Best Formulas To Give Your Baby Relief (2020 Guide)
If your baby has gas from their formula, there is certainly no mistaking it!
Your ears probably can’t take any more of their high pitched cries.
Your little one’s tummy is also bloated and as hard as a rock. They may clench their fists and squirm constantly too.
All these symptoms are signs of gas. And, the formula you are using is most likely the culprit!
It can take a week or so for a new formula to really work, so hang in there!
The good news is (well, not for me) that I’ve tried about seven different formulas for my gassy son before finding the right one.
So which are the best formulas for gassy babies?
Why Certain Formulas Can Make Your Baby Gassy
For the longest time, I wondered why my baby boy was so gassy!
Then, I learned that he could be allergic to what was in the formula that I was giving him.
Many babies have a dairy intolerance, which can be a problem since many popular formulas are composed of cow’s milk.
Sometimes, a baby may also have just a sensitivity to the formula, not a full out allergy. Regardless, this may also cause gas.
Some babies also get gassy because their bodies are not able to break down the proteins that are in their formula and it makes their tummies hurt terribly!
Also, many babies get gassy because they are sucking in too much air while they are drinking.
While moms may think their formula is making them fussy and gassy, it really is their bottle and how they're being held (always prop your baby upright during feedings).
If I were you, I’d switch out your bottle first (try something with a disposal liner that takes all of the air out), prior to switching formula.
However, if you’ve already tried a new bottle (or a dozen), then it’s time to talk to your pediatrician. They can help you rule out an allergy.
4 Things To Look For In A Good Baby Formula
If you're like me, I just couldn’t wait until my baby’s visit to discuss a possible milk allergy.
I wanted to take matters into my own hands and try to solve the problem right away.
So, I learned that there are a few key characteristics I had to look for in not just a good anti-gas formula!
#1. Easy to Digest. If your baby’s system is working at a slower pace, they are going to have difficulty digesting their formula. So, if this is the case, you want to look for something that breaks down easily or is already broken down for them!
#2. Reduced Amount of Lactose. If your baby is lactose intolerant or if they just have a slight sensitivity to it, you should make sure that the formula you choose either has a very small amount of lactose or none at all!
#3. Vitamins and Nutrients. While doctors feel that the breast is best, not all mommies are able to nurse (or want to). So, a great anti-gas formula should have things in it like DHA, ARA, and other proteins and vitamins that mimic natural breast milk.
#4. Ready to Feed Form. While this not a deal breaker, if you can find an anti-gas formula that is also made in a ready to feed form, it’s an added bonus in my book.
There were many nights that I’d just open up a ready to feed bottle and pour! I didn't have the time or patience to mix and warm a bottle.
My son also ended up having an allergy to corn and he was only able to drink the ready to feed formulas (most do not contain corn, unlike powder formulas), so you may to give the liquid form a try first to see if things are resolved!
5 Other Ways to Help Your Baby With Gas
Ok, so as I said before, I tried nearly all of these formulas and while they worked for a bit, they never really resolved my problem.
I ended up having to put my son on an Alimentum formula, in which the proteins are already broken down for the baby.
My son had a difficult time with milk and soy proteins (lucky me), so with the help of my son’s pediatrician, we figured this out by trying this kind of formula—it may work for you too!
But, if your baby is doing better on the formula you selected (and gets occasional gas from time to time), here are a few things you might want to try.
#1. Leg Pumps. Sounds a little odd, but you can help move some of the gas out of your baby’s system by pumping their legs while they are on their back, or having your baby do the bicycle! It gets things moving and relieves any pain associated with gas.
#2. Gas Drops. There are many awesome brands on the market that help get rid of gas and gas pains with ease. I used to buy these bad boys in bulk! They are completely safe to use and they even helped my son sleep.
#3. Use Angled Bottles. Angled bottles with vent-air holes in the base are helpful when feeding a gassy baby. They help the milk flow and eliminate bubbles from forming which can make your little one gassy.
