And formulas can differ drastically in cost, which can create more confusion, not to mention worry. We spent more than 80 hours researching formulas, interviewing pediatricians and other experts, and reading more than 20 scientific studies and journal articles.
And we learned that all FDA-approved formulas made for healthy, full-term infants are safe and nutritionally adequate for normal growth and development from birth through the first year. We then analyzed the ingredients of more than 60 formulas to find the ones that we think offer the best combination of evidence-backed benefits and value. And it has several potentially beneficial extra ingredients found in much more expensive formulas.
This Costco formula also contains lactose as the only carbohydrate. And it has many of the same potentially beneficial extras found in more-expensive options. This Target formula also uses lactose as its sole carbohydrate, and it has many of the same extra nutrients as formulas that cost twice as much.
This formula is made with all partially hydrolyzed whey protein, which may be easier for some babies to digest than the intact milk proteins used in our traditional formula picks. This is among the least expensive organic formulas that uses lactose as its sole carbohydrate. This is one of only a few goat-milk-based infant formulas available in the US.
But it is expensive. Experts say most babies do well on formula with lactose the same sugar in human milk as the sole carbohydrate. Protein in formula can be either intact or partially or fully broken down, which may be easier for some babies to digest. All baby formulas must meet the same basic nutritional requirements. Because traditional formulas are all required to meet the same basic nutritional standards, we looked for the most affordable formulas that offer the most additional potential benefits.
