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. Subscribe and save to get 10% off your first two orders!
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: 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!
Hello, I wanted to confirm that HiPP Comfort is a good option for my son who seems to have a dairy intolerance and not an actual allergy. He is now one year old but we’ve been instructed to avoid all dairy and cow’s milk protein for another year to let his gut heal more. I just realized that the HiPP Comfort has whey in it. Isn’t whey also a protein in cow’s milk? I’m wondering why HiPP Comfort is listed as an option for cow’s milk protein allergy and/or intolerance if whey is still dairy? Are there multiple proteins in cow milk and whey is not known to be the culprit in intolerance/allergy? TIA!
Hi Ashley! HiPP Comfort is for babies who have dairy sensitivities, but not necessarily diagnosed cow’s milk protein allergies (which are more severe than just sensitivities). HiPP Comfort doesn’t have straight whey protein – it has hydrolyzed whey protein which means that the protein is already broken down (to make it more hypoallergenic). HiPP Comfort is 86-87% hydrolyzed which means that about 13% of the whey is regular whey, and the remainder is pre-broken down to make it easier to digest. But if your son is already 1, can you just switch to a plant based milk (like oat milk or pea milk) instead of a formula? HiPP Comfort and HA are only meant for babies up to a year old, so not sure if your pediatrician would want you to use them for a toddler. Hope that helps! Let me know if you have any other questions!
Hi I’ve got a 15months boy whose allergic to the milk and the pediatrician suggest that he must stop taking milk but my son is crying for milk more worse at night ,please assist what to do
Hi There! I’m so sorry to hear about your son’s allergies! But I think I need more information from you in order to be helpful. Is your 15 month old allergic to your breastmilk? To the formula you’re currently giving him? (and if so, which formula are you giving him)? Does he have a diagnosed cow’s milk protein allergy or just a sensitivity? Is he eating solids? What does your pediatrician want him to have instead of milk? At 15 months, with your pediatrician’s approval, he could transition to a plant based milk, like oat milk or pea milk, unless there is some need to keep him on formula or unless you are exclusively breastfeeding. Let me know some more details and then I can try to give you some recommendations on what to do!
Hi Anjali,
Wanted to get your thoughts on Else plant based formula for a 4 month old with cmpi and acid reflux.
Thanks so much!
Hi Alex! I have heard of Else, but they are very new so I don’t know much about them! Their ingredients list looks much better than Neocate/Elecare/Alimentum/other formulas designed for CMPI — but I’m not sure about the indications for infants vs. toddlers since it is marketed as a toddler formula. You might want to just ask your pediatrician what their thoughts are about using something like Neocate/Alimentum/Elecare vs. Else and go with their recommendation!
Hi Anjali,
My baby is now 2 yrs old in suffering of Atopic Dermatitis skin disease could you pls help me which milk best for him and which food he has to avoid? Right now he has a lot of rashes in his body and always disturb his sleeping time because of itch. Thank you so much.
Hi Eden! I’m so sorry to hear that your baby has eczema! Has your baby been tested for allergies already? If not, that’s the first thing I’d recommend doing because it’ll help you figure out which foods to avoid (e.g. he might be allergic to things like corn which is a less common allergen but still is prevalent in a lot of foods). As for what type of milk is best — if he’s 2, he likely doesn’t need formula anymore – unless your pediatrician is telling you to keep him on formula for health reasons. So I would first get him allergy tested to find out whether he’s allergic to dairy, soy, peanuts, treenuts, etc. and based on that you can choose the right milk for him! If you can send me more info about his allergies and anything your pediatrician has recommended already that will help me give you some options!
Hello Anjali!
Thank you for the helpful information. My 14 month old son is allergic to dairy. His allergist recommended the U.S. Brands and said to avoid goat milk as well. I tried to read through your comments but I’m still lost as to what is recommended for a 14 month old that can’t have cow or goat milk protein. I think it would be helpful to breakdown your recommendation summary by Age. I’m literally down to my last saved Breastmilk package so I’m desperately looking to order something now. Will you please help? In Gratitude ~Tia
Hi Tia! Typically, after kids turn 1, they tend to move away from formula which is why all of these formulas are focused on the first 12 months of life. That said, with pediatrician approval, any of them can be used into the toddler years. If your allergist said your son can’t have cow or goat milk protein, then his only options are Alimentum, Nutramigen, or an amino acid formula — all of which do not taste that good because they are made of broken down milk proteins. Is your pediatrician recommending formula for your son? Or are they ok with you switching to solids and other protein / calcium sources besides milk? Let me know and then I can provide you with some better recs! Thanks!
