Baby Formula

12 products ranked by Scout score

Best baby formula right now

Abbott Infant Formula Powder 400g 83/100
Scout's analysis: Infant formula from Abbott featuring OptiGRO blend with DHA, lutein, and vitamin E. No harmful substances detected. Supports brain development, eye health, and immune…
Aptamil Baby Grow Milk 80/100
Scout's analysis: Stage 3 growing-up milk from Aptamil featuring high oleic sunflower oil, ARA, calcium phosphate, and a comprehensive vitamin and mineral blend. Three harmful…
Holle Organic Follow-On Milk Stage 2 72/100
Scout's analysis: USDA organic follow-on milk from Holle for Stage 2 (6+ months) featuring organic coconut oil, organic skim milk, riboflavin, thiamine, folic acid, and a full B-vitamin…

What to skip

SmartyPants Organic Toddler Formula 4/100
Scout's analysis: Organic toddler formula from SmartyPants with ten harmful ingredients including organic tapioca syrup, organic cane sugar, natural flavors, and organic grape juice…
Similac Gold Infant Formula Powder 11/100
Scout's analysis: Stage 3 infant formula from Abbott Similac Gold featuring lactose, whey protein concentrate, coconut oil, organic high oleic safflower oil, and nonfat milk. Six harmful…
Bubs Goat Toddler Nutritional Drink 12/100
Scout's analysis: Goat milk-based toddler nutritional drink from Bubs featuring DHA, calcium, magnesium, and vitamin D. Eleven harmful substances noted from processing aids and…

Independently lab-tested baby formula

5 of the 12 products ranked here have a lab panel on their pages — each measured amount, the level it falls in and the report it comes from.

Sprout Organic Plant Based Infant Formula 0-12 Months 52/100
Serenity Kids Grass-Fed Whole Milk Toddler Formula 45/100
Bubs Goat Toddler Nutritional Drink 12/100
Similac Gold Infant Formula Powder 11/100
SmartyPants Organic Toddler Formula 4/100

Ingredients to watch in baby formula

The flagged ingredients that show up most often across these 12 products. Each link opens Scout's analysis of the ingredient.

What the better baby formula have in common

DHA in 3 of 12
Organic Coconut Oil in 2 of 12
Vitamin D in 2 of 12
Calcium in 2 of 12
Whey Protein Concentrate in 2 of 12

Common questions about baby formula

What scores highest in baby formula on Scout?

Abbott Infant Formula Powder 400g leads Scout's baby formula ranking at 83/100, followed by Aptamil Baby Grow Milk (80) and Holle Organic Follow-On Milk Stage 2 (72). Scores compare products within the category on ingredients, processing, packaging and any lab results.

What should I avoid in baby formula?

SmartyPants Organic Toddler Formula scores 4/100, the lowest of the 12 products Scout has analyzed in baby formula; next lowest are Similac Gold Infant Formula Powder (11) and Bubs Goat Toddler Nutritional Drink (12). Each product page lists the ingredients behind the number.

What drags scores down in baby formula?

Across these 12 products the most common flagged ingredients are Ferrous Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Organic Sunflower Lecithin. Each appears in at least two of the products ranked here.

Is anything in baby formula independently lab tested?

5 of the 12 products on this page carry independent lab results — Sprout Organic Plant Based Infant Formula 0-12 Months, Serenity Kids Grass-Fed Whole Milk Toddler Formula, Bubs Goat Toddler Nutritional Drink, Similac Gold Infant Formula Powder, SmartyPants Organic Toddler Formula. Each of their product pages shows the measured amounts, the level each falls in and the report they come from.

How does Scout score baby formula?

Every product in baby formula gets one 1–100 score for comparison within its category: the full ingredient list judged by a category-specific framework, the published processing level, the packaging, and any credible lab results. Lab results are disclosed, not scored. Scout takes no payment for scores or placement.

How Scout scores baby formula

One 1–100 score per product, judged within its category: every ingredient on the label through a category-specific framework, the published processing level, the packaging, and any credible lab results. No brand pays for a score or a position on this list. Read the full methodology →