For many moms who started out breastfeeding, looking for a formula that tastes like breast milk can be a good option for supplementing or transitioning their babies from breast to bottle. Moreover, finding a formula closest to breast milk in terms of its nutritional content and properties would be something that moms would want to offer to their growing babies. So here, we’ve listed down some popular formulas that tastes just like breast milk, along with a guide on how to select the best one to suit your baby’s needs.
So what is the closest formula to breast milk? Among the top-rated formula closest to breast milk include:
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However, since there is a wide range of competition in infant formula, it may be best to know more about breast milk itself so that you’ll have a pretty good idea on what to look for in a formula milk. Knowing more about the taste, smell, consistency and nutritional content of breast milk can give you a good head start in selecting the best tasting formula for breastfed babies out there.
Breast milk taste, smell and consistency
Taste
Surely, your newborn can’t verbally describe the taste of your breast milk, so we’ve searched for the common descriptions from adults who have tasted it. Not surprisingly, all these ended up to two main points: sweet and creamy.
Specifically, breast milk is often described as extra sweet, something similar to the milk that is left after you’ve finished your cereals. This is quite reasonable knowing that breast milk is found to have high concentrations of the sugar called lactose.
The creaminess of breast milk is often compared to the other types of milk such as almond or soy milk, or sometimes, to a melted vanilla ice cream. This creaminess is attributed to the natural fat content of breast milk.
There are also several factors that may alter the taste of breast milk such as the mother’s diet, hormonal changes in the body, and taking medications or alcohol.
Smell
With regards to its scent, breast milk has a distinct odor which may sometimes be described as soapy or sour. This is due to the presence of an enzyme called lipase, which helps breakdown the fats in the breast milk and makes its more tummy-friendly for your baby.
Consistency
Breast milk has a unique consistency that starts off that thin and watery and will slowly get thicker and creamier through the middle to the end of the feed. This is due to the fat that is often released towards the latter part of breastfeeding. The more fat, the thicker and creamier it gets. Nonetheless, breast milk remains easily absorbable by the baby’s sensitive gut from the beginning to end.
Breast milk nutritional content
Breast milk is packed with all the essential nutrients that a baby needs to thrive, which is why it’s commonly referred to as, ‘liquid gold.’ So if you’re planning to bottle-feed your baby, searching for the formula milk closest to breast milk in terms of their nutritional value is also important.
Breast milk offers macronutrients like carbohydrates, proteins, and fats that are all designed to sustain the needs of the baby. Specifically, these macronutrients are:
- Lactose (the main source of carbohydrates in breast milk)
- Oligosaccharides (prebiotics that feed the good bacteria in the baby’s gut)
- Proteins like casein, lactoferrin, lactalbumin, lysozyme secretory immunoglobulin IgA, and serum albumin
- Fatty acids like the omega-3 fatty acids DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and Omega 6 ARA (arachidonic acid) which are important factors on the development of babies, particularly on the brain, eyes and nerves.
Additionally, breast milk is packed with micronutrients that are needed to support a baby’s growth and development. These micronutrients include the vitamins and minerals that comes from what the mothers consume while breastfeeding. Iron is particularly given utmost importance, since it helps in the baby’s production of blood.
Also an important and unique feature of breast milk are its bioactive factors. These bioactive factors include cytokines, antibodies, growth factors and other living cells that have a certain impact on the baby’s health.
How to choose a formula closest to breast milk
So overall, a formula similar to breast milk will contain the following characteristics and ingredients. You can also use these as your criteria in finding which formula is closest to breast milk in terms of taste and nutritional value.
Lactose-based
The sweetness of breast milk is primarily due to its high concentrations of lactose, so going for a lactose-based formula would be the most ideal option. However, since lactose is a bit expensive, some manufacturers turn the formula sweet like breastmilk using some alternative sweeteners like the plant-based maltodextrin or organic glucose syrups.
Some sweeteners, like sucrose, are also linked to obesity. So be mindful of checking the labels and adding up extra sugar to your baby’s milk formula.
