Top 10 Best Lactose-Free Baby Formulas in 2020 (Similac, Baby's Only Organic, and More)

Below is a list of the top 10 best lactose-free baby formulas that are recommended on Amazon. Hopefully you'll find a suitable product for your baby here!

※These rankings were decided based on user reviews and popular rank lists from Amazon gathered on May 20th.

Here, we'll be introducing the following six important points to check when you choose a lactose-free baby formula.

Points to Consider:

1. Decide Between Different Lactose-Free Formula Options
2. Prebiotics and Probiotics Enhance the Digestive System 
   
3. Check the Label for Industrial Oils and Preservatives
   
4. You May Prefer a Non-GMO or Organic Product
   
5. Take Caution when Picking an Enhanced Infant Formula
   
6. Choose Between Powder or Ready-to-Feed Type
   

There are a few formula options for your lactose-intolerant baby: lactose-free, lactose-reduced, soy-based, and amino acid-based. They contain different properties, so make sure to choose one that is compatible with your baby's body. 

Also, whether you suspect your baby is lactose intolerant or you already know, we recommend running your baby formula choices past your child's physician before making a final decision. 

Many products labeled as "lactose-free" or "lactose-reduced" are still made from cow's milk; however, the lactose has been reduced through an enzyme processor has been replaced completely with vegetable sugar such as corn syrup.

You should keep in mind that lactose-free formulas might still contain cow's milk protein and might not be suitable for babies with an allergy to that type of protein. 

Soy formulas are made from soybeans, so they are lactose-free and might be useful if you don't want to include animal proteins in your baby's diet. However, they are not recommended for babies with a cow's milk allergy, since some studies have shown that 8-14% of babies who are allergic to cow's milk will react to soy as well.

Additionally, soybeans contain phytoestrogens, which is similar to the female hormone estrogen.  There are some concerns that soy-based formulas might alter the reproductive development of babies.

Plus, soy-based formulas consist of glucose that might harm babies' teeth. It's best to consult with your baby's doctor before choosing a soy-based formula. 

If your baby is allergic to soy or cow's milk, you might want to choose an amino acid-based formula that contains no long protein chains.

Instead, it includes individual amino acids and is completely hypoallergenic. That means lactose-intolerant babies can consume it without having any digestive problems. However, an amino acid-based formula might be expensive. 

Often formulas contain probiotics, the friendly bacteria living inside your gut, to support your baby's digestive health. For babies with constipation, diarrhea, or intestinal inflammation, probiotics can alleviate those symptoms. 

Meanwhile, prebiotics are non-digestible ingredients that stimulate the growth of probiotics. So a formula with prebiotics will help enhance the growth of good organisms in your baby's intestines. 

When it comes to baby formula, you probably want the cleanest ingredients that will not trigger reactions like diarrhea, rashness, or hives. Pay attention to the ingredient list, and choose a product that does not contain harmful chemicals or GMO ingredients if you're concerned.

Preservatives and additives can be found in both regular and organic formulas. Particularly, synthetic preservatives like beta carotene and ascorbic palmitate are often used to prevent ingredients such as DHA or ARA oils from going rancid.

 Meanwhile, an additive like carrageenan is used to help emulsify and preserve liquid formulas. Nonetheless, those preservatives and additives do not have any nutritional value. 

Instead, some preservatives, especially chemical ones such as sodium nitrate or BHA, might lead to health risks. Carrageenan has also been shown to cause intestinal inflammation. So try your best to stay away from them!

Palm oil and palm olein are used to help baby formula reach the same palmitic acid level as breastmilk. Nonetheless, studies have shown that palm oil and palm olein can deter the absorption of calcium and fat, leading to hard stools or low bone mass.

Palm oil has also come under fire recently for its high environmental costs; its production contributes to the decrease of rainforests and, therefore, the destruction of many natural habitats.

In baby formula, ingredients such as sugar, corn syrup, and soybeans are often genetically modified. While there's no definite proof that GMOs are harmful to human health, many people want to avoid them for peace of mind. Stick to products with Non-GMO Project Verified labels to ensure that the formula has an acceptable level of GMOs (less than 0.9%). 

You should also consider certified organic products that contain no artificial additives or growth hormones. Even though they still contain some preservatives, USDA approval ensures they meet the standard for organic products. 

You shouldn't choose a product that claims to be organic but does not hold any registered trademark since it might not be 100% organic. 

Various formulas are fortified with nutrients like DHA, lutein, or probiotics to support your baby's health. However, not all nutrients are safe to include in baby formulas, so definitely be careful when picking out an enhanced formula product. 

Synthetic nutrients such as lutein, taurine, or nucleotides are often integrated into baby formulas to make sure that your baby gets the highest level of nutrition.

However, the Food and Drug Administration does not require those nutrients to be put in formulas, and those nutrients might actually do more harm than good to your baby since they are often processed with harmful solvents or chemicals.

Even some organic baby formulas in the U.S. contain those synthetic nutrients in order to meet the FDA's nutrition requirements. It's important to be aware of these if you want to avoid them.

Most formulas are fortified with synthetic DHA and ARA, two fats that naturally exist in breastmilk, to support babies' eye and neural development. However, synthetic fats might work differently from natural ones, and there hasn't been any clear evidence to show that DHA and ARA content in formulas actually benefit babies. 

How DHA and ARA are processed has also raised concerns. They are processed with hexane, a neurotoxic petroleum-refining byproduct.

Even though the amount of DHA and ARA in formula is relatively small, and most babies seem to be fine with DHA and ARA-fortified formulas, you may want to research more about the potential risks of hexane-extracted DHA and ARA.

If you want to avoid hexane-extracted DHA, you can consider DHA and ARA extracted from egg lecithin, or those produced from a water-assisted extraction process, in which the nutrients are extracted from plants without the involvement of chemical solvents.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, babies who are not breastfed or only partially breastfed need an iron-fortified formula (containing from 4 to 12 milligrams per liter of iron) in order to get all of their needed nutrients. 

Some people are concerned that the added iron in a formula leads to digestive issues such as constipation. However, the amount of iron in a formula is often not enough to cause constipation. But if your baby has any allergic reactions with an iron-fortified formula, consult with your doctor right away! 

Most baby formulas come in powder or ready-to-feed types. Powdered formula has the longest shelf-life and is pretty inexpensive in comparison to ready-to-feed ones. However, when you mix powdered formula, add the correct amount of water as per instructions and don't leave any clumps behind. 

You should also make sure that no moisture can leak into the formula container since it can ruin the whole thing! 

On the other hand, a ready-to-feed formula might be a little bit expensive but is a great option if you're on a trip and or just don't have time to deal with powdered formula.

Your little precious deserves a lot of care and attention, so check out our articles for items that can give your baby some extra pampering! 

Lactose-free formulas are essential to give your lactose-intolerant baby complete nutrition. However, pay attention to the source of the nutrition and watch for additives to give yourself peace of mind, and your baby a happy tummy!

Author: Thuy Nguyen

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