Hi Anjali, your article is so clear thank you! I have been going round in circles with my 4 month old from birth and could do with some advice. She has been fussy and irriatble from birth, she has all the classic colic symptoms (painful wind and gas, cries before she poos and when she passes gas) and cries alot. She generally spends most days in a fussy state and irriatable. She has also gained weighy very slowly, for her first 6 weeks of life she keot loosing and in 3.5 momths she has only gained 1 lbs 11 ounces from her birth weight. She is almost 4 months old now and her situation hasnt improved greatly. 3 weeks ago the Dr prescribed her SMA lactose free milk, she started taking bigger feeds and pooing almost everyday but the she remains gassy, fussy snd irritable. The Dr has now prescribed her Nutramigen LGG hypoallergenice formula (he said the colic symptoms and irriatability from birth could be a sign of a cows milk allergy?) But baby hates it! I have tried to introduce gradually but she just diesnt serm to like the taste. Im wondering hiw the nutramigen compares to the Hipp Comfort? And if I eould be better trying her on that? And advice would be really appreciated x
Hi Aine! Thanks so much for reaching out to me and I’m so sorry to hear about your baby girl’s digestive issues! That must be so stressful for both of you! Given how many issues she has had – I’d go with your doctor’s advice of trying Nutramigen first. Nutramigen is more broken down than HiPP Comfort — it is 93% hydrolyzed, vs. HiPP Comfort is only 86-87% hydrolyzed. Taste wise, HiPP Comfort does taste better than Nutramigen — but that won’t make a difference if she can’t tolerate it! There is no way to know how broken down a formula your daughter needs unfortunately, the only way to know is through trial and error. If your pediatrician is ok with you trying HiPP Comfort first, go ahead and do that but make sure you get your peds to approve. If not, then keep trying to give her Nutramigen slowly (mixing it with formulas she has accepted in the past but not tolerated as well). If she doesn’t tolerate Nutramigen, your only other option is to move to an amino acid formula like Elecare or Neocate. Hope that helps, let me know if you have any other questions!
Hello! Would it be okay to switch from Gerber Extensive HA to Hipp HA Combiotik? My son has the milk protein allergy and more severe reflux.
Hi Elena! I’m not sure how broken down Gerber Extensive HA is — so I’m not sure if it’s comparable to HiPP HA. That said, I would just ask your pediatrician if they are supportive of you making the switch. And if they are, go ahead and switch but do it slowly – over a period of 1-2 weeks so your baby can get used the new formula gradually. Hope that helps!
I just wanted to say thank you so much. I was overwhelmed and drowning in information after learning my little one has a milk intolerance. Your information is clear, easily understood, and SO SO helpful. Thank you for creating this post.
Of course Becca!! I’m so happy to hear that this post helped you! <3
what formula do you recommend: I’m currently breastfeeding, but my supply is getting low and I may need to supplement. I am currently on an elimination diet avoiding dairy, soy, egg, corn, nuts, and wheat. My son has tried alimentum RTF and didn’t do well with that (fussiness, gas, diarrhea)
Hi Lisa! Given that Alimentum didn’t work for your son, he may need something even more broken down (like an amino acid formula – e.g. Neocate). HiPP HA and Comfort are not as broken down as Alimentum RTF — they are only 86-87% hydrolyzed vs. 93% hydrolyzed for Alimentum. Between HA and Comfort, Comfort is more broken down since it has hydrolyzed proteins, modified fats and reduced lactose. Hope that helps, let me know if you have any other questions!
Hi Anjali,
Thanks for such an informative blog.I was planning to start my 1 year old on formula since he gets hives by cows milk and was looking for different options and this blog really helped.I am breastfeeding and planning to wean off now.Would you recommend anything different for 1 year old since their nutritional req are different such as go grow similac or enfamil’s toddler formula ?
Hi Tina! For a 1 year old that’s sensitive to cow’s milk – I’d actually try Kabrita’s Goat Milk formula first to see if that helps! If it does then you won’t have to use a hypoallergenic formula specifically. You can also just try whole goat milk for your toddler if you want to see how he reacts to regular goat milk before trying the formula! Hope that helps!
Thanks for all of the great info! What do you recommend for a 14 month who who can’t have cow or dairy milk?
Hi Tia! Pea protein milk like Ripple can be a good option in these cases (provided your pediatrician is ok with it!) Hope that helps!
Hello! Looking for some advice please. My 9 month, soon to be 10 month is allergic to milk. We tried to give him Similac Pro Advance recently and he broke out in hives, swelled up, and was vomiting so we rushed him into the ER. So far I have been able to successfully breastfeed, however due to being pregnant again my supply is dropping. I tried to give him soy formula and amino acid formula and he refuses to even drink it. I need to switch him to something so he doesn’t starve. He eats solids all day but I still think its important for him to have some kind of formula/milk throughout the day. I need to find some answers fast before my supply completely vanishes! I got a sample from a friend of HIPP Comfort and we will be testing it out this week. Was wondering if that would be an option considering his milk allergy. Thank you!
