Best Hypoallergenic Baby Formulas (2024 Guide)
This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read my disclosure.This in-depth, parent-friendly guide will help you find and buy the best hypoallergenic baby formulas. You will learn what types of HA baby formulas are available, what ingredients to avoid in formula, and where you can reliably purchase the best hypoallergenic formula. I update this post monthly to ensure that all of the information below is recent and accurate!
Finding the safest and healthiest formula for your baby can be a stressful process! I’ve heard from many of you that my guide to the best organic baby formula has been helpful in making that process a bit easier.
But navigating the world of hypoallergenic formulas can be even more stressful – because on top of trying to find a healthy solution, you know that your baby is getting sick from the milk protein in regular formula!
I was lucky enough to have two kids who didn’t have any allergies, but I have talked to so many moms who are frustrated with the lack of options for healthy, safe, organic, hypoallergenic baby formulas. So that’s why I created this guide, based on my extensive knowledge as a parent, certified health coach and nutritionist, and hundreds of hours working with families and researching infant formula!
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A Disclaimer & Our Methodology
As a board certified health coach and certified nutritionist, I support products and ingredients that are rooted in science and are evidence-based. Using my background in nutrition, along with extensive research (see below for details), consultations with experts, and my own personal experience giving my two kids formula, I was able to arrive at this list of the best hypoallergenic formulas in this guide. This post has also been medically reviewed and fact checked by Linzy Ziegelbaum, MS, RD, CDN (see my about page for more info about Linzy).
My hypoallergenic formula recommendations are based on:
- Over 200 hours of extensive research
- Speaking with thousands of parents on what has worked for their children
- Reviewing the manufacturer’s claims and ingredients list, stages, and varieties of over 65 different formula brands
- Speaking with doctors and pediatricians
- Reviewing countless articles and peer-reviewed studies.
Though I may receive a commission (at no extra expense to you) if you purchase through some of the affiliate links provided, I only recommend products I’ve researched, evaluated, consulted experts on, and would feel comfortable giving to my own two children.
As always, I only share products that are the highest quality and that can help you and your family the most. By purchasing any of these products from the links below, you help keep this blog running, so thanks for your support!
Keep in mind that every baby & situation is different, so when it comes to choosing a baby formula, please consult with your pediatrician first before starting or switching to a new formula. My recommendations are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
What Is A Hypoallergenic Formula?
A hypoallergenic baby formula is one that’s specifically designed for babies who have a cow’s milk protein allergy, who have trouble digesting cow’s milk, or have other milk or lactose sensitivities.
The reason they’re called “hypoallergenic” is because they’re made with hydrolyzed milk proteins, which are designed to minimize the risk of allergic reactions in infants. “Hydrolyzed” means that the milk proteins are broken down into smaller pieces (essentially, partially digested), which is what makes them easier for babies to digest and less likely to trigger a reaction.
This is why they’re often recommended by pediatricians or healthcare professionals when there are concerns about a baby’s ability to tolerate standard infant formula.
The extensiveness of hydrolyzed proteins needed (how broken down the proteins are) depends on how severe your baby’s allergy or intolerance is.
The American Academy of Pediatrics has strict guidelines for what constitutes a hypoallergenic formula including:
- The formula must be studied in a clinical trial
- The formula must be studied with infants who have a cow’s milk allergy
Hypoallergenic formulas are typically more expensive than regular infant formulas, and they should only be used under the guidance of a healthcare professional. If you suspect your baby has allergies or digestive issues, consult with your pediatrician or a pediatric allergist to determine the most appropriate formula for your baby’s specific needs.
What Are The Different Types Of Hypoallergenic Formulas?
Hypoallergenic baby formulas typically fall into six main categories – let’s take a look at each in detail:
Partially Hydrolyzed Formulas
These formulas contain cow’s milk proteins that have been partially broken down (hydrolyzed) into medium to smaller fragments. This makes them easier for some babies to digest and reduces the risk of allergic reactions compared to intact proteins found in regular milk-based formulas.
They are usually recommended for babies with mild to moderate allergies or digestive sensitivities, but can still trigger an allergic reaction in babies who have a more severe allergy to cow’s milk.
Extensively Hydrolyzed Formulas
These are considered truly hypoallergenic, and are meant to be tolerated by 90% of infants. They are made for infants who can’t digest or are allergic to intact cow’s milk protein. These formulas contain proteins that have been extensively broken down into very small fragments.
Because the casein (the cow’s milk protein) is in such small pieces, this further reduces the risk of allergic reactions and is often recommended for babies with severe allergies or conditions like cow’s milk protein allergy (CMPA).
Amino Acid Based Formulas
These types of formulas are 100% hypoallergenic. Amino acid-based formulas don’t contain even extensively hydrolyzed proteins or any partially whole protein molecules at all. Instead, they break down the proteins into their building blocks – called amino acids.
Because they contain individual amino acids instead of whole proteins, these are the most hypoallergenic formulas you can find. Amino acid-based formulas are the most expensive, and therefore are usually recommended for babies with severe allergies, or who cannot tolerate other types of hypoallergenic formulas.
Vegan Baby Formulas
This is an interesting, newer category on the market. Vegan baby formulas are 100% dairy free, and are made with alternative proteins like pea protein or brown rice protein. This means they contain no milk proteins at all, and may be suitable for babies with a milk protein allergy or sensitivity, provided your baby doesn’t have allergies to other foods like peas or brown rice. (Learn More: Best Vegan Baby Formula).
Soy Formulas
While these are an alternative to cow’s milk formulas, 8-14% of infants with a cow’s milk allergy will react to soy. On top of that, too much soy for infants hasn’t been studied in terms of its long term effects – so I don’t like recommending soy-based formulas, especially non-organic soy formula, for babies with a cow’s milk protein allergy.
Goat Milk Formulas
This can be a good option if your baby has a cow’s milk sensitivity vs. a diagnosed cow’s milk protein allergy. Goat milk formulas will not work for babies with CMPA, but they can work for babies who just have a milder cow’s milk sensitivity. Goat milk contains A2 casein proteins instead of the A1 proteins found in cow’s milk, which can make it easier to digest and tolerate for some babies.
For Goat Milk formulas, I’d recommend: Kendamil Goat, Kabrita USA or Holle Goat. For more details on goat milk formula, check out this guide to the best goat milk formula and this guide comparing goat milk formula vs cow milk formula.
How Do I Know If My Baby Needs A Hypoallergenic Formula?
Determining whether your baby needs a hypoallergenic formula is typically based on the guidance of a healthcare professional, such as your pediatrician or a pediatric allergist. Their assessment is based on specific symptoms that may indicate an allergy or intolerance to standard infant formula. Here are some key signs and situations that may indicate a need for a HA formula (source 1 – NIH, source 2 – American Academy of Pediatrics):
- Skin Issues: If your baby experiences symptoms of an allergic reaction after consuming regular infant formula, such as hives, eczema, rashes, swelling, etc. it could be a sign of an allergy.
- Digestive Issues And/Or Reflux: Babies with gastrointestinal issues like excessive gas, chronic diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, bloody stools, or severe reflux, may benefit from hypoallergenic formulas, as these issues can sometimes be associated with food allergies or intolerances.
- Respiratory Problems: Wheezing, coughing, or difficulty breathing may also be signs of an allergic reaction, although these symptoms can also be caused by other conditions.
- Failure To Thrive: If your baby is not gaining weight or growing as expected, it could be due to their inability to properly digest the proteins in regular formula.
- Fussiness Or Colic: While fussiness is common in babies, excessive fussiness or colic, especially after feeding, might suggest an issue with the formula.
- Family History Of Allergies: If there is a strong family history of allergies, particularly to cow’s milk protein or other common allergens, your baby may be at an increased risk of developing allergies or sensitivities.
- Continued Symptoms Despite Other Interventions: If your baby’s symptoms persist or worsen despite other interventions, such as changing your diet (if breastfeeding) or switching to a different standard infant formula, it may be an indication that a hypoallergenic formula is needed.
- Medical Diagnosis: In some cases, a healthcare professional may diagnose your baby with a specific condition, such as cow’s milk protein allergy (CMPA), which often requires the use of hypoallergenic formula as part of the treatment plan.
Features And Ingredients To Look For When Choosing A HA Formula
When choosing a hypoallergenic formula for your baby, you should look for formulas that are specifically designed to be hypoallergenic and have the cleanest ingredients list possible.
Keep in mind that since HA formulas have broken down milk proteins and also tend to have reduced lactose, they often have to add in another carbohydrates to meet the nutritional requirements for infants.
Because of that, it’s nearly impossible to find an HA formula that is “perfect” – e.g. that has zero additives and zero added sugars or starches, but the key is to look for the formulas that minimize the use of fillers and really tend towards all-natural ingredients as much as possible. Here are some key ingredients and features to consider when selecting a hypoallergenic formula:
✅ Certified Organic (either USDA or EU Certified) or at least Non-GMO
✅ Meets nutritional standards for babies (in the US or the EU) and includes key vitamins and minerals for development (Note: requirements are different in the US and EU for both iron and DHA).
