How Long Does Baby Have to Be on Nutramigen
Best Babe Formulas, According to Pediatricians and Parents
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Whether you're strictly formula-feeding or nursing and supplementing with formula, yous want to put the all-time ingredients in your baby's breadbasket for her growth and development. But with and then many unlike options on the market, choosing the best baby formula can be overwhelming.
There are lots of different formula brands, types and even forms of infant formula available. Ultimately, at that place'southward no one "correct" formula for your trivial ane — what'south best for your baby may be unlike from what'south best for other families.
What is baby formula and why do you lot need it?
"Infant formulas are manufactured nutrition products fabricated specifically for infants (and some toddlers besides, but generally for infants)," says Steven Abelowitz, G.D., F.A.A.P., a pediatrician and regional medical director of Coastal Kids Pediatrics in Newport Beach, California. "Initially it's fabricated or manufactured to try and imitate, as closely every bit possible, chest milk."
In curt, formula provides the correct diet to infants who aren't exclusively breastfed. "When moms need alternatives to breast milk, infant formula is the only advisable alternative that offers complete nutrition during a babe'due south first yr of life," notes Whitney Casares, M.D., a Portland, Oregon-based pediatrician.
Baby formula contains a variety of important nutrients, vitamins and minerals similar to those found in breast milk, in simply the right amounts. And while some parents may wonder if cow's milk would be a suitable alternative to chest milk instead of formula, that's non the case. That'south considering moo-cow's milk can be difficult for your infant'south little stomach to digest, and cow's milk doesn't comprise the all-too-of import rest of nutrients that formula does, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).
Types and forms of baby formula
Although baby formula is patterned after chest milk to provide baby with equivalent essential vitamins and nutrients, Dr. Casares notes that not all formulas are alike. While the foundations are usually roughly the aforementioned, there are a handful of different types of babe formula to choose from:
- Milk-based infant formula. Although babies under 1 year old shouldn't beverage moo-cow's milk by itself, cow's milk-based infant formulas take been modified to exist more digestible and safe for little ones. This is the most mutual type of babe formula, according to the AAP.
- Partially hydrolyzed babe formula. These formulas accept been partially digested, which tin assist babies who deal with colic or gas. (Some common examples you might recognize are Enfamil Gentlease or Similac Pro Total-Comfort, for case — more than on that later!) Note, though, that this type of formula is not broken downwards plenty for babies allergic to cow's milk protein.
- Extensively hydrolyzed baby formula. Also called predigested formula, these formulas contain broken-down milk proteins, making them easier for babies to digest. They're well-tolerated past most babies who are allergic to moo-cow's milk. Talk to your baby's pediatrician before switching to this kind of formula, as they tend to be more expensive and may non be necessary for your little one unless she is allergy-prone or has a special condition.
- Organic babe formula. Organic babe formulas are similar to standard milk-based formulas, simply are more often than not produced with organic ingredients. "It'south coming from organic milk from organic ingredients," says Tina Feeley, Thousand.D., a pediatrician and member of the What to Expect Medical Review Board based in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. "It's really the aforementioned equally the families that choose to have organic foods and fruits and vegetables. It'south really a personal choice." Organic formulas are often higher in cost than non-organic formulas though, notes Dr. Abelowitz, and so if the bigger cost tag sounds inhibiting, don't stress. "When yous really study the outcomes of those children that were [organic versus non-organic], both short and long term, the benefits are quite slim," he says. "They're withal there; they're quite slim — slim enough for us to say if economy or finances is a factor, then it doesn't justify doing information technology."
- Soy-based infant formula. This type of formula uses soy every bit a protein and either glucose or sucrose as a carbohydrate, unlike milk-based picks. However, the AAP recommends that soy-based formula only be used in rare situations, such as if your baby is intolerant to galactose, then make sure to speak to your pediatrician offset. "That's very rare that y'all would demand that," notes Dr. Feeley.
- Special formula. Some babies may crave special formulas, such as preemies or babies with specific diseases. If necessary, your pediatrician will work with you to selection the best formula for your infant.
You may besides encounter goat's milk-based formula on the market, but beware: "Those we actually don't recommend because raw goat's milk tin can make babies bloodless and cause some major electrolyte issues," says Dr. Feeley.
