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While most babies tolerate traditional cow’s milk-based formula, some infants need one with more gentle ingredients. Fortunately, there are formulas out there that may prove beneficial for babies dealing with gassiness or other uncomfortable digestive symptoms.
There are many gentle or sensitive formulas on the market, but which are among the best? The Forbes Health Editorial Team has done the work to help narrow the options based on cost, ingredients and availability. Read on to learn more about the best formulas for gassy babies.
Up & Up Gentle Infant Formula with Iron is Target’s store brand and tops our ranking for its affordability and inclusion of DHA, iron and prebiotics. This formula is only available in powder form and contains partially broken-down proteins making it easier to digest for sensitive stomachs, according to the company.
Parent’s Choice Sensitivity Infant Formula with Iron is Walmart’s store brand and is among several types of formula under the Parent’s Choice label. This formula is focused on babies with sensitive stomachs and claims to help reduce fussiness and gas by having 99% less lactose than standard milk-based formulas, according to the company.
Available in powder, liquid and ready-to-feed forms (ready-to-feed comes in pre-portioned amounts with a nipple so it can be fed to a baby immediately), Similac 360 Total Care Sensitive Infant Formula is a convenient option for multiple feeding situations. It’s non-GMO and designed to support brain development, the immune system and digestion.
Go & Grow by Similac Sensitive Toddler is a toddler drink for little ones with lactose sensitivity. According to the company, the formula features a prebiotic that supports the immune system.
Parent’s Choice Gentle Infant Formula with Iron is another affordable option under the Walmart store brand. This iron-fortified formula may reduce fussiness and gas, according to the company.
To find the best formulas for gassy babies, the Forbes Health Editorial Team evaluated over 20 baby formulas made for babies with sensitivities that might be improved by a gentler formula. We ranked these formulas based on cost, ingredients, availability and other metrics.
Most formulas for gassy babies is a standard cow’s milk-based formula that’s modified to suit babies experiencing minor feeding issues or gastrointestinal distress. For instance, the formula may contain reduced levels of lactose, which is a carbohydrate found in milk. Additionally, the formula may contain partially hydrolyzed protein, which means that the proteins have been broken down into smaller units that may be easier for a baby to digest.
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Formula for gassy babies has some tweaks in its ingredients in an effort to make it more easily digestible. These formulas are still cow’s milk-based like the standard formula, meaning they contain lactose, which is a type of sugar found in milk, as well as minerals from the cow’s milk, alongside other minerals and vitamins, plus vegetable oils[1]Infant formulas. Medline Plus. Accessed 07/12/2023. .
However, the lactose included in this specific type of formula is typically less than the lactose in traditional formula, notes Stephanie P. Gilley, M.D., Ph.D., a pediatrician specializing in growth and nutrition at Children’s Hospital Colorado and an assistant professor at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. The lactose is usually replaced by alternative carbohydrates, such as corn syrup solids or rice starch. “It’s just low in lactose protein and everything else is actually the same. It’s just low in that one type of sugar,” explains Dr. Gilley.
There are also gentle formulas, or partially hydrolyzed formulas, which Dr. Gilley explains usually have lower lactose compared to standard baby formulas with the addition of proteins that are a little more broken down, she says. “They’re still getting the same amount [of protein], it’s just easier to digest,” says Dr. Gilley.
It’s not always easy to know if a change in formula is what your baby needs. According to Dr. Gilley, one scenario in which to consider changing to a formula for gassy babies is if your baby is having a lot of spit-up after eating or just seems generally uncomfortable post-feeding, and it doesn’t seem like it’s due to acid reflux (in that case, medication is what’s generally needed, explains Dr. Gilley).
Other signs to look out for, per Dr. Gilley, which should warrant a visit to a primary care doctor, include:
Additionally, Dr. Gilley suggests that babies who are getting both breastmilk and formula may benefit from trying a gentle (or partially hydrolyzed) formula, as the protein is slightly more broken down in a way that can be easier to digest. “Since it’s broken down in a similar way [to breast milk], it can be a little easier on the tummy for going back and forth or getting both combined,” she says.
