Best Formula For Colic And Gas

Are you looking for the best formula for colic and gas that are designed for easy and comfortable digestion?

Then our guide on the best formula for colic babies is for you!

Excessive crying, lots of fussiness, and uncomfortable gas — it sounds like your little one may have colic! Colic is something many parents have experienced, me included, but that doesn’t make it any easier when your baby is the one in pain! If your child is showing signs of colic, you’ll want to do all you can to make it better.

One option for treating colic is changing the type of formula you use. Colic occurs in both formula and breastfed babies, and digestion troubles are often the cause. Switching from a standard to a sensitive formula can potentially relieve colic, and lead to happier feeding times!

But what formula should you use?

In this guide, we’ve rounded up the best infant formulas for babies with colic and gas, including their pros and cons, plus a handy buyers guide on how to choose the right formula for colic for you and your baby.

And if you love this guide to the best formula for colic baby, make sure you check out these guides on the Avent vs Dr Brown baby bottles, Similac Sensitive vs Total Comfort, and Similac Pro Total Comfort vs Pro Sensitive. Or even our guide on the best baby bottles for reflux.

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List of The 5 Best Formulas For Colic And Gas

Best formula for colic babies

1. Gerber Good Start Baby Formula SoothePro

Best Overall Formula for Colic and Gas

Good Start formula by Gerber has been designed to mimic breast milk as closely as possible, to provide your little one with the best start to life. The gentle formula is popular among parents with colicky babies, thanks to the easy to digest proteins.

For babies with colic and gas, Gerber Good Start SoothePro has been made with smaller proteins. These smaller proteins are easier for young tummies to break down, putting less strain on the digestive system. The goodness can be absorbed, and everything else can pass through, quickly and efficiently. This can lead to reduced gas, and less colic symptoms.

The Gerber Good Start formula has been packed full of all the things your little one needs. To mimic breast milk, Gerber has added HMO and the probiotic L. reuteri. Together, these support digestive health and help develop a healthy immune system, for happier feeding times!

Pros

• Smaller comfort proteins – The smaller proteins are easier to digest, putting less strain on the body.
• HMO and L. reuteri – Commonly found in breast milk, these support the immune system and aid digestion.
• Non-GMO – No genetically modified ingredients are used in Gerber Good Start.

Cons

• Some parents have found the formula doesn’t dissolve well, and can go lumpy.

Also available for purchase from Gerber.

2. Enfamil NeuroPro Gentlease Baby Formula

Best For Immune Support

The key is in the name of Enfamil NeuroPro Gentlease — this is a formula designed to be gentle and easing. For babies struggling with colic and gas, Gentlease can soothe digestion, and reduce uncomfortable symptoms. 

Enfamil Gentlease has been scientifically proven to reduce fussiness and gas within just 24 hours of switching to the formula. It works quickly because it uses partially hydrolyzed milk and whey protein. These are proteins that have already been partly broken down before digestion. The tummy has less work to do to digest the proteins, so the body isn’t put under pressure. Thanks to this, babies can feel the benefits in roughly one day.

NeuroPro Gentlease uses the Enfamil exclusive HuMO6 formula, to support brain building and develop a healthy immune system. Mimicking breast milk, this special blend contains HMO, Vitamins C and E, plus Selenium. Enfamil have also added DHA and choline, for extra brain nourishment.

Pros

• Partially hydrolyzed proteins – As the proteins are already partly broken down, they’re easier to digest.
• Contains HuMO6 – The Enfamil exclusive formula supports brain and immune development.
• Works quickly – You might see the benefits of Gentlease in just 24 hours.

Cons

• Some parents have found Enfamil leaves an oily residue.

Also available for purchase from Enfamil.

3. Similac Pro-Total Comfort Infant Formula

Best For Quick Results

Similac Pro-Total Comfort offers an easy to digest formula for delicate stomachs. A milk-based powder, it’s made using whey protein hydrolysate, which even sensitive tummies should find comfortable to digest.

Thanks to these hydrolysate whey proteins, parents can see a reduction in colic and gas within just 24 hours. Boosted by 2’-FL HMO, a prebiotic found in breast milk, this is a formula that supports the development of a strong and healthy immune system. This soft and gentle formula will take the strain off your little one’s tummy, while building them up to fight any stomach troubles that might come their way!