When shopping for baby formula, you'll also find that it'due south sold in a few different forms:
- Powdered formula, which you measure and mix yourself and tends to be the nigh affordable.
- Liquid concentrate formulas, which require you to just add together water and shake.
- Set up-to-feed formulas, which are (true to proper name) the about user-friendly choice, only likewise ordinarily the most expensive.
No one form is better than the other – whether yous prefer the ease of set up-to-feed formula or the lower price point of powdered formula, the blazon that's best for you depends on your budget, how much formula you lot get through and where you plan to apply it, says the AAP.
Information technology's of import to remember that homemade babe formula is never condom, though. Medical experts agree that commercially manufactured baby formula is carefully created to run across your infant's nutritional needs and tin't exist safely replicated at dwelling house. "We strongly advise confronting [making your own formula] because when you make it, information technology'southward non regulated," notes Dr. Feeley.
If y'all accept trouble affording infant formula, the AAP has a list of resources for how you can get formula at no price to you. A few formula brands like Enfamil and Similac give away complimentary samples, too.
What to look for in an infant formula
All infant formulas marketed in the U.S. must meet strict diet guidelines from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), so while every formula is unique, you can residual piece of cake knowing all the choices on the shelf are regulated. "I always describe the different formulas kind of like Coke and Pepsi: They're pretty much the same, but a little different," says Dr. Feeley.
Dr. Abelowitz agrees. "We always tell parents that, same as different Tylenols and Motrins and brands, when you accept dozens, or these days, maybe even hundreds of unlike types of options, there almost isn't one that's superior to the other," he says.
In add-on to all the ingredients the FDA requires in a baby formula, several formulas on the market too contain a few extra ingredients that may assist your infant grow and develop, like DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and ARA (arachidonic acid).
You may also find that some formulas include prebiotics or probiotics, which are designed to back up immune health. (A common example you lot'll probably meet on formula labels is ii'-FL HMO, aka 2′-fucosyllactose human milk oligosaccharides, which are establish in chest milk.) While these generally don't take much prove to support their apply, they're besides not idea to hurt, Dr. Feeley says. "This is function of formulas trying to mimic homo milk every bit much as possible," she explains.
How to choose the best baby formula
While your baby'southward specific needs volition vary, there are a few helpful guidelines to assistance yous narrow down your search.
- Inquire your pediatrician. Your child's md tin can offer a recommendation for the right type of formula for your baby.
- Consider your infant'due south dietary or allergy restrictions. Does your baby have whatever? If so, ask your doctor if your trivial one requires a special formula.
- Option a brand that'due south regulated and reliable. In addition to speaking with your pediatrician, Dr. Abelowitz recommends picking a brand that's FDA-approved (which, again, all U.Due south. formulas are!) and has been on the market for a while.
- Know that you don't accept to stick to what the hospital gave you. If the hospital gave yous a specific type of formula subsequently welcoming your baby, know that you don't accept to stick to that one forever, says Dr. Feeley. "The way all the hospitals I've worked at are, they're literally contracted (with a company for a sure corporeality of fourth dimension), for like, six months out of the year, they give Similac and six months out of the year, they give Enfamil. So, one isn't necessarily better than the other because of that."
- Understand that a college cost does not equal higher quality. Again, all infant formulas sold in the U.South. are held to rigorous standards, so remainder assured that you don't have to worry about safety when you're picking a formula make from the shelf for your family.
Is there annihilation to keep in mind if you likewise breastfeed your baby?
If you breastfeed your babe only want to supplement with formula, there's nothing in particular that you need to look for in a formula (unless your little one has special dietary or allergy restrictions or your pediatrician says otherwise, of form).
"I think all of the formula companies are really trying to mimic breast milk as much as possible," explains Dr. Feeley. "And then cull whichever 1 you want, whichever ane your baby likes."
What should you practice if your become-to formula is sold out?
As supply chain issues continue to reverberate across the country, information technology can understandably feel worrisome to find your go-to formula missing from the shelves. If y'all detect yourself in this situation, Dr. Abelowitz says parents should reach out to their pediatricians to encounter what the best, most uniform formula is to purchase instead.
