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Gas can be an unpleasant experience for babies when it becomes frequent or there is a large build-up. It can cause pain and distress where they can’t always pass the gas sufficiently on their own. The problem may lie in their food and feeding habits, which is why many parents now turn to the special formula for gassy babies
Could a new formula for gassy babies be the answer to this problem?
If your child is suffering from gassy build-ups too regularly for your liking, and it is becoming quite uncomfortable, it might be time to change their formula. There are lots of different brands and recipes out there with different aims. Some have specializations to help parents reduce gas. They do so through helpful ingredients, which can include a focus on soy, as well as probiotics and other helpful components.
What to look for when choosing the best formula for gassy babies.
Healthy ingredients.
The best of these formulas should provide relief while still offering the same healthy ingredients that you come to expect. The products I have selected cover different needs, with some that are lactose-free or soy-based. Whatever the main ingredient, make sure there are still plenty of vitamins and minerals. DHA is a good place to start.
A good product that is easy to mix.
One thing that you may notice is that some soy products or sensitive formulas don’t mix as well and can get clumpy. If you need this type of formula, prepare to spend more time shaking and mixing.
A secure tub that is easy to re-seal.
It should take as little effort as possible to get your measurement of formula out of the container, seal it up securely and store it away. Why make life more difficult than you need to.
Enough portions for the price paid.
Double-check the amount of formula you get in the container to see how often you need to buy it. Also, see how much you are paying for that amount. Some special formulas or advanced options might not offer the value expected.
Are lactose-free formulas a good idea for preventing gas in babies?
There are some mixed opinions about the worth of lactose-free options. Some of the products I have highlighted below are plant-based to minimize exposure to dairy and lactose. Some parents choose them because they feel that a dairy-free diet could reduce digestive discomfort.
Others may do so for ethical reasons because they don’t want a dairy product from another animal. However, the amount of lactose in human breast milk does mean that it is unlikely that this would be the root cause of the problem. There probably isn’t any harm in making that switch, but you might need to use some other methods to help with your child’s gas problem.
Is switching to the best formula for gassy babies enough?
This is an important point that I need to emphasize here. Switching to a different formula could make a difference if your baby struggles with digestive issues. These products can soothe their stomach and digestive tract to lessen the impact and build-up of the gas.
However, there are other causes and risks to consider here. Some children develop gas because their digestive system is simply underdeveloped. They will feel discomfort and pass wind whatever they eat. Others exacerbate the problem by taking in air as they feed and when they cry.
So what else can you do to help your child in this situation?
Choosing the best formula for gassy babies from the list below is a great way to start. But, you might also want to consider making some changes to the way that they feed. The less air that they take in, the lower their chances of developing gas and trapped wind. You can help by feeding your child in a more upright angle, burping them more regularly as they feed and keeping them comfortable afterward. If your child does develop a build-up then exercising their legs or placing them on their stomach could help.
If you do want to reconsider the way that you feed your child, there are some great baby bottles and nipples that can reduce airflow. The idea here is that babies don’t gulp down as much air as they enjoy a more steady flow of milk with no trapped air bubbles. I have another guide on the best baby bottles for acid reflux that highlights some of these designs and benefits. The advantages are the same for gassy babies as those with acid reflux.
The best formula for gassy babies.
The products below are 8 of the best formulas to prevent gas in babies. I will talk about their benefits to both parent and child, some of the key ingredients use and any important issues to be aware of. My aim is that among these formulas you will find something suitable for your child’s health while also meeting your own needs as a busy parent.
I urge all parents to read the specifications, ingredients lists and other details for each product carefully before committing to a product. I can only provide a brief overview and comparison of these options. Your own comparisons may flag up concerns or ingredients that I miss and that you aren’t comfortable with. It is also helpful to read the user reviews on these products for a more in-depth look at the experience of using these formulas.
1) Similac Pro-Advance Non-GMO Infant Formula with Iron
I want to start by talking about a group of products from Similac. This is a popular brand with a lot of different formulas and while some parents may find that they get along with this Pro Advance option, others may appreciate the benefits of those below. This product is always going to catch parents’ eyes because of the promises about taste and the effect on kids. They promise that parents will see fewer incidents of gas, as well as fewer spit-ups. There is also the fact that Similac Pro is, apparently, “closer than ever to breast milk”.
There are some great ingredients here with plenty of nutrients to help babies digest the milk with ease and develop healthily. This includes DHA for brain and eye development, as well as Lutein and Vitamin E.
Unfortunately, there have been some cases where parents received bad batches of this formula when ordering online from Amazon. This isn’t the case with everyone, and many do get a great tasting formula with no concerns. But, this is why you might see a strange mix of 1 star and 5-star reviews.
The pros and cons of this baby formula to prevent gas.