Hi Klaudia! Depending on how severe his milk allergy is, HiPP Comfort might work well for him! It’s the closest the EU has to a formula like Nutramigen because it has hydrolyzed proteins (86-87% hydrolyzed), reduced lactose and modified fats. Nutramigen has 93% hydrolyzed protein – so it’s still more broken down than Comfort, but Comfort will be the closest thing the EU has formulation wise to Nutramigen. I hope your son does well on HiPP Comfort when you try it out! Let me know how it goes!
“No synthetic preservatives (ascorbic palmitate and beta carotene are the common ones here)”
I thought beta carotene was an acceptable source of vitamin A, not a synthetic preservative. Is it harmful? Please clarify! Thanks!
Hi Judy! So beta carotene is a source of Vitamin A, but it can also be used as a preservative in formula. You can see more info about that here: https://www.cornucopia.org/2012/08/corporations-sneak-synthetic-preservatives-into-organic-food/
Hope that helps!
Great! Thanks so much!
No problem at all! 🙂
Hi Anjali
Thanks for your informative blog. Wondering what you would suggest. Had my baby on genteleese saw loads of vomiting switched to simila sensitive saw less but still some. Did some research and found myself pulled towards the holle formula started on the cow pre but she was pretty constipated on that(could be i didnt give enough time) anyhow have her on the holle goat. Shes deffinatly better on this. Its been almost a month and she seems to be able to pass a bm (although is green and pasty) but her spit up is still constant. Wondering at this point if I should go to hipp ha, comfort or just the anti reflux?? Thank you so much. Sheyrl ps she’s almost 4 months now and still seems to have some stomach pain during the night
Hi Sheryl! I’m so sorry to hear about your baby’s digestive issues! That must be so stressful! If her poop is still green & pasty I’m not sure the Holle Goat is working for her, especially if the spit up is still really bad. It sounds like she might have both a lactose / dairy allergy and an issue with reflux. At this point it might just be a matter of trial and error to find a formula that works. HiPP AR is not a hypoallergenic formula in the sense that it doesn’t have hydrolyzed milk proteins or reduced lactose the way that HiPP HA and HiPP Comfort do. I would ask your pediatrician which issue is the primary/worse issue for your daughter — if it’s the poop/digestion/lactose allergy then you should try HiPP HA or Comfort. If it’s the reflux then you should try HiPP AR. I would also make sure your pediatrician is comfortable with whichever formula you choose before transitioning, and make sure to transition very slowly to the new formula to make it easy on her system. Hope that helps!
thank you! Going to see Dr tomorrow for her 4 month check up, ill ask him but his go to is usually nutermiagin. I would say her problem is more the spit up. but if the she still had minor discomfort with the goat then i assume the hipp AR may make her tummy worse. Between the comfort or Ha which would you suggest? and also when you say transition slowly what do you suggest? thanks so much
I think if her allergy is very severe you could go straight to Comfort since it’s much more broken down than HA (it has reduced lactose and modified fats in addition to hydrolyzed milk proteins). But every baby is different and some babies who don’t do well on Comfort do great on HA – so it might just have to be trial and error! When I say transition slowly I mean – over a period of 7 days, slowly increase the amount of the new formula you’re giving her and decrease the amount of the old formula you’re giving her in each bottle (ounce by ounce). I hope you find something that works for her soon!
My baby has been on Alimentum RTF but I would like to try a European formula based on his allergies. He is allergic to corn, wheat, soy, eggs, peanuts, dairy. However, he is 7m old. I was going to try the HA Comfort but it’s marketed towards 0-6m. Should I try something else?
Hi Meenu! Both HiPP HA and Comfort are marketed towards infants under 6 months old because they expect most allergies to appear and peak during that time, and that many babies start to grow out of their allergies after 6 months of age. That’s obviously not the case for every baby, so as long as your pediatrician is supportive, you can use HA or Comfort for your little one (they will work up to 12 months of age!)
Hello,
Would like your advice on HiPP formula, my son was experiencing bloating, gassiness, nasal congestion, constipation and eczema while breastfeeding. We tried treating his constipation with lactulose but it didn’t help even though he was getting the highest dose. His pediatrician recommended him to be on a hypoallergenic formula. His pediatrician put him on puramino since she didn’t have nutramigen due to COVID. He did not do good on the formula he ended getting more constipated, his belly rumble a lot, gassy, and eczema got worse. So, I tied HiPP, but now he is having been numerous mucous pasty stools. He still has the eczema. Do you think I should try HiPP comfort or something else?