Mostly speaking, one expert rule of thumb is to stick to the same blazon of formula. "If they were on a cow'south milk-based regular formula, nothing special about information technology, then attempt another brand'due south moo-cow's milk-based, nothing-special-about-it formula," explains Dr. Feeley. "If they were on a partially cleaved down formula (what we call partially hydrolyzed) like an Enfamil Gentlease and they're out of information technology, but they have the Similac Pro Total Comfort, which is also partially hydrolyzed, then go with that. If they're out of Nutramigen (which is the fully hydrolyzed Enfamil one) just they have Alimentum, which is Similac's version of the fully hydrolyzed one, and so switch to that."
What should parents know about European babe formulas?
Scrolling through Instagram, you may see that some parents choose European formulas (like HiPP and Holle, for instance) and wonder if that's a better culling.
While "the basic structure and breakdowns [of U.Due south. and European formulas] are very, very similar," says Dr. Abelowitz, formulas in Europe are regulated differently than they are in the U.S. Because the European equivalent of the FDA has unlike requirements for formula than the U.S does, European formulas are frequently marketed as having 'higher standards' than U.South. formulas, even though that'southward not true, explains Dr. Feeley. While the regulations are unlike, i isn't better than the other.
For case, "they don't allow certain additives in their formulas that we permit in ours," says Dr. Feeley. "Information technology's non so much that those additives that are banned in Europe are bad," information technology's just that the FDA hasn't constitute any prove or reasoning to ban them.
There are also serious drawbacks to consider when buying imported baby formula, points out Dr. Abelowitz. "The biggest thing we're seeing at times [is] the confusion in dosages and how to prepare," thanks to language translation issues or uncertainties with the mode instructions are laid out. "There can be some dangerous situations of kids getting the wrong concentration, where that tin be actually dangerous," he says.
Not to mention, buying imported formulas online means they aren't FDA-regulated, may non be shipped or stored correctly (and hence, can lose some nutritional value) and are often more than expensive without whatever proven benefits, notes the AAP and the Centers for Disease Command and Prevention (CDC). What's more, if whatever foreign baby formulas were to get recalled, it may accept longer for news to achieve U.Southward. consumers.
Long story short? If you alive in the U.Due south, it's a proficient idea to stick to U.S. formulas.
How we chose the all-time baby formulas
To help accept some of the guesswork out of your formula search, we completed hours of enquiry to narrow downwards the all-time babe formulas. First, nosotros studied several expert-recommended formula guidelines from health organizations like the AAP and CDC. We also spoke with iii leading pediatricians for their guidance on all things infant formula: Dr. Abelowitz, Dr. Casares and Dr. Feeley. We made sure all of the baby formulas listed below match up with the criteria provided past experts.
Side by side, we combed through countless forums in the What to Expect community of millions of parents, taking annotation of which formulas worked best for dissimilar families and why. While lots of caregivers were simply looking for the best formula on the market place, others had little ones with special conditions to consider, like sensitive tummies, colic or constipation. Finally, nosotros asked parents on the What to Expect editorial team most which formulas they road-tested personally and used at dwelling with their own little ones.
Here, the best baby formulas to consider for your little 1.
Best Baby Formula Overall
Similac Pro-Advance
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Pros: Reliable favorite, no palm olein oil, available as powder or set-to-feed
Cons: Can be hard to detect in stores
Why We Love It
Similac formulas, which have been feeding babies for more than 90 years, check off all the nutritional boxes in terms of what your little ane needs to thrive. The brand boasts a bevy of options, from those adult for sensitive stomachs to organic formulas and everything in between. Similac was even named Best Formula Brand in the 2021 What to Expect Mom Must-Have Awards, a community-driven awards franchise that received more 9,000 total votes.
Both What to Expect's Editorial Manager, Christine Mattheis, and Director of Special Projects, Robin Hilmantel, tin also vouch for Similac Pro-Advance in detail after using it with their piddling ones. "I started my formula journey with Similac Pro-Advance considering two of my friends had used it with their babies and had positive things to say nigh it," Mattheis says. "I began supplementing with information technology when my daughter was about half-dozen months old and I was no longer pumping enough milk to get her through her day at twenty-four hours care. She sucked downwards her bottles without fussing at all, and didn't seem to notice that it wasn't chest milk. She was a happy baby when she was exclusively breastfed, and she remained a happy babe with no digestive bug when we added formula to the routine."