✅ No sugar, sucrose, or syrup solids (or minimal use)
✅ Includes Omega 3 Fats (DHA, ALA) and Omega 6 fatty acids (ARA, LA)
✅ Includes prebiotics and probiotics (Learn More: Prebiotics For Kids)
✅ Gluten free, soy free (with the exception of organic soybean oil, and organic soy lecithin, which is ok)
✅ Palm oil free (or uses palmitic acid, or sustainable palm oil. Learn more: Palm Oil In Baby Formula)
✅ No carrageenan
✅ No maltodextrin
✅ Mixes easily, and with a taste babies can tolerate (based on reviews)
✅ Suits your budget
Ingredients To Avoid
❌ Processed Refined Sugars (Syrup, Syrup Solids): Corn syrup solids (glucose syrup solids), sugar, or brown rice syrup.
❌ Maltodextrin Or Other Added Starches: A partially hydrolyzed starch derived from corn, rice, or potatoes.
❌ Carrageenan: Typically added as a stabilizer to ready-to-feed formula in the US; it is not allowed in the EU and has been linked to intestinal inflammation.
❌ Palm Oil: to mirror the levels of palmitic acid, which is found in breastmilk, some manufacturers add palm oil. The problem is that palm oil in formula does not act the same way that palmitic acid does in the baby’s gut. Palm oil reacts with calcium, and causes the formation of “soaps” in the baby’s intestines (which can cause digestive issues). Palm oil is in most formulas (EU & US), but more manufacturers are now making formula without it.
❌ GMO Ingredients: Ingredients that are GMO may have had the use of pesticides or antibiotics during the growing process.
❌ Soy: Soy protein (and soy formula) are problematic for infants because of their phytoestrogen content (check out this study about soy).
Below, I have listed the best hypoallergenic baby formula on the market today, followed by more details on each. Click on the formula name to go to the best online retailer of the formula.
The Best Hypoallergenic Baby Formulas
While no hypoallergenic formula is perfect, the hypoallergenic baby formulas below are considerably better than the rest. You can click on the formula name in the table below to find the best online retailer of the formula. We have organized the formula by type, from partially hydrolyzed to extensively hydrolyzed, and have included more alternative formula options (vegan, goat milk, etc) as well!
Partially Hydrolyzed Formulas
These formulas are all partially hydrolyzed, which means their milk proteins are broken down but are still detectable for babies with severe allergies. We have listed these formulas in order of preference, based on their ingredients, since all of them are about the same in terms of hydrolyzation.
HiPP HA PRE
HiPP HA formula comes in 3 stages: Stage PRE, Stage 1, and Stage 2. Besides the age ranges these stages are designed for, there are slight differences in ingredients as well, so we have listed them separately here. HiPP German Stage PRE formula is a complete nutrition suitable for infants from birth up to six months of age and specifically designed hypoallergenic with extensively hydrolyzed whey protein (86-87% broken down). It doesn’t contain casein (100:0 ratio), but it does not have a reduced lactose content. The main difference between HA PRE and HA Stage 1/2 is that PRE has no starch added.
Try This Formula If: Your baby has a cow’s milk allergy or sensitivity and you haven’t tried another hypoallergenic option (or you’re trying to move away from the US hypoallergenic options because of concerns over ingredients). Has extensively hydrolyzed protein, (86-87% broken down), 100% whey (no casein), no starch, but with the same lactose content as a non-hypoallergenic baby formula.
Cost: $42.99 for a 600 gram box.
For any of the Dutch or German formulas, their labels may not always come with an English translation, so we have partnered with Bottles & Burps to provide you with detailed guides for all of the non-UK based hypoallergenic baby formulas! Here is the guide for HiPP HA PRE – for translated nutritional labels, ingredients and preparation instructions so it’s easy to compare to any US based formulas.
You can also get 20% off any single pack at Bottles & Burps using the code PICKYEATER20! (just enter it manually in the checkout process!)
Pros
Can be used starting from birth, can also be used for premature babies (with pediatrician approval)
Partially hydrolyzed milk proteins
No casein
Contains prebiotics & probiotics
Contains DHA & ARA
No maltodextrin
No syrup solids
Contains mostly organic or biodynamic ingredients
No soy
Cons
Not extensively hydrolyzed, so may not work for severe allergies
Contains the same amount of lactose as a standard formula, so may not work for babies with a lactose intolerance
HiPP HA Stage 1
HiPP hypoallergenic formula (Stage 1) is meant for babies aged 0-6 months, and is nutritionally similar to HiPP PRE. Note that all European hypoallergenic formulas and US hypoallergenic formulas contain hydrolyzed milk proteins, which cannot be certified as organic due to strict EU regulations. However, all the other ingredients in HiPP HA (for all stages) are organic. Just like HiPP PRE, this Stage 1 HA formula has extensively hydrolyzed whey protein (86-87% broken down), no casein, and a regular lactose content.
Try This Formula If: Your baby has a cow’s milk allergy or sensitivity, you want a formula that you can use up to 6 months of age, and you haven’t tried another hypoallergenic option (or you’re trying to move away from the US hypoallergenic options because of concerns over ingredients).
Cost: $39.99 for a 600 gram box.
Translated Nutritional Information: HiPP HA Stage 1
Pros
Partially hydrolyzed milk proteins
No casein
Contains prebiotics & probiotics
Contains DHA & ARA
No maltodextrin
No syrup solids
No soy
Contains mostly organic or biodynamic ingredients
Cons
Not extensively hydrolyzed, so may not work for severe allergies
Contains the same amount of lactose as a regular formula, so may not work for babies with a lactose intolerance
HiPP HA Stage 2
HiPP HA Stage 2 is designed for babies aged 6 months and older, and can be used on its own as a breast milk substitute or a supplement for breastfeeding. Like HiPP HA Stage PRE and Stage 1, Stage 2 also uses lactose as the primary carbohydrate and has the same amount of lactose as regular formulas. It is also 86-87% hydrolyzed, with no casein. If your baby has been doing well on HiPP HA Stage 1, it makes sense to transition to Stage 2 once your baby turns 6 months old.
Try This Formula If: Your baby is over 6 months of age, has a cow’s milk allergy or sensitivity and you haven’t tried another hypoallergenic option or are moving up from HA Stage 1 (or you’re trying to move away from the US hypoallergenic options because of concerns over ingredients).
Cost: $40.99 for a 600 gram box.
Translated Nutritional Information: HiPP HA Stage 2
Pros
Designed for babies 6 months and up, with customized nutrients for older babies
Partially hydrolyzed, no casein
Contains prebiotics & probiotics
Contains long chain Omega 3 and Omega 6 fats
No maltodextrin
No soy
No syrup solids or added sugar
Contains mostly organic or biodynamic ingredients
Cons
Contains added starch
Not extensively hydrolyzed, so may not work for severe allergies
Contains the same amount of lactose as a regular formula, so may not work for babies with a lactose intolerance
HiPP HA Dutch (Stage 1 & 2)
HiPP HA now comes in its Dutch formulation! Ingredients wise, it’s basically identical to the HiPP German HA formula, now that the German HA formula doesn’t include starch. The main difference is that the Dutch formulation comes in a larger, stackable container (vs. the smaller cardboard box for the German version). Stage 1 is suitable for babies aged 0-6 months, Stage 2 is for babies 6-12 months.
Try This Formula If: Your baby has a cow’s milk allergy or sensitivity and you haven’t tried another hypoallergenic option and you want a starch-free higher protein HA formula. Has extensively hydrolyzed protein, (86-87% broken down), 100% whey (no casein), and the same lactose content as a non-hypoallergenic baby formula.
Cost: $62.99 for an 800 gram can.
Translated Nutritional Information: HiPP Dutch HA Stage 1, HiPP Dutch HA Stage 2
Pros
No starch and more protein
Easy to use stackable container
No maltodextrin or syrup solids
Contains prebiotics & probiotics
Contains DHA & ARA
No soy
Contains mostly organic ingredients
Cons
Expensive
Not extensively hydrolyzed, so may not work for severe allergies
Contains the same amount of lactose as a regular formula, so may not work for babies with a lactose intolerance
Bobbie Organic Gentle Infant Formula
Bobbie Organic Gentle Formula is the first USDA and EU Organic sensitive formula made with 100% lactose carbohydrates. It contains partially hydrolyzed milk proteins, no synthetic ingredients, and is the most affordable gentle formula I’ve found on the market today!
Try This Formula If: You need a gentle cow’s milk formula for your baby, and your baby doesn’t have a diagnosed cow’s milk protein sensitivity or allergy. Bobbie Organic Gentle Formula is the only US-manufactured tolerance infant formula designed for infants with fussiness, gas and crying that is formulated to support easy digestion, with 100% partially hydrolyzed whey as the protein source and 100% lactose as the carbohydrate source, like that found in breast milk. Bobbie Gentle Formula is not hypoallergenic, according to US requirements, but is similar to EU hydrolyzed formulas which are considered hypoallergenic by EU standards. It is also palm oil free and does not have any soy allergens.
Cost: $28 for a 400 gram can.
