Best Formula for Colic

Organic's Best Top Picks: Best Formula for Colic Babies

Research suggests colic in babies may be linked to digestive issues or sensitivities to formula ingredients. Our formulas are delicate on sensitive tummies with soothing recipes that may help calm colicky babies!

The following is a complete list of our best formulas for colic in babies from HiPP, Holle, Kendamil, Jovie, Pure Goat, Löwenzahn, and Nannycare. Our collection includes hydrolyzed formulas and goat milk-based options, both lauded for their high tolerability and ability to promote digestive harmony.

Goat milk formulas are not recommended for cow's milk protein allergy (CMPA), and comfort and hypoallergenic formulas may not be suitable for all cases of CMPA. Neither option is suitable for lactose intolerance. It's important to consult your pediatrician before making any changes to your little one's diet. Your family physician can assess your baby's needs and recommend a suitable option.

HiPP Comfort

This Comfort milk is one of two formulas on our list that is specifically designed for the dietary management of colic. It also has the added bonus of helping to alleviate excessive gas and constipation. The formulation features extensively hydrolyzed whey proteins, beta-palmitate fats, and reduced lactose levels, which collectively work to soothe tummies and keep tears at bay.

HiPP Comfort formula is a single-stage specialty formula that can be used from birth to 6 months as the sole source of nutrition, and as part of a weaning diet from 6-12 months. It's offered in two versions: German and UK. The German version includes pre- and probiotics, as well as Metafolin, while the UK version contains only prebiotics and uses folic acid.

While this formula is not organic due to the special processing of the milk proteins, it's proudly free of GMOs and offers the usual premium quality of HiPP products, making it a great choice for babies with colic.

HiPP HA

Hipp HA formula is crafted for babies with cow's milk protein sensitivities or a family history of allergies. The recipe combines extensively hydrolyzed whey proteins, prebiotics, and probiotics to reduce the risk of allergic reaction and support healthy digestion. It also offers lactose-only carbohydrates to mimic one of breast milk's main sources of energy.

This formula is available in a powdered form from Stages PRE to 2, or in ready-to-feed liquid bottles for Stage PRE. There are also two country versions of HiPP HA - German and Dutch. Both recipes are almost identical, but they differ slightly in terms of packaging and stages. The German version comes in 600g boxes from Stages PRE to 2, while the Dutch formula is available for Stages 1 and 2 and comes in 800g cans.

Similar to our Comfort formulas, this hypoallergenic line is not organic due to the special processing. That said, it contains no genetically modified ingredients and remains a premium feeding option for helping soothe colic in babies.

Kendamil Comfort

Kendamil Comfort is the other formula on our list that's manufactured specifically for the management of colic and constipation. The unique recipe includes soluble dextrin, partially hydrolyzed whey protein, prebiotics, alpha-lactalbumin, and reduced lactose. It also includes the brand's signature ingredient, whole milk powder. As an all-stage formula, you can feed your little one this milk from birth to 6 months as the sole source of nutrition, and part of a weaning diet from 6-12 months.

This special formula is not organic, but its premium quality is apparent through its certified vegetarian designation and the omission of palm and fish oils from its ingredient list.

Kendamil Goat

Kendamil Goat formula is one of the best formulas for colic! It's made from gentle A2 goat's milk with intact natural fats. This creamy formula uses lactose as the only carbohydrate source and is enhanced with prebiotics for more comprehensive gut health support.

This formula is not organic, but it is non-GMO, and it stands out from the rest of Kendamil's products because it's the only one made solely with whole milk and no added skimmed milk. Staying true to the brand's ethos, Kendamil Goat is vegetarian and free of palm and fish oil.

We carry both a UK and Czech version of this goat milk, which offer virtually identical recipes, but the UK version is available in a larger range of stages. We carry Kendamil Goat UK in Stage 1-3 and Stage 1 of the Czech version.

Holle Goat

As our bestselling organic goat milk formula, Holle Goat milk formula delivers a simple, nutritionally complete recipe crafted with whole goat milk, lactose, plant-based DHA, and palm-free vegetable oils for gentle feedings.

To suit a variety of feeding needs, the formula is available in German, Dutch, and Global versions. While these lines share the same basic recipe, they differ slightly in carbohydrate content. Namely, starch and maltodextrin are added in the German and Dutch versions from Stage 2 onwards.

These complex carbohydrates make the formula creamier and more satiating for older infants, but for some, they are harder to digest. If your baby has a more sensitive stomach, you'll be glad to know that the Global range is lactose-only.

The country versions are also offered in different stages. The Dutch and Global formulas come in Stages 1-3, while the German recipe is available in Stages PRE-4.

Holle A2

If your baby prefers the taste of cow's milk but needs something a little gentler, Holle's A2 cow's milk range is a natural choice. The organic milk used in these formulas is sourced exclusively from cows that naturally produce only A2 beta-casein, which supports easier digestion and is not associated with the inflammation that A1 beta-casein can cause. Holle A2 formula is available in stages 1-3 to grow with your little one.

