician if you have concerns in using any types/brands of formula. 

Baby Formula Ingredients and Labels You Should Read With a Critical Eye

While there are certainly baby formula ingredients to avoid (like added sugars and artificial colors or flavors) the following tips will help you navigate those less obvious additions. Here are some ingredients and labels you should consider with a more critical eye.

1. Be choosy about palm oil in your baby formula

For your baby’s formula to mimic human milk, it must contain fatty acids. Infant formula contains fatty acids that are derived from vegetable oils, but the type of vegetable oil can matter when it comes to your little one’s digestion. 

Normally, your infant formula will contain a blend of three oils. Opt for organic oils where possible: Safflower, sunflower, soybean, canola and coconut oil are all excellent sources of easily digested fatty acids. 

Palm oil, on the other hand, isn’t always as easily digested by your baby’s brand new digestive system. In fact, babies may not absorb as much fatty acid as they need from palm oil, which can negatively impact their ability to gain weight. Palm oil can also be a source of constipation for babies: The proof is in the baby poop!

2. Ask about heavy metal testing in your baby formula

Not to make more work for you, but while you’ve got your formula manufacturer on the phone about DHA, ask what kind of testing they do to ensure limiting heavy metals in baby formula. Lead, arsenic, BPA, and acrylamide are all heavy metals that have been found in baby formula, which means it’s crucial that your formula manufacturer is testing every batch of formula produced to thoroughly ensure it’s safe for distribution. 

If your manufacturer can’t give a clear and direct answer, stay away. Quality formula companies are constantly testing their formulas to ensure the product’s safety.

3. The whey to casein ratio matters in baby formula

Whey and casein are the two main types of proteins in mammalian milks. 

Casein proteins, which often is the portion of protein that keeps your baby a little fuller, are sometimes more difficult for babies to digest as they turn solid (curdle) in the presence of acid. This curdling can happen in the acidic environment of the stomach. 

On the other hand, whey protein stays liquid in the stomach and are considered easier to digest compared to casein proteins. 

The ratio of whey to casein may affect your baby’s ability to digest the formula comfortably. More whey can help to make a formula more tolerable. 

Mature breast milk has a ratio 60:40 whey to casein ratio. Importantly, as your baby grows, their digestive system grows and develops as well which means their ability to digest the proteins in infant formula often improves with time. 

If you notice any symptoms that seem out of the norm for your baby, it is important to bring it up with your baby’s pediatrician. If you would like to know the whey:casein ratio of your formula, contact the manufacturer.

4. Check the expiration date of your baby formula

Every canister of infant formula will also have an expiration date or a “use by” date somewhere on the packaging. After this date has passed, don’t use the formula, even if it’s unopened. 

The use-by date protects your baby from changes in the ingredients that can happen over time. By feeding your baby expired formula, there’s a chance they won’t get the full serving of vitamins, nutrients and fats they need.

5. Figure out where your formula is made and if the formula is made in the USA

The manufacturing source of your infant formula also matters. If you’ve been tempted to buy European baby formula from a third-party seller, know that it isn’t regulated by the FDA—and isn’t approved for distribution in the US. That’s why US made and regulated companies are a much safer choice.

The takeaway when reading a US infant formula label

Doing a little bit of research up front can help you rest easier when it comes to choosing your baby’s formula. Look into everything from where the formula was manufactured to the quality and source of the primary ingredients. Ultimately, the baby formula ingredient label should follow the makeup of human milk as closely as possible, which means lactose is the first ingredient and the whey/casein ratio is 60:40. Try to find an organic option if that’s doable for you, and when in doubt, consult your child’s pediatrician. Before you know it, your baby will be enjoying solid foods, but until the one year mark, you want to choose a powdered formula or other formula that works best for your family.

Sources:

Understanding the USDA Organic Label | USDA 

European Baby Formula That Is Illegally Sold in the United States Carries Risks, Pediatricians Warn (Published 2020) | New York Times 

Infant Formula Labeling Guidance | FDA 

CLP Infant Formula & Baby Food Test | Clean Label Project