Pros
Made in the US, FDA regulated
Partially hydrolyzed milk proteins
No corn syrup solids, sucrose, brown rice syrup, or maltodextrin
USDA organic
Contains DHA & ARA
No palm oil, no soy
No starch
Very affordable
Can be used from 0-12 months
Cons
No prebiotics or probiotics
Not extensively hydrolyzed, so may not work for severe allergies
Contains the same amount of lactose as a regular formula, so may not work for babies with a lactose intolerance
Extensively Hydrolyzed Formulas
We have listed these formulas in order of least hydrolyzed (86% with HiPP Comfort) to most hydrolyzed (100% with Gerber HA). Each of these formulas have different pros and cons, which is why we haven’t listed them in order of recommendation – since each one could be the best fit for your baby depending on their needs.
HiPP Comfort
HiPP Comfort is most similar to a US extensively hydrolyzed hypoallergenic formula. While it’s similar to HiPP HA in that it contains 86-87% hydrolyzed milk proteins and no casein, it’s even more allergen friendly because it has a reduced lactose content and modified fats for even easier digestion. (Learn More: Lactose Free Baby Formula).
HiPP Comfort just has “one stage” in that it’s suitable for babies aged 0-12 months! While HiPP Comfort formula cannot be certified as organic because the hydrolyzed milk protein is not available in organic form, the majority of the other ingredients in this formula are organic, and all ingredients are non GMO.
What’s interesting about HiPP Comfort is that while, in formulation, it is the closest to a US hypoallergenic formula and is more broken down than HiPP HA, it’s technically not labeled as a hypoallergenic formula in the EU for regulatory reasons. Comfort is typically indicated for gassiness, colic and constipation. (Learn More: Best Formula For Gassy Babies). We do, in practice, find that parents seeking a “hypoallergenic” formula have been successful with Comfort. So for those who have babies with sensitive tummies, or who react to both whey and casein, this may be the baby formula for you!
Try This Formula If: Your baby has a cow’s milk allergy or sensitivity and HiPP HA hasn’t worked. You can also go straight to this formula if your baby’s symptoms seem more severe, since this formula is going to be more gentle than the HA formulas listed above.
Cost: $39.99 for a 600 gram box.
Translated Nutritional Information: HiPP Comfort
Pros
Contains prebiotics & probiotics
Contains omega-3 and omega-6 long-chain fatty acids (including DHA and ARA)
Contains no corn syrup, glucose syrup, or sucrose
Contains no GMO ingredients, synthetic nutrients, or artificial preservatives
Ideal for managing colic, constipation, and other digestive issues
No soy
Reduced lactose
Cons
Contains maltodextrin
Not an amino acid formula and not >90% hydrolyzed, so may not work for severe allergies
Alimentum® Ready to Feed
All of the US hypoallergenic formulas are more extensively hydrolyzed than the European options listed above (HiPP HA and HiPP Comfort). Common extensively hydrolyzed formulas in the US include Alimentum® or Nutramigen®, which are about 93% hydrolyzed. The ready to feed versions have slightly different ingredients than the powdered versions so we have listed them separately here. But if your baby tolerates HA or Comfort I would choose those over Alimentum/Nutramigen given that the ingredients list is cleaner. However, if HA or Comfort don’t work, then you have to move to a more hydrolyzed formula like the US options listed here.
Try This Formula If: Your baby has a cow’s milk protein allergy, HiPP HA and Comfort have not worked, and you are looking for an option with less sugar (and you’re not as concerned about carrageenan). RTF Alimentum includes carrageenan, powdered Alimentum does not. Carrageenan is a food stabilizer and thickener which can cause inflammation in the body. Between the two versions of Alimentum it’s a tradeoff with more sugar and no carrageenan vs. less sugar and added carrageenan.
Cost: $66.86 for a pack of (6) 32 fluid oz bottles.
Pros
Extensively hydrolyzed and hypoallergenic, suitable for lactose sensitivities and cow’s milk protein allergies
Affordable
Already prepared (ready to feed)
First and only hypoallergenic formula with 2 -FL HMO, an immune-nourishing ingredient and prebiotic similar to that found in breastmilk
Eligible to be purchased with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits in select stores
One stage for babies 0-12 months
FDA regulated
Clinically proven to reduce colic within 24 hours
Contains DHA & ARA
Cons
Not organic or non-GMO
Contains carrageenan
Contains added sugar (4% of the formula ingredients)
Contains added starch (2% of the formula ingredients)
No probiotics
Similac Alimentum® (Powdered)
Similac Alimentum® powdered formula is very similar to the ready to feed formula with just a slight difference in certain stabilizing ingredients and the amount of sugar included. This version is also extensively hydrolyzed (93%) making it suitable for babies with cow’s milk protein allergies or lactose sensitivities.
Try This Formula If: Your baby has a cow’s milk protein allergy and/or HiPP HA and Comfort have not worked, and you prefer a powdered formula vs. ready to feed. Keep in mind the powdered version has much higher sugar, but no carrageenan compared to the RTF version.
Cost: $36.49 for a 12.1oz can
Pros
Extensively hydrolyzed and hypoallergenic, suitable for lactose sensitivities and cow’s milk protein allergies
First and only hypoallergenic formula with 2 -FL HMO, an immune-nourishing ingredient and prebiotic similar to that found in breastmilk
Eligible to be purchased with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits in select stores
One stage for babies 0-12 months
FDA regulated
No carrageenan
Clinically proven to reduce colic within 24 hours
Contains DHA & ARA
Cons
Not organic or non-GMO
Contains added maltodextrin (corn maltodextrin is the first ingredient, and is 39% of the formula)
Contains added sugar (9% of the formula)
No probiotics
Nutramigen® Ready to Feed
Enfamil Nutramigen is very similar to the RTF version of Alimentum with the exception of prebiotics (Alimentum has it, but the RTF version of Nutramigen does not). However, the ready to feed version of Nutramigen does contain way less sugar than the powdered version, and is extensively hydrolyzed so it’s suitable for babies with cow’s milk protein allergies or lactose intolerance.
Try This Formula If: Your baby has a cow’s milk protein allergy, HiPP HA and Comfort have not worked, you are looking for an option with less sugar, you’re not as concerned about carrageenan, and you can’t find the RTF version of Alimentum.
Cost: $102 for a (6) pack of 32oz bottles.
Pros
Extensively hydrolyzed and hypoallergenic, suitable for lactose sensitivities and cow’s milk protein allergies
Eligible to be purchased with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefi
Contains DHA & ARA
Clinically proven to reduce excessive crying & colic within 24 hours
No preparation needed (ready to feed)
One stage for babies 0-12 months
FDA regulated
Cons
Expensive
Can be more difficult to find
Contains syrup solids (5% of the formula)
Contains added starch (2% of the formula)
Contains palm oil and soy oil
Contains carrageenan
No prebiotics or probiotics
Not organic or non-GMO
Enfamil Nutramigen® (Powdered)
The powdered version of Nutramigen is almost identical to the powdered version of Alimentum. They are pretty interchangeable and have similar pros & cons. It’s 93% hydrolyzed, works for CMPA or lactose intolerance. In clinical studies, infants showed improvement after just 48 hours of being on this formula. (Learn More: HiPP HA vs. Nutramigen).
Try This Formula If: You have tried HiPP HA and HiPP Comfort and neither have worked, and/or your baby has a cow’s milk protein allergy. Also worth trying if you can’t find the powdered version of Alimentum, as this is a very similar formula.
Cost: $37.80 for a 12.6oz can
Pros
Extensively hydrolyzed and hypoallergenic, suitable for lactose sensitivities and cow’s milk protein allergies
Includes LGG: An extensively studied probiotic for allergy management and supporting the digestive health of your baby
One stage for babies 0-12 months
Contains DHA & ARA
FDA regulated
No carrageenan
Cons
Not organic or non-GMO
Contains corn syrup solids (the first ingredient, and is 47% of the formula)
Contains added starch (4% of the formula)
Contains palm oil and soy oil
No prebiotics
Gerber Extensive HA
This formula is 100% hydrolyzed, so it’s even more broken down than Alimentum / Nutramigen, and is the most extensively hydrolyzed formula I’ve found on the market today. It contains 100% whey protein broken down into tiny pieces designed to be well-tolerated by most babies with CMPA and ultra-filtered for low residual allergenicity. It’s also a lactose-free formula, so it covers most milk related allergies out there! It also happens to be Non-GMO – which is a huge plus since most US hypoallergenic formulas are not.
Try This Formula If: You need a 100% extensively hydrolyzed formula. You have tried HiPP HA and HiPP Comfort and neither have worked, and your baby has a cow’s milk protein allergy.
Cost: $32.29 for a 14.1 oz can.
Pros
The only 100% hydrolyzed formula, clinically proven to be hypoallergenic, suitable for CMPA
Made with probiotic B lactis; a probiotic similar to those found in breast milk to support digestive health
Contains DHA
Lactose free
Non-GMO
No sugar added
No palm oil (contains palmitic acid)
Affordable
FDA regulated
Cons
Contains corn maltodextrin (the first ingredient)
Contains soy
No prebiotics
Not organic
Amino Acid Based Formulas
There are really only two amino acid based formulas in the US, and they’re pretty equivalent in terms of ingredients. The main issue with both has been availability and price, so if your pediatrician has recommended an amino acid based formula, your best bet is to just choose the one that’s most budget friendly and easy to find! Additional considerations are – picking the one your baby tolerates the most and the one that tastes the best.
