5 Best Formulas for Gassy or Sensitive Babies
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Weโre not just editors, weโre also moms. These are our favorite baby formulas to help calm your little oneโs stomach with thoughtful, organic ingredients at a variety of price points.
Itโs true that most babies are gassy, especially during those early newborn weeks. But some are dealing with more digestive discomfort than others. Experts say that if your baby is gaining weight and has regular bowel movements, straining and passing gas is normal. However, if your baby is showing signs of colicโโincreased fussiness or crying that lasts for three hours at least three times a week,โ according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)โexcess gas, or constipation, you might be dealing with a bigger problem, like a milk protein allergy or other intolerance.
Fortunately, many parents have found relief for their babies by switching to an easier-to-digest formula that provides all the nutrition they need without those unwanted, painful side effects. Of course, if your little one is experiencing persistent or severe symptoms, you should consult your doctor before testing out a new formula.
What should you look for in a formula for gassy or sensitive babies?
Itโs often difficult for parents to find the root cause of their gassy or sensitive babyโs symptoms, which is why itโs important to speak with your pediatrician or pediatric gastroenterologist. Gas and stomach sensitivity could indicate an allergy or intolerance to lactose, so many experts recommend trying a lactose-free formula. Probiotics could be beneficial, too, as one 2021 study concluded that they โreduced colic symptoms in colicky infants probably due to the anti-inflammatory properties.โ
Our criteria:
Our team of editors and moms has researched and tested the leading organic infant formula brands and reviewed ingredient lists to find the best formulas for babies with gas or sensitive tummies. We regularly update this list with emerging options that meet the following criteria:
- HIGH-QUALITY INGREDIENTS | We prioritized formulas made with organic and thoughtfully sourced ingredients whenever possible, while ensuring they provide complete nutrition that meets infant feeding standards.
- GENTLE FORMULATIONS | These formulas are formulated to support babies with digestive sensitivity through thoughtfully selected ingredients such as partially hydrolyzed proteins, probiotics, prebiotics, or other evidence-based digestive supports.
As youโre weighing your options, check out our guide to the best organic baby formulas, and if youโre expecting or trying to conceive, weโve also highlighted tried-and-true organic prenatal vitamins.
1. Bobbie Organic Gentle
Organic Ingredients | Organic lactose, organic partially hydrolyzed whey protein, organic fat blend of plant-based oils
Free From | Palm oil, palm olein oil, soy allergens, alternative sugars like corn sweeteners and sucrose
Formula Range | 0-12 months
Price | $64 for two cans
In 2016, co-founder Laura Modi was struggling with mastitis and ventured to the grocery store for infant formula. What she found were formulas made with less-than-great ingredients such as corn syrup, fillers, and palm oil. Two years later, Bobbie was born, with the mission to provide parents with organic formulas they can feel good about giving to their babies. The brand has several formulas to choose from, but Organic Gentle is specifically designed for babies with gas and digestive discomfort. The key ingredients are organic lactose, partially hydrolyzed whey protein, and a fat blend comprising plant-based oils. I nursed my son for 13 months, but when I was traveling or needed to supplement, I relied on this formula as a close-to-breast milk alternative.
You can pay $51.20 for a two-can trial bundle, purchase a subscription for 20% off, or make a one-time purchase for 20% off. The Stay Stocked prescription program gives parents access to up to $45 off per month and free shipping, a free order of organic probiotic drops, free sessions with lactation consultants and feeding experts, and discounts on brands like Nanit and Coterie.
Customer Review | โMy baby has been at a low birth weight so switching to formula was the best decision I could make. Gentle formula was an easy transition after the whole milk was a bit too difficult on her. Little girlie is gaining weight steadily and we couldnโt be happier!โ – Shelby (Read more reviews.)
2. Little Spoon
Organic Ingredients | Organic whole milk from New Zealand grass-fed cows, organic lactose
Free From | Corn syrup, gluten, palm oil, synthetic pesticides, soy, GMOs, artificial growth hormones, synthetic colors, synthetic maltodextrin
Formula Range | 0-12 months
Price | $120 for four cans (for a limited time only, try two cans for free)
High school sweethearts Angela Vranich and Ben Lewis noticed a problem at their grocery store: None of the baby food options were made with high-quality, fresh ingredients. So, Little Spoon began with a simple carrot, apple, and ginger recipe in their San Francisco kitchen. Our editors have raved about how Little Spoon is essential for little ones starting solids, and their lineup has expanded to include organic infant formula, too. Little Spoon was the first baby food company in the US to align to EU food standards and test their baby food for 500+ toxins and contaminants – they have now extended that same standard to their infant formula, testing for 550+ toxins and contaminants and publishing results for each batch by lot code publicily on their website.
Little Spoonโs infant formula is made with a 60:40 whey-to-casein protein ratio to mimics breast milk and is designed to be gentle on tummies. It starts with whole milk from grassfed cows in New Zealand which helps naturally preserve Milk Fat Globule Membrane (MFGM). MFGM is a naturally occurring fat-and-protein structure also found in breast milk that helps develop gut maturity. Little Spoonโs formula also includes all 5 nucleotides found in breast milk. These nucleotides serve as the building blocks of RNA and DNA that support gut development and immunity. The formula is made without palm oil, corn syrup, or maltodextrin, ingredients on Little Spoonโs 100+ item No-No List, and ones parents are often told to check for since palm oil in particular has been linked to harder stools and worse gas in some babies. Little Spoon also uses organic canola lecithin in place of soy-based emulsifiers as soy can be commonly flagged as a digestive-sensitive ingredient for some babies.