To further mimic breast milk, Similac Pro-Total Comfort contains an exclusive blend of DHA and lutein. These nutrients are important in supporting brain and eye development. We also love what this formula doesn’t contain — there’s no GMO ingredients, no artificial growth hormones, and no palm olein oil.

Pros

• Whey protein hydrolysate – A protein naturally found in breast milk, broken down for easier digestion.
• 2’-FL HMO – A prebiotic that supports the immune system, to help fight off sickness.
• No palm olein oil – Palm olein can limit the absorption of calcium.

Cons

• The powder product is slow to dissolve, and can form lumps. 

Also available for purchase from Walmart and Walgreens.

4. Enfamil Nutramigen Hypoallergenic Baby Formula

Best For Cow’s Milk Allergies

It can be difficult to determine the cause of colic, but in many babies, the fussiness and gas is thought to be the result of a cow’s milk allergy. As many brands use cow’s milk lactose as the base for the formula, this can be a big problem!

Enfamil Nutramigen Hypoallergenic Baby Formula is designed for babies with a cow’s milk allergy. This is a lactose free formula, made using casein hydrolysate. Casein is a milk protein found in breast milk, and casein hydrolysate is this protein, broken down. If your little one does have a cow’s milk allergy, switching to a casein hydrolysate formula such as Nutramigen can greatly alleviate symptoms.

Nutramigen doesn’t just work in the short term — this formula can also reduce future allergic reactions. As the body grows used to the protein, it’s better equipped to digest cow’s milk. Within just 6 months, you might find all colic symptoms are gone, and you can switch back to the regular formula!

One final benefit: Enfamil Nutramigen also includes LGG. This probiotic has been closely studied, and can support digestive health, and help manage allergies. 

Pros

• Casein hydrolysate – This mammal milk protein has been broken down for easy digestion.
• Contains LGG – An extensively studied probiotic that can help manage allergies.
• Contains DHA, ARA, and choline – Important nutrients that support brain development. 

Cons

• Price – More expensive than the standard baby formula.

Also available for purchase from Enfamil.

5. Earth’s Best Organic Sensitivity Infant Formula

Best Organic Formula For Colic

A lot of babies are sensitive to lactose, which can lead to colic and trouble feeding. To help make dinner time easier, Earth’s Best Organic Sensitivity Infant Formula is made with 95% less lactose than standard milk-based formula.

A lactose sensitivity can be uncomfortable for babies, often leading to stomach pains and gas. By removing much of the lactose from the formula, even babies with lactose sensitivities are able to enjoy Earth’s Best Organic Sensitivity formula. Using a blend of organic whey protein and organic milk protein, this formula has everything your little one needs, without the lactose that might be causing colic symptoms.

For babies suffering with colic, there are potential benefits to an organic formula. The ingredients in an organic formula have typically been exposed to fewer chemicals. As an organic formula, the Earth’s Best Sensitivity blend also contains no-GMO ingredients, and no artificial growth hormones. However, it does contain the good stuff, such as lutein, DHA, ARA, and prebiotics, for healthy eye, brain, and immune system development.

Pros

• Organic – As an organic formula blend, there’s less exposure to harsh chemicals.
• Reduced lactose – Containing 95% lactose than standard milk-based formulas, this is an easier formula to digest.
• Taste – Many parents have found their babies love the taste of Earth’s Best.

Cons

• Some parents have found the formula has an inconsistent texture from batch to batch.

Also available for purchase from Earth’s Best.

Buyer’s Guide on best formula for colic baby

When your baby is suffering from colic, you’ll try anything to find a solution! Colic is frustrating and upsetting for both parents and babies, and it isn’t always an easy thing to fix.

Before you start shopping for new formulas, it’s important to remember that there’s still some confusion around colic. Colic is often described as excessive crying, crying for no reason, and fussiness. It can also result in gas, which, again, can lead to crying and fussing!

The exact causes of colic are still somewhat uncertain, although it’s linked to feeding. A food allergy or sensitivity can cause discomfort. For that reason, many parents try switching formulas in an attempt to ease the symptoms. 

So, let’s take a look at what you need to consider when choosing a formula to tackle colic and gas.

Does It Contain Lactose?

