10 Best Lactose-Free and Lactose-Reduced Baby Formulas in 2023 (Similac, Baby's Only Organic, and More)

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 called lactase. In this case, lactose, which is a type of sugar in milk, has been replaced completely with vegetable sugars 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. We've included photos for each of our recommended product's ingredient lists, so be sure to check those out if you're feeling uncertain about proteins!

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 eight to 14 percent 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.

Despite these possible issues, soy-based formula is an excellent choice if your baby has galactosemia, as such a condition makes it impossible for your baby to break down the sugars specific to milk products. So long as you discuss switching formulas with your pediatrician, it may be a good choice if your family is vegan as well. 

If your baby is allergic to soy or cow's milk, you might want to choose an amino acid-based formula as it won't contain long protein chains.

Instead, amino acid-based formulas include individual amino acids and are completely hypoallergenic. That means lactose-intolerant babies can consume them without having any digestive problems.  

Preservatives and additives can be found in both regular and organic formulas. Particularly, synthetic preservatives like beta carotene and ascorbyl palmitate are often used to prevent oils like DHA or ARA from going rancid. Beta carotene does exist naturally, but these days it's mostly created chemically. 

Meanwhile, an additive like carrageenan is used to help emulsify and preserve liquid formulas. However, it doesn't have any nutritional value. In fact, carrageenan has been shown to cause intestinal inflammation in babies and young children. It even has a minimal but very real cancer risk!

Other preservatives, especially chemical sorts like sodium nitrate or BHA, might also lead to health risks. Experts fear that when introduced to a baby's system over time, they may impede growth and developmental milestones. 

Palm oil and palm olein are used to help baby formulas reach the same palmitic acid level as breastmilk. However, some dietitians worry that palm oil and palm olein can deter calcium and fat absorption, leading to hard stools or low bone mass. 

Still, many studies have negated these concerns, finding that the fat and calcium content in formulas makes up for the small issues palm oil can cause. 

Palm oil has also come under fire recently for its high environmental costs; its production contributes to the decrease of rainforests and the destruction of many natural habitats. A few companies are seeking to be more open and ethical about their palm oil sourcing, so you may want to look into the policies of the brand you're buying. 

Lutein and lycopene are actually prohibited in commercial baby formulas by the European Union as they're often extracted with neurotoxic solvents like hexane and toluene. Meanwhile, nucleotides are derived from yeast-treated with chemicals, and taurine is produced using carcinogenic sulfuric acid.

Even some organic baby formulas in the U.S. contain those synthetic nutrients 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. If you want DHA and ARA oils in your baby's formula, make sure it's from sources like egg yolks and other natural ingredients.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, babies who are not breastfed or only partially breastfed need between four and 12 milligrams of iron per liter of formula. 

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