8 Best Formulas for Gassy Babies, According to a Pediatrician
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Fed is best for nourishing your baby, but if your little one starts experiencing tummy troubles, it’s time to reevaluate your feeding tactics. That’s where the best formulas for gassy babies come in to help. Whether you’re using formula as your baby’s primary source of sustenance or as a supplement in addition to nursing, some ingredients in your current formula can contribute to your baby’s gas. But don’t be discouraged; there are plenty of formulas specially made to ease gas. Ahead, we learn more about the best formulas for gassy babies from a pediatrician, plus the eight best options to shop.
Best Formulas for Gassy Babies at a Glance
Best Overall: Bobbie Organic Gentle Infant Formula, $112 (four cans)
Best for Supplementing: ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Powder Formula, $42
Best Formula Tested for Heavy Metals: Baby’s Only A2 Organic Milk Infant Formula, $32
Best for Sensitive Stomachs: Similac 360 Total Care Sensitive Infant Formula, $50
Best for Toddlers: Kendamil Classic Toddler Powder Formula, $28
Best Formula for Babies with Allergies: Enfamil Nutramigen LGG Hypoallergenic Powder Infant Formula, $70
Best European Formula: HiPP Comfort All Stages, $36
Best 1st Year Formula: Earth’s Best Organic Sensitive Baby Formula, $32 (originally $40)
What Ingredients to Look for in Formula if You Have a Gassy Baby, According to a Pediatrician
Chelsey Borson, a pediatrician and founder of Luna Leaps, urges parents to search for formulas that are specially made for gassy and fussy babies. “Some ingredients that can help throughout include partially hydrolyzed proteins suitable for babies. Probiotics and prebiotics used in the formula can also assist with gut health,” she adds.
What to Avoid in Formula if You Have a Gassy Baby, According to a Pediatrician
And while looking at ingredients, Dr. Borson says that it’s essential to remember that specific recipes contain a lot of lactose or added sugar. “In such recipes, gas and stomach discomfort will definitely appear,” she says. “Also, soy-based formulas may be contraindicated in some cases, at least in babies with soy allergies or intolerances.”
Should I Change Formula if My Baby Is Gassy?
While it’s any parent’s immediate response to act quickly to help their baby, it’s first to stop and consult with your pediatrician before swapping formulas. Your pediatrician can help pinpoint the cause of your little one’s discomfort. Most pediatricians will give the stamp of approval to change in this case, Dr. Borson says.
How Do I Know if the Formula Is Making My Baby Gassy?
Dr. Borson shares that there will be visible signs if a formula is making your baby gassy. “Things like frequent crying, increased abdominal distension, and increased gaseous emission after meals may, at some point, begin to manifest, meaning that the use of formula may lead to gas,” she explains.
Ahead, see the best formulas for gassy babies from Bobbie, Similac, ByHeart, and more.
Our mission at SheKnows is to empower and inspire women, and we only feature products we think you’ll love as much as we do. Bobbie is a SheKnows sponsor, however, all products in this article were independently selected by our editors. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale.
BEST OVERALL
Bobbie Organic Gentle Infant Formula
This organic gentle formula from Bobbie should be at the top of your list if the baby is struggling with gas. The recipe includes partially hydrolyzed protein to ease tummies. It’s “modeled after breast milk and contains 100% lactose as the carb source,” Bobbie says. More importantly, the blend features organic lactose which never upsets tiny bellies.
From September 17 until September 24, you can take advantage of Bobbie’s buy one get one free on organic formula (12.7 oz.) with free shipping promotion — no code needed!
Cost: 4 cans for $184
Type: Powder
Sizes available: 4 cans, 8 cans, or 10 cans
Pros:
Easy to digest organic ingredients
Includes partially hydrolyzed protein
Cons:
More expensive than other options
BEST FOR SUPPLEMENTING
ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Powder Formula
Parents who want to help their babies with gas and still want to breastfeed can benefit from ByHeart’s formula. It’s filled with a patented protein blend “that gets closest to breast milk,” the brand says. The mixture includes alpha-lac and lactoferrin (abundant proteins found in breast milk), and broken-down proteins. It’s also free of corn syrup, gluten, soy, maltodextrin, hexane-extracted DHA, artificial growth hormones, and palm oil.