You can purchase four, eight, or 10 cans, and youโll save 20% off your first order and 10% off and free shipping on future orders when you sign up for a โsubscribe + saveโ plan. If you want to try it before committing to multiple cans, the brand currently offers a free two-can trial when you sign up for a four-can subscription and pay $9.99 for shipping.
3. HiPP Comfort
Organic Ingredients | Organic palm oil
Free From | GMOs, corn syrup, sugar
Formula Range | 0-6 months
Price | $170 for four boxes
HiPP Comfort is a formula from the German brand started by Joseph Hipp back in 1899. Since then, four generations have helmed the family-owned business, which has evolved to produce organic baby formulas โ including โComfort,โ an easier-to-digest option for babies. Aside from HiPP UK and Dutch, all formulas are manufactured in Pfaffenhofen, Bavaria. Keeping sustainability at the forefront of their process, theyโve prioritized sustainable farming and certified organic ingredients. Most HiPP formulas are certified organic, but the brand warns that this one is not because โthe hydrolyzed milk protein is not available in organic form.โ
This formula is on the pricier side and more difficult to find than other options, though retailers such as Organic Formula Shop and Formuland both have cans available for purchase. Plus, when you buy from Formuland, you can subscribe and save 7% off your order. Thereโs also a HiPP Comfort UK version available, which does not contain probiotics, and uses folic acid as a source of folate, according to Organicโs Best.
Customer Review | โMy baby was having a ton of tummy issues and rashes with my breast milk. We switched to HIPP comfort and sheโs thriving!!!!โ – Shea D. (Read more reviews.)
4. Holle Goat
Organic Ingredients | Organic whole goat milk, organic lactose, organic sunflower and rapeseed oils
Free From | Soy, gluten, GMOs, corn syrup, palm oil, artificial additives
Formula Range | 0-6 months
Price | $172 for five boxes
Holle was founded in 1933, and became the โfirst biodynamic processor of bread, cereals, grains and baby porridges in Switzerland.โ A family-owned business, Holle has received international acclaim for their triple-certified formula made with goat milk sourced from Demeter farms in southern Germany. The brand says the protein naturally contained in goat milk produces smaller, softer curd than a cow milk formula, and is ultimately gentler on sensitive stomachs. Beyond the formulas ingredients, the company also holds their products in FSC-certified, 100% recyclable boxes.
When your little one has graduated from Holle Organic 1, you can move on to Holle Organic 2 starting at 6 months, and Holle Organic 3 at 10 months. Similar to HiPP, this European brand isnโt as widely available in the U.S. However, you can purchase boxes from Organic Formula Shop and Formuland (again, with subscriptions offered for 7% off).
Customer Review | โI purchased this to have on hand as an emergency option, and Iโm so glad I did. We ended up needing to triple supplement to help my son gain weight, and he has done really well with this formula. I feel good about how clean the ingredients are, and he has gained a significant amount of weight since starting it.โ – Jena C. (Read more reviews.)
5. Kendamil Comfort
Organic Ingredients | Not listed
Free From | Palm oil, fish oil, GMOs, corn syrup
Formula Range | 0-12 months
Price | $165 for three cans
Kendamil is a family-founded and -owned UK company with more than 60 years of experience in the baby formula industry. The brandโs Comfort Milk was made โfor the dietary management of colic and constipation,โ and families across the world have benefited from their farm-to-formula process. The vegetarian formula contains soluble starch to address colic, and the company sources omega 3 fatty acids from marine algae instead of fish, so you wonโt find fish oil on their list of ingredients. Dedicated to helping the environment and little ones, theyโve used renewable energy in their factory and source their cowโs milk locally (among other initiatives).
It should be noted that similar to HiPP, Kendamil Comfort Milk is not considered certified organic. UK-based shoppers can purchase Comfort Milk directly from the brandโs website, and those in the US can purchase multi-packs at Organic Formula Shop and Formuland.
Customer Review | โOur baby was really struggling before we switched to Comfort milk, but weโve noticed such a positive difference. She seems much happier, more settled, and far more content. Itโs made feeding time much less stressful for all of us. Highly recommend!โ – Hayley M. (Read more reviews.)
Featured image from Kayti Christian for The Good Trade
Blake Bakkila is a freelance writer and editor with eight years of experience covering topics including baby and parenting, food, health, pop culture, and interior design. In addition to The Good Trade, her work has appeared in the digital publications of Architectural Digest, Sunset, Good Housekeeping, and more. She highlighted the best, most game-changing baby and parenting products as the former senior commerce editor at What to Expect and BabyCenter, and sheโs also held editorial positions at Good Housekeeping, Health, Real Simple, and People. Blake holds a bachelorโs in journalism from Northwestern Universityโs Medill School of Journalism. When sheโs not typing, you can usually find her watching anything on Bravo, entertaining her son Rhode, and conducting field research on the best ice cream in Southern California.