[i2pc][i2pros]The Pro-Advance formula replicates breast milk
There are some great effects on gas
Babies tend to like the flavor and consistency
Some great nutrients and vitamins[/i2pros][i2cons]Some bad batches[/i2cons][/i2pc]
Is this the right gas-preventing baby formula for your child?
Pay more attention to the 5-star reviews. This is still a great option if you don’t want to go for a product for those with more complex dietary needs. If this seems too rich or too “milky”, you can consider one of the options below.
2) Similac Sensitive Infant Formula with Iron
One of the potential issues with the product above is that there is still lactose and the formula isn’t the most extreme change for those trying to relieve excess gas. An alternative I want to put forward from Similac is this one with its more sensitive formula. This one isn’t dairy-free, as there are milk protein isolates in there. But, it is lactose-free, which could go a long way towards cutting down on gas and other issues.
Again, this option has the same great OptiGRO blend of DHA, Lutein and Vitamin E for growth and development. Other ingredients here include Corn Syrup, High Oleic Safflower Oil, Sugar, Soy Oil, Coconut Oil, and Galactooligosaccharides. This use of Soy and Coconut oil gives it a more plant-based formula without it actually being vegan. There is also additional iron for improved health.
One of the notable downsides here for parents is the smell. While they say that kids don’t seem bothered by the taste or smell in any way, they struggled with it. This could be down to the use of soy oil and lower dairy content. You might find that other soy and dairy-free products in this guide have a similar smell that is unfamiliar and seems wrong at first.
The pros and cons of this baby formula to prevent gas.
[i2pc][i2pros]The lactose-free formula
The use of the same OptiGRO blend
The amount of plant-based oils like coconut
The additional iron supplementation[/i2pros][i2cons]The smell[/i2cons][/i2pc]
Is this the right gas-preventing baby formula for your child?
If you can get over the smell of this product, you should find that this is a great way to lower the lactose count in your baby’s diet and still offer them the nutrients that they need.
3) Similac Isomil Soy Powder
The last of these three options from Similac is this soy-based option. Soy-based formulas are a great way to switch from a richer, more familiar formula like the Pro-Advance to something that might be a lot more beneficial long term. The focus on soy takes out the dairy and gives a plant-based formula that could be more gentle on the baby’s digestive system. The fact that this is also in their Sensitive range means that you should be able to soothe other issues as well.
While the main focus of the formula is different with that soy substitution, the rest of the product is actually pretty much the same. There is a staple blend of ingredients and nutrients that we come to expect and I appreciate that Similac didn’t compromise when making this “alternative” option. This means that your lactose-free child should get the same health benefits as any other.
The biggest concern for consumers here is that fact that there are such mixed reactions. This is probably because this is such a departure from normal formula and may take some getting used to. There are children that make the switch with no problem at all. But, there will be others that don’t like the taste or that spit-up a little more often.
The pros and cons of this baby formula to prevent gas.
[i2pc][i2pros]A soy-based blend to eliminate dairy
A sensitive formula to soothe kids
A lot of the same great nutrients
The same use of the OptiGRO formula[/i2pros][i2cons]Mixed reactions from babies[/i2cons][/i2pc]
Is this the right gas-preventing baby formula for your child?
The best approach here is to give this a try if you are really keen on a soy alternative and then see how it goes. Don’t expect a miracle overnight but don’t assume that it is a lesser product either. It could still be the change you need.
4) Enfamil PREMIUM Gentlease, Milk-Based Formula
Next, I want to switch over to another popular brand that rivals Similac and has its own range of options for gassy babies. The first one that I want to talk about is, again, their more “normal” milk-based formula with a premium approach. This sounds like a great option because the brand says that it is the #1 pediatrician recommended brand for gassy & fussy babies. There are definitely plenty of positive reviews from parents that see the difference in their child.
One factor that I want to point out here is that there is a higher DHA count here than in some of the Similac products at 0.32 percent. This means that you can be sure that your child will get a good dose during each feed to help with their brain development. There is also inositol, and range of vitamins and minerals, and folic acid.
At this point, I need to point out that there are some similarities between the premium and non- premium options, which might lead some parents to pay less for the non-premium. However, there is a difference in quality and happy parents are glad they paid more.
One thing to watch out for here is the consistency of the mix. While some of the products in this guide take a little more effort to get rid of the clumps and mix it up, this one can get a little frothy. This might make it more difficult to drink and waste some of the product. Don’t overdo it and let it settle a little.
The pros and cons of this baby formula to prevent gas.
[i2pc][i2pros]The premium formula
The higher concentration of DHA than other options
The other vitamins and minerals included
A realistic milk-based option[/i2pros][i2cons]It can get a little bit frothy[/i2cons][/i2pc]
Is this the right gas-preventing baby formula for your child?
