Breastfeeding creates intense bondage between mother and child. Even breastfeeding is the primary source of food for newborn babies. I was able to breast feed for a bit with my children and I found it valuable both functionally and emotionally.
But feeding breast milk to the baby isn’t always possible due to different reasons and circumstances. If the situation demands to feed the baby other substitutes than breast milk, you have to look for the best formula that tastes like breast milk.
Yes, finding the best formula most like breast milk taste isn’t simple and easy. You must be aware of the formula’s ingredients, forms, types while choosing a formula similar to breast milk for your baby. In this case, there is no chance to make any mistake because it is a matter of your baby’s growth.
This article describes the top of the 5 as the best formula to transition from breastmilk that can ensure your baby’s nutrition and proper growth rate. Let’s detour the formula.
Table of Contents
- In a hurry? Here’s 3 products we picked out by the average customer review!
- A table of our selected formulas that test like breast milk:
- Best Formula That Tastes Like Breast Milk Review
- 1. Immune Support Formula – The best tasting formula for breastfed babies
- 2. Best Organic Formula – Best formula closest to breastmilk
- 3. Best Pro Advance Formula – The best formula to supplement breastfeeding
- 4. Best Gentle Pro Formula – The best formula for transitioning from breast milk
- 5. Best Premium Formula – Best formula to supplement breastfed baby
- What to Consider Before You Choose the best formula to mix with breast milk
- Other Similar Posts
In a hurry? Here’s 3 products we picked out by the average customer review!
A table of our selected formulas that test like breast milk:
| Brand name of formula | Age of infant | Available quantity |
| Enfamil Enspire our top pick | 0 to 12 months | 102.5 ounces |
| Earth’s Best Organic | 0 to 12 months | 35 ounces |
| Similac Pro Advance | 0 to 12 months | 23.2 ounces |
| Gerber Good Start Gentle | 0 to 12 months | 32 ounces |
| Enfamil premium | 0 to 3 months | 22.2 ounces |
Best Formula That Tastes Like Breast Milk Review
After looking at a short table, it’s time to consume detailed information. It will be hard for you to come to a final decision without knowing detailed information about the formula.
1. Immune Support Formula
– The best tasting formula for breastfed babies
Our top pick formula similar to breast milk is the Enfamil Enspire because it is designed for babies who have sensitive stomachs and can’t consume any formula. Sometimes it happens to babies who can’t digest their mother’s breast milk and have a vomiting tendency. If your baby has this problem, that means he/she has a sensitive tummy. So when you pick any formula for this type of baby, the Enfamil Enspire is the best formula on the market for you. It is a cow-based best formula for picky baby for 0 to the 1-year baby.
This is one of the best tasting formula for breastfed babies that your baby will just love. So if you would like to avoid regular tasting formulas, this is the right one to stick to. While looking for best formula for 8 month old breastfed baby, it should be the one to go for.
Key Ingredients
- Lactoferrin: naturally originates in the mother’s breast milk, found in colostrum, which improves the immunity system.
- MFGM (Milk Fat Globule Membrane): naturally originates in the mother’s breast milk and improves cognition.
- Choline Omega 3 and DHA: naturally originate in a mother’s breast milk and improves your baby’s eye and brain formation.
- GOS Prebiotic and PDX: develops the immunity system.
- Lactose: a stream of carbohydrates and sweetener.
- Contains iron, vitamin C, D, and E.
Pros
- The first formula in the USA.
- Non-GMO.
- Easy and quick mix up
- Contains lactoferrin for immunity build-up
- MFGM and (DHA) for brain development
- No Artificial Ingredients.
- The best tasting formula for breastfed babies
Cons
- Little bit expensive
- Has an extra smell
2. Best Organic Formula – Best formula closest to breastmilk
When a baby’s health is the first priority to a Mama and Daddy, they prefer organic formula and this is the best formula closest to breastmilk. So until now, if you were asking what formula is closest to breastmilk? This is the one to keep your eyes on!
This is why we keep Earth’s best organic formula on our list for those parents who are looking for an organic formula. It is a USDA certified formula and as natural as breast milk, plus, the best formula on the market. This organic formula comes in 23.2 ounces cans and is designed for newborn to 12 months babies.
As it is made with organic substances, there are no health hazards. Moreover, as we stated, it is the best formula closest to breastmilk, you can have a long journey with good experience using this formula, undoubtedly!
Key ingredients
- Iron: helps to develop red blood cells.
