How to Choose the Best Baby Formula

Published: March 25, 2026

Updated: March 25, 2026

Standard cow's milk formula works for most babies, but allergies may require specialized options like hypoallergenic formulas. The pediatric pros at Solid Starts share their top picks for every feeding scenario.

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Key Points

✔ Formula varies in cost, convenience, and safety

Powdered formula is typically more affordable than liquid formula, but it requires careful preparation. Ready-to-use liquid formula can be more convenient but is often costlier. 

✔ A standard cow’s milk formula is usually a great choice to get started 

Formula is highly regulated for safety and nutrition, and regulations vary by country, so choose a formula approved for use where you live. There’s usually no need to purchase imported formula.

✔ Some babies may need a few days to adjust to formula

Mild digestive changes like gassiness and changes in stool patterns are common for the first few days. If signs of intolerance seem severe, talk to your doctor about switching formulas. 

Types of Baby Formula 

Infant formula is available as powder, ready-to-feed liquid, and liquid concentrates. All are safe choices and offer the same nutrition, but each style offers some advantages. 

Powdered vs. Liquid Baby Formula

Infant formula is highly regulated in most countries, including the United States, to help ensure it is safe and designed to support healthy growth and development of babies. For most babies, powdered infant formulas are safe and accessible. In some cases, babies who were born premature or who have medical needs may be advised to use ready-to-feed liquid formulas, or use liquid concentrates, which have been additionally processed to be sterile. Regardless of the formula type, safe preparation and storage practices are important when preparing and handling powdered, ready-to-feed, or liquid concentrate formulas.

How to Choose Baby Formula 

Whether you’re exclusively formula feeding, supplementing breastfeeding, or transitioning to formula, a standard cow’s milk-based infant formula is usually a great place to start for most babies. These formulas contain proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and minerals designed to be close to the nutritional profile of breast milk.

When selecting formula, make sure the formula is: 

Choose iron-fortified formulas when available. Most infant formulas in the United States are fortified with iron, which supports baby’s growth, brain development, and energy levels. 

Be careful when purchasing formulas imported from other countries. Every country’s regulatory process is different. For example, in the United States, imported formulas are not as closely monitored for recalls as formulas manufactured within the country. These formulas may be mishandled or stored at improper temperatures. It is also difficult to know when there is a formula recall if you do not live in the country in which it was made.

European Baby Formula

European formulas have gained popularity online, but they are not necessarily better. Both American and European formulas are nutritious choices for babies, and both the United States and European Union regulate infant formula carefully, though they have different standards and ingredient requirements. For example, European formulas can contain different carbohydrate sources or fat blends, which may appeal to some families. In comparison, American formulas usually contain more iron (a key nutrient for babies) and may have options for formulas with prebiotics and probiotics.

When deciding between the European and American formulas, keep in mind that imported formula may be brought into your country outside of its official regulatory channels, which can raise concerns about storage conditions or labeling differences. Mixing instructions can also be different, with metric or imperial measurements and directions in different languages. Access and cost can also be unpredictable and uncontrollable when you purchase formulas made outside of the country where you live.

In short, it’s important to choose a formula that is not only nutritionally sound but properly regulated, handled safely, and readily available when you need to purchase more.

Are European infant formulas approved by the FDA?

Generally no. European formulas comply with European Food Safety Authority regulations, but in most cases, they are not approved by the United States Food & Drug Administration. The regulatory agencies require different nutritional content and labeling criteria for infant formulas. 

Symptoms of Baby Not Tolerating Formula

Most infants usually need a few days for their digestive systems to adjust to formula or a change in formula, especially when transitioning from breast milk. Mild changes in reflux, stool, and gas during the first week or two can be normal. For most babies, tolerance gets better with time and exposure as their digestive system adapts.

However, signs that may suggest a problem include:

In some cases, these symptoms may suggest baby has cow’s milk protein allergy or intolerance, though other conditions can cause similar symptoms.

When You Need Dairy-Free Formula for Babies

Cow’s milk protein allergy (also called CMPA) occurs when a baby’s immune system negatively reacts to protein in cow’s milk. Babies with CMPA may need a hypoallergenic formula such as one that is extensively hydrolyzed or amino acid-based. Learn more about the symptoms of CMPA and talk to your pediatrician if you suspect baby may have CMPA. 

Soy Formula for Babies

While soy formula may be used for some babies, it’s not usually the first line recommendation for babies needing a dairy-free formula. Some babies who are sensitive to dairy proteins may also react to soy.

