Best Formula for Spit Up [2023]

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If you’re in a hurry and just want to find out what the best formula for spit up is, I’d recommend the Gerber Good Start Soothe Infant Formula.

Spit up is common in babies and is basically just your little one having a sensitive tummy. When a baby’s stomach contents flow out of the mouth, it could be a sign of a reflux condition or a food sensitivity. A baby’s digestive system isn’t yet developed enough to handle some foods and fluids.

Luckily, there are formulas on the market specifically designed to reduce symptoms in your child. If you’ve been searching for the best formula for spit up, we’ll review the top five on the market.

Here are the baby formulas I will be reviewing:

Causes of Spit Up

Of course, you’re worried that your baby is spitting up, but almost half of young infants will go through this at some stage. There could be a few different causes including:

  • Too much milk: Taking in too much milk at a time can cause your baby to spit up. Make sure to feed them slowly and steadily.
  • Food sensitivity: This could be from your diet if you’re breastfeeding or from the formula your little one is given. Some formulas are challenging for your baby to digest, so you need to switch to a sensitive one that’s made for spit up.
  • Reflux: Gastroesophageal reflux is a condition that causes babies to spit up and is similar to acid reflux in adults. They will usually grow out of it, but there are things you can do to improve it, such as feeding baby upright.

Types of Formula

There are a few things to keep in mind when choosing the formula you need for your baby. The main thing to choose from is what type of formula you will buy.

  • Powdered formula 
  • Concentrated liquid formula 
  • Liquid formula 

Powdered Formula 

This is one of the cheapest options to go for and one of the easiest options to find. You simply mix the powder with water in a bottle and shake to mix.

Powdered formula lasts a long time and you can take it anywhere with you. The downside is that it takes a while to make. If you’re in a rush, you may want to pre-make your formula.

Concentrated Liquid Formula

This type of formula is convenient to carry around and needs water added to it to work. It’s slightly easier to use than powder and some babies prefer this formula as it tastes somewhat better. 

Ready-to-Feed Liquid Formula 

This is the most expensive option of formula but the easiest as it’s already made and ready for use. Ideal if you need something quickly but it needs to be stored in the correct conditions.

When buying formula specifically for spit up, powdered formula is usually the best selection. There are more options to choose from; they feature lots of vitamins and are usually made organically. They’re also the cheaper option of the three and easier to come by in most supermarkets.

What Are the Advantages of Using Formula?

Formulas are a great alternative to breastfeeding your baby as they are now made to have pretty much the same nutritional value. Some even contain extra vitamins that breastfeeding babies need to get from supplements.

Other advantages include: 

Convenience 

If you’re formula-feeding your child, either parent is able to do the feeding. This helps with both parents sharing the feeding schedule and helps with bonding. It also means that mom can get some sleep! 

Flexibility

Once the bottles are ready, you can feed your little one wherever you go at whatever time you need to. It also has the advantage of not needing to find a private space to breastfeed your baby.

Dieting 

When using any type of formula, you don’t have to worry about what you eat or drink as it will not affect your baby at all.

Specialized for Your Baby 

Some formulas have been designed with soy milk or added rice starch to reduce the risk of spit up. This is a natural and organic alternative but you need to speak to your doctor before you give it to your child.

What to Look for in the Best Formula for Spit Up

Each formula has slightly different ingredients that set them apart from others on the market. Some may have more calories while others may be made from organic ingredients.

Here are some things to look for:

Organic Ingredients 

What your baby takes in can reflect how much spit up occurs. You want to make sure that they are drinking as many natural ingredients as possible. Check to see whether it’s actually cow’s milk that is in the formula and not additives.

Cow’s milk from an organic farm has been proven to reduce spit up in your baby.

Proteins Broken Down

This is simply making sure that the formula is easier to digest for your little one. Sometimes the proteins may be harder to digest, causing spit up.