Additionally, some babies are born lactose-intolerant. Babies who have problems digesting lactose may be recommended to take a formula milk that have these alternative sweetening agents.
Probiotics and prebiotics
Probiotics refer to the good bacteria that help in digestion, while the prebiotics are the fibers that feed these bacteria. These two are naturally found in breast milk to aid in baby’s digestion. So having probiotics or prebiotics as an additive would be an advantage, especially if you want to find a baby formula closest to breast milk.
Organic
Many mothers are now going for the organic, be it with the food they prepare for their families or the milk that they offer their little one. Breast milk is the most natural food for infants, so if you’re looking for a formula closest to breastmilk taste, you’ll have better odds in a cow milk that is certified as organic.
Typically, you’ll find two types of certification with organic baby formula:
USDA-certified seal
-This means that the ingredients are grown chemical-free, and no artificial additives are present in the milk, as certified by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Non-GMO label
-This means that the formula milk has been made with at least 70% organic ingredients. This type of organic baby formula won’t have the official seal of the USDA but features a USDA-accredited certifier instead. They are typically priced lower compared to those with the USDA seal.
DHA and ARA
These fatty acids are naturally-occurring on mother’s milk. DHA and ARA are being linked to brain, nerve and retinal development of infants. Though the research is still on-going regarding the benefits of adding up DHA and ARA to formula milk, the presence of these essential fatty acids may lead you not only to a formula closest to breast milk taste, but also to nutrition.
Nucleotides
Nucleotides are the body precursors in making DHA and ARA, and they are naturally found in breast milk. They play an important role in the baby’s immune defenses and promote a healthier digestive tract by promoting the growth of probiotics or good bacteria. Finding one that is infused with nucleotides can help you lead to a formula similar to breast milk.
Fortified
Vitamins, minerals, and other essential nutrients coming from the breastfeeding mother’s diet can easily reach their babies via breast milk. Mothers can simply eat healthy for their babies to drink milk that is rich with certain vitamins and minerals.
So how do they make a formula most like breast milk in terms of its nutrient content? That’s right, through fortification.
Infant formulas that are fortified with vitamins and minerals like Vitamin D and iron can provide these additional nutrients for a healthier baby. Many of the infant formula nowadays, also provide taurine, choline and lutein that aims to support brain, eye, and nerve health.
The Best Formulas That Tastes Like Breast milk
With the above criteria as the guide, along with comparing the consumer reviews of the popular infant formulas in the market, we’ve gathered the most popular formula closest to breast milk. Also considering that no one formula works for everyone, we’ve included the product features, along the the pros and cons of each variety so that you’ll find it easier to compare and select the best formula milk for your baby.
1. Enfamil Enspire
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Enspire is claimed as the manufacturer’s formula closest to breast milk. It features a composition that closely match that of colostrum, or the mother’s first milk, making it ideal for mothers who can’t breastfeed, has difficulty producing breast milk, or for the foster parents who want to offer formula milk that is similar to breast milk.
This infant formula is also available in Gentlease variety that features slightly hydrolyzed proteins for easier digestion. If your baby turns out to be gassy and fussy, this Gentlease variety can be an option.
Your baby can drink Enspire from birth to 12 months.
Featured ingredients
- Lactose as sweetener and primary source of carbohydrates
- Lactoferrin- immune-boosting protein that is also found in colostrum
- MFGM – fat protein blend similar to what is found in breast milk, supports brain and cognitive development
- PDX/GOS prebiotics- dual prebiotic blend comprised of polydextrose and galacto-oligosaccharides that promotes easier digestion
- DHA and Choline
- Fortified with iron and other essential vitamins
[i2pc show_title=”true” title=”Pros & Cons” show_button=”false” pros_title=”Pros” cons_title=”Cons” ][i2pros] No artificial sweetener
Non-GMO (with ingredients that are not genetically modified)
Mixes well with water
Spit-ups doesn’t stain
Easily tolerated by many breastfed babies
Promotes soft stools just like that of breastfed infants[/i2pros][i2cons] Some babies experience a gassy stomach
Not ideal for lactose intolerant babies
Expensive compared to other breast milk-like formula[/i2cons][/i2pc]
2. Enfamil Neuropro
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Enfamil Neuropro is a formula modeled after breast milk and features a composition that is closely like that of Enspire. What’s great about the Neuropro is that it is available in both powdered and ready-to-use forms. The ready-to-use liquid formula is ideal for late-night feedings or when travelling.