- Omega 3 and Omega 6 ARA: supports brain and eye health
- Prebiotic fiber: develops the immunity system.
- Lutein: helps to improve eye formation.
Pros
- Organic dairy formula
- Non-GMO
- No added corn syrup
- Less sugar
Cons
- Slightly expensive
3. Best Pro Advance Formula – The best formula to supplement breastfeeding
Our next pick on our list is the Similac, closest to breast milk, Pro Advance formula as the best baby formula closest to breastmilk. Bothering about what baby formula is the closest to breastmilk? You should consider this one!
More than 17 years of research, Similac pro advances claims that it is an effective and the best baby formula closest to breastmilk. This best Similac formula for breastfed babies uses three primary ingredients DHA, lutein, and vitamin E, to make a proper combination to fulfill it nutritionally. Moreover, this best breast milk substitute formula is produced from cow milk and designed for 0-12 months babies.
They don’t use any artificial growth hormone to increase taste because they give their first priority to the baby’s health like you. Lastly, this is the best formula to supplement breastfeeding that helps to reduce the baby’s gas-related problems. You can consider it to be the best formula for 9 month old breastfed baby.
Ingredients
- 2-FL HMO: develops an immunity system
- DHA: supports brain nourishment
- Lutein: supports eye health
- Vitamin E: supports cell development
Pros
- Contains no artificial growth hormone
- Reduced fussiness and gassiness
- Complete nutrition for infants
- Produced from fresh milk of grass-fed cow
- GMO-free
- Best formula to supplement breastfeeding
Cons
- A Little bit expensive
4. Best Gentle Pro Formula – The best formula for transitioning from breast milk
Once again, when you ask, which baby formula tastes closest to breastmilk, here is another pick that we suggest. If your baby has digestion and gas-related problems and you are searching for a solution, then the Gerber Good Start Gentle is the right solution for you being the best tasting baby formula for breastfed babies. It ensures your baby’s proper nutrition, accurate growth rate and promotes soft poops. There is no chance to create any gas on your baby’s tiny stomach.
As a result of it being the best tasting baby formula for breastfed babies, it tastes amazing. As a result, your baby won’t make a tantrum while having this formula. It not only claims to be the best tasting baby formula for breastfed babies, it actually is. You can give it a try to know, and you will understand the difference.
The Gerber uses DHA, probiotics, HMO to produce this best formula for breastfeeding. And all of the three ingredients are available in a mother’s breast milk. It is cow-based milk and designed for 0-12 months babies. They use a silt container, which keeps the best formula to supplement fresh and hygienic. So far, we found it to be the best formula for transitioning from breast milk and also the best formula for 7 month old breastfed baby.
Key Ingredients
- Iron: builds blood
- 2FLHMO: develops a strong immunity system.
- Probiotics and DHA: support brain and eye development.
Pros
- Ensures comfortable and easy digestion
- Helps in gentle nutrition
- Superior for the baby who has a gas problem.
- GMO-free
- Best tasting formula
- Suitable for babies who have lactose intolerance.
Cons
- Slightly expensive
- Little can
5. Best Premium Formula – Best formula to supplement breastfed baby
After a lot of research and experiments, Enfamil generates the enfamil formula closest to breastmilk to meet newborns’ essential nutrition through 3 months of babies. When you look for the best formula for transitioning from breast milk, this is one of the formulas that we can’t help suggesting.
Enfamil formula like breast milk have designed it by considering the baby’s sensitive tummy and intestine related issues. You can rely on this best formula to supplement breastfed baby because they use omega 3 DHA and inositol to develop maximum brain and learning potential. Its excellent performing prebiotics blend is clinically proven to create a baby’s healthy immune system which speaks off it being the best formula to supplement breastfed baby.
Key Ingredients
- Inositol: a carb that takes part in brain development.
- Omega-3, and DHA: develops the brain’s nerve to improve superb intelligence
- Prebiotics: develops strong health with a highly effective immunity system.
Pros
- Fits in your budget
- Triple guard formula (Omega-3, GOS prebiotics, and DHA)
- Easy digestion with proper nutritious value
- Powder form so quick useable
- Top rated formula for breastfed babies
Cons
- Sometimes, the babies react differently to some of the ingredients.