Hi Adriana! Yes I would try HiPP Comfort next, and I would transition slowly between the two formulas so his system has a chance to get used to the change. If HiPP Comfort doesn’t work, then I’d recommend trying ready to feed Nutramigen or Alimentum. And if that doesn’t work you’ll have to move to an amino acid formula like Elecare or Neocate.
Hi Anjali, thank you for such an informative post (& blog)! Like many, I’m at a desperate point and am not sure which way to go. At 5 months, my daughter started experiencing hives and we weren’t sure whether it was an allergy or a common baby virus. It was additionally tricky because she was drinking Holle since she was days old to supplement my supply (so we didn’t look at a milk allergy right away) but she also never had any additional symptoms to support a virus (ie fever, diarrhea, etc). For weeks, I gave other formulas a try (everything down your list), met with my peds and finally was referred to a pediatric allergist who did a telemedicine appt. Before testing her, he directed me to switch her to soy for a week. I was hesitant but desperate to give my baby relief from hives and now an onset of eczema.
There was some relief but she still would have a hive here and there. This allowed her to physically see the allergist Who conducted a skin test. She was diagnosed with a cow’s milk allergy (but NOT the casein) and a very small reaction to soy. He suggested I put her on Alimentum or keep her on soy. I wasn’t happy with either choices. Hipp HA and Comfort didn’t work. I tried to wean her off of soy by reintroducing Alimentum ready to feed slowly (2 oz Alimentum mixed with 4 oz Soy). She completely broke out in hives so I assume she isn’t as tolerant to even extensively hydrolyzed Alimentum. Now, I am reduced to possibly the Amino Acid Formulas like Elecare. Would you suggest Elecare over Non-GMO Soy Formula from Earth’s Best? I’m concerned of both the ingredients not being as clean as well as soy not having as many studies in long term use. I did question soy to both my pediatrician as well as the allergist and they both just shrugged it off – additionally, the allergist said if anything, he would be more concerned if my child was a boy due to the phytoestrogen but she’s a girl. I feel pretty lost at this point and would love your feedback. Considering babies can outgrow a milk allergy, do you think I can eventually move her to extensively hydrolyzed like Alimentum and then to the EU HA formulas by chance? I have boxes of them now and would love it if I can move her from the less attractive options in time. Thanks so much for your input!
Hi Leslie! I’m so sorry you’ve had so many struggles finding a formula that works! I’m sure that’s been incredibly stressful. Honestly, if it were my baby, I would rather have them on Elecare than on Soy Formula just because I’m wary of the long term effects of too much soy in infancy for boys OR girls. I think I would put her on Elecare and if she does well on it (no hives, etc) then I’d keep using that for a while. After you transition her to solids, you could try reintroducing the ready to feed Alimentum (which has less sugar than the powdered Alimentum). When you reintroduce it I’d do it in extremely small doses over a period of a few weeks where you slowly increase the Alimentum and decrease the Elecare. If that goes well, then I’d keep her on Alimentum for another month or two. And then again, do a very very slow transition from Alimentum to HiPP HA or Comfort. But my first step would be to try Elecare, see how she does and then take it from there. You could also try Baby’s Only with Pea Protein if the Elecare doesn’t work (since that is lactose free but not soy based). I hope that helps and I hope you find something that works soon!
Hi Anjali, the site wasn’t working correctly when I first wanted to reply but I just had to come back to make sure I could thank you for your thoughtful and such timely response! I truly appreciate it and all of the helpful information you continue to share on your blog! All the best to you and in good health, Leslie
No problem at all! So glad it was helpful! 🙂
I’m looking to see what your thoughts are on HiPP organic anti reflux milk. My daughter hasn’t been diagnosed but IM sure she has silent reflux. She was on cow and gate but that didn’t agree, she is now on Kendamil after reading amazing reviews but she hasn’t fully settled on it. I can hear her tummy bubbling while she drinks, she can have a lot of wind that can be quite smelly and she has started refusing bottles half way through. She gets the hiccups very often and sometimes gags for no reason , even hours after a feed. I feel at a loose end .
Any advice ?
Thanks
Hi Lindsay! Thanks for reaching out! HiPP AR is actually a great option for babies whose only symptoms are reflux/silent reflux (vs. babies who have a diagnosed allergy and may need a “stronger” hypoallergenic formula). HiPP AR is designed to help babies “keep it down” — because it includes locust bean gum which makes the formula creamier/thicker. The only real way to know is to buy a box and test it out! I’d recommend buying from Huggable because they have a policy that they will send you a new box of formula for free if your existing box of formula that you purchased from them isn’t working for your baby. Hope that helps!