Just like Enspire, Neuropro also has a Gentlease formula for the gassy babies. Additionally, it has Neuropro sensitive which is especially formulated for the lactose-intolerant infants.
Your baby can use Neuropro from 0 to 12 months. Some parents find it more budget-friendly to shift to Neuropro, once they feel that their baby is old enough for the colostrum-like benefits of Enspire.
Featured ingredients
- MFGM – fat protein blend similar to what is found in breast milk, supports brain and cognitive development
- Lactose as sweetener and primary source of carbohydrates
- PDX/GOS prebiotics- dual prebiotic blend comprised of polydextrose and galacto-oligosaccharides that promotes easier digestion
- Omega 3 DHA and Choline
- Fortified with iron and other essential vitamins
[i2pc show_title=”true” title=”Pros & Cons” show_button=”false” pros_title=”Pros” cons_title=”Cons” ][i2pros]No artificial sweetener
Non-GMO (with ingredients that are not genetically modified)
Comes with Gentlease and Sensitive varieties to suit babies with special needs
Available in both powdered and ready-to-use forms[/i2pros][i2cons]A few have encountered digestion problems and diaper rash while using the product[/i2cons][/i2pc]
3. Similac Pro-advance
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Similac Pro-advance is their closest formula to breast milk, according to the brand. Similac features this brain-building and immune-boosting formula, with ingredients that are patterned from breast milk. It have also eliminated the presence of palm olein which can be an irritant to baby’s sensitive tummies.
You can try Similac Pro-advance if your baby is gassy, fussy and often has episode of spit-ups. In fact, Similac claims to reduce these symptoms in just a day of switching to their Pro-advance.
Similac pro-advance is available in both powdered formula and ready-to-use bottles, making it easier to use on late-night feedings and when traveling. Your baby can use Pro-advance from 0-12 months.
Featured Ingredients
- Lactose as sweetener and prime source of carbohydrates
- 2’FL HMO (2’-fucosyllactose human milk oligosaccharide)
- Fructooligosaccharides
- Nucleotides
- DHA, Lutein, and Vitamin E blend for brain, eye and nerve development
[i2pc show_title=”true” title=”Pros & Cons” show_button=”false” pros_title=”Pros” cons_title=”Cons” ][i2pros]No artificial sweetener
Non-GMO
Smooth and thin consistency
No palm olein
Available in powdered and ready-to-use bottles[/i2pros][i2cons]Some people dislike the smell
Expensive compared to other breast milk-like formula
A few have digestive problems and diaper rash while using this formula
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4. Gerber Good Start GentlePro Powder Infant Formula
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Breast milk is naturally easy-to-digest and nutritious, and that’s exactly what this next formula milk is all about. Gerber Good Start Gentle Pro is claimed as their closest formula to breast milk because it features easy-to-digest whey protein concentrate that is gentle to the newborn’s sensitive gut.
Another good thing about this milk is that it offers a couple of formula variations for excessive crying or colic, lactose intolerance and milk allergies. And though GentlePro is ideal for babies 0-12 months, they also have GentlePro2 that you can begin to introduce once your baby is 6 months old. GentlePro2 is said to have been patterned to the changing protein composition of breast milk to accommodate the growing needs of your baby.
