I’ve Tried Over 10 Baby Formulas - Here’s the TL;DR on 6 Popular Organic Picks

Credit @happybabyorganics

Sponsored by Little Spoon & Nara Organics. 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.

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It’s no secret that the landscape of baby formula has changed dramatically in the last few years. Thankfully, a large part of this is that formula feeding has become widely accepted and embraced by people everywhere. As a formula-feeding mom, I’m so grateful for this change, as well as all of the new formulas to choose from to feed him. But, admittedly, all of the new products can be overwhelming to a parent, which is already an overwhelming job! 

With that said, Here’s the short version:

Best for Digestion: Happy Baby Organics (best digestion + ingredients combo)

Best Whole Milk Formula: Nara Organics Whole Milk Infant Formula

Best for Transparency: Little Spoon Organic Grass-Fed Formula

Best Brain-Boosting Formula: Bobbie Whole Milk Formula

Best Value-Size Option: Earth’s Best Organic Formula

Most Accessible Option: Similac Pure Bliss Organic 

Read on for the full breakdown.

Why Formula Shopping Feels So Confusing Right Now

I tapped a pediatric ICU nurse, who confirmed: “Not all formulas are created equal.” Her pick? Happy Baby Organics. “I researched these other popular formula brands,” she shared, “But they don’t check all of my boxes like Happy Baby Organics does. For example, its proprietary probiotic and prebiotic blend is clinically shown to help support softer poops and gut bacteria closer to that of breastfed infants.*”

Happy Baby Organics has become a family-favorite in my house, among a couple of other picks. Here, we’re breaking 5 popular formula brands down for you so you can be empowered to make the best decision for your family. After all, fed is best.

Best For Digestion

Happy Baby

Organic Infant Formula Stage 2

$35.99
$35.99
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Credit: Happy Baby

The latest Happy Baby’s Organic Infant Formula is one I’ve discovered later in our feeding journey as it was launched this year from from the #1 organic infant feeding brand.** My baby has been using this formula for a few months now with soft poops on a consistent basis – nothing better than that! I can rest easy knowing the ingredients are designed to support his belly, including a patented probiotic and prebiotic blend that helps support gut bacteria to be closer to that of breastfed infants**.  (It’s worth noting that Happy Baby Organic Formula is the only formula in this list with both probiotics and prebiotics – pretty impressive). I love that lactose (the #1 nutrition component of breast milk) is the #1 ingredient in their formula. Some other ingredients that stand out to me are their protein that’s designed to model breast milk’s protein ratio of 60% whey to 40% casein. Like their lactose, their protein comes from organic milk from grassfed cows***. Plus their formula has key vitamins and minerals, including calcium, phosphorus, copper, folic acid and choline, as well as iron and vitamins C & D to help support your little one’s immune system. Since using this formula, I feel my baby has not been as fussy and is very happy after feedings!

Other things that make Happy Baby stand out from the pack? It’s both USDA and EU-certified organic and is made in Europe with high-quality ingredients from around the world,***, which speaks volumes of its quality (and, again, it’s worth noting that while other brands in this list may be USDA Organic or made in Europe, Happy Baby is the only brand that’s both). It is also produced in their very own FDA registered, state of the art facility in Europe. That’s a big deal because it means the formula is rigorously quality and safety tested from start to finish. It has also received the Clean Label Purity Award. I always appreciate when an independent 3rd party validates a product – and this one is non-GMO, has no antibiotics, no added corn syrup****, no artificial growth hormones*****, and no prohibited pesticides used. Phew.

Last thing I’ll say (can you tell I love this brand?): It also has expert-recommended DHA to help support brain and eye development so, again, I love the peace of mind that this formula provides.  

It is available online and at retailers nationwide, which I love since we travel a lot and always buy formula wherever we’re headed so we don’t have to pack it. 

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Best Whole Milk Formula

Nara Organics

Organic Whole Milk Infant Formula

$45
$45
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Credit: Nara Organics

If whole milk formulas are on your radar, Nara Organics is one of the most interesting new options I’ve come across. The brand spent seven years developing its recipe with scientists and pediatricians, and it’s an American formula made in Germany in a facility that meets strict EU food safety standards while also being FDA registered in the U.S.

What immediately stood out to me is that Nara uses only organic whole milk (no skim) as the base of its formula. That means the fat composition is closer to breast milk and contains naturally occurring milk fat components like MFGM, which emerging research suggests may help support brain development, gut health, and immune function. 

Another detail that impressed me is the science behind the product. Nara is the first USDA-organic whole milk infant formula to complete its own clinical trial, showing it supports healthy infant growth and is well tolerated by babies. Safety and testing are a big part of the brand’s story. Each batch of Nara is tested multiple times with results verified by independent labs in Europe. That level of testing gave me extra peace of mind as a parent trying to navigate the overwhelming number of options on the market today.

While Nara is definitely positioned as a premium formula, the combination of whole milk nutrition, rigorous testing standards, and clinical research makes it one of the more thoughtful new entries in the organic formula space.

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Best for Transparency

Buy One Formula Can, Get One Free

Little Spoon

Organic Whole Milk Infant Formula

$30
$60
$30
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Credit: Little Spoon

If trust is your top priority when choosing a formula, Little Spoon is hard to beat. Known for raising the bar in baby and kids food, the brand brings that same transparency-first approach to infant formula. Each batch is tested for more than 500 toxins and contaminants. This is an unprecedented level of testing in the U.S. formula space that immediately set it apart for me.