#4. Use Disposable Liners. Another item I bought bulk in, liners are helpful because they take all the air out of the bottle before feeding time. I actually used a liner in an angled bottle and had great success!
#5. Burp More Frequently. Many moms don’t want to stop their baby from eating if they are eating well. But, I learned that sometimes waiting until the end of a feeding to do burps could do more harm than good.
Every two ounces, try to gently pull the bottle out of your baby's mouth and get a good burp out of them. Repeat until they are finished and you should notice a difference quickly!
Best Baby Formulas
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1. Earth's Best Organic
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2. Similac Sensitive
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3. Enfamil Gentlease
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4. Nutramigen with Enflora LGG
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5. Similac Soy Isomil
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6. Enfamil Prosobee Soy
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7. Gerber Good Start
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8. Kirkland Signature
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9. Baby's Only Organic
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10. Similac Pro-Advance
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Earth's Best Infant Formula (click here to check the price on Amazon) is super easy to digest because it contains a low amount of lactose, and it’s gentle because it’s mainly made of whey and has a blend of carbs that won’t upset your baby’s tummy.
An added bonus is that it’s totally natural, so you can feel good about using it. You won’t find any kind of artificial flavors or colors, growth hormones, antibiotics, or steroids in it either.
It’s fine to give to newborn babies and can be given up to 12 months of age. The formula does contain iron, but won’t cause constipation or contribute to any kind of spitting up or tummy issues.
It is very gentle, and many moms rave about how effective this formula is!
Similac Sensitive Infant Formula (click here to check the price on Amazon) is a great brand and I love how they offer a ready to feed formula for convenience overnight and if traveling.
Just a heads up-this formula is milk based, but, it contains no lactose, which is usually what irritates baby’s bellies. It is easy to digest and the special carbohydrates that are in it are known to reduce gas.
I was happy to try this formula before turning to soy and many moms also feel the same way!
This sensitive formula also has everything your baby needs to develop and maintain their health, including Nucleotides to support immune health (which is definitely important if you aren’t breastfeeding).
Enfamil Gentlease Infant Formula (click here to check the price on Amazon) was one of the first formulas my pediatrician recommended that my son use, and it worked very well.
It too has partially broken down proteins that won’t do a number on your baby’s stomach, and after about a week, you should notice less fussiness and less crying because gas pains are gone!
It’s stacked with all of the essential nutrients and vitamins that help you little one develop, and it also comes in a ready to feed formula!
A lot of moms who use this formula remark that it also decreases spit up, which in my book is another added bonus!
Those who used it also noticed that their babies had fewer issues with constipation and overall, their child was in a much happier mood!
Nutramigen Infant Formula (click here to check the price on Amazon) may be the formula you need to try if all else fails.
Did you know that some babies simply cannot break down the milk or soy proteins themselves?
Nutramigen pretty much guarantees that parents should see a remarkable improvement after using this in no more than 48 hours.
What makes it so awesome?
It’s designed to build up your baby’s tolerance to cow’s milk. And, it has a probiotic in it called LGG, which is safe for your baby to use.
While it’s not exactly cheap, it is so easy to digest so it may be worth saving your baby (and yourself) the agony!
In addition to being hypoallergenic, it has all the nourishments your baby needs, as well as DHA, which is recommended by pediatricians.
Similac Soy Isomil Infant Formula (click here to check the price on Amazon) was the formula I first used when I had to switch over to a soy formula.
Although I did see some improvement with my son on the partially broken down formula, it did not fix the problem completely (soy didn’t either!)
But, for many moms, this formula will do the trick.
It’s completely lactose free, so if it was the lactose that was causing your baby gas, this formula is gentle and sensitive enough to stop it!
It’s packed with all the essential vitamins and nutrients your baby needs, and it’s actually blended with two carbohydrates to help absorb all of those good for your baby essentials.
When moms put their baby on a soy based formula, they panic and think that their child will never be able to drink milk or eat products that contain lactose.
While this may be true in some cases, it certainly isn’t true in all cases.