Many of the formulas marketed toward gassy babies usually include words like ‘gentle’ or ‘sensitive,’ notes Dr. Gilley. She explains that sensitive typically just means a reduced level of lactose, whereas ‘gentle’ signals the formula contains partially hydrolyzed proteins.
As far as choosing between the numerous options on the shelf, Dr. Gilley underscored that all formulas marketed in the U.S. are regulated and thus are “essentially all equivalent to each other” in terms of minimum nutrient specifications[2]Questions & Answers for Consumers Concerning Infant Formula . U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Accessed 07/12/2023. . “Store-brand formulas are fantastic and usually less expensive,” says Dr. Gilley.
Parents might also consult their pediatrician when choosing a formula for gassy babies, who can take into account the history and unique needs of the individual baby.
Formulas designed for gassy babies can potentially help infants dealing with minor feeding issues. In particular, formulas with partially hydrolyzed protein have been found to benefit babies dealing with gastrointestinal issues, given that the proteins are more broken down and thus easier to digest[3]Vandenplas Y, Ksiażyk J, Luna MS, et al. Partial Hydrolyzed Protein as a Protein Source for Infant Feeding: Do or Don't? . Nutrients. 2022;14(9):1720. .
However, the benefits for lactose-reduced formulas are less clear for babies who do not have a lactose intolerance due to a medical condition, including galactosemia, a rare hereditary disorder that impacts the bodies ability to convert milk sugars to glucose, or congenital lactase deficiency, where infants can’t break down the lactose in formula or breast milk[4]Strzalkowski AJ, Järvinen KM, Schmidt B, et al. Protein and carbohydrate content of infant formula purchased in the United States. Clin Exp Allergy 2022;52(11):1291-1301. . “Low lactose formulas are probably low risk, but they’re also unlikely to help,” says Dr. Gilley, explaining that lactose intolerance in babies is “extraordinarily rare.”
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Yes, formula for gassy babies is just as nutritional as regular formula.
All standard formulas marketed in the U.S. must meet federal requirements regarding their nutrition content, guaranteeing that all standard infant formulas provide equivalent nutritional value. Any tweaks made to a formula’s ingredients are simply intended to relieve certain symptoms a baby may experience, such as gassiness.
Signs that may warrant a visit to the doctor include if a child is beginning to show any signs of feeding refusal, such as blocking their bottle with their hand or consuming only a limited amount despite the fact they should be hungry. If a baby seems inconsolable after feeding or if there’s any blood in their stool, those are also signs to get to the doctor, says Dr. Gilley.
Beyond a formula switch, there are other tactics caretakers can try to soothe a gassy baby. According to Dr. Gilley, “simple tummy massages or doing tummy time” can help a baby pass gas, and it’s also helpful to “slow down the feeding so the baby is consuming less air,” she says. In some cases, particularly around the peak of crying that tends to occur around six to eight weeks, Dr. Gilley says that a baby’s fussiness around feeding may appear and then start to wane as that period passes.
Still, a change in formula may be worth exploring in some cases. “Obviously, every child is different, and parents should reach out to their primary care doctor about making a change,” says Dr. Gilley.
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Becca Stanek is an experienced writer and editor who is passionate about exploring the ways we can feel better mentally and physically to get the most out of our lives. She has worked for publications including LendingTree, SmartAsset, and The Week, among others. She's currently completing her 200-hour yoga teacher training, and also likes to spend her time reading, writing, biking and hiking.
Valerie is a seasoned writer and editor who has spent her career creating content in the parenting and women's wellness spaces. Before joining Forbes Health, Valerie was the trending news editor at Scary Mommy. When she's not helping women and families live their best and healthiest lives, she's spending time with her family, walking her dogs, reading or exercising.