Best Formula For Spit Up And Gas

Are spit up and gas making feeding time stressful for you and your baby?

Then let us help with our guide to the best formula for spit up and gas!

Spit up isn’t unusual among babies, however frequent spit up and gas might be a sign that feeding time needs some adjustment.

Babies are still developing their digestive system, and small tummies can have issues processing food. When a baby has spit up, it’s because the stomach has sent food back up the esophagus. This can be made worse by allergies and food sensitivities, as many common foods can upset a growing tummy!

Formulas for babies with spit up are designed to be easier on the stomach, to avoid triggering negative reactions.

But what formula should you use?

In this guide, we’ve rounded up the best formulas for spit up and gas, to fight fussiness and improve feeding, 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 fussiness gas and spit up, make sure you check out these guides on the best formula for colic and gas, 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 Infant Formulas For Spit Up And Gas

Best formula for babies that spit up

1. Enfamil NeuroPro Gentlease Baby Formula

Best Overall Formula For Spit Up And Gas

The gentle effectiveness of Enfamil NeuroPro Gentlease, combined with a rich blend of nutrients, makes this our top choice formula for spit-up and gas. 

Enfamil NeuroPro Gentlease has been made with a blend of easy to digest proteins. Specifically, it uses partially hydrolyzed nonfat milk and whey proteins. These are easy for the stomach to handle, helping the food settle for less spit up. Enfamil Gentlease is also good for tackling excess gas, and other signs of colic.

And thanks to the broken down proteins, Gentlease gets to work quickly. In just 24 hours, parents and babies can feel the difference from this formula. It does contain low levels of lactose, so won’t be suitable for everyone, but the comforting formula has proved effective for many families.

Enfamil also produces Enfamil A.R., a thickened formula designed to sit easily in the stomach. However, Enfamil A.R. can be tough to get your hands on at the best of times! If you can find Enfamil A.R., discuss using the thickened formula with your pediatrician, before making the switch. 

Pros

• Partially hydrolyzed proteins – Already partly broken down, the proteins are easier for tummies to digest.
• 24 hour effectiveness – See the results in less than a day.
• Contains HuMO6 – This Enfamil exclusive blend supports the developing immune system.
• Pediatrician recommended

Cons

• Contains lactose – If your little one is struggling with lactose intolerance, Enfamil Gentlease won’t offer much help.

You may also like this guide on Enfamil AR Vs Gentlease.

Also available for purchase from Enfamil.

2. Similac Alimentum Infant Formula

Runner-Up Formula for Babies that Spit Up

Similac Alimentum is a formula for babies with allergies, using extensive hydrolysis to make the food soft and gentle in the stomach. 

Hydrolysis essentially acts as pre-digestion. The protein, casein, has been broken down and split apart before it even reaches the stomach. This might not sound hugely appealing, but it means your little one’s still-developing digestive system has less to do. The food can sit easier in the tummy, and is less likely to come back up!

This extensive hydrolyzation does have a few downsides. For a start, it adds a lot to the price tag! It also makes Alimentum a stronger smelling and tasting infant formula. Some babies just won’t like the taste.

Many parents used to swear by Similac for Spit Up, but this was discontinued a few years back. Similac for Spit Up was a thickened formula, and quite different from Similac Alimentum in texture. However, if you’re looking for a Similac formula to combat reflux, Alimentum is your best choice. 

Pros

• Extensively hydrolyzed casein – Pre-digested, this formula sits easily in the stomach.
• Hypoallergenic – Suitable for babies with a lactose sensitivity.
• Contains 2’-FL HMO – A prebiotic that helps build the developing immune system.

Cons

• Smell and taste – Due to the extensively hydrolyzed casein, the formula has a powerful taste and smell.

Also available for purchase from Walmart.

3. Enfamil Nutramigen Hypoallergenic Infant Formula

Best Hypoallergenic Formula for Spit Up and Gas

Hypoallergenic formulas are often recommended for babies suffering from GERD, and one of the best on the market is Enfamil Nutramigen. Effective at helping babies with allergies, Enfamil Nutramigen can help reduce acid reflux and painful spit up.