Potential frothiness aside, there is a lot to like here as this really is a premium option that isn’t too different from a normal formula. It should be an easier switch than some others here.
5) Enfamil Nutamigen Hypoallergenic for Milk allergies.
This next option is one that is quite interesting to any parent that wants to provide a more medical or scientific approach beyond simply getting a “soothing” product. This one is for children that have allergies to cow’s milk. Now, I want to stress that this is where children have a diagnosis and pediatric advice on the subject. If this is the case with your child, this modified formula with the milk-free solution could turn out to be a good idea.
The formula isn’t purely focused on removing those elements that could cause irritation and distress. There are also plenty of helpful ingredients in this mix that should help your child in their growth and development. As with all of these products, there is a good concentration of DHA in there. There is also added iron and good levels of Omega 3 to replicate the brain-nourishing formula of breast milk. For the most part, parents of those with children in need of this approach seem impressed with the look, smell, and consistency of this option.
Sadly, the results here are a bit hit and miss. Those babies that really need this sort of solution can benefit and see improvements quite quickly, but others that have better digestion may develop stomach complaints and discomfort here.
The pros and cons of this baby formula to prevent gas.
[i2pc][i2pros]A hypoallergenic option that is gentle for the right children
Design for cow milk allergies
Fast results on those that really need it
Plenty of helpful nutrients[/i2pros][i2cons]Mixed reactions from babies[/i2cons][/i2pc]
Is this the right gas-preventing baby formula for your child?
This is more of a niche product that is better for children with severe digestive issues than those with a little bit of gas. If your baby has regular problems then this could be a good switch with fast results.
6) Gerber Good Start Soothe (HMO) Non-GMO Powder Infant Formula
For the final two products in this guide, I wanted to focus on a brand that really tries to create something wholesome, safe and nutritious with great attention to the formulas and ingredients used. This option has the benefits of a non-GMO ingredient list for extra peace of mind and a gentle, soothing approach.
There are two key factors here that I feel make this a contender for gas problems, and parents seem to agree that this can be a great choice for babies in digestive distress. Results are always going to vary between children. But, there is a good chance that this could reduce gas, reflux and other issues fairly quickly. There is a lactose-free formula to help reduce those risks and the addition of probiotics. The later is great because I know that many parents will consider additional probiotic products or supplementation to help their child’s discomfort and gastric health.
Again, we see some of the same issues that we can come to expect from a formula that is for sensitive babies. The powder doesn’t always mix up quite that easily so prepare to spend a bit of time shaking it up and getting it smooth.
The pros and cons of this baby formula to prevent gas.
[i2pc][i2pros]a nice gentle formula for sensitive kids
lactose-free to reduce discomfort
the quality ingredients expected from this brand
some great noticeable results for parents that make the switch[/i2pros][i2cons]the typical issues of clumping[/i2cons][/i2pc]
Is this the right gas-preventing baby formula for your child?
There are downsides in choosing a sensitive formula and you will need more effort. But, this formula and the quality offered do seem to make that worthwhile.
7) Gerber Good Start Soy Non-GMO Infant and Toddler Formula Powder
For my last option in this guide, I want to look at a different version of this Gerber Good Start range. This is another option where the brand has replaced the milk-based elements with soy for a plant-based solution with no risk of allergic reactions or digestive issues related to lactose.
One of the things that I particularly like about this option is that there is a focus on some important ingredients such as DHA, Iron, Calcium and Vitamin D. The former two are common, but it is nice to see calcium highlighted so well here. There are fears that any non-dairy option may lead to a deficiency but that won’t be the case here.
Because this is a soy formula for children aged 9 to 24 months, there is the risk that this will be too much of a change for those used to milk-based products or breast milk. There could be similar issues as above with the taste, smell and consistency.
The pros and cons of this baby formula to prevent gas.
[i2pc][i2pros]The milk-free formula for allergies
the focus on calcium and vitamin D
the promise of well-sourced nutrients
the potential for a big difference in gas and other issues[/i2pros][i2cons]The same risks with a switch to soy[/i2cons][/i2pc]
Is this the right gas-preventing baby formula for your child?
While there are possible downsides to consider with this soy option, it could prove to be a great choice for parents that want to cut out dairy. The great mix of vitamins and minerals certainly makes this a great contender.
Finding the best formula for gassy babies for your child.
There is a lot to consider when trying to find the very best formula for gas. If you are keen to stick with a milk-based formula then there are some great premium options out there with helpful ingredients. If you want to go lactose-free, this can produce great results without too much compromise in the right product. If you want to go plant-based and remove the dairy, this could eliminate allergic reactions but you might not get the nicest mix.
Weigh up the pros and cons for your own child’s needs and find a product with value, ease of use, and the right ingredients. If you don’t get it right the first time, alter your approach with an alternative formula. Eventually, you will find something that you can both get along with.