What to Consider Before You Choose the best formula to mix with breast milk
A mother can do everything for her infant’s health, and we believe that. Doctors recommend feeding breast milk, but you have to choose the best formula to mix with breast milk if you look for a formula. Every brand tries to keep the formula in the closet to breast milk. But you have to consider some things which ensure your baby’s healthy development while searching for the best formula to transition from breastmilk. First of all, you need to ask which formula brand is best? Then the rest of the consideration factors on how to choose formula are:
Ingredients that you have to consider
DHA and ARA
Docosahexaenoic acid is primarily known as DHA, and arachidonic acid is known as ARA. Both are excellent sources of fatty acids, and you naturally find them in a mother’s breast milk. Our selected formulas have these two acids, and they help develop the baby’s brain and eye health.
Prebiotics and probiotics
These two bacterias help to keep your baby’s digestion system healthy so your baby can easily digest the best formula for breastfeeding moms. Even you will also find the prebiotics and probiotics in a mother’s breast milk.
Choline, Taurine, Lutein
These three ingredients are available in all our selected formulas. They participate in developing your baby’s brain, eyes and keeps the nerve healthy.
Nucleotides
The nucleotides make DNA blocks, and you will get it in a mother’s breast milk. It also helps to boost up your baby’s immune system growth.
Iron
Iron helps build up red blood cells in your baby’s body, and you know red blood cells are playing a vital role in your baby’s overall development.
Sweeteners
Primarily you know sweetener isn’t good for your health, but it is suitable for an infant’s health. Naturally, breast milk tastes sweet because it has lactose, and it is the primary source of carbs. All companies use lactose to give a sweet taste to the formula like breast milk. Sugar produced from corn or sucrose is the main ingredient as a sweetener.
Non-GMO
GMO stands for non-genetically engineered ingredients, and which formula is produced without GMO ingredients is suitable for baby’s health.
Forms of Formula
Two types of infant formula closest to breastmilk are available in the market. You have to choose one of them according to your need when you are looking for the best formula compared to breast milk.
Powdered Form
Powder formed formula is very common and popular as the best newborn formula closest to breastmilk. Its popularity is increasing day by day because of its affordable price, easy preparation, and you can find it everywhere. You can make milk by adding some warm water and an adequate amount of the best formula for exclusively breastfed baby, and it is the most advantage of this formula.
And a little disadvantage of this best formula for supplementing breastfed baby is you have to follow the mixing guideline very strictly. Otherwise, if you don’t follow the formula and water ratio accurately, it will miss nutrition.
Prepared Form
As the formula is prepared, that means it is ready to feed. Who are busy, this formula is suitable for those parents. You don’t think about the proportion of formula and water. It is somehow slightly more expensive than powder form formula. And you can’t store it for more than 2 days. You have to use this formula within 48 hours. If there is any extra formula after 48 hours, you should not use them.
Different Types of Formula
There you will find four types of formula in the market. If you ask, what formula to use when supplementing, then you have to choose according to your baby’s stomach sensitivity. The four types of formulas are
Milk-based formula
Cow based formulas are the most common and best tasting formula among Mothers and Daddies.
The cow-based milk is affordable, easy to digest, nutritious, and helps develop your baby’s immune system. In fact, these are the reasons for its popularity. But it is a warning cow-based formula is suitable for babies, but cow milk isn’t safe and ideal for your infant.
Naturally, an infant’s little tummy is sensitive and can’t digest all things. So unprocessed cow milk isn’t easily digested for your baby’s tummy. If you want to feed the best milk for breastfed babies to your baby, you have to wait at least one year even if you get the milk closest to breast milk. Once your kid becomes one, know what milk tastes closest to breastmilk, and get that for your baby.
Soy Protein-based formula
The soy protein-based is another type of formula like breast milk that tastes similar to cow-based formulas. This formula is perfect for those babies who were born with an ideal weight and got enough maturity. From our selected formulas, the Similac Ismail is a soy-based formula, and it is wallet-friendly.
But for babies who have low birth weight and get premature birth, soy-based formula isn’t suitable. Doctors don’t recommend this formula for premature babies because of the lack of enough potassium and calcium.
Hypoallergenic formulas
Hypoallergenic formulas are different from soy-based formulas. It has Nutramigen AA Hypoallergenic named Amino acid, which helps to reduce an infant’s digestion problem. If your baby has an allergy problem with cow-based formula or soy protein-based formula, then it can be the right choice for your baby.
You have to consult with your pediatrician before starting this formula. This type of formula like breast milk is expensive. If your baby shows any reaction after feeding this formula, you have to talk to your doctor about it immediately.