Cost: $1.75/ounce
Type: Powder
Sizes available: 24 oz.
Pros:
Mimics breast milk
Helps with less spit-up
Cons:
Can increase constipation at first for some babies
BEST FORMULA TESTED FOR HEAVY METALS
Baby’s Only A2 Organic Milk Infant Formula
Baby’s Only A2 Organic Milk Infant Formula is another gentle formula that helps to settle your little baby’s tummy. The formula is crafted with A2 organic milk proteins for easy digestion, but it doesn’t sacrificcec any nutrieistss. Instead, the formula is packed with iron. It’s also Clean Label Purity Award and USDA Organic certified.
Cost: $1.55/ounce
Type: Powder
Sizes available: 21 oz.
Pros:
Contains A2 organic milk proteins
Clean Label Purity Award
Cons:
Can have a foamy texture when mixed
BEST FOR SENSITIVE STOMACHS
Similac 360 Total Care Sensitive Infant Formula
It’s no secret that formula can get pricey, so here’s a more affordable option. Similac’s 360 Total Care Sensitive Infant Formula is the brand’s closest prebiotic blend to breast milk. It helps alleviate discomfort caused by lactose sensitivity. The formula features five HMO prebiotics. It provides immune support and enhances brain development and digestive health.
Cost: $1.66/oz.
Type: Powder
Sizes available: 30.2 oz.
Pros:
Soothes fussiness and gas due to lactose sensitivity
#1 brand fed in hospitals
Cons:
Can be hard to mix
BEST FOR TODDLERS
Kendamil Classic Toddler Powder Formula
This formula from Kendamil is best for toddlers. It’s crafted in Europe and is sourced from family farms in Europe. It contains a whole milk recipe that includes fats similar to those found in breast milk — that’ packed with MFGM that supports cognitive development. The powder is enriched with omega-3 and plant-based DHA to support healthy brain and vision functions.
Cost: $0.99/ounce
Type: Powder
Sizes available: 28.2 oz.
Pros:
Includes a unique prebiotic blend of HMOs and GOS
Crafted in Europe
Cons:
Has a stronger scent
BEST FORMULA FOR BABIES WITH ALLERGIES
Enfamil Nutramigen LGG Hypoallergenic Powder Infant Formula
Babies with food allergies and gas need an extra special formula; that’s why parents love the Enfamil Nutramigen LGG Hypoallergenic Powder Infant Formula. The 27.8-ounce can contains Nutramigen hypoallergenic baby formula powder that’s packed with omega-3 DHA. Plus, Enfamil’s mix is clinically proven to help relieve colic.
Cost: $2.52/ounce
Type: Powder
Sizes available: 12.6 oz. / 19.8 oz. / 27.8 oz.
Pros:
Available in multiple sizes
Assists in allergy management
Cons:
Expensive
BEST EUROPEAN FORMULA
HiPP Comfort All Stages
HiPP baby formula is one of Germany’s best-selling formulas. It is crafted with European Union-certified organic ingredients and excludes mineral nitrogen fertilizers and hormones. The formula is offered in three stages transitions from birth to toddlerhood.
Cost: $36 (1-3 units)
Type: Powder
Sizes available: 21.16 oz.
Pros:
Parent report stomach issues went away within a week
European Union-certified
Cons:
Not widely available
BEST 1ST YEAR FORMULA
Earth's Best Organic Sensitive Baby Formula
This formula is pediatrician-recommended and eases gassy tummies. Earth’s Best Organic Sensitive Baby Formula has a reduced lactose powder packed with all the essential nutrients that babies need, such as iron, omega-3 DHA, and Omega-6 ARA.
Cost: $1.42/ounce
Type: Formula
Sizes available: 21 oz.
Pros:
Available on Amazon
Partially hydrolyzed
Cons:
Only best for babies up to 12 months old
Experts In This Article
Chelsey Borson is a California-based pediatrician and the founder of Luna Leaps.
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