Look for specific formulas with broken-down proteins if your child is lactose intolerant or has a sensitive tummy.

No Artificial Ingredients or GMO

A non-GMO formula is best for your child if they suffer from spit up and it will promote a healthy gut. Also check to make sure that there are no artificial flavorings or colors as they also increase the chance of spit up in your baby.

My Reviews Of The Best Formulas For Spit Up

I’ve come up with five of the best formulas on the market to help reduce your baby’s spit up.

Similac for Spit Up Non-GMO Infant Formula

This formula is combined with the brand’s OptiGRO vitamin blend to help your baby gain strength. These include DHA for brain function, lutein for eye health, and vitamin E for growth and development. These are especially good as you won’t have to give your little one extra vitamins.

The formula is also non-GMO, so nothing has been genetically modified in the ingredients. This way, you know it’s organic food for your precious one. If you’re like me, and you don’t like any added hormones whatsoever, this is one of the first on the market to do so. 

It has no artificial growth hormone at all and also uses the hormone HMO which is found in breast milk. This means no added extras and it’s good for your baby! 

It’s also made with rice starch rather than cow’s milk. This helps reduce the amount of spit up as cow’s milk can be harder to digest on the little one’s stomach. Be aware that due to it being rice starch the formula will be thicker than what you may be used to. It’s still easy to use through a bottle, it just takes a while to mix thoroughly. 

Studies of this formula show that it has reduced spit up by 54 percent within healthy two-month-old infants. If your baby continues to spit up, this may be one to choose. 

It can be used for your baby from birth to 12 months. This is incredibly good as if they only start to suffer at four months, you’re still able to switch over to this formula.

Pros

  • First on the market for no growth hormones
  • Uses OptiGRO vitamin blend
  • Main ingredient is rice starch
  • Reduces spit up by 54 percent
  • No GMO’s in the formula

Cons

  • First ingredient on the list is corn syrup, which some parents are opposed to
  • Has to be used straight away due to thicker mixture, something to consider if you usually keep some ready in the fridge

Enfamil A.R. Spit Up Baby Formula

This formula not only meets the reflux reduction guidelines, it’s been proven to reduce the amount of spit up by 50 percent within the first week. Enfamil A.R. meets the American Academy of Pediatrics’ reflux reduction guidelines, making it among the top choices for the best formula for acid reflux. If your baby is spitting up a lot, this may be one for you.

If you want to save space as well as reduce the amount of plastic you use, this tub is reusable! Just buy the refill pack and add them in when needed. This is a great option if you’re trying to be more cost-effective and reuse plastics rather than throw them away. 

This formula is also made from rice starch, but instead of thickening in the bottle, it thickens in the stomach, making it easier to digest. This also helps reduce the amount of spit up that your child will have. 

Enfamil has its own triple health guard blend. This includes DHA for the brain, 30 nutrients for growth and probiotics and vitamins for immune health. This is a great way for your little one to get all the nutrition that usually comes with breastfeeding. 

You can use this product right up until 12 months of age. This is good as it has the vitamins needed to help keep your baby happy and healthy.

Pros

  • Reduces 50 percent of spit up in one week
  • Complete nutrition for one year
  • Triple health guard blend of vitamins
  • Rice starch formula
  • Meets reflux guidelines

Cons

  • Formula runs out quickly, every four days you may need to restock
  • Can cause gas in babies, from the extra shaking required to remove lumps when mixing

Gerber Good Start Soothe Infant Formula

This formula has 30 ounces in the box, making it one of the largest containers on the market. This is good as you won’t need to go out and buy a new one every five days. Although it costs more than some formulas, you get more for your money in the long run with this tub.

Much like Similac, Gerber Good Start uses no artificial growth hormones, making sure that your baby is only having organic formula. It also has no GMO’s in their formula, so you can be sure that every vitamin that goes in is good and healthy for your little one. 