Neocate®
Neocate® is 100% hypoallergenic and is made up of amino acids exclusively. It is considered a medical food, and should only be used under the supervision / recommendation of your child’s pediatrician. In clinical studies, Neocate® has been shown to reduce allergic reactions and CMPA symptoms within 3-14 days.
Try This Formula If: Your pediatrician has specifically suggested that you use an amino acid based formula and/or you have tried the other formulas on this list and your baby is still having digestive issues (indicative of a more severe cow’s milk allergy).
Cost: $44.5 for a 14.1 oz can
Pros
Completely hypoallergenic, amino acid based
Dairy free & soy free
Suitable for babies with CMPA and other milk protein allergies/sensitivities
Contains DHA & ARA
Nutritionally complete for infants age 0-12 months
Clinically tested (over 210 scientific publications)
Made in a milk protein free facility
Cons
Contains corn syrup solids (54% of the formula and the first ingredient on the list)
Expensive
Can be hard to find
Many babies don’t like the taste or smell
Not organic
EleCare®
EleCare® is a hypoallergenic, amino acid based formula, similar to Neocate®. It is made with 100% free amino acids as the protein source for infants who cannot tolerate intact or hydrolyzed protein.
Try This Formula If: Your pediatrician has specifically suggested that you use an amino acid based formula and/or you have tried the other formulas on this list and your baby is still having digestive issues (indicative of a more severe cow’s milk allergy).
Cost: $43.69 for a 14.1 oz can.
Pros
Completely hypoallergenic, amino acid based, suitable for CMPA and other allergies
Contains DHA & ARA
Nutritionally complete for infants age 0-12 months
Dairy free
Clinically tested
Cons
Contains corn syrup solids (55% of the formula, and first on the ingredients list)
Contains soy oil
Not organic
Expensive and can be hard to find
Many babies don’t like the taste or smell
Vegan Baby Formulas
There are only a couple of high quality, organic, vegan formulas that are suitable for infants on the market today. These are our top 2 picks for dairy free baby formulas that may work for an infant with a milk protein allergy. You can see all of the options for vegan baby formulas in our linked guide!
Bebe M Stages 1-3
Bebe M (Bebe Mandorle) Organic Rice-Based Infant Formula is 100% organic, and suitable from birth until 12 months of age (Stage 1 is from 0-6 months, Stage 2 from 6-9 months, Stage 3 from 10 months – 3 years of age!).
It uses 100% plant-based ingredients that are tightly regulated by the EU, designed to meet the nutritional requirements for babies. It is made from an organic rice protein hydrolysate, which makes it a dairy-free formula that’s vegan friendly, but is also suitable for babies with dairy allergies or lactose intolerance. It also contains no palm oil and has a super clean ingredients list! (Learn more: Palm Oil In Baby Formula).
Try This Formula If: Your baby seems to have a cow’s milk allergy, and you want to try an organic formula to meet your baby’s nutritional requirements, and your baby doesn’t have an allergy to brown rice proteins.
Note: This product is labeled as “Foods for special medical purposes (FSMPs)” and should be only given under medical supervision. Please consult your pediatrician before introducing this formula to your baby.
Cost: $64.99 for a 600 gram can.
Pros
Certified organic by AB France, non GMO
No dairy products, soy-free, gluten-free, nut-free
Made with hydrolyzed proteins (Achieved through an enzyme process that breaks the rice into smaller proteins / more digestible components.)
Contains vegetarian friendly DHA
Palm oil free
Cons
Expensive
No prebiotics, no probiotics
Contains maltodextrin
Premibio® Organic Vegan Stages 1-3
Premibio® Organic Rice-Based Infant Formula is 100% organic, and suitable from birth until 12 months of age (comes in 3 stages, just like Bebe M above).
This is a lactose-free and vegan formula based on hydrolyzed rice protein, and is also gluten-free and palm oil free. It uses 100% plant-based ingredients, and meets the nutritional requirements for babies for growth and development. Because it is dairy free, it can be suitable for babies with a lactose or cow’s milk allergy.
Try This Formula If: Your baby seems to have a cow’s milk allergy, and you want to try an organic formula to meet your baby’s nutritional requirements, you want a cheaper alternative to Bebe M, and your baby doesn’t have an allergy to brown rice proteins. Please consult your pediatrician before introducing this formula to your baby.
Cost: $49.99 for a 600 gram can.
Pros
EU & Agriculture Biologique Organic Certification
Dairy free and plant based
No palm oil
Contains vegetarian friendly DHA
Made with hydrolyzed rice proteins
Cons
Expensive
No prebiotics, no probiotics
Contains maltodextrin
Goat Milk And A2 Protein Formulas
There are quite a few different goat milk and A2 milk protein formulas on the market today. We have just short listed the top 5 here, but you can learn more about goat milk formulas and A2 baby formulas in our linked guides. These can be good options for babies with a mild cow’s milk sensitivity, but not a diagnosed cow’s milk protein allergy (as babies with a severe allergy may still react to goat milk proteins).
Jovie Goat Milk Formula
A great option for a goat milk formula, Jovie is made in the Netherlands, and is committed to producing high quality, 100% organic whole goat milk formulas that meets babies and toddlers nutritional needs. Since it’s made with whole goat milk, it contains only A2 casein milk protein, which is easier to digest for babies and may be less reactive for infants with sensitive digestive systems. Comes in 3 stages – Stage 1 is from birth to 6 months, Stage 2 from 6-12 months of age, and Stage 3 for age 1+.
Try This Formula If: Your baby has a cow’s milk sensitivity, but not a diagnosed cow’s milk allergy. Goat milk formula is easier to digest because goat milk has A2 milk protein (vs A1 which is in cow’s milk and is harder to digest).
Cost: $63.99 for an 800 gram can.
Pros
Organic ingredients, Non GMO
Made with whole goat milk / full fat goat milk cream
No palm oil
Contains prebiotics
Contains DHA & ARA
No added sugars or syrup solids
No synthetic preservatives, no heavy metals, no maltodextrin
Cons
Expensive
Not technically a hypoallergenic formula, likely may not be suitable for babies with a diagnosed allergy.
Doesn’t have the same whey:casein ratio as breastmilk (instead of 60:40, it’s more like 20:80)
No probiotics
Kendamil Goat
Kendamil uses whole goat milk instead of skimmed milk. It also has no palm oil, no soy, no added sugars, and is 100% vegetarian – uses plant based DHA/ARA with NO hexane extraction. Contains prebiotics and has a whey:casein ratio that mimics breastmilk for easy digestion. Is technically not organic, but is non-GMO and has Red tractor certified ingredients. This means Kendamil follows rigorous production standards and the farms they obtain their goat milk from do not use growth hormones or antibiotics. Formulated especially for infants, with 3 different stages to accompany your baby from infancy to their toddler years. It’s also available in the US for purchase at Target!
Try This Formula If: Your baby has a cow’s milk sensitivity, but not a cow’s milk allergy, and you want to try a formula that has A2 milk proteins for easier digestion.
Cost: $65.99 for an 800 gram can.
Pros
Made with whole, full fat milk
No palm oil, no soy, non GMO
100% vegetarian, no hexane extraction of DHA/ARA
Added prebiotics in the form of HMOs (similar to breastmilk)
Mimics whey:casein ratio of breastmilk, easy to digest
No added sugars, no maltodextrin
Available in the US at Target stores
Cons
Expensive
Technically not organic but is non GMO
Not technically a hypoallergenic formula, likely may not be suitable for babies with a diagnosed allergy.
No probiotics
Kabrita USA
Kabrita USA is technically a toddler formula, but it does meet the nutritional requirements of infant formula (so just make sure your pediatrician is comfortable with you using it). Kabrita USA also has a super clean ingredients list, it contains no added sugars, no maltodextrin, no syrup solids and has the right composition of essential fatty acids to be gentle for babies’ tummies to digest. It’s also one of the more affordable options for goat milk formula. Lastly, Kabrita is offering 10% off all orders with the coupon code GENTLEKABRITA! (Note: Kabrita does have an infant formula as well that also has a clean ingredients list. Their infant formula has to be shipped from Europe while their toddler formula is available for sale in the US).
Try This Formula If: Your baby has a cow’s milk sensitivity, but not a cow’s milk allergy. Goat milk formula has been a good option for babies with a cow’s milk sensitivity. But if your baby has a diagnosed cow’s milk protein allergy, they may have an issue with goat milk protein as well. You should also make sure your pediatrician is ok with you using Kabrita for your baby before you start this (or any other) formula, especially since Kabrita is technically a toddler formula.
Cost: $19.99 for a 14oz (400 gram) can.
Pros
Affordable
No sugar or syrup solids added, lactose is the only carbohydate
Mimics whey:casein ratio of breastmilk, easy on your baby’s digestive system
Non GMO
Contains prebiotics
Contains DHA & ARA
Cons
Technically a toddler formula, but meets the nutritional requirements of infant formula
No probiotics added
Not organic, but is Non GMO
Contains soy oil
Not technically a hypoallergenic formula, likely may not be suitable for babies with a diagnosed allergy.
