Best Baby Formula for Milk Allergy 2022

A milk protein allergy most often happens in babies who are fed cow’s milk formula, their immune system recognize cow’s milk as a harmful substance and react against it. It is a common diagnosis in infants and children and is treated by eliminating cow’s milk protein from the diet.

Symptoms of a milk protein allergy often take place within minutes to a few days after taking cow’s milk formula. Moreover, infants may also be exposed through the breast milk of mothers who ingest cow’s milk or products made from cow’s milk. The symptoms may include:

skin reactions – such as a red itchy rash or swelling of the lips, face and around the eyes
digestive problems – such as stomach ache, vomiting, colic, diarrhoea or constipation
hay fever-like symptoms – such as a runny or blocked nose
eczema that does not improve with treatment 

Occasionally CMA can cause severe allergic symptoms that come on suddenly, such as swelling in the mouth or throat, wheezing, cough, shortness of breath, and difficult, noisy breathing.

A severe allergic reaction, or anaphylaxis, is a medical emergency – call 999 or go immediately to your local hospital A&E department. (Source)

Breast milk is the best

Exclusive breastfeeding has been recommended by the World Health Organization to be the sole form of nutrition for infants in the first 6 months of life. Breast milk contains just the right amount of nutrients. It is also gentle on your baby and unlikely provoking allergies in babies.

However, many women might supplement or replace breastfeeding with infant formula for reasons including difficulties with breastfeeding and concern for maternal and child health. (Source)

In this case, your baby need formula alternatives. Formula alternatives include hydrolyzed cow’s milk formula, rice-based formula, soy-based formula, and amino acid–based formula, which are all nutritionally adequate alternatives to cow’s milk formula

Best Baby Formula for Milk Allergy

A. Soy Milk Formula
1. Similac Soy Isomil Infant Formula with Iron
2. Gerber Good Start Baby Formula Powder, Soy, Lactose Free, Stage 1

B. Extensively Hydrolyzed Formula
3. Enfamil Nutramigen Infant Formula 
4. Gerber Good Start Baby Formula Powder, Extensive HA
5. Enfamil Pregestimil Infant Formula with DHA ARA

C. Amino Acid Based Formula
6. Enfamil PurAmino Hypoallergenic Infant Formula
7. Nestle Alfamino Infant Amino Acid Based Infant Formula with Iron
8. Neocate Amino Acid-Based Infant With DHA ARA

A. Soy Milk Formula

Soy-protein formulas are widely used for feeding children with CMA. Cow’s milk allergy is an adverse immune response associated with a clinical reaction due to the binding of specific immunoglobulin (IgE) to antigens/proteins in cow’s milk (IgE), which could induce an allergic reaction in sensitized individuals. It is the most common type of food allergy, affecting <2% of children under 4 years of age (Source)

However, best consult a doctor first before taking soy formula because some infants with cow’s milk allergy also react to soy. Between 8 to 14 percent of babies with milk allergy will also react to soy, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. If your baby also react to soy, you may need Extensively Hydrolyzed Formula.

1. Similac Soy Isomil Infant Formula with Iron

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Similac Soy Isomil Infant Formula is the formula for complete soy nutrition. Our baby formula is a nutritionally complete, soy-based infant formula that is iron-fortified and naturally lactose-free. Features OptiGRO, our exclusive blend of DHA, Lutein and Vitamin E, special nutrients found in breast milk that are important for helping support baby’s brain and eye development.

– Easy-to-digest
– Soothe sensitive tummies

Ratings
4.8 out of 5 – more than 450 global ratings

Similac Soy Isomil Infant Formula Review
My son was having stomach issues with regular formula and this one helped with gas discomfort. You get your bang for your buck and they last a good while. Will definitely be reordering.

Related: Enfamil vs Similac

2. Gerber Good Start Baby Formula Powder, Soy, Lactose Free, Stage 1

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Modeled after the complete nutrition & gentleness of breastmilk, this Plant Based Protein & Lactose Free formula is designed for babies who need non dairy milk solutions. This lactose free formula provides plant based protein along with Calcium & Vitamin D for strong bones & teeth & DHA for brain & eye development

– Comfort your baby’s tummy
– Brain and eye development

Ratings
4.6 out of 5 – more than 1,400 global ratings

Gerber Good Start Soy Formula Review
We have tried other plant based formulas and this is the only one that doesn’t cause my baby to become constipated. I breastfeed but also have to supplement with formula and honestly my baby enjoys this formula and I love it because it doesn’t cause her colic or tummy aches.

B. Extensively Hydrolyzed Formula

Formula that has been extensively hydrolyzed can be a good option for babies who are allergic to cow’s milk. This breaks down the milk proteins into even smaller pieces than partially hydrolyzed formula, making them easier to digest.

A study showed that Extensively hydrolyzed formulas (EHFs), derived from bovine casein or whey, are tolerated by approximately 95% of cow’s milk allergic individuals.

Babies who are still unable to tolerate hydrolyzed formula may do well on an amino acid-based formula..

3. Enfamil Nutramigen Infant Formula, Hypoallergenic and Lactose Free Formula with Enflora LGG

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Enfamil formula for milk allergy
Delivers Clinically-Proven Relief when managing colic due to cow’s milk allergy for a happier, better-rested baby & mom

– FAST RELIEF NOW: As early as the first feeding, with 90% of infants improving within 48 hours

– INCLUDES LGG: The most extensively studied probiotic for allergy management and supporting the digestive health of your baby

– BRAIN SUPPORT: Nutramigen is a gentle, lactose free baby formula that has important nutrients found in breast milk such as Omega-3 DHA, ARA, and Choline that provide brain support

– IMMUNE SUPPORT: Helps support baby’s immune system to return to consuming traditional milk protein formula without an allergic response

Ratings
4.8 out of 5 – more than 2,500 global ratings

Enfamil Nutramigen Infant Formula reviews:
Excellent for babies with milk allergy. Cleared up my daughter’s eczema and rashes within weeks! Very pleased! Makes poo smell awful too so that’s cool, I guess if you’re looking to use your baby’s feces as a weapon or social deterrent.