The formula itself is dual-certified USDA Organic and EU Organic, made with grass-fed whole milk sourced from New Zealand and produced under some of the world’s strictest dairy standards. It meets FDA requirements while also aligning with EU-level safety benchmarks, which gave me extra peace of mind. The inclusion of plant-based DHA to support brain development and prebiotics for immune support rounds out a thoughtfully formulated option, especially for parents looking to mirror some of the benefits of breast milk.

What I appreciate most about Little Spoon is the bigger picture: parents can rely on one brand from their baby’s very first bottle through early childhood. Between the rigorous testing, consistent subscription model, and the brand’s commitment to transparency, it helps remove some of the uncertainty that can come with feeding decisions during the first 1,000 days.

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Best Brain-Boosting Formula

Bobbie

Grass-fed Whole Milk Infant Formula

$23
$23
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Credit: Bobbie

Another popular pick is Bobbie’s new Whole Milk formula. Long-requested by mamas and dadas alike, this new launch features milk from grass-fed cows. Beyond that, it features extra “good stuff” like DHA, ARA, and Choline to support brain development in the first year. I personally love that the brand is founded by moms, because not many brands are on this list (except Happy Baby). Plus, who knows more of what my baby and I need than another mom?

Bobbie’s subscription model is a huge perk, as they ensure supply for families through this model to ensure no baby goes unfed, even if some wild event happens like the formula scarcity a few years ago. Bobbie is considered a premium product, meaning it is priced accordingly. You get what you pay for, I suppose. I do feel like the smell is a little tougher than others, but hey, what formula isn’t a little smelly.

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Best Value-Size Organic Formula (If You Can Find It)

Earth's Best

Dairy Infant Formula

$41.99
$41.99
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Credit: Earth's Best

Continuing on, we’ve also tried Earth’s Best Formula. I was really excited about this one because they offer both a value size and a regular size. When your baby sucks as much formula down as mine does, that would excite you, too! Designed to model breast milk, it does feature good things like Omega-3 DHA and Omega-6 ARA for brain and eye health, as well as iron, and my baby didn’t seem to mind it, which is always good. It is USDA certified organic and Kosher dairy certified as well.

That being said, I have a few cons for this brand, most notably the availability of the product. I had such a hard time finding this that we could not commit to using it on a regular basis due to the availability.

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Most Accessible Option

Pure Bliss® by Similac®

Organic with A2 Milk* Infant Formula

$24.79
$24.79
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Last, but not least, we have Similac’s Organic line, “Pure Bliss.” I remember being in the hospital when my baby had RSV at a few weeks old (0/10 recommend) and being asked “does he take Similac or Enfamil?” I was mind blown that those were the only two options given at the hospital. Stories aside, I was curious how Similiac’s take on organic would stack up and was pleased to find it’s made with no artificial growth hormones, no palm oil, no corn syrup, and is non-GMO. My baby didn’t seem to mind the formula and it seemed like he was able to digest it pretty easily.

I didn’t love the smell of this one overall and just in general am a little skeptical of a big brand. No hate, Abbott/Similac, but I just raise an eyebrow when the standard offering isn’t necessarily what I’m looking for in terms of ingredients.

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Happy Baby
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Nara Organics
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Little Spoon
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Earth's Best
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Pure Bliss® by Similac®
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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best organic baby formula?

The best organic baby formula depends on your baby’s digestion and your priorities. For us, Happy Baby offered the best balance of ingredients, certifications, and digestion support. However, each baby has different needs, and we wholeheartedly trust every product on this list.

Do probiotics in formula really help?

Some studies suggest probiotics and prebiotics may support softer stools and gut health, especially for formula-fed babies.

Is whole milk formula better than skim milk formula?

Whole milk formulas more closely resemble the fat profile of breast milk, though both are nutritionally complete when properly formulated. For us, Nara is a whole milk formula we can trust.

Feed On, Parents

Formula parents, you’re amazing. I know it’s not always easy to not be able to breastfeed (if that’s what you want) and sneaky, guilty thoughts can come in at the worst times. While Happy Baby was best for my family, we’re so proud of you, no matter what formula you choose. Parenting is literally the hardest thing I’ve ever done and I know it’s the same for many of my friends. We’re cheering you on every step of the way and hopefully, continuing to offer help in pieces like these! Feed on, friends.

Why You Should Trust Us

At The Quality Edit, we take product recommendations seriously, especially when it comes to feeding our babies. Our team spends months researching, testing, and evaluating products in real-life settings, prioritizing ingredient integrity, safety standards, and transparency over hype.

This review is written by a formula-feeding parent who has personally tried more than 10 infant formulas over the course of nearly a year, navigating everything from sensitive tummies to supply concerns. While this is a partner piece, we only choose to partner we brands we actually know and trust.

**Compared to formula without pre & probiotics 

**Circana Custom Baby Food Data Base L13WE 8/24/2024 

***Per National Organic Program Regulation 

****As a source of carbohydrate 

*****No significant difference has been shown between milk derived from rBST-treated and non-rBST treated cows

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Happy Baby
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Nara Organics
Buy One Formula Can, Get One Free
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Little Spoon
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Earth's Best
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Pure Bliss® by Similac®

Additional Reading

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