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Choosing the best baby formula is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make with a newborn. A quality soy free baby formula can be hard to find— whether you’re looking to avoid soy based formula for environmental reasons, to avoid genetically modified organisms (GMOs), or to safely feed your baby with a soy allergy.
Soy is found in infant formula for a few different reasons which can make it difficult if you’re looking for baby formula without soy. Since it’s a plant-based protein, it’s a great alternative to milk protein for babies with a cow’s milk allergy. Soy oil is also commonly used as a fat source for calories and essential fatty acids that a baby needs, and soy lecithin is often used as an emulsifier.
Since many formulas on the shelves have soy somewhere on the ingredient list, we did the research and compiled a list of the best soy free infant formulas and soy free toddler formulas on the market so you can feed your baby with peace of mind.
Milk Drunk’s Top Picks for Soy Free Baby Formula
- Bobbie Organic Gentle Formula
- Bobbie Organic Formula
- Baby’s Only Organic Plant Based Pea Protein Toddler Drink
- ByHeart
- Kendamil Classic
- Kendamil Organic
- Nutricia Neocate
- Nutricia Pepticate
- SMA Althera
What Is Baby Formula?
When it comes to feeding your baby, there are three options: breastfeeding, formula feeding, or a combination of the two. Every one of these feeding choices will provide your baby with the essential nutrients, vitamins, and minerals they need to grow and thrive.
If exclusive breastfeeding isn’t in the cards for your feeding journey, you can rest assured that baby formula is safe, highly regulated, and nutrient-dense to provide your baby with everything they need for optimal growth and development.
That being said, there are slight differences between the various types of formula, meaning you have many options to choose from to exactly fit your family and your baby’s needs. Not sure which to pick? If you’re looking for a milk-based formula, check out our list of the best baby formulas and best organic baby formulas for this year!
Benefits of Soy Free Baby Formula
While a formula containing soy is safe, regulated, and nutritionally complete like the rest of the baby formula available in the US is, there are a few potential reasons why parents may want to choose a soy-free formula option.
The most obvious benefit of baby formula without soy is for a baby who has a soy allergy. An estimated 0.4% of infants have a soy allergy, though many will outgrow it by the time they reach older childhood.
Beyond an allergy, you may choose a soy-free formula to limit your baby’s exposure to phytoestrogens found in soy protein. While the research has not found any substantial negative effects of soy formulas, a 2018 infant study found that infant girls given soy protein formulas had signs consistent with estrogen exposure, such as vaginal cell maturation and a decrease in uterine volume over the course of 36 months. The researchers stressed that the results were not alarming in any way, but that further research should be done.
If your baby was born preterm or low-weight at birth, soy-based formulas may want to be avoided. High amounts of soy could lead to a decrease in bone strength as the higher aluminum and phytate content prevent the absorption of essential bone-building minerals like calcium and phosphorus.
Is Soy Free Formula Right for My Baby?
When deciding which type of formula is right for your baby, the best thing to do is speak to your pediatrician.
After evaluating any potential allergies, symptoms, and tolerance to other formulas as well as your own ethical or personal values and beliefs, you may come to the conclusion that a formula without soy allergens is best for your family. If you have decided that using the best soy free formula is right for your family, you can then decide based on brand, price and whether or not you prefer a soy free formula that is organic to a non-organic formula.
Formulas for Babies with Typical Digestion
Bobbie Organic Gentle Formula
Shop Bobbie Organic Gentle Infant Formula
Bobbie Organic Gentle is the only baby formula in the U.S. market that offers 100% partially-hydrolyzed whey protein and 100% lactose as the carbohydrate source. Our gentle baby formula is easy on sensitive tummies to help alleviate fussiness and gas. Learn more about Bobbie Gentle.
Pros:
- 100% whey protein, partially-hydrolyzed for easy digestion
- 100% lactose as the carbohydrate source
- The only tolerance formula available in the U.S. with both USDA and EU Organic certification
- Clean Label Project Purity Award and Pesticide-Free Certification
- Meets EU requirements for both DHA and iron
- Available via subscription
- Fat blend with no palm oil and no soy
- No soy allergens
Cons:
- No prebiotics or probiotics
- Higher cost per ounce than some other brands
- Available by subscription or at Target
- NOTE: Bobbie’s recipe, while not advertised as “soy-free,” features no soy allergens and a no-soy fat blend.
Bobbie Organic Formula
Shop Bobbie Organic Infant Formula
Bobbie Organic Infant Formula is a USDA Organic, EU-style infant formula that meets all FDA requirements. It is a complete nutrition milk-based powder modeled after breast milk and is easy on tummies. It is non-GMO and doesn't have corn syrup, palm oil, or maltodextrin. Learn more about Bobbie.