This formula also includes Human Milk Oligosaccharide (HMO), which is a probiotic usually found in breast milk. This helps with the immune system as well as the digestive system. This is a formula to consider if your baby suffers from a bad stomach. 

Unlike other formulas, this one includes a comfort protein which is high-quality whey proteins broken down for tiny ones to digest easier. This makes it easier on the stomach for a more comfortable baby.

This product should be used within one hour or disregarded. This helps it stay fresh for your baby and their needs. If you need to put it in the fridge do so immediately and only leave for a maximum of 24 hours.

Pros

  • Uses HMO for probiotics.
  • Features comfort proteins
  • No GMO’s in the formula
  • 30 ounces in a normal box

Cons

  • Use within one hour of making fresh
  • Pricey

Enfamil ProSobee Soy Sensitive Baby Formula

This formula is ideal for babies that are lactose intolerant or have sensitivities to milk-based products. Due to it being made with a gentle soy protein, it will be easy on their stomach and not cause any upset, including spit up. It may also reduce the gas that some babies suffer from cow’s milk.

It can be used from birth right up until 12 months of age, so you know your baby will be happy and healthy, especially if they usually spit up from cow milk-based formulas. 

The blend of vitamins in ProSobee are designed to help make a healthy immune system. Some of those vitamins include DHA and choline which are critical for your baby’s health. It has all of the same vitamins that are in a usual Enfamil formula, the only difference is that this is a soy-based one.

If your family has special dietary needs, this one is a good formula to consider. It’s plant-based, meaning it’s vegetarian-friendly, and also kosher. 

Even though this product is soy based, it is around the same price margin as regular formulas on the market. This makes it easier to get and means that your baby will get the formula they need without you breaking the bank.

Pros

  • Plant-based (soy) product
  • Use for lactose intolerant babies
  • Includes DHA and choline
  • Reduces gassy stomachs
  • Around same price range as regular formulas

Cons

  • Only 22 ounces in main container
  • Does not include HMO as lactose-free, will have to give your baby extra probiotics

Enfamil Nutramigen Hypoallergenic Colic Baby Formula

This formula is specifically designed to manage colic from cow’s milk allergies in as fast as 48 hours. This is a good choice if you know your little one suffers and is not taking regular formula.

It has been formulated to reduce the incidence of future allergy challenges by 50 percent. This includes allergies such as eczema and asthma. This is something to consider if you know your child already suffers from allergies. 

It includes the baby probiotic LGG, which is one of the most studied probiotics for allergies. It provides immune support that helps your baby build up a tolerance to milk proteins so you’re able to switch to a more regular formula sooner rather than later. 

The formula also includes all the nutrients that are usually found in breast milk. These include omega 3, DHA, ARA, and choline. They help provide brain and growth support. 

As well as being lactose-free, this formula is also sucrose-free. This is good if you do not want any extra added sugars for your baby.

It’s one of the most expensive on the market at the moment, but worth it for all the added extras that it comes with. Your baby is worth paying the extra five dollars to make sure that their spit up as well as their allergies decrease.

Pros

  • Includes probiotic LGG to build up tolerance to allergies
  • Lactose and sucrose-free
  • Decreases the amount of spit up in 48 hours
  • Reduces the incidence of future allergies by 50 percent
  • Includes nutrients found in breast milk

Cons

  • One of the most expensive
  • Only has 19.8 ounces per can, have to buy more frequently

Bye Bye Spit Up!

For an all-around, easy to use formula that is great for babies go for the Gerber Good Start Soothe Infant Formula.

Not only is it an affordable product that you will be using every day, it’s great for your little one as well.

It’s full of comfort proteins and probiotics, and importantly does not contain GMOs.

In my opinion, this is the best formula for spit up for your baby. It’s slightly thicker than most, which helps aid in digestion, and can be used from birth.

Cristin is a co-founder of Smart Parent Advice, and the loving mother of two wonderful children. In her free time, she can often be found in a yoga studio or catching up on her favorite shows.