4. Gerber Good Start Baby Formula Powder, Extensive HA, Hypoallergenic, Stage 1

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Best hypoallergenic formula for CMPA
This hypoallergenic formula is designed for babies with cow’s milk protein allergies (CMPA). If your baby is suspected to have or is diagnosed with CMPA, your baby’s doctor might recommend changing from a routine formula to a hypoallergenic extensively hydrolyzed infant formula

For Cow’s Milk Protein Allergy: Cow’s milk protein allergy is the most common allergy among infants. This formula features 100 percent high-quality whey protein, broken down into tiny pieces and is designed to be well-tolerated

Ratings
4.3 out of 5 – more than 500 global ratings

Gerber Good Start Extensive HA reviews:
You’ve found it! Our poor little guy was diagnosed with a milk protein allergy at 2 weeks old, and we got a sample can of Alimentum from our pediatrician. That stuff smelled horrible and made our son gassy and have reflux. So we switched to the Gerber to give that a try, and wow, night and day difference. I also like that it includes probiotics and MCT oil, and uses non GMO corn, because I felt serious mom guilt not being able to feed him an organic formula. We also add Probiota Infant probiotic powder to one bottle a day, and the gas, reflux and tummy problems are long gone! Can’t recommend this formula enough!

5. Enfamil Pregestimil Infant Formula with DHA & ARA

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Pregestimil is specially designed for infants who experience fat malabsorption & who may also be sensitive to intact proteins.

It contains 55% fat from MCT oil, which is more easily absorbed by babies with some GI problems.

Hypoallergenic suitable for someone with lactose intolerance
55% of the fat from MCT oil
Designed for infants with fat malabsorption problems
Has DHA & ARA—important nutrients also found in breast milk that promote brain & eye development
Perfect for plan-ahead feedings

Enfamil Pregestimil Infant Formula reviews:
I wish you guys had this formula at stores! It’s so hard to find! So great for preemies! My daughter was a micro preemie and this is the only milk she was able to tolerate!

C. Amino Acid Based Formula

This formula has been broken down so extensively that only amino acids remain. Because amino acids are the building blocks of proteins, the baby receives all of the nutrients included in standard formula without having to break down the protein internally.

6. Enfamil PurAmino Hypoallergenic Infant Formula

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Our PurAmino formula is a hypoallergenic, iron fortified, amino acid-based infant formula used for infants with severe cow’s milk protein allergy, and other food allergies. It has DHA & ARA, important fatty acids that support brain and eye development for your baby.

It’s also suitable for conditions such as protein maldigestion, malabsorption/chronic diarrhea, short bowel syndrome & eosinophilic esophagitis. PurAmino is also appropriate for both oral and tube feeding.


Enfamil PurAmino Hypoallergenic Infant Formula reviews:
We have been on six different formulas due to his milk allergy and hurting. We were finally introduced to this brand and he’s been amazing on it, finally gaining the weight he needs!

7. Nestle Alfamino Amino Acid Based Infant Formula with Iron

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Alfamino is a hypoallergenic amino acid based infant formula designed for infants with cow’s milk protein allergy, multiple food allergies or malabsorptive conditions. lfamino provides essential nutrients that infants need for growth and development and has a unique fat blend containing medium chain triglycerides (MCT) to facilitate fat absorption.

– Hypoallergenic Pediatric Formula
– Use Under Medical Supervision: Alfamino Infant Formula is easy to digest and is lactose free and gluten free; For infants 0 to 12 months

Alfamino Amino Acid Based Infant Formula reviews:
So thankful for this formula. My infant has FPIES and malabsorption and this is the only elemental formula with 10% more MCT oil than the others and actually helps him gain weight. He can tolerate it much better digestively and it doesn’t smell anywhere as bad as other elemental formulas so I can only imagine it tastes better as well.

8. Neocate Amino Acid-Based Infant With DHA ARA

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Neocate® Infant DHA/ARA is specially formulated for the dietary management of infants with cow milk allergy (CMA), multiple food allergies (MFA) and related conditions.

– Added nucleotides & DHA/ARA
– Dairy free
– Made in a dairy protein-free facility
– Soy oil free
– No artificial colors, flavors, sweeteners
– Kosher Pareve
– Halal

Neocate® Infant DHA/ARA is a specially formulated medical food and should only be used under medical supervision. It’s important to always contact a healthcare professional before making any changes to your baby’s diet.

FAQ

1. What is Lactose Intolerance?

Lactose intolerance and milk protein allergy are unrelated conditions.

Lactose intolerance is caused by a deficiency of enzyme lactase. Lactase is an enzyme in the small intestines which break lactose into glucose and galactose.

2. When Does Cow's Milk Allergy Start?

Typically the presence of cow’s milk allergy appears within the first few months of life and usually before six months. Symptoms can present a few days or weeks after the ingestion of cow’s milk protein. (Source)

3. Cow’s Milk Protein Allergy (CMPA) Vs Cow’s Milk Protein Intolerance (CMPI)

A cow’s milk allergy is not the same as cow’s milk protein intolerance, which impacts up to 5 percent of infants within the first 1 to 3 months of life. Unlike an allergy to milk, an intolerance doesn’t involve the immune system. Signs of cow’s milk protein intolerance include bloating, gas, and diarrhea.  (Source)

4. Milk Allergy Treatments

Source: Treatment for milk allergies

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