Holle A2
Holle organic A2 formula comes in multiple stages to grow with your baby. It’s certified organic by the EU, non-GMO, uses A2 skimmed milk (organic nonfat milk) which may be easier for babies to digest. Holle A2 cow milk formula is created from 99% organic ingredients and has no added sugars. Babies who have trouble digesting regular formula (made with A1 cow’s milk) may do better on A2 cow’s milk. The A2 beta-casein protein type is typically easier to digest than A1 milk proteins (which is the more common protein found in cow’s milk) This formula allows babies to continue drinking cow’s milk but without the protein that causes the discomfort. Contains DHA, but does not contain prebiotics or probiotics.
Try This Formula If: Your baby has an A1 casein allergy, but not a cow’s milk protein allergy, and you don’t want to try a goat’s milk formula.
Cost: $32.99 for a 400 gram box.
Pros
Organic and Non-GMO
No sugar or syrup solids
No maltodextrin
Mimics whey:casein ratio of breastmilk, easy to digest
Contains DHA
Soy free
Cons
Contains palm oil
Not technically a hypoallergenic formula, likely may not be suitable for babies with a diagnosed allergy.
Doesn’t contain prebiotics or probiotics
Are European Hypoallergenic Formulas Better Than US Formulas?
In this guide we have listed both European hypoallergenic formulas and US options – since some of the most allergen friendly formulas (e.g. amino acid formulas) are made in the United States. However, in general, the best hypoallergenic formulas with the most all natural ingredients are the European options. Here’s what makes the European formulas better than most US HA formulas:
- No processed or refined sugars (syrup, syrup solids, maltodextrin, sugar, brown rice syrup, etc).
- Limited use of vegetable oils and less healthy fats
- They taste much better than the US hypoallergenic formulas! US hypoallergenic formulas are notorious for tasting and smelling bad – and that can make it even more challenging to get your baby to drink them. But because European formulas are made with whole food and minimally processed ingredients, they are usually well tolerated by babies in terms of taste and smell.
- They’re pretty comparable in price, and can be easier to find than some of the US formulas.
Are The US Formulas Really That Bad?
Unfortunately yes, the US formulas rely on cheaper ingredients like maltodextrin and syrup solids in order to meet the requirements for essential nutrients for babies. Even if you just look at the sugar content and ignore the highly processed ingredients, these formulas do have some less-ideal ratios. Look at the ingredients from some of the most popular brands – and you’ll see that over 50% of the ingredients are literally just sugar. That’s just like spoon feeding your infant table sugar! It’s ridiculous. While there are two options without a high amount of sugar (Nutramigen® and Alimentum® ready to feed versions), they both have carrageenan added, which is also not ideal.
Here are the ingredients list for the powdered versions of 3 of the most popular US HA formulas:
- Alimentum®: Corn Maltodextrin (35%), Casein Hydrolysate [Derived from Milk] (18%), Sugar (15%), High Oleic Safflower Oil (10%), Medium-Chain Triglycerides (10%), Soy Oil (8%).
- Neocate®: Corn Syrup Solids (51%), Refined Vegetable Oil (Medium Chain Triglycerides (8%), High Oleic Sunflower Oil (6%), Sunflower Oil (4%), Canola Oil (4%)), Fructooligosaccharides (Oligofructose (4%), Inulin (0.5% )
- Nutramigen®: Corn Syrup Solids (48%), Vegetable Oil (Palm Olein, Coconut, Soy, and High Oleic Sunflower Oils) (26%), Casein Hydrolysate (Milk) (16%)*, Modified Corn Starch (4%)
If you compare that to the Ingredients in HiPP Comfort or the Ingredients in HiPP HA – you’ll see that there is zero added sugar for both of these formulas!
So if your little one is allergic to cow’s milk protein, I’d definitely recommend trying HiPP Comfort or HiPP HA before any of the US based hypoallergenic formulas. However, if your baby doesn’t tolerate HiPP, you will have to use the US formulas and potentially even the US amino acid formulas.
As for where to purchase these formulas, I’m in personal contact with the owners of all of these companies: The Milky Box, Baby Milk Bar, Bottles and Burps, Organic Formula Shop, Organic’s Best, and Organic Baby Food, and I feel comfortable recommending them to you as options!
Note: If you are looking for more information US baby formulas and you don’t need a hypoallergenic option, I’d recommend looking at this post on the best baby formula made in the US.
FAQs
What should I do first if I suspect my baby has a milk protein allergy?
Talk to your pediatrician first! Don’t start experimenting with formulas until you have a diagnosis from your pediatrician, and the green light to try whichever formula you decide to go with. Once you and your child’s pediatrician have come up with a treatment plan, then you can introduce a hypoallergenic formula.
Can I switch back to a regular formula after using a hypoallergenic one?
Potentially yes, but you should never switch formulas before talking to your child’s pediatrician first. Many babies do outgrow their allergies, cow’s milk protein included, so it is possible that after a while your baby may not need a HA formula anymore. But you will need your baby’s pediatrician to evaluate their condition first before making a recommendation on switching.
How long does it take for a hypoallergenic formula to work?
Typically, many parents may notice a change within 48-72 hours. However, it can take anywhere from 48 hours to 2 weeks for all of your baby’s symptoms to dissipate.
Final Thoughts
Finding the right formula for your baby can be a bit of a process. But I hope this post helped you navigate finding best hypoallergenic baby formula – based on the options available on the market today.
Ultimately, the most important thing is that your baby is fed, happy, and healthy. And switching to a HA formula can make your and your baby’s life a lot easier, by alleviating their digestive symptoms, colic, or other allergic reactions!
As with any formula, make sure to consult your baby’s doctor before switching formulas or introducing a new formula to your baby. And if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to leave a comment or contact me here – I respond to every message I get!
hi Anjali Shah, my baby is 6 months now and been drinking Nestle NAN HA 1 fm (its none from your list) since born. we did changed once to the other regular fm because thinking to buy a cheaper one unfortunately it doesn’t fit her. she got rashes all over her body and constipation after few days, we went to the doc and later did we know that she is prone to have allergy due to family history of having asthma and eczema . but im not sure she is allergy towards what. so we change back to NAN HA 1. my question is, until when do she has to drink this type of HA fm? (since it so pricey compared to the other fm) she just started eating (once a day) and lately she less passing as the doctor says normally baby at her age should poop everyday. it makes me worry should i change / downgrade to the regular type of fm? if yes what brand should i try? or i should stay until she is 1 y/o?hope you hear from you soon
Hi Najah! Your baby should be on formula or breastmilk until 1 year of age — at that time you can switch to organic whole milk. It sounds like your baby really needs a hypoallergenic formula since the regular formula clearly caused a reaction. Can you get her tested for allergies to figure out what exactly she is allergic to? Her reaction sounds like a milk protein allergy but you should get her tested to be sure. The reason for her poop changes could be because she just started solids — which can make a baby poop less depending on what solids you’re giving her. Stick to only fruit & veggie purees (no cereals/grains/dairy for now) — and give her plenty of water along with her meals. You can try a different hypoallergenic formula like HiPP HA or HiPP Comfort and see how that goes, but I wouldn’t do regular formula at all until she is 1 year old. Hope that helps, let me know if you have any other questions!
Hi,
Can you please review Kendamil Organic and include within your chart?
Hi Cass! Can you email me the ingredients list of Kendamil Organic? And also – if you know of anywhere to buy it in the US that would be helpful too! You can email me the info at pickyeats@gmail.com. Thanks!
I’m at a lost! My 8 week old has been on amino based acid formulas for the past 4 weeks. We still have mucus and traces of blood in stool. She is extremely gassy and sleeps very little due to discomfort. She is constantly grunting to expel gas. To me, theNeocate/ Elecare is not working. Of course GI doc tells me to give it another 2-3 weeks. Does it normally take this long for gut to heal? What would be another great option for her? They are saying she has a milk/soy intolerance but she hasn’t had milk/soy for at least 4 weeks. She does have acid reflux which is controlled. She still spits up a pretty good bit but it doesn’t seem to bother her. I’m at a lost for helping her!
Hi Hayley! Oh man I’m so so sorry to hear about your baby’s digestive struggles!! Poor thing! That must be so stressful for you and her! The other options like HiPP Comfort aren’t nearly as broken down as Neocate/Elecare, so I’d be surprised if that worked for your daughter over the amino acid based formulas. And if the amino acid based formula isn’t working I honestly don’t know what else I’d recommend since that is the most gentle and the most broken down of all the formulas out there. If the GI doctor recommends waiting another couple of weeks, then it is very possible that it’s just going to take her body that long to heal. Honestly, that’s what I’d do if I were you – just go with what your GI doctor says and see how things go after 2-3 weeks. If she’s still struggling after that I’d push for more follow ups and more testing to be done to get to the bottom of what’s going on. I hope you figure it out soon!! Keeping my fingers crossed for you!