Soy formula is mainly helpful for very specific medical situations, including:

If you are considering offering soy formula, first seek guidance from your pediatrician.

Best Water for Baby Formula

For the majority of healthy, full-term babies, local tap water can be used to prepare formula. If desired, purified water, distilled water, and filtered tap water may be used, but these types of water aren’t necessary for healthy, full-term infants. For most infants, it is safe and recommended to use fluoridated water to prepare infant formula. Avoid using untested well water (risk of high nitrate levels), mineral water (can be high in sodium), and water from softeners (high in sodium). 

For infants who were born premature and/or have medical complexities, families may be advised by their clinicians to use sterile, distilled, or boiled and cooled tap water when preparing formula. 

If families live in areas where water quality is of concern, you may be advised to boil the water at rolling boil for one minute to kill harmful germs, cool it, then use it to mix formula. Do not boil it for too long, as potential contaminants can concentrate in the water. Your local health department is the best source of information on your water quality.

How long is formula good for? 

Once you prepare formula, it lasts for 2 hours at room temperature or up to 24 hours in the refrigerator. Some families who are exclusively formula feeding find it more manageable to mix a bigger batch of formula in the morning to cover the amount you expect baby to drink over several hours (over the course of a day) and storing it in the refrigerator. Then you can simply pour the desired amount into a bottle to be warmed when baby is ready to eat.

Once baby starts drinking the bottle, formula is good for an hour, and any leftovers should be discarded after the hour passes. Be sure to follow safe preparation and storage practices when preparing and storing formula for baby. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What if my baby is not tolerating their formula?

It is completely normal for some babies to need a week or two to adjust to a new infant formula, but if symptoms seem particularly severe, talk to your pediatrician or pediatric dietitian about switching formulas. They may recommend trying:

Your pediatrician can help you make the best choice for your baby. Most babies do not need specialized formulas, but for those who do, the right formula can make a big difference.

What is the best brand of baby formula?

It’s less about the brand and more about choosing a formula that is affordable, nutritionally complete, and well-tolerated by baby. Most babies do fine on a standard infant formula, but you should choose formula that works for your circumstances.

What to do if I can't get my baby's formula?

Formula shortages can and do happen. Check out how to navigate infant formula shortages and for individualized guidance, talk to your pediatrician or pediatric dietitian.

Why is there corn syrup in some baby formulas?

Corn syrup in baby formula is not the same as high-fructose corn syrup in candy and other processed foods. It serves specific and functional purposes in infant formula, providing quick energy to fuel baby’s growth, and an easily digestible source of carbohydrates. This can be helpful in formulas designed for babies who cannot tolerate lactose, the natural sugar in milk. Compared to other carbohydrate sources like lactose, corn syrup may be more rapidly digested, but the longer-term health implications of this are unclear.

If you want to avoid corn syrup in formula, consider formula with lactose as the main carbohydrate source for energy and nutrition.

What formula is best for reflux babies?

Switching formulas is one possible intervention when infant reflux happens. While there is not a specific formula that is best for all babies, there are a few formulas that are sometimes recommended to manage reflux symptoms, including:

It is important to talk about formula options with your pediatrician or pediatric dietitian, who can help you choose one that works best for your baby’s needs. 

How do I know what formula is right for my baby?

If baby is happily taking a commercially available formula, they are growing as expected, developing as expected, and they have periods of being awake, alert, and happy, the formula they are taking is likely just right for them. 

Should I switch formula if baby is gassy?

Not necessarily. Remember, that many babies need some time for their digestive systems to adapt to formula. In some cases, many infant formulas have added prebiotics, which are highly fermentable fibers that support gut health, but can also create a lot of gas for baby. Over time, most babies adapt to prebiotics in formula.

In some cases, baby may be swallowing excessive air while feeding and may need an adjustment to their bottle and nipple system to allow for a better fit and feeding experience for baby.

If none of this seems to help or baby is extremely fussy and gassy, switching formulas may help and your medical provider can guide you on what to try next. 

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Written By

V. Kalami, MNSP, RD, CSP. Board-Certified Pediatric Dietitian and Nutritionist

R. Ruiz, MD, FAAP, CLC. Board-Certified Pediatric Gastroenterologist

K. Rappaport, OTR/L, MS, SCFES, IBCLC. Pediatric Feeding & Swallowing Specialist