Your baby’s tum-tum may not be ready to handle lots of lactose yet, but will most likely grow out of this stage!
Enfamil Prosobee Soy Infant Formula (click here to check the price on Amazon) is very similar to Similac’s Isomil formula.
It comes in a powder form for mixing and is completely milk-free, lactose-free, and dairy-free, while it t’s designed for fussy babies who suffer from gas.
Many moms noticed that it made their babies cry less, which also means they are sucking in less air. That, in addition to the soy formula relieves gas and pain during feeding times!
It’s also designed for babies who have special dietary needs (Vegan or Kosher). Many parents hands down agreed that they not only saw a dramatic improvement with fussiness and gas, but their baby was actually sleeping better too.
Another thing that parents who use the formula noticed is that is doesn’t clump when it’s being mixed, which commonly happens when using specialized formulas!
#7. Gerber Good Start
Gerber Good Start Soothe formula (click here to check the price on Amazon) helps parents get their babies’ lives start smart with every sip.
Not all babies are the same, and some have special feeding needs due to gas, spit up, or other sensitivities.
Many moms agree that Gerber’s soothe formula has helped reduce bouts of crying and gas in their baby’s tiny tummy. This is due to the special carbohydrate blend that the formula boasts, which is loaded with comfort proteins.
The proteins are very small and easy to digest, making gas a thing of the past. The formula is non-GMO and also contains a helpful probiotic to keep things regular and moving!
Another awesome thing about the formula? It comes with a helpful hotline to call. This way, when moms have a feeding question or concern, it gets addressed quickly and without making an appointment with the pediatrician.
#8. Kirkland Signature
Kirkland gentle formula (click here to check the price on Amazon) has iron and is perfectly formulated for babies who have digestive needs.
It’s super gentle on the tummy (even though it contains iron) and is known to reduce gas and fussiness in babies because it’s easy for them to break down.
In addition to eliminating gas, the signature formula also contains vitamin D to help strengthen bones, DHA for healthy brain and eye development, as well as prebiotics for immunity support and again, to promote proper digestive help.
Moms also love that Kirkland’s is non-GMO, so they are giving their baby nothing but the best nutrients.
Parents see a noticeable difference after just a few uses.
#9. Baby's Only Organic
Baby’s Only organic formula (click here to check the price on Amazon) is like giving your baby a sip right from a cow.
The formula’s milk is derived from dairy cows that are given zero artificial growth hormones, steroids, or antibiotics. It’s ideal for tots who have been diagnosed with gluten or corn allergies, and it helps cut down on gas and fussiness that your baby may have gotten from other formulas.
Baby’s Only contains high levels of essential fatty acids that your child will convert into DHA (for brain and eye development), and also ARA. For many moms, organic is the only way to go.
This formula has received rave reviews and parents who have noticed lots of gas in their child in the past have noticed how much it has been eliminated after using this specialized, gentle formula.
#10. Similac Pro-Advance
Similac Pro-Advance formula (click here to check the price on Amazon) is designed for infants that need some extra tummy help.
This sensitive formula contains a special prebiotic to help achieve a healthy gut, which may cut down on gas and other tummy issues that have made your baby feel fussy and uncomfortable throughout their day.
The prebiotic circulates throughout their body to keep things moving and to make your baby a happy camper after feedings. It also has links to ensuring your child has a stronger immune system, which will allow them to fight off colds and bugs easier, but also refrain from contracting them in the first place.
All ingredients in the formula are non-GMO and meet Similac’s super high standards.
Moms feel this formula is the closest they can get to natural breast milk. And, who wouldn’t want that for their child?
Wrapping Up
While there are many great formulas on the market at your disposal and many techniques to try, keep in mind that if nothing is working and you are getting worried about your grumpy, gassy baby, you should put in a call to their pediatrician to help you resolve your problem (acid reflux may be to blame).
But, in the meantime, if you want to pass on the gas, here are the best formulas for gassy babies available that have had amazing and fast results!