HiPP Goat

As one of the best-selling organic baby formula brands in Europe, HiPP's glowing reputation also extends to their goat milk, which can be an effective infant formula for colic. Hipp Goat milk formula is based on A2 skimmed goat's milk and lactose-based carbs, and is further enriched with prebiotics. It's available in Stages PRE and 2.

Jovie Goat

Renowned for its clean organic ingredients and nutrient-dense milk fats, Jovie Goat stands out as a great choice for managing colic in babies. The recipe contains 100% whole goat milk powder, prebiotics, lactose-only carbohydrates, and absolutely zero palm oil. The complete lineup consists of three stages to support your colicky baby throughout infancy.

Pure Goat

Pure Goat and Jovie share a similar recipe: they're both made with whole goat milk and prebiotics, and use lactose-only carbohydrates, but Pure Goat formula is distinguished by its use of plant-based DHA rather than fish oil. This calming formula range comes in Stages 1 to 3 to support your baby's growth and development, and definitely gets our vote for some of the best baby formula for colic if your little one does well on goat milk.

Löwenzahn Goat

Löwenzahn formula is a German brand owned and operated by moms. Their organic goat formulas offer a blend of whole goat milk, algae-derived DHA, and ARA. Stage PRE is lactose-only, but Stage 2 includes a small amount of starch.

Uniquely, the lactose and prebiotics used in the recipe are sourced from cow's milk. Many babies tolerate these formulas well, but for babies with cow milk sensitivities, it may not be the best option, given that some of the ingredients are derived from cow's milk, despite it being a goat milk-based formula.

Nannycare Goat

This beloved UK brand specializes in crafting premium goat milk formulas. There are three stages in this line, each offering a soothing blend of whole milk, lactose-only carbohydrates, prebiotics, plant-based DHA, and palm-free vegetable oils.

Unlike some other brands, Nannycare formula omits goat whey from its recipe to avoid additional processing steps and ensure it's free of the allergen β-lactoglobulin. While Nannycare is not organic, it is non-GMO and minimally processed.

Understanding Colic in Babies

Crying is an essential way for babies to communicate their needs, but if your little one is consistently crying nonstop for no clear reason, it could be baby colic.

The condition is identified by the following factors: crying for 3 or more hours daily, for more than 3 days a week, for more than 3 weeks in an otherwise healthy baby. You'll notice that colicky crying is persistent, intense, and difficult to soothe through your normal techniques.

It's equally prevalent in girls and boys, and in breast-, formula-, or combo-fed babies. It typically presents a few weeks after birth and most often resolves by 3-4 months, but can persist for up to 6 months. While colic can be exhausting, it isn't harmful so long as your baby maintains regular feeding sessions, normal weight gain, and seems generally healthy between crying bouts.

Signs Your Baby Needs a Colic Formula

The following are common signs of colic to watch for:

• Clenching fists

• Arching back

• Pulling up knees to the tummy in discomfort

• Swollen or tight stomach, sometimes accompanied by excessive gas or tummy rumbling sounds

• Red or flushed from long crying spells

If you notice symptoms such as fever, vomiting, or other signs of illness, it is important to seek medical advice, as these may indicate an underlying health issue beyond normal baby colic.

How Does Anti Colic Formula Work and Help Colicky Baby?

It's speculated that colic results from an immature digestive system, making it harder for some infants to tolerate feedings and leading to discomfort and crying. Anti-Colic formulas are designed to be more easily tolerated by sensitive tummies than conventional formulas, and by supporting digestion, they may alleviate colic in babies.

FAQs on Baby Formula for Colic

Caring for a colicky baby can leave you feeling powerless at times, but equipping yourself with knowledge can help you be better prepared to manage the issue. Below are answers to the most common questions about colic in babies.

Can Formula Cause Colic?

While the exact cause of colic is unknown, experts contend that cow's milk does seem to be connected to infantile colic symptoms in some formula-fed babies. This is why our list of formula that help with colic is centered around milk alternatives, including goat milk, soluble dextrin, or extensively hydrolyzed cow's milk, which all offer enhanced tolerability.

Should I Change Formula if Baby Has Colic?

You should only make changes to your little one's diet on your pediatrician's advice. Sometimes it's recommended to change your baby's formula to help with colic, but for other colic babies, it may not be advised.

How Long Should I Give Formula for Colicky Babies?

Your doctor may initially recommend a 1-2 week trial of an anti-colic formula, but the exact timeline of use will depend on your doctor's advice and how long it takes for the condition to resolve.

Is Colic Baby Formula Safe for Newborns?

Yes, colic baby formula labeled as suitable from birth is safe for newborns, so long as your infant does not have any allergies or intolerances to the ingredients in the formula.

What is the 3-3-3 Rule for Colic?

The 3-3-3 rule is a helpful guide for recognizing colic, defined as 3 or more hours of crying a day, 3 or more times a week, for more than 3 weeks in an otherwise healthy baby.