Hi Anjali,
Thanks a lot for this information. It is really helpful. I have a doubt, I found in the following website https://biologisch24.com/HiPP-HA-2-Follow-on-Formula-CombiotikZ-600g (which is a German distribuitor) the following comment about HIPP HA 1 (and HA 2 of course) “For existing cow’s milk protein allergy: HiPP HA 2 COMBIOTIK® must not be used if cow’s milk protein allergy already exists or is suspected.” I AM REALLY CONFUSED WITH THIS. I was providing my son with HIPP PRE and in our opinion (my wife and I) think he was taking it very well until he had some stools with a little bit of blood (seriously, just a little bit). Our pediatrician right away says that he might be allergic to cow’s milk protein and recommended to stop using HIPP PRE and switch to Nutramigen. Our son does NOT like it, he cries every time we give it to him, and has colics. His stools has a bit of mocus and he is having few stool movements (2 per day). We really want to go back to HIPP (even when our pediatician does not know it and as soon as she saw the word WHEY in the ingredients she did not like it). My wife and I are willing to take the risk of buying either HIPP HA or Comfort. According to your article, it would be better to start with HIPP HA. Is it the one that you would recommend us?
Our son is 3.5 months old!
Hi Kevin! Thanks for reaching out! So technically HiPP HA is not as broken down as the formulas recommended for cow’s milk allergies (it’s 86-87% hydrolyzed vs. 93% hydrolyzed). That’s why some websites will put that disclaimer about not using it for a diagnosed allergy. That said, I know anecdotally plenty of moms and babies who have used either HA or Comfort for their babies with cow’s milk protein allergies and those babies have done fine on it. If your son already had blood in his stool, I’d recommend trying HiPP Comfort first, since – in addition to being 86-87% hydrolyzed like HiPP HA, it also has a reduced lactose content and modified fats (whereas HiPP HA doesn’t). You should still make sure your pediatrician is aware you are going down this route, so they can monitor your son closely in case any more severe reactions do occur. Hope that helps! And I hope Comfort works for him!!
Hello there, which one has pro/prebiotics– HiPP Comfort or HA? Would you have any advice or information about Gerber Extensive HA compared to HiPP Comfort, HiPP HA, Nutramigen and Alimentum? Thank you in advance.
Hi Farida! HiPP Comfort and HiPP HA both have pre + probiotics! Gerber Extensive HA seems more comparable to Nutramigen and Alimentum vs. HiPP Comfort/HiPP HA because the first ingredient is corn maltodextrin (basically sugar) — whereas HiPP HA use lactose as the carbohydrate, and Comfort uses Lactose + Maltodextrin (less maltodextrin than Gerber/Nutramigen/Alimentum) — which makes both better options if your baby can tolerate it!
I LOVE your articles! We tried Hipp HA and then Hipp Comfort, but baby still had blood in stool. We begrudgingly tried Nutrimigen…which tastes and smells DISGUSTING. Like cheetos and dog food mixed. Baby would NOT drink it. Someone told us about Alimentum RTF and it tastes and smells SO MUCH better. He is finally thriving! It is the only US Hypoallergenic RTF without corn solids as well. Who knew? Makes me feel a tiny bit better. You should do an updated article to let other mommas know! Thanks for your help! This was our GO TO help guide.
Thank you so much for letting me know Tatum! That is great! I have updated my post to include the info about Alimentum and Nutramigen RTF! One heads up about both — they both include carrageenan which is a thickener/stabilizer that can cause inflammation in the body. It’s basically just a tradeoff between more sugar and no carrageenan and less sugar with added carrageenan when it comes to both Alimentum and Nutramigen!
Hello Anjali Shah,
First of all I would like to thank you for such detailed information on formulas. This is the best article I have ever found . My 1year old LO doesn‘t like Amino acid based formulas which the doctor suggested. I tried Hipp HA. But he cried a lot after having Hipp HA. So I have been trying Hipp Comfort now. He develops one or two hives with Hipp comfort ( 5 spoons of this formula milk). But then it disappears after some minutes. I am confused if it is a good idea to continue giving him this. Has anyone experienced such thing? Or would you suggest me something on this?
Hi Seema! 1-2 hives that disappear after just a couple of minutes sounds like a very mild allergic reaction to me. I haven’t heard of that happening before with Comfort, but if he has no real discomfort and the hives go away, it might just be his body adjusting to the formula (and you might see no hives over time). I would just ask your pediatrician what they think about the hives and if they think the hives aren’t an issue, then you should be fine continuing to use HiPP Comfort! Hope that helps! Let me know if you have any other questions!
Hello, I’m currently on an elimination diet for dairy, soy, gluten, nuts & shellfish to see which is giving my 2.5 mo son allergy symptoms + reflux and inability to sleep on his back during the night without shrieking in pain :(. He tested negative 2x with our Ped for dairy/soy intolerance but we were told sometimes it doesn’t showcase until 3mo+. We were referred to GI. I’m just about to hit 2weeks of dairy/soy free diet but without seeing much improvement with his gas/stomach issues I was told to cut out all potential allergens this week so it’s still too early to tell if Milk is the main instigator. That said, we tried HIPP HA for first time tonight (after our specialist recommended it amongst other US versions. We decided to go with HIPP after hearing it worked amongst friends.) However, hours following the HIPP HA stage 1, my son developed a hot rash/hives on his cheek. It sounds like HIPP Comfort might be our next step??? Or HOLLE goat??? We went through Huggable so hoping to be able to find another solve. Given, do we need to transition him slowly to a new formula if he only drank 1 oz? We’re still bottletraining so this is his first experience with formula. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Hi Jackie! I’m so sorry to hear about your son’s allergies/discomfort with formula! That must be so hard! If your son reacted negatively to HiPP HA, I’d recommend HiPP Comfort which you can get from Bottles and Burps – they’re a reputable seller of comfort since Huggable doesn’t carry it yet. I wouldn’t recommend Holle Goat since it has been known to constipate some babies and with a baby already in so much discomfort I’d shy away from that as an option. And yes I would recommend transitioning him slowly to Comfort – about 1oz per day (increasing by 1oz each day) in each bottle as you move from breastmilk/HiPP HA to Comfort. Hope that helps, and I hope this works for you and him!!
Hello,
Our almost 4 month old daughter has been on Holle’s Goat milk formula since about 2 months old. We tried a few organic cow’s Milk formulas Happy Baby & Earth’s Best & she got hives so we went back to Holle & no hives yay! However she struggles immensely to poop & doesn’t burp much. We tried Alimentum which she tolerated & had much looser poops so didn’t struggle pooping but seemed more hungry possibly because it wasn’t as thick & I’m not a fan of the ingredients. Would you suggest Comfort for her? The only thing I don’t like about ordering online is you can’t return the unopened containers & being it can take two weeks to notice if something will work it’s hard to have enough on hand when trying something new. Our pediatrician said because of her age it’s okay to just start a new formula straight out.
Hi Chris! It sounds like goat milk formula works better for your daughter than cow’s milk formula. The reason Holle Goat is making it hard for her to poop is because of the whey:casein ratio (Holle Goat doesn’t have a whey:casein ratio that’s similar to breastmilk and that can make some babies constipated).
You could do one of two things:
1) You could try HiPP Comfort – which is similar to Alimentum but does have cleaner ingredients. It’s not quite as hydrolyzed as Alimentum – about 87% vs. 93% – but it could still work for her).
2) Alternatively, you could try Kabrita which is an organic goat’s milk formula that has a more optimal whey:casein ratio so it likely won’t constipate her, and it has just as high quality ingredients as Holle Goat.
Hope that helps! Let me know what you decide and what ends up working for her!
This post was extremely helpful. My lo had an allergy to the similac pro advance formula (blood in stool and a lot of painful acid reflux). Dr recommended nutramigen at 4 weeks old. My lo is now 8 weeks and showed some improvement, but is now having a mucous and bloody stool, along with extremely painful gas, and very fussy. The dr has now recommended puramino. Seems to work great, but it is extremely expensive. Are there any alternatives that are comparable but more affordable?
Hi Annette! I’m so glad this post was helpful for you! You can try HiPP Comfort for your LO as long as your pediatrician is ok with it. But if that doesn’t work then Puramino might be your only option since it’s working well for you right now!
Thank you so much for this article. Trying to navigate these formulas is near impossible. My son has severe eczema and we have tried HIPP Stage 1, Holle Stage 1, currently on HIPP HA with no change so I will try HIPP Comfort next….fingers crossed!
So sorry to hear about your son’s eczema!! That must be so stressful! I hope HiPP Comfort works for you – just remember anytime you switch formulas you have to slowly transition to the new formula over a period of 7-14 days, and then let your baby adjust to the new formula for about a week or two before determining whether it’s the right fit!
Hi Anjali,
What is the difference between HiPP AR and HiPP comfort? If baby is suspected to have severe reflux?
Thanks
Hi Harinder! HiPP AR is designed specifically for reflux — it contains locust bean gum (also known as carob bean gum), which naturally thickens the formula in the bottle and helps to prevent regurgitation. Comfort is more designed for constipation/gas/digestive issues so it doesn’t have that additional ingredient added and has a reduced lactose content and hydrolyzed milk proteins. So I would use AR only if your baby has major reflux issues, otherwise I’d go with HiPP Comfort if you are looking for a hypoallergenic formula. Hope that helps!
Thank you Anjali, but doesn’t the A.R. contain dairy which isn’t broken down? Will that not make it worse despite helping to keep it down? Will the comfort not help with reflux issues if I already use a thickener?
