Published October 29, 2026

How to Choose Infant Formula: 4 Things a Pediatrician Looks For

Dr. Michael J. Milobsky, MD, a board-certified pediatrician based in Castle Rock, Colorado, shares what he looks for after more than 30 years in practice.

There are a lot of infant formulas, a lot of ingredients, and a lot of opinions about what makes one option better than another. As a pediatrician, I see how much information parents are trying to sort through, often at a time when they're already juggling a hundred other decisions for their baby.

After 30 years of practicing pediatrics and raising seven children of my own, I've learned to focus on what matters most to me when I'm evaluating an infant formula.

What Should You Look for When Choosing Baby Formula?

When choosing infant formula, start with a formula that meets FDA requirements and is appropriate for your baby's nutritional needs. When comparing options, I also look at the carbohydrate and protein sources, DHA content, quality and heavy-metal testing, and milk base. Your baby's individual needs and tolerance should also guide the decision. Here are the four factors I come back to most often.

What Carbohydrate Should You Look for in Infant Formula?

One of the first things I look at is the carbohydrate source. Lactose is the primary carbohydrate naturally found in breast milk, so I look for it as the primary carbohydrate in an infant formula, too. Lactose also has prebiotic properties, which can help support beneficial bacteria in the gut.

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What About the Protein Source and Whey-to-Casein Ratio?

I also pay attention to the protein profile. Breast milk naturally has a higher proportion of whey to casein, so when I'm looking at a formula, I like to understand that ratio and how the protein is formulated for digestion.

This is one of those times when the ingredient list can tell you more than the front of the can. I recommend looking for lactose as the primary carbohydrate and seeing what the formula uses for its whey-to-casein ratio. Personally, I don't want to see corn syrup solids or maltodextrin as the primary carbohydrate.

Should Infant Formula Contain DHA?

DHA is another nutrient I look for when comparing infant formulas. DHA is an omega-3 fatty acid found naturally in breast milk and is an important component of early brain and visual development. During the first year, your baby's brain and eyes are developing rapidly, so DHA is something I consider important when evaluating an infant formula.

There's another detail here that I think parents should know. The FDA does not set a required minimum amount of DHA in infant formula. So I don't just look to see whether DHA is listed on the label. I want to know how much is included and where it comes from.

DHA can be sourced from fish oil or algal oil. I prefer DHA from microalgae because it provides DHA without using fish as the source.

If you're comparing formulas, take a minute to look at both the amount of DHA and its source. Because the FDA doesn’t require DHA, some formula brands don’t disclose the amount per serving. In this case, you may need to contact the manufacturer to inquire. It’s an extra step, but those details are worth understanding.

Baby Formula and Heavy Metal Testing

This is probably the one that gets overlooked most often.

Heavy metals such as arsenic, lead, cadmium and mercury occur naturally in our environment. Even organic crops can absorb heavy metals from the soil, so the goal isn't to claim that a product can contain absolutely zero. The goal is to minimize exposure as much as possible.

That's why I want to see testing.

And not just a statement that a formula is “clean.” I want to see independent, third-party testing that gives us actual information about what's being detected in the finished product.

It's also worth knowing that the FDA does not have established limits for all heavy metals in infant formula. For me, that makes transparency even more important. If a company is willing to share its testing and quality practices, that's meaningful.

As a parent, you shouldn't have to take a brand's word for it. Look for companies that are willing to show you the evidence behind their claims.

Look at the Baby Formula Milk Base

Finally, I look at the milk base.

The type of milk used as the foundation of a formula can tell you a lot about how its fat and protein are being delivered. When I see a whole milk base, I know the formula is starting with milk that naturally contains its full complement of milk fat, rather than removing that fat and adding it back through other oils.

Whole milk allows for more natural milk fat straight from the source. It also contains milk fat globule membrane, or MFGM — a complex structure of lipids and cholesterol that surrounds milk fat droplets.

MFGM is naturally present in mammalian milk, including human breast milk, and has been studied for its potential role in early brain development and immune health.

When I'm evaluating a formula, I want to understand not just the individual ingredients, but how they work together:

Where are the protein and fats coming from?
How is the formula structured?
How does the overall formulation compare with the composition of breast milk?

Those details give me a much better picture than a marketing claim on the front of a package.

Why I Recommend Bobbie Organic Whole Milk Formula

I first heard about Bobbie from families in my practice.

These parents were looking for an organic formula and wanted to understand exactly what was going into their baby's bottle. Some were specifically looking for a formula without corn syrup solids or palm oil. As I learned more about Bobbie, I saw a formulation that aligned with many of the things I look for as a pediatrician.

Bobbie Organic Whole Milk Formula:

Uses lactose as the primary carbohydrate
Starts with a whole milk base
Has a 60:40 whey-to-casein protein ratio, like breast milk
Contains MFGM, DHA and choline for brain development

But nutrition is only part of the equation for me. I also want to know how a formula is tested and how much transparency a company provides about its quality practices.

Bobbie conducts more than 2,000 quality and safety checks, including heavy metal screening, on every batch. The Organic Whole Milk Formula has also received recognition, including a “Top Choice” rating from Consumer Reports, the Clean Label Project Purity Award and Certified Pesticide-Free certification.

That's the kind of information I want to see as a pediatrician: not just claims about what's in a formula, but evidence and transparency behind them.

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If You're Comparing Infant Formulas, Start Here

I know parents have a lot on their plates, and I don't expect you to become an expert on infant nutrition just to choose a formula. If you're comparing options, start with a few simple questions:

What's the primary carbohydrate? I look for lactose and consider the whey-to-casein ratio.
Does it contain DHA? Look at both the amount and the source.
Does the brand conduct independent heavy metal testing? Look for companies that are transparent about their testing and results.
What's the milk base? Understand where the formula's milk fat and protein come from.

These are the things I personally consider when evaluating an infant formula, but every baby is different. If you're choosing a formula, thinking about switching or have questions about your baby's nutritional needs, your pediatrician can help you make the decision that's right for your baby and your family.

If you're looking for an organic whole milk formula that aligns with these considerations, explore Bobbie Organic Whole Milk Formula and see if it could be a fit for your family.

The content on this site is for informational purposes only and not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Discuss any health or feeding concerns with your infant’s pediatrician. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay it based on the content on this page.