The brand's Pro-Accelerate pulverisation is a particular favorite among What to Wait customs parents and editors. This non-GMO milk-based formula includes the necessary ingredients to heave encephalon and eye development and provide your infant the diet she needs. Pro-Accelerate is also bachelor in a ready-to-feed format for families who prefer to take that route.
Ane thing to notation: Some parents say they're currently having trouble finding these Similac formulas in stores. If you can't find any online or near you, ask your doctor about other brands that may be more readily available and a good swap for your piffling i.
Type: Milk-based formula
All-time Baby Formula Overall (Necktie)
Enfamil NeuroPro Baby Formula
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Pros: Available equally powder or ready-to-feed, great customer service
Cons: Container and scoop design could be better
Why We Love It
Backed by many pediatricians and parents alike, information technology's hard to detect error with Enfamil's all-encompassing family of babe formulas. Specifically, Enfamil NeuroPro is a go-to for many families. This formula provides encephalon-building nutrients like DHA, and, like many formulas, it too includes no genetically engineered ingredients.
The construction makes this milk-based formula by and large easy for babies to digest (although the brand also has specific lines to accost common feeding problems — more on that later!). We love that the container is dishwasher safe for connected employ (y'all can purchase formula refills and then that yous don't have to purchase a new tub every time!). This formula is besides available as a powder or set up-to-feed formula.
To peak information technology off, some What to Expect community moms were seriously impressed by Enfamil'south client service, from full general assist to even receiving formula coupons.
Blazon: Milk-based formula
Best Organic Infant Formula
Earth'due south Best Organic Dairy Infant Formula
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Pros: Smells improve than others, helpful packaging, more affordable than lots of organic formulas
Cons: Only available as a powder
Why We Love It
If you adopt to purchase an organic babe formula for your little one, consider Earth'due south All-time Organic Formula. Not only does it accept all the essential nutrients your babe needs to develop and grow, but information technology'southward likewise one of the nigh affordable organic formulas on the market.
This milk-based pulverisation formula is produced from cows fed with certified organic grain and hay, which are grown without any constructed pesticides or fertilizers. It includes all the key ingredients your babe needs, plus DHA and ARA for brain and heart development and lutein for optics. To top it off, it'southward the brand's closest formula to breast milk.
Reviewers likewise appreciate the packaging, which includes an easy-pull seal under its chapeau. The brand also offers gentle and sensitive varieties of its formula if your pediatrician recommends it.
Type: Milk-based formula
All-time Affordable Baby Formula
Kirkland Signature ProCare
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Costco
See At present
Pros: Much more affordable option, includes all the nutrients baby needs
Cons: Merely available from Costco, some say it has a foamy texture
Why We Love It
Because all baby formulas in the U.Southward. must adhere to the same FDA rules and regulations, there'due south no reason to buy an expensive formula if you don't want or have to. Kirkland's Signature ProCare formula from Costco is a widely loved generic option that parents in the What to Expect community consistently praise for its more affordable price tag.
Information technology includes all the nutrients and extra ingredients that name-brand formulas practise (like DHA for brain growth and lutein for baby's optics), but comes at a fraction of the cost. It also contains no artificial growth hormones, and is certified kosher and certified halal.
More than great options that come up at a lower toll bespeak include Up&Upwardly from Target and Member'southward Mark from Sam'south Order, both of which several What to Expect customs parents dearest.
Type: Milk-based formula
All-time Baby Formula Most Similar Chest Milk
Enfamil Enspire
Pros: Includes lactoferrin, reusable tub
Cons: Simply available as a pulverization, more expensive
Why We Love Information technology
Enfamil'due south Enspire is the brand's closest formula to chest milk, thanks to the inclusion of proteins institute in colostrum, like lactoferrin. (In fact, Enspire is the first and only baby formula in the U.S. to include lactoferrin equally an ingredient, according to the brand.) Combined with nutrients like DHA and choline, plus all the other essential vitamins and minerals your baby needs to grow, information technology'south a great selection to consider.
