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What’s the Best Organic Formula Without Hexane or BPA?

Posted by joy

27 Apr

In our research for The Eco-nomical Baby Guide, our favorite organic choice was Nature’s One Baby’s Only Organic Formula. And in our recent exploration of hexane, Baby’s Only again stands out as the best choice.

So what is hexane anyway? It’s a petroleum derivative that’s found in glue and gasoline and has recently been used in infant formula to help obtain the DHA and ARA fatty acids from fermented algae and fungus. Since breast milk is packed with DHA and ARA, there has been a recent drive to get these components into formula. (Don’t get us started on the advantages of breastfeeding. If you possibly can breastfeed, there are a million reasons that it will provide you with better health, your baby with better immunity, and save you heaps of cash. Since not everyone can, we want to be sure to share organic formula options. If you are breastfeeding, don’t forget to enter our Hygeia EnJoye Breastpump Giveaway!)

Similic Organic Formula and Earth’s Best Organic Formula both state that no trace of hexane is detectable in their formula and that it’s just used to process the DHA and ARA. But Nature’s One Baby’s Only is the only organic formula to derive their DHA and ARA fatty acids without hexane. They are also the only organic formula to have 100% BPA free packaging.

There’s just one problem with Baby’s Only Organic formula. In an effort to encourage breastfeeding, the company recommends their formula as a follow up to a full year of breastfeeding. However, they offer a nutritional chart comparing their formula to others on the market and recommend that you consult with your health care professional. It’s clear from viewing the chart that Baby’s Only meets or exceeds other brands with its nutritional components and would be more than adequate as an infant formula.

Baby’s Only Infant Formula isn’t even the most expensive option! It comes in at $0.88/oz. while Earth’s Best Organic Formula costs $1.15/oz. and Similac Organic is a bit cheaper at $0.73/oz. (These are my current rough estimates based on buying from Amazon in large quantities)

What’s your favorite organic infant formula? Any tips on finding the best prices on formula?

Filed under: Baby Care, Baby Food, Baby Gear, Breastfeeding, Eco-nomical Baby Guide, Family Life, General, Living Simply, Product Reviews, The Green Household

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6 Responses for "What’s the Best Organic Formula Without Hexane or BPA?"

Vicki April 27th, 2011 at 4:34 am 1
Thsnk you for posting about formula. I had a much need breast reduction 8 years ago and I have to supplement with formula. I’d much rather excusively breast feed but it is good to have healthy formula info since I can’t.
Sue April 27th, 2011 at 10:20 am 2
I researched this like crazy when I had to wean my daughter early at 6 months due to a needed medical treatment on my part. I started with Babys Only but, unfortunately, my daughter reacted badly to it and got a yeast rash! We put her back on 100% breastmilk and she was fine, then we tried Earth’s Best and she was okay, tried Baby’s Only a little here and there and the yeast came back. She seemed to have been sensitive to the rice sugars in it…but Earth’s Best worked great and we ordered it by the case from Amazon so it ended up being a pretty inexpensive formula (as they go).
Hello May 5th, 2011 at 1:10 am 3
why bother feeding organic stuff to baby? As soon as they make their own food choices they’ll eat all sorts of stuff that isnt organic. do you believe you’re giving your baby a better head start than other babies? a healthier head start? because honey, the air we breathe is full of chemicals and toxins.
joy May 5th, 2011 at 7:06 am 4
We were surprised in our research to learn that even budget-oriented sources like Consumer Reports recommends organic baby food and formula. Of course not everyone chooses organic, but if you do, what’s the best choice? We don’t try to force anyone to make any green decision, but for people seeking organic formula, we want to make sure we explore the options.
Emily May 6th, 2011 at 1:29 pm 5
Formula is a topic worth addressing, but you should really touch on milk sharing, too, if you’re looking at green infant feeding alternatives to a baby’s own mother’s breast. Instead of all the processing, packaging and shipping of formula, you could get milk from a local mama with a surplus.
Maggi May 20th, 2011 at 1:09 pm 6
There is an organic option called Hipp Organic in the UK: http://www.hipp.co.uk/

Here’s a site that will ship to the U.S.: http://www.expatessentials.com/index.html

Hope this helps….shipping is expensive but its nice to know there is another option out there in addition to Baby’s Only. I breastfeed but am considering this formula to have as backup!