Featured Ingredients
- Lactose and maltodextrin- as sweetener and main source of carbohydrates
- DHA
- HMO (Human Milk Oligosaccharide)
- Probiotics
- Fortified with iron and other essential nutrients
[i2pc show_title=”true” title=”Pros & Cons” show_button=”false” pros_title=”Pros” cons_title=”Cons” ][i2pros]Non-GMO (with ingredients that are not genetically modified)
With formula variations for babies with special needs
Easy to digest
Promotes soft poops
Lactose is minimized, making it more tummy-friendly for the lactose-intolerant babies
The container design ensures hygienic handling and preserves milk freshness[/i2pros][i2cons]Some parents have issue with the presence of maltodextrin
Some find the powder clumpy and hard to mix
[/i2cons][/i2pc]
5. Earth’s Best Organic Dairy Formula
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In finding the best tasting formula for breastfed babies, it is also important to choose one that is organic, making you more confident in giving the formula to your baby. This is the primary goal of Earth’s Best Organic Dairy Formula.
This formula is patterned to breast milk, with nutritional content that is similar to the previously-mentioned brands. However, take note that this infant formula is USDA certified organic, non-GMO and Kosher certified, meaning the formula is derived from cows that feeds only on organic grass, without any pesticides or artificial fertilizers.
Another unique feature of Earth’s Best is that the DHA is extracted from water, unlike the controversial hexane from the other formula brands.
Earth’s Best also has other formula milk varieties like soy-based for the lactose intolerant, partially hydrolyzed proteins for the fussy babies, and hydrolyzed whey for babies with the sensitive gut. This infant formula can be taken from 0-12 months.
Featured Ingredients
- DHA and ARA
- Lutein
- Prebiotic Fructooligosaccharides for immunity and better digestion
- Lactose as sweetener and prime source of carbohydrates
[i2pc show_title=”true” title=”Pros & Cons” show_button=”false” pros_title=”Pros” cons_title=”Cons” ][i2pros]USDA certified organic
Non-GMO
No artificial sweeteners
Kosher certified
Derives DHA using water
Easy to digest[/i2pros][i2cons]Some reviews state that the milk is foamy and clumpy
Some parents dislike the strong scent
[/i2cons][/i2pc]
6. Happy Baby Organic Stage 1 Infant Formula
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Happy Baby is another great option is you’re looking for an organic formula closest to breast milk. This infant formula is also USDA certified organic and non-GMO. The formula is derived from cows that are raised in organic farms.
A unique feature of Happy Baby Organic Infant Formula is the way it extracts DHA and ARA. These fatty acids are sourced from non- genetically modified algae, unlike the controversial use of hexane from other formula brands.
Happy Baby also features a sensitive variety for the fussy babies and a Stage 2 formula that has higher levels of organic vitamins and minerals. You can use this Stage 1 formulation for 0-12 months, but if you feel that your baby has higher needs while growing up, you can gradually shift to Stage 2 once he reaches 6 months of age.
Featured ingredients
- Lactose as primary source of carbohydrates and sweetener
- ARA and DHA sourced from non-GMO algae
- GOS (galactooligosaccharides) and FOS (fructooligosaccharides) prebiotics
- Sustainable palm oil
- Folic acid
[i2pc show_title=”true” title=”Pros & Cons” show_button=”false” pros_title=”Pros” cons_title=”Cons” ][i2pros]USDA certified organic
Non-GMO
No artificial sweeteners
Eliminates hexane from DHA extraction
Color and scent similar to breast milk[/i2pros][i2cons]Foamy when mixed
Some babies had digestive issues while using the product.
[/i2cons][/i2pc]
Top Baby Formula Recommendations:
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Conclusion
As you can see, some of the best infant formula are modeled after breast milk in terms of their composition, taste and smell, with just slight variations on their content and manner of deriving the nutrients. You can use this article as a guide for you to lead to the best formula that tastes like breast milk, but remember, there is no one size that fits all when it comes to infant formula. So try out samples, mix and match, and listen to what your baby says. In the end, the best infant formula is what makes your baby happy, healthy and thriving, because that’s the most important factor in choosing the right milk for your little one!
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