Lots of What to Expect community parents rely on this formula. Several report their little ones taking to it quickly and having positive experiences. "I use Enspire and baby loves it," one parent reported. "I pumped and supplemented with the formula. Went back and forth between this and BM [breast milk] for six months and never had any issues."
1 downside with this line, though, is its college cost than some other standard milk-based formulas. Some parents report it beingness a little harder to find in stores, too.
Type: Milk-based formula
Best Formula for Babies with Colic or Gas
Enfamil NeuroPro Gentlease
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Pros: Good for babies struggling with colic or gas, reusable tub
Cons: Some don't love the foamy texture
Why We Love It
For babies that struggle with gas or colic, Dr. Feeley recommends looking for a partially hydrolyzed formula. While these formulas still include milk protein, the protein in a partially hydrolyzed formula is more broken down, which makes it a little easier for babies to digest.
Enfamil's Gentlease formula is one such partially hydrolyzed formula that comes to listen for Dr. Abelowitz and Dr. Feeley, and is a favorite of endless What to Expect community parents. This milk-based formula, which comes in both pulverisation and ready-to-feed formats, provides complete nutrition for your little one, plus encephalon-building DHA. The brand even states that Gentlease is designed to reduce fussiness, crying, gas and spit-upwardly within 24 hours. (And for a similar alternative to Gentlease, check out Similac Pro-Total Comfort, which lots of parents also rave about.)
Something important to call back: Talk with your pediatrician to make sure your lilliputian one's struggles with gas are more intense than normal, and that a partially hydrolyzed formula is necessary (also as asking which specific type is all-time for your babe). "Almost all babies are gassy, and gassiness, if it'southward not very severe, is a normal physiological response of babies in maturing intestinal tract," says Dr. Abelowitz. "That knee joint-jerk reaction right away when a baby has some gassiness and some discomfort and jumping from one formula to the other can sometimes be detrimental, but oft tin can almost complicate the picture for both the parents and the pediatrician to effigy out what'south really going on."
Blazon: Milk-based formula (partially hydrolyzed)
Best Babe Formula for Constipation
Gerber Good Start SoothePro Formula Pulverization
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Pros: Gentle on sensitive tummies, lots of positive reviews
Cons: Some say information technology wasn't worth the toll
Why We Dear Information technology
Finding a baby formula that agrees with your child can involve some trial and mistake. If your trivial one suffers from constipation, inquire your md about Gerber Skilful Start Soothe Pro. Moms in the What to Expect community swear past Gerber's Good Offset line, peculiarly for constipation, and for good reason. The brand has developed a variety of blends to suit various conditions that can affect newborns, and Soothe Pro contains probiotics that may at-home his digestive system. (Note, though, that the jury is all the same out on whether probiotics are beneficial long-term for your baby, and so double-check with your dr. before trying them, says the AAP.)
This non-GMO milk-based formula also includes DHA for brain and heart development and has no artificial growth hormones. Information technology's available in a pulverisation format just.
Something to keep in listen: Your little one may not actually be constipated. "Babies that are formula-fed are gonna take less frequent bowel movements and often firmer bowel structure, or stool structure, as opposed to breastfeeding babies," explains Dr. Abelowitz. Adds Dr. Feeley, "The beginning thing nosotros actually will await at if the baby'southward really constipated is: Are the parents mixing this formula correctly? Considering a lot of times they're not, and and so that can be why the babies are getting constipated from it."
Bottom line? Cheque in with your pediatrician to make sure your infant is truly constipated before switching formulas, and ask virtually which one is best for your infant specifically.
Blazon: Milk-based formula
Best Babe Formula for Babies with a Milk Protein Allergy
Enfamil Nutramigen
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Pros: Hypoallergenic for babies with milk poly peptide allergies, some say it smells amend than Alimentum
Cons: On the more expensive side
Why We Love It
"If [babies] take a milk protein allergy, then they would need to become on a hydrolyzed formula, which would be like a Nutramigen or Alimentum — which is still actually based from moo-cow's milk, but they break down the protein so they're not allergic to it," explains Dr. Feeley. Both Enfamil's Nutramigen and Similac'south Alimentum are great hydrolyzed formula options, and while several What to Expect community parents swear by Nutramigen, lots of others say Alimentum is the style to become.
