In partnership with ByHeart. Editor’s Note: We only select and work with partners that meet our quality standards, so you can rest assured we only endorse products we believe in.
When I had my second, I confidently assumed I would breastfeed him as easily – and as long – as my first son. But, as most moms know, our children have a way of throwing wrenches into even the most well-thought-out plans because he wanted none of it (not even the pumped milk I painstakingly produced at 4am while watching reruns of “Love Is Blind”).
This left me with a new reality that brought me down a rabbit hole researching best infant formulas. At the core of my bleary-eyed searches, I just wanted what was best for my son, especially during the critical first 1,000 days (don’t we all). I wanted a formula that was evidence-backed, would help him gain weight and develop, and if I was really being picky, a brand that supported all types of feeding journeys.
ByHeart checks all of those boxes and more. Their infant formula is clinically proven* for softer poops, less spit-up and easy digestion. Plus, it’s made with certified-clean ingredients**, meaning new parents no longer have to turn to imported European brands for high quality formulations. Find out how ByHeart is obsessively advancing infant nutrition to nurture a healthier next generation.
*vs. a leading infant formula
** Based on Clean Label Project, Purity Award certification
We like
+ Patented protein blend that gets closest to breast milk
+ Made with organic, grass-fed whole milk
+ Certified clean ingredients*
+ Science-backed ingredients with clinically-proven** results
+ Easy subscribe & save on their website or available at major retailers
+ Third-party tested
* Based on Clean Label Project, Purity Award certification
**vs. a leading infant formula
We don't like
- Not designed for babies older than 12 months (so you need to find another option once your baby reaches a year)
- Large container so not conducive to travel
Let’s Rewind 5 Years
A brand like ByHeart, a disruptor in the American formula industry, isn’t just born overnight, especially in an industry as highly regulated as infant formula. Five years ago the formula options with ingredients parents could feel good about were slim – so slim that ingredient-conscious parents were importing formulas from Europe where ingredient standards are more stringent. The founders of ByHeart knew they had to do better for American babies in an industry where only three companies owned approximately 90% of the market. So they set out working with doctors, pediatric researchers and seasoned formula experts to create the best formula possible in an industry that hadn’t seen change in decades.
Because while there were hundreds of formula options, the old guard of infant formula brands relied on outdated recipes and lacked true innovation to reflect the latest in breast milk research.
The result? Parents (like myself) who were overwhelmed by the sheer amount of options but underwhelmed by the quality of ingredients and promises. I remember thinking: I can’t be the only new mom with dozens of tabs open trying to compare and contrast ingredients, accessibility and price, all to be left disenchanted with the choices. With so many new smart baby tech and snazzy parenting gadgets, how is the baby formula industry so far behind?
A Formulation to Support the First 1,000 Days
ByHeart set out to change the status quo of the infant formula industry with clinically-proven* nutrition to support the first 1,000 days, a period defined as starting from conception through a baby’s first two years of life. According to the AAP, the first 1,000 days are crucial to a child’s body, brain, metabolism and immune system, with nutrition playing a key role in programming these crucial systems. In other words, what babies eat during this critical programming window can set the stage for their lifelong health.
*vs. a leading infant formula
So, ByHeart (just like any parent who wants the best for their kid), created what wasn’t yet on the market: the first American-made* infant formula that’s made with organic, grass-fed whole milk. What’s more is that their formula features a patented protein blend that gets closest to breast milk.
*made with globally-sourced ingredients
Their infant formula is backed by science: ByHeart embarked on one of the largest clinical trials by a new infant formula brand in over 25 years to ensure their new product actually aligned with the latest breastmilk research. Plus, it’s free of a lot of the ingredients I like to look out for, including no corn syrup, gluten, GMOs, maltodextrin, soy, hexane-extracted DHA, artificial growth hormones or palm oil.
The Proof Is in the Poop
ByHeart’s infant formula features a closest-to-breast-milk patented protein blend and is made with certified-clean ingredients*, but does it actually deliver on its promise? Their clinical survey results show that ByHeart formula is clinically proven** for: softer poops, less spit-up and easy digestion. It’s hard to argue with science.
*Based on Clean Label Project, Purity Award
** vs. a leading infant formula
Testing 1, 2, 3
It’s worth noting that ByHeart has their own manufacturing facilities in Pennsylvania, Iowa and Oregon where they make their infant formula in small batches. They’ve also received Clean Label Project’s First 1,000 Day Promise Certification, their highest tier as ByHeart undergoes rigorous third-party contaminant testing.
Takeaways
Just like I labored over finding the best infant car seat or the most effective remedy for my son’s cradle cap (or any other dilemma that had me down Dr. Google at 3am), new parents know that selecting a formula deserves the same level of care. With a clinically-proven* formulation, choosing ByHeart is an easy, no-brainer solution for new parents who are already experiencing decision fatigue. What and how we feed our babies is such an intimate decision for every parent and one that shouldn’t be complicated—because we all know that being a new parent is complicated enough.
*vs. a leading infant formula
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