Yes, AR doesn’t contain broken down milk proteins. It’s hard for me to know without seeing your baby honestly, whether the reflux is caused by the milk protein allergy, or whether the main issue is reflux and a hypothesis for the cause of it is a milk protein allergy (but it could be something else). What I would do is talk to your pediatrician and ask them whether the reflux might be caused by a milk protein allergy, or if it’s the other way around. Like which is the primary issue? Is it reflux or an allergy? If it’s an allergy, go with one of the hypoallergenic formulas. If it’s reflux, go with the AR formula. But your pediatrician should be able to help you figure out which one to try first based on how your baby is presenting!
Which formula will work better for my little one concerning reflux in your opinion and possible milk and soy allergy?
Hi Harinder! If your baby has a possible milk protein and soy allergy I’d go with one of the hypoallergenic formulas first (either HiPP HA or Comfort). Because HiPP AR doesn’t have broken down milk proteins, it won’t help if your baby’s primary issue is an allergic reaction. Let me know if that makes sense and if you have any other questions!
You make a good point Anjali. I will definitely take that up with the pediatrician on Monday and see what she says. I bought the HiPP comfort and instantly I noticed her having liquidy burps along with spitting up even after 3 hours post feed. I do want to point out that I only mixed 1.5tsp of the formula with my breastmilk as I have been doing with puramino. Would you see that as a sign of her not tolerating it? Should I continue giving it to see if it makes a difference? Or should I give by itself instead of mixing it and see how she tolerates it? What are your thoughts? Thank you!
Hi Harinder! Did she have any liquidy burps or spit ups with the puramino? If not, then it could be the change in formula. In general these things can just be trial and error. And you have to stick with one strategy for a week or so until your baby’s system gets used to it. So I’d say, if she didn’t have any reflux with the puramino, then it might be that she’s not tolerating HiPP Comfort. If you’ve been giving HiPP Comfort for 1-2 weeks and the symptoms have not changed at all, then giving it longer may not make a difference. It could be the interaction between Comfort and your breastmilk that is the issue – so it’s worth a shot to try it on its own to see if she tolerates it better. I can’t really say what would be the best option without hearing your pediatrician’s opinion first – so once you talk to them on Monday let me know what they say and we can go from there!
Hey Anjali, she had excessive indigestion whereby she would wake up just to burp as she was uncomfortable. She didn’t have any spit ups. I only trailed the HiPP comfort for one feed and noticed those symptoms right away and that too was mixed with my breastmilk. Perhaps as you say it can take up to a week to get her body used to it, I can try giving it by itself. Should I transition her or give it straight by itself from day 1? Regarding the pediatrician, yes I will speak to her and let you know what she says. Thank you for all your input!
Ah I see ok — so generally with transitioning formulas you need to increase the new formula very slightly while decreasing the old formula slightly over a period of 1 week to allow your baby to get used to it. That could be why she had such a major reaction the first time you tried HiPP Comfort. I would recommend increasing the Comfort by small amounts over a period of a week until you get to the full amount you’d use in each feed by day 7 and see how that goes. Keep me posted! I hope it works for her!!
Hi Anjali, just to clarify I did not give her the HiPP comfort all at once. I did put in 1 tsp of it to the breastmilk and noticed the symptoms. I will try transitioning her though over the period of 1 week and see how it goes. Thanks!
Ah got it! That’s the right way to transition her then! I hope it works – keep me posted!
Hello! I was told that goat’s milk formulas can cause babies that are already constipated or have trouble going to the bathroom more issues. That it can make their poo sticky. Have you heard this? Are there any benefits that you know of to goat over cow? I’ve heard that goat is better because it’s closer to breast milk than cow. What do you think?
Hi Tessa! Some goat milk formulas don’t have a whey-casein ratio that’s similar to breastmilk and that can cause constipation in some babies. As for whether goat is better than cow, I think they are honestly pretty comparable, but for some babies goat milk formula can be easier to digest than cow’s milk formula because the type of protein is different. This post should help answer most of your questions on the differences between the two! Hope that helps!
I just switched my daughter to HiPP HA1 due to a suspected milk sensitivity, she seems to be doing well on it. However When comparing the nutrition label to her previous formula, I noticed the amount of Choline is way lower (just meets the FDA minimum requirement for infant formula) and the amount of inositol is way higher. Is this something to be concerned about? I know choline is important in the developing brain and she’s now getting around 60mg per day on HiPP HA vs the recommended 120mg. Should we supplement?
Hi Laura!! My understanding is that HiPP HA meets all of the nutritional requirements for infants (including vitamins and minerals). That said, I would recommend definitely asking your pediatrician if they think that amount of choline/inositol is appropriate for your daughter – and ask them about supplementation (and if so, how much) as well. Hope that helps!
Why would someone pick HiPP HA vs HiPP comfort? My daughter has a milk protein sensitivity and dr recommended nutragemin but I told her we were already on alimentum for a few weeks with no improvement. Most recently we have been on HiPP Combiotik since we didn’t know she had a true milk sensitivity until yesterday. Would HiPP HA or comfort help? I am not a fan of ingredients in neocate or elecare like our dr suggested we try. Thanks.
Hi Shelly! The main reason to pick Comfort over HA is that in addition to being extensively hydrolyzed, HiPP Comfort also has a reduced lactose content and modified fats – so it’s even more broken down than HiPP HA. Given your daughter has an already diagnosed milk protein sensitivity, I’d probably try Comfort over HA! Hope that helps!
Hi…my son is 1.5 months old and we’ve been having ongoing issues with formula. We started him on Enfamil Gentlease but he suffered intense gas pains, we switched him to HiPP HA Pre and the gas lessened but he began to projectile vomit. Now the doctor has us changing to Neutramigen but he’s vomiting worse with that! I don’t know what move to make, do we go back to HiPP HA or change to HiPP Comfort or something else entirely? People mentioned adding baby rice powder to the formula for it to be thicker (and stick in his stomach) but I worry about adding anything to the European formula without someone telling me it’s okay (since it’s not fda approved, our doctor won’t direct us on European formulas)…hope you might have some suggestions
Hi Jena! I think my question for you would be how quickly did you switch him from one formula to the next? If you switched him over just 1-2 days instead of 7-10 days (which is what I’d recommend) the reactions he’s having could be due to too short of a transition time between formulas. Since it seems like he’s having issues on all of the formulas you’ve tried so far, it might be a good idea to start fresh by doing a slow transition to HiPP Comfort, over a period of at least 7 days. That’s what I would try next. I would not recommend adding cereal to his formula – even if you stuck with the US based ones. There has been no research to show that adding cereal to formula can help with reflux, and in some cases research has shown that it can make reflux worse, that it increases the risk of choking, and that it can cause your baby to overeat without realizing it (source 1, source 2). Hope this helps! If HiPP Comfort doesn’t work for you, please let me know and we’ll figure out another solution!
Thank you so much…do you think that since his biggest issue is gas and now vomiting, we should consider HiPP Anti Reflux or is HiPP Comfort the best option of HiPP formula?
Hi Jena! Given that it does sound like he’s very reflux prone, it doesn’t hurt to try HiPP AR first. I’d recommend ordering it from Huggable because if it doesn’t work for you, they will replace it and send you HiPP Comfort for free! Hope that helps!
Hi Anjali,
One of the sites you recommended to purchase the HiPP formulas (specifically organic baby food) do they carry the HiPP comfort formula? I did not see it on their website? And under description of HiPP HA it says good for babies 0-12 months yet on the page it says 0-6 months?
Anyway you could clarify this please?
My baby has tried so many formulas – puramino whhch she vomited after each feed. Nutramigen, did not vomit but more spit ups. I have been thickening her breastmilk with gelmix as recommended by her pediatrician to keep things down. She vomits if I give her just my breast milk despite being on diary and soy free diet for 2 months now.
Hi Harinder! I’m so sorry to hear about your daughter’s digestive/feeding struggles! That must be so stressful! To your question, I’d recommend buying HiPP Comfort from Bottles and Burps or Dutch Expat Shop. HiPP HA can be used from 0-12 months, the reason it says until 6 months on the website is because typically babies with digestive issues will grow out of them around 6 months of age, so you won’t need HA at that point. But that’s not the case for all babies. If your baby still has digestive issues after 6 months of age and your pediatrician is ok with you using HiPP HA from 6-12 months, then you should be able to continue with it until your baby is a year old. I hope that helps and I hope either HiPP HA or Comfort works out for you!
Hi, after reading your post and doing a lot of research I decided to buy hipp Comfort for my 8 week old. We have been using liquid alimentum, but he is having gas and constipation issues with it… and I am not a fan of the ingredients. My question is what do you think the best way is to introduce the new formula? Do you mix them? Do every other bottle?
Hi! I’d actually recommend introducing it one oz at a time per bottle per day — you can either do that by mixing it (although the formulas are so different it might taste really weird), or by doing the Comfort first followed by the Alimentum in each feed. So, for example if you were doing 6oz each feed of the Alimentum, on Day 1 you’d do 1oz Comfort followed by 5oz Alimentum in each feed. On Day 2 you’d do 2oz Comfort followed by 4oz Alimentum in each feed, etc. Until you get to Day 6 where you’re at 6oz Comfort and no more Alimentum! Let me know if that makes sense and if you have any other questions!