A hypoallergenic formula, Enfamil Nutramigen uses extensively hydrolyzed casein proteins. Pre-digested and broken down, they’re less likely to trigger an allergic reaction from a sensitive stomach. And it gets to work quickly! In just 48 hours, most babies can start to feel the difference. 

Nutramigen also contains no lactose, making it a suitable choice for babies with a lactose sensitivity. 

This hypoallergenic formula can also help babies to overcome their allergies. For infants suffering from a cow’s milk allergy, Nutramigen can help their body adapt and learn, so they can return to standard formulas. And the addition of LGG, an extensively studied probiotic, helps build an immune system and fight future allergies.

Pros

• Hypoallergenic – Using extensively hydrolyzed casein proteins, the formula is less likely to trigger an allergic reaction.
• Contains LGG – A probiotic that can help build an immune system and fight future allergies.
• Contains DHA, ARA, and choline – Supports healthy brain development.

Cons

• Price – Nutramigen is more expensive than standard formula.

Also available for purchase from Enfamil.

4. Mama Bear Soy-Based Powder Infant Formula

Best Soy Formula for Spit Up and Gas

Lactose sensitivities can trigger painful acid reflux. Soy-based formulas can be an effective solution to a lactose sensitivity, helping to ease spit up and gas in your little one. Our top soy infant formula is Mama Bear Soy-Based. It’s lactose free, affordable, and contains all the good things your baby needs.

One of the major advantages of the Mama Bear Soy-Based powder is the (relatively) low price tag. Soy-based formulas are typically pricier than the milk-based alternatives, but the Amazon-owned Mama Bear keeps prices down. The only issue is that Mama Bear is exclusive to Amazon, so you can’t pick up a tub during a last minute dash to the store. 

Mama Bear Soy-Based is a complete formula. It contains vitamin E, lutein, DHA, and over 25 vitamins and minerals to fuel growth. It’s also enhanced with prebiotics, to help build that all important immune system. 

While soy formulas can have their benefits, speak to your pediatrician before making the change.

Pros

• Lactose free – Suitable for babies with a lactose sensitivity, as there is no lactose in soy.
• Price – Mama Bear is an affordable soy-based formula alternative.
• Contains vitamin E, lutein, and DHA – Important nutrients for healthy brain and eye development.

Cons

• Taste – The stronger taste can be off-putting.

5. Kabrita Goat Milk Toddler Formula

Best Goat Milk Formula For Spit Up

When spit up and gas are making every meal time a nightmare, you might be tempted to try anything. But one formula alternative you might not have considered is goat milk. Goat milk formulas, such as Kabrita Goat Milk, are becoming increasingly popular, due to the ease of digestion.

Kabrita Goat Milk formula contains all the proteins your little one needs, but from a different source! This makes it an effective solution to cow’s milk allergies, which can cause both spit up and gas. Research indicates that during digestion, goat’s milk is closer to breast milk than cow’s milk is, making it softer on the developing stomach. So, even if a cow’s milk allergy isn’t a problem, goat’s milk might still help reduce spit up!

And Kabrita has made sure their goat’s milk formula contains everything your little one needs. With 24 vitamins and minerals, including vitamin D, vitamin C, and DHA, this formula can support healthy growth.

The Kabrita Goat Milk formula is designed for toddlers, so it isn’t suitable for younger children. It can potentially be given to children over 6 months who have started on solid foods, but speak to your pediatrician before making the switch!

Pros

• Easy to digest proteins – The proteins in goat’s milk are similar to cow’s milk, but easier on the stomach.
• 24 vitamins and minerals – Rich with all the nutrients your little one needs.
• Taste – Don’t let bias put you off! Kabrita has a gentle and pleasant taste.

Cons

• Toddler formula – This is suitable for older children, rather than kids under 6 months.

Also available for purchase from Kabrita USA.

Buyer’s Guide on baby formula for spit up and gas

Spit up and gas are both indicators that something is not quite right when your baby is feeding. Sometimes, this can be a passing problem. But if you frequently find feeding time is disrupted by spit up, and it appears to be causing pain, then you might want to look for alternative feeding solutions.