Both are hypoallergenic formulas designed for babies with nutrient allergies, and both include all the nutrients your baby needs, plus extras like DHA. Both also promise to salve excessive crying fast. Notwithstanding, we listed Nutramigen as the featured product here after seeing some parents annotation that the smell of Nutramigen is a fleck more pleasant than Alimentum. ("Nosotros accept tried both and she didn't seem to prefer one over the other," shared 1 What to Look community parent, for example. "All the same, I prefer the smell of the nutramigen over the alimentum. The latter smells like tire rubber and would make me gag.")
As e'er, though, do what's best for your infant and ask your pediatrician for assistance deciding which may be better for your family unit.
Type: Extensively hydrolyzed formula
Best European Formula Culling
Bobbie
Pros: Female-founded and mom-led, easy-to-use website, subscriptions available
Cons: More expensive than other formulas
Why We Beloved Information technology
For parents intrigued by European baby formulas, consider Bobbie, an organic baby formula that's both FDA-approved and meets the most contempo European union (European Union) standards when it comes to ingredients like DHA and iron.
This formula is USDA-certified organic, meaning the ingredients were created without GMOs, synthetic pesticides or fertilizers. Caregivers volition as well appreciate where Bobbie sources its key ingredients from — similar pasture-raised dairy, whey and casein from small family farms in the U.S., for case. It'south also the only female-founded and mom-led infant formula visitor in the U.Due south.
What to Expect's Senior Art Director, Alexandra BisonĂ³, is a huge fan of Bobbie for her little ane. "We chose to feed our baby Bobbie since 6 months onetime, mainly because our family has loftier expectations around ingredients and we wanted a formula without any added sugars," she says. "Since the first canteen, we kept a close eye on any signs of constipation (which nosotros'd heard typically comes with formula feeding) and nosotros were surprised to see that our babe's bowel movements stayed very consistent. We are so lucky Bobbie exists to provide parents with a thoughtful alternative to the electric current formula market, and their subscription service is central so that nosotros never had an consequence with running depression."
Nosotros too appreciate how advisory withal easy-to-employ Bobbie'southward website is. For starters, there's a whole page defended to its ingredients and what each one does. In that location'southward helpful guidance for how many cans you should buy based on baby'south historic period and whether or not you're likewise breastfeeding — or you can snag a "starter bundle," which gives you i tin can for costless. To pinnacle information technology all off, you can text (or call or email) client service for whatever help y'all need, which decorated parents will appreciate.
I considerable downside, though, is its toll: it's more expensive than several other formulas on the marketplace.
- American Academy of Pediatrics, Choosing an Infant Formula, September 2020.
- American Academy of Pediatrics, Forms of Baby Formula: Powder, Concentrate & Gear up-to-Feed, Baronial 2018.
- American Academy of Pediatrics, Is Homemade Baby Formula Safe? March 2021.
- American Academy of Pediatrics, Is It OK to Buy Imported Formulas Online? March 2020.
- American Academy of Pediatrics, Probiotics and Prebiotics in Pediatrics, December 2010.
- American Academy of Pediatrics, Probiotics in Babe Formula, July 2021.
- American Academy of Pediatrics, Why Formula Instead of Moo-cow's Milk? July 2021.
- Centers for Disease Command and Prevention, Choosing an Infant Formula, July 2021.
- National Institutes of Health, National Library of Medicine, Review of the Clinical Experiences of Feeding Infants Formula Containing the Human Milk Oligosaccharide ii′-Fucosyllactose, October 2018.
- Steven Abelowitz, M.D., F.A.A.P., Pediatrician and Regional Medical Managing director of Littoral Kids Pediatrics, Newport Embankment, California.
- Tina Feeley, M.D., Pediatrician and Member of the What to Look Medical Review Board, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts.
- Whitney Casares, M.D., Pediatrician, Portland, Oregon.
Source: https://www.whattoexpect.com/baby-products/nursing-feeding/best-baby-formula-brands/
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