We have been using the comfort for a few days now. He is still pretty gassy and fussy. Do you hipp HA would be a better option? Which one is closest to alimentum?
Hi! Comfort is the closest thing to Alimentum — but it can take up to 2 weeks for a baby to adjust to a new formula (so not sure if it’s been that long?) But if, after 2 weeks, Comfort isn’t working for you, I don’t think HA would be any better. At that point you might have to go to Alimentum since that is even more broken down than Comfort is, or an amino acid based formula. I’d recommend talking to your pediatrician about Comfort vs. Alimentum when it comes to your baby’s symptoms to see what they recommend in terms of switching. But when it comes to European formulas, Comfort is the closest thing you’ll get to a US hypoallergenic formula. Hope that helps and I hope you figure out something that works soon!
Question: When it comes to Alimetum vs Nutragen, what is the lesser of two evils (corn syrup solids or corn maltodextrin)? Corn syrup certainly sounds worse, but maybe they are more similar ingredients than I realize. Thank you!
Hi Kim! Honestly I think both are pretty equivalent – syrup solids and maltodextrin are both super high glycemic ingredients, but I might give Nutramigen a slight edge and here’s why:
Nutramigen has DHA, ARA and Probiotics. Corn Syrup solids make up 48% of the formula. Other components of Nutramigen include: 26% mix of vegetable oils (Palm, Coconut, Soy and Sunflower), 16% casein, 4% modified corn starch.
Alimentum has DHA, ARA but NO probiotics. Corn Maltodextrin makes up 35% of the formula, and sugar makes up an additional 15% of the formula. Other components of Alimentum are: 18% casein, 10% safflower oil, 10% medium chain triglycerides, 8% soy oil.
Nutramigen wins with having probiotics, and has 2% less processed sugar than Alimentum (which honestly, isn’t a lot but anything is better than nothing). I also like that Nutramigen uses coconut oil as part of their oil mix. It also has 2% less casein which might be good for babies who are also sensitive to too much casein. And I’ve heard anecdotally that Nutramigen might taste slightly better than Alimentum (but both taste pretty bad). So maybe Nutramigen is slightly the lesser of two evils? But if your baby takes to Alimentum better, you should just use that since it’s not a huge difference between the two. I hope that helps!
Hello, Thank you for your dedication to providing parents the most complete information on infant formula! My 6 month old has eczema patches on her cheeks that we have been trying to clear up naturally for the last three months. She has been on Kabrita formula for about three weeks and that has not really made any difference. Do you think it would be worth trying Hipp HA? She doesn’t have any other signs of a milk sensitivity/allergy other than the eczema.
Hi Caryn! Aw poor thing! Eczema is the worst! So yes, you can try HiPP HA and that has shown to help with eczema issues when there’s a milk protein allergy involved. I’d also recommend getting her tested for a milk protein allergy if you haven’t already. Because eczema can be related to a food allergy (e.g. milk protein) or environmental (e.g. detergents, fragrances, etc.). I wrote a separate post about this which might help and give you a few other things to try if she tests negative for a milk protein allergy and HiPP HA doesn’t make a difference!
Hey momma. My daughter also had a horrible rash on her neck that would not subside for months. It was awful. Something I learned is that skin issues like eczema is almost always a result of something in diet not being tolerated.
If the kabrita is goats milk then I would begin to suspect that baby isn’t tolerating those proteins and goats milk proteins and cows milk proteins are very similar. Hipp HA is not designed or intended to treat intolerances sensitivities or allergies to food. It’s more aimed to prevent them (in much the same way breastmilk is said to and why exclusive bf is encouraged for 6 months) but if you’re already seeing potential signs of an intolerance then I would get baby on an actual hypoallergenic formula like similac alimentum (the ready to feed is more tolerated than the powder). I know it’s not one of the European formulas we want to use for their organic ingredients but it’s actually truly hypoallergenic where as Hipp ha is not. Formulas that come into the US are not regulated or monitored and testing has shown that the European HA formulas do not measure up to the level necessary to be considered hypoallergenic.
Hi Brittney! Thanks for sharing your experience, and given that your daughter had a corn allergy, it makes sense why HiPP HA didn’t work as well as Alimentum did for you. That said, HiPP HA and HiPP Comfort have worked well for numerous babies who do have milk protein allergies, so it really just depends on the baby and the severity of the allergy to figure out which formula might work. I always recommend that parents consult their pediatrician before trying any baby formula, because you and your pediatrician know your baby the best and can determine what the right formula is for your child. Every baby and every allergy is different, so HiPP HA/Comfort might work well for some (in which case I would use those over Alimentum/Neocate), but for other babies with more severe allergies, Alimentum/Neocate are the best options. Your point about formulas coming into the US not being regulated or monitored is inaccurate though, the European Commission actually has higher standards for baby formula than the US does (see more details in point #2 in this post here). Hope that helps clarify!
Hello there! I read your comment and surprised how identical our situations are! We also have only eczema on our cheeks only. Nothing is helping.tried everything already. Did HIPP comfort made a difference?
Hi Mila! So sorry to hear that’s what you’ve been struggling with! I hope Caryn is able to get back to you to let you know how things turned out!
Hello,
We just switched our little guy (4 months) from HIPP organic UK stage 1 to HIPP HA Pre and I would really love some advice. He has moderate eczema and I had hoped I would see some improvement. It has only been a few days, and I know it might take time, but, in the past few days I noticed that he has developed a red blotchy rash on his face (admittedly I cannot say for sure that it is bc of the formula, but it seems to have coincided) that wasn’t there before, he is a little more gassy and I feel not his usual happy self. Do you think I need to give it more time, could it just be the transition, or is that enough for me to change formula? Does it sound like a whey allergy? If so, do you think I should try Comfort or Elecare or even go back to the original formula? I feel like he was doing better on the regular formula despite having eczema. And doesn’t Comfort have whey? Not sure what to do and feeling a bit panicked. Also, my little guy suddenly doesn’t want to breastfeed anymore, do you think that could do with the new taste of the formula? It is very difficult for us to get allergy testing…looks like we need to wait months, but I want to help my son as soon as I can. Thanks for a wonderful blog and hoping you can help.
Hi Sophie! I’m so sorry to hear how much your little one is struggling! It’s hard for me to know exactly what’s going on but I do have a few questions that might help me figure things out. Why did you switch to HiPP HA PRE? Was it because of the eczema or because he has an actual diagnosed milk protein allergy? Also – how did you transition from HiPP UK to HiPP HA? Did you do it gradually or all at once? If you did it all at once, that can explain the gassiness and mood issues. If it’s only been a few days that’s not long enough to know whether HiPP HA PRE was the issue. But if he was doing fine on HiPP UK, HiPP HA is a much different formulation and he could be reacting to that. Breastfeeding could be totally unrelated — especially given that he’s 4 months and there is always a regression around 4 months when it comes to nursing since babies get more distracted and tend to not want to nurse as much, so I’d ask your pediatrician about that one since they can observe your son and should be able to give you support around getting him back to nursing! I wouldn’t switch formulas again until you know for sure that HiPP HA is the issue, and honestly if he doesn’t have a milk protein allergy the eczema could be environmental in which case HiPP UK would be just fine! I hope that helps and I hope you and he gets some relief soon!
Thank you Anjali, I really appreciate the advice! 🙂 Since then our son tested positive for a milk protein allergy (also egg, peanuts and others). The reason I switched is bc I suspected the allergy and I made the switch over 2 days. Now our allergist has us on Elecare but I really rather not (my son doesn’t seem to digest it well, his eczema doesn’t look better ( it might not be enough time), and the ingredients are not ideal). I’d like to try Hipp Comfort – but my allergist won’t let me unless I can confirm it is extensively hydrolyzed. On the Hipp USA site, it said that HIPP HA is only partially hydrolyzed but I couldn’t find anything on Comfort…do you think it is worth trying?:)
Hi Sophie! So sorry to hear about your son’s allergies! But at least you know what he’s allergic to, so hopefully now you can find a formula that works for him! HiPP Comfort and HiPP HA are 86-87% broken down (compared to Alimentum, which is 93% broken down). Neither HiPP nor Alimentum is 100% hydrolyzed — and 87% vs. 93% seems pretty close to me – but I’d ask your allergist their opinion on it. The difference between Comfort and HA is that Comfort also has a reduced lactose content and modified fats, while HiPP HA does not. Both HA and Comfort are 100% whey (no casein). But neither Comfort or HA are close to Elecare – which is an amino acid based formula, even more broken down than Alimentum. I hope this helps! Maybe take this information to your allergist and find out what their thoughts are? I hope that helps!
Hello again,
On bottles and burps it says Hipp Comfort is only partially hydrolyzed, but do you think it is still ok for milk protein allergies? Thanks 🙂
https://www.bottlesandburps.com/products/hipp-comfort-special-milk-multi-stage-formula-500g
Hi Sophie! I believe that’s a typo on their site as I have information from multiple sources verifying that HiPP Comfort is extensively hydrolyzed and has a reduced lactose content! It is definitely worth trying for a milk protein allergy, and if it doesn’t work it might mean your child’s allergy is too severe and then you’ll need to switch to either Alimentum or an amino acid based formula instead!