Generic formulas
The generic is another type of best formula to supplement with breastmilk, and the companies strictly follow federal instructions to produce this type of formula. They have attached a store level to store this formula.
But this formula is not very popular like others. You should not switch from one type of formula to another type of formula without a doctor’s recommendation even if it says to be the best formula to supplement with breastmilk.
What Ingredients Should You Avoid While Choosing a Formula?
BPA or bisphenol
Breast milk is pure, and it doesn’t need to be stored. When we are talking about the best formula for breastfed baby, then there is the packaging. And we see the plastic is used to make formula containers. We all know plastics contain BPA or bisphenol, which isn’t good for a baby’s health. But there is a positive note FDA banned using BPA in formula containers. And which best formula for breastfed baby we select, they don’t use BPA in their formula container.
Palm Oil
It is a controversial matter whether there is any palm oil in breast milk or not. So some pediatricians say that breast milk contains palm oil and some say they don’t. So avoiding palm oil if you want the best formula for newborns breastfeeding is the right choice for your baby’s health.
Carrageenan
Carrageenan is another ingredient that you should avoid while choosing the best formula for newborns breastfeeding. It is taken from seaweed and used as a stabilizer in liquid formulas. The European Union bans it because of the risk of colon tumors.
How Many Times Should You Feed the Formula?
Usually, mothers feed breast milk to their babies from zero to 2 years. So it depends on you and your baby’s age and how many times you feed formula to your baby. The centers for diabetes control and prevention (CDCP) guidelines are:
Newborn baby
If you have to feed the best supplemental formula for breastfed babies, one to two ounces of formula is enough. You should provide this amount of formula after each 2-3 hours later. The amount is not fixed, so according to baby growth; the amount of formula will increase. Before starting formula feeding, you have to talk with an expert pediatrician.
1st week till 1st month
Babies grow rapidly, and you should feed more of the best supplemental formula for breastfed babies between this first week to the first month. The CDCP recommends feeding formula to your baby every 3-4 hours. In this time, keep him/her awake so that he/she feels hungry.
6 months to 1 year
When a baby is six months, he/she starts to eat some solid foods to get proper nutrition. So he/she doesn’t require as much formula as before. Talk to your child’s pediatrician and, depending on his/her advice, decrease formula. And at this time, your baby starts using sign language or talking. If he/she tells you that he/she wants to drink formula, then provide in minimum quantity. You can feed 5-6 times a day.
1 year to 2 years
You have to avoid formula when your baby is falling 12-24 months and feed cow’s milk. But if you want to feed formula, feed a little amount of it according to the doctor’s suggestion.
Frequently asked questions
How To Make Baby Formula Taste Better?
Baby formulas can sometimes be hard to feed your baby because of the taste. If you want to make the formula taste better, the best way is to add break milk with it.
Why Does Formula Taste So Bad?
Baby formulas are formulated with organic substances like iron, amino acids, and fatty acids. These substances can make the formula taste bad. But we have suggested some of the best tasting ones for you, you can try those out!
How To Make Breast Milk Sweeter?
Your food habit impacts the If you eat garlic, mint or onions, that may make your breast milk taste different. Now if you want to make your breast milk taste sweeter, you can try having vegetables, fruits, grains, protein, and a little bit of fat.
How Does Breast Milk Taste Like?
Breast milk tastes quite different than regular cow milk. Many people describe the taste as heavily sweetened almond milk. Though it’s quite difficult to explain it in words.
Do Babies Like The Taste Of Formula?
Usually, they don’t. Babies are usually habituated with the taste of breast milk. As a result, they tend not to like formulated milk. However, many formulas are formulated in a way to taste like breast milk, you can feed those to your baby without much of a hassle.
Is Breast Milk Sweeter Than Formula?
The taste of breast milk actually depends a lot on the food habit of moms. So it’s quite hard to say if breast milk will be sweeter than formula or not. Usually, formulated milk tend to be sweeter.
Final Verdict
When it is a question of your baby’s health, it is a little bit tough to select a formula most like breast milk and works as the best and perfect for your baby. Before picking up one formula similar to breast milk from the market crowd, please consult with your pediatrician and consider the factors which have been discussed above.
Also, ensure that your baby is tolerant of the formula that you pick to be the best formula to transition from breastmilk. Don’t forget to let us know by hitting the comment box which formula works best for your baby. It will inspire us.
Your baby’s sweet smile is our happiness!
Sharon Dunn