Pros:
- Protein ratio close to that of mature breast milk, with 60% whey and 40% casein protein
- 100% lactose as the carbohydrate source
- The only routine baby formula available in the U.S. with both USDA and EU Organic certification
- Clean Label Purity Award and Pesticide-Free certification
- Dairy from grass-fed cows
- Meets EU requirements for both DHA and iron
- Available via subscription and at Target stores nationwide
- Simple recipe with the essentials that a baby needs and nothing more
- Fat blend with no palm oil and no soy
- No soy allergens
Cons:
- No prebiotics or probiotics
- Higher cost per ounce than some other brands
- Limited retail availability– Target and select PartnerShops only
- NOTE: Bobbie’s recipe, while not advertised as “soy-free,” features no soy allergens and a no-soy fat blend.
Baby’s Only Organic Plant Based Pea Protein Toddler Drink
Pros:
- USDA Organic
- Entirely dairy-free
- Contains no soy allergens
- Only powdered toddler formula on the market made with pea protein as the protein source
- A good option for young children with food sensitivities or allergies, or those who follow a vegetarian diet
- Subscription discount available!
- Cost-effective
Cons:
- Does not contain DHA or ARA fatty acids
- Does not contain prebiotics or probiotics
- Only available in small 360g cans
- NOTE: Baby’s Only Pea Protein is a toddler formula intended for toddlers 1 year and older or as directed by a healthcare professional
ByHeart Infant Formula
Pros:
- Dairy from grass-fed cows
- Uses an organic whole milk base
- Clean Label Purity Award winner
- Added whey protein for a protein ratio close to that of mature breast milk
- 100% lactose as a carbohydrate source
- Contains prebiotics, MFGM, and lactoferrin
- Fat blend with no palm oil and no soy oil
Cons:
- Available only at Target
- Not certified organic
- Only available by subscription with small retail presence
- Higher cost per ounce than many other brands
Kendamil Classic Formula
Pros:
- 100% lactose as the carbohydrate source
- Added whey protein for a protein ratio close to that of mature breast milk
- Includes prebiotics
- Includes added DHA and ARA
- Fat blend with no palm oil and no soy oil
Cons:
- Not certified organic
- Only available at select retailers.
- Only available in a large can size, which may mean wasted formula for families who only supplement with formula.
- No subscription option
Kendamil Organic Formula
Pros:
- EU Certified Organic
- 100% lactose as the carbohydrate source
- Added whey protein for a protein ratio close to that of mature breast milk
- Includes prebiotics
- Includes added DHA and ARA
- Fat blend with no palm oil and no soy oil
Cons:
- Not USDA certified organic
- Only available at select retailers.
- Only available in a large can size, which may mean wasted formula for families who only supplement with formula.
- No subscription option
Formulas for Babies with Medical Needs or Food Allergies
Nutricia Neocate Infant Formula
Pros:
- Elemental formula for babies with multiple food allergies
- 100% free amino acids
- 100% dairy-free
- Added DHA and ARA fatty acids
- Includes MCT oil as an easily-absorbed fat source
- Free from soy oil and other soy allergens
- Recent changes to include wide in-store availability and online retailers like Amazon, Walmart, and Walgreens
Cons
- Not recommended for babies who do not require an elemental formula
- Not organic
- Higher cost per ounce as a specialty formula
Nutricia Pepticate Infant Formula
Pros:
- Hypoallergenic formula for babies with cow milk protein allergy
- Extensively-hydrolyzed whey protein
- Includes prebiotics
- Added DHA and ARA
- No corn syrup
- Includes lactose as a carbohydrate source
Cons:
- Not recommended for babies that don’t have a diagnosed cow milk protein allergy or other diagnoses indicated by your pediatrician
- Not organic
- Limited retail availability
- Higher cost per ounce as a specialty formula
- Not appropriate for infants with galactosemia, lactose intolerance, or other difficulties digesting lactose
SMA Althera Formula
Pros:
- Hypoallergenic formula for babies with cow milk protein allergy
- Includes lactose as a carbohydrate source
- Extensively-hydrolyzed whey protein
- Includes added DHA and ARA fatty acids
- No corn syrup
- Fat blend with no palm oil and no soy oil
Cons:
- Not recommended for babies that don’t have a diagnosis of CMPA/CMPI or other diagnoses indicated by your baby’s health care provider
- Available only online, no retail presence
- Not appropriate for infants with galactosemia, lactose intolerance, or other difficulties digesting lactose
Choosing the Best Soy-Free Baby Formula
There are so many baby products to choose from— albeit the best baby stroller wagon, the best baby bottles or the best baby bathtubs. When it comes to choosing the best baby formula, review all of your options and talk to your pediatrician if you have any questions or concerns.