Acid reflux is more painful than regular spit up, and less common. We’ll go into some forms of acid reflux, and how to recognize acid reflux vs standard spit up, below. In this section, we’ll cover how to choose the right formula for fighting spit up and gas.

Lactose Free

Lactose is a sugar found in dairy, and the cause of numerous stomach issues! Lactose sensitivities can cause stomach aches, spit up, acid reflux, and gas. Many milk-based formulas contain lactose (and it’s also found in breast milk).

To combat this, many parents choose a lactose free or reduced lactose formula. These formulas have removed, or greatly reduced, the level of lactose, while still using a cow’s milk base. They have all the proteins and nutrients your little one needs, without that tricky lactose sugar. 

Hydrolyzed Protein Formulas

Acid reflux is often caused in infants by problems digesting proteins. These food allergies can be uncomfortable to deal with, and the proteins can trigger reactions like reflux and gas.

Hydrolyzed formulas use proteins that have already been partly or completely broken down. Partially hydrolyzed proteins are gentle on the stomach, while extensively hydrolyzed proteins are better for coping with allergies. 

Hydrolyzed formulas are typically more expensive than standard formulas, but are one of the best methods for tackling acid reflux.

Cow’s Milk Alternatives

Cow’s milk allergies can be a nightmare for new parents, as cow’s milk is the base of so many formulas! For many, the best response to a cow’s milk allergy is a lactose free formula, or a hydrolyzed formula.

However, some people choose to remove cow’s milk entirely. Soy-based formulas are lactose free, so won’t trigger a reaction from sensitive stomachs. But some babies are allergic to soy proteins, so it isn’t always the right solution.

Goat’s milk formulas are another alternative, and a solution that is growing in popularity. Goat’s milk does contain lactose, but the proteins are easier to digest than cow’s milk. 

Other alternatives include amino acid based formulas. These will often be used under supervision of a doctor, and can be expensive. These are best for true milk allergies, instead of sensitivities. 

Thickened Formula

Spit up is common in young babies, as the developing digestive system sends food back from the stomach and up the esophagus. Thickened formula helps combat excess spit up by making it harder for the formula to travel. Because it’s thicker, the formula sits better in the stomach. This is often recommended for babies that are struggling to gain weight due to reflux.

However, thickened formulas should only be used after consultation with a pediatrician. 

Price

Formulas designed to tackle acid reflux are often more expensive, as they need to use alternative ingredients and methods to avoid upsetting the stomach. An acid reflux formula can be tough on the budget!

But finding the right formula is often a case of trial and error. Formulas that worked wonderfully for other families might not meet your child’s unique needs. So, it isn’t unusual to work through a few options before you discover the right choice!

For that reason, we recommend starting with small purchases, and seeing how your little one reacts. Some of these formulas claim to get to work in just 24 hours, so you can see the results quickly. If after a week there’s no change, it might be time to try again.

When you’ve found the right formula, bulk buy! This is often the best way to make a saving. 

Speak To Your Pediatrician

Whatever option you think will work for you, it’s best to speak to your pediatrician before making a formula switch. Changing formula can help alleviate spit up and gas, but it isn’t always the best solution. 

Reflux can be stressful for both parents and babies, and a pediatrician can help you find the source of the problem, and work to solve it. 

If you’ve made several formula changes and are yet to see any benefits, consult a medical professional.

FAQs on spit up and Gas in babies

Final Thoughts on the best formulas for spit up

If spit up and gas are making your baby unhappy, and feeding time stressful, it might be time to try another formula. Allergies and sensitivities can lead to reflux, and even common formula ingredients might be the source of the problem. Hypoallergenic formulas, lactose free formulas, and milk alternative formulas are all solutions to consider.

Spit up isn’t fun for anyone involved, so we hope this guide can help you make feeding time more fun.

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, Enfamil Gentlease vs Similac Total Comfort, Similac Pro Advance vs Pro Total Comfort, and Enfamil Gentlease Vs Similac Sensitive. Or even our guide on the best formula for constipation and gas!