Lactose sensitivities aren’t the only cause of colic. In fact, your baby might not have a problem with lactose at all! But lactose can be hard to digest and break down, causing discomfort. Lactose sugars can also lead to gas, another symptom of colic!

To combat this, many sensitive formulas use low amounts of lactose, or remove lactose altogether. By taking out the lactose, the formula is softer on the stomach, and less likely to result in fuss.

Protein Source

Protein is vital to any healthy diet, and all infant formulas must contain a good level of protein. However, protein can be hard to digest, particularly for the still-developing digestive system of a young baby! For that reason, many of the best colic specific formulas take a new approach to protein.

Some formulas use a different protein base, rather than cow’s milk. This is often soy protein, and soy protein formulas are popular among parents of children with allergies. But that doesn’t mean a switch to soy is always the best choice! Soy allergies are also a cause of colic.

Other formulas use hydrolyzed proteins. These proteins have been partially or completely broken down into smaller pieces. These smaller pieces are essentially partially digested, making them easier for the body to cope with. This puts less strain on the stomach, leading to a more comfortable feeding time.

Immune Support

Your baby is going through a lot of obvious changes right now. They’re growing rapidly, starting to move around, and becoming their own person! But there are also many changes going on behind the scenes, so to speak. During the first few months, one thing your baby is developing is an immune system!

Without a fully developed immune system, your little one is vulnerable to illness. Sometimes, these illnesses can lead to an upset stomach, and an increase in colic symptoms. By feeding them an immune system supporting formula, you can give their immune defense a kick-start!

Added Nutrients

Any formula approved for sale in the US must reach FDA standards, so you know it’s safe to use, and provides your little one with what they need. Nutrients such as DHA, ARA, 2’-FL HMO, lutein, and others are often added to premium formulas. These support the development of the body, and help your little one grow strong.

With that said, there are a few nutrients to look out for that can help specifically with colic. Probiotics and prebiotics such as L. reuteri and LGG are found in some sensitive formulas, specifically because of their colic-fighting properties. 

Organic Or Non-Organic

Organic infant formulas are becoming increasingly accessible for parents, and many moms swear by the organic formula. But just how useful is going organic when fighting colic?

As with any formula switch, there’s no guarantee that an organic choice will alleviate colic. Babies can develop colic on organic formulas, non-organic formulas, and even breast milk! 

However, organic formulas have often been exposed to fewer chemicals than standard formulas. For babies with intolerances, this can have benefits.

So, it’s worth considering an organic formula. But watch out for the price. Organic formulas are often more expensive, and, as mentioned, not guaranteed to improve colic symptoms. 

Taste

If your baby is unwilling to eat, and seems upset after feeding time, it can be a sign they’re experiencing colic. However, it might also be an indication that they don’t like the taste of their food!

Sensitive baby formulas can often have a stronger taste than standard baby formulas, and it isn’t always pleasant. If you’ve tried a new, sensitive, formula, and your little one really doesn’t like it, it might be a taste issue! Stronger tasting formulas often have a stronger smell, so give the mixture a sniff. 

Texture

If you choose a powder formula, you will need to mix it yourself. Take a look at just how many bubbles form when you make up a bottle. If it seems like a particularly frothy, bubbly formula, then this might be leading to gas. 

You can often avoid bubbles with careful mixing, but some formulas are naturally more bubbly than others. Look out for thicker textures as well. These can be good if your little one struggles with acid reflux.

Price

Sensitive infant formulas need to use smart ingredients to avoid setting off a reaction, and this tends to lead to a higher price tag. This might be just a few cents per ounce, but the price can add up over time.

If you’re worried about fitting a sensitive formula into your budget, try some other methods for fighting colic before making the switch. Try feeding your baby at a different angle, carrying them after eating, taking them for a walk, or lying them on their tummy and rubbing their back!

FAQs on formula for gas and colic

Final Thoughts on the best formula for gassy and colic babies

If your baby starts experiencing colic or gas, you’ll want to do everything you can to relieve it. Sometimes, a formula switch is the right choice!

The brands we’ve chosen have been formulated for easier digestion, helping reduce colic and gas. And whilst there is a no one size fits all solution, we think starting with Gerber Good Star SoothePro formula is a great option.

And if you want to check out any more of our guides, we recommend checking out these guides on best formula that tastes like breast milk, best formula for constipation and gas, and best formula for spit up and gas.