Did you know that there are over 50 different baby formulas on the market for US parents to choose from? If you’re trying to narrow down your options and are looking for a recommended organic formula, two popular brands of certified organic baby formula are Baby’s Only vs Kendamil.
Wading through nutrition labels to try to figure out which brand of formula is right for your child can be a challenge, especially when you’re knee-deep in diapers to change and fold.
We’ve got the lowdown on these two milk brands, Baby’s Only formula and Kendamil formula, to highlight the most important similarities and differences between them to make your choice a little easier.
About Baby’s Only Formula
Baby’s Only has been around for over twenty years. They were the first to develop an organic infant formula in America before adding organic infant formula to their repertoire. They now have a variety of formulas available, including a goat’s milk formula with DHA/ARA, a gentle dairy formula, a Sensitive DHA/ARA formula, and a plant-based pea protein formula. For infant nutrition, there is a Premium Infant Formula and a Gentle Infant Formula, designed for easier digestion.
Babies only ingredients
The carbohydrate source for Baby’s Only organic infant formula comes from lactose and whey protein is added to make the protein composition similar to breast milk. Ingredients like corn syrup, maltodextrin, and palm oils are not included in their formulas in favor of high-quality, nutrient-dense options.
Price and availability for babies only
Another feature of Baby’s Only is the economical price. A 21-ounce can of Premium Infant Formula will set you back about $20 with registration and savings, which is about 95¢ cents per ounce, making Baby’s Only one of the most affordable organic formulas in the US
You can find Baby’s Only in stores and through an online subscription.
About Kendamil Formula
As a result of the formula shortage in 2022, the FDA began allowing more foreign-made formulations into the US, and Operation Fly Formula helped get them onto store shelves quickly.
These initiatives have helped parents maintain access to nutrition for their formula-fed babies and give them more choice in milk brands. Another reason parents in the US have started looking across the pond for European formulas is because they usually contain lactose as the main carbohydrate source instead of vegetable oils and DHA (Omega-3).
Kendamil originates from the UK and takes its name from Kendal, where their factory is based. The milk in Kendamil Organic Formula comes from grass-fed cows living on local, Red Tractor accredited dairy farms in the UK. Kendamil is also the only brand of infant formula that uses natural whole milk.
Kendamil ingredients
Kendamil uses organic whole milk as its primary carbohydrate source and a blend of organic sunflower, coconut and canola oil for its fats. They also use seaweed instead of fish oil for vegetarian-friendly omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.
Kendamil pricing and availability
Kendamil is slightly more expensive than Baby’s Only. Their 28.2 oz can is $39.99, making it about $1.42 per ounce (versus 95¢ for Baby’s Only). If they add a “subscribe and save” to their site, this can be reduced.
It can be purchased from online retailers or in stores.
Which formula is right for different needs?
To help parents make the best choice for feeding their baby, we will look at how these two preparations are combined for specific needs or situations.
Baby Milk Comparison: Baby’s Only vs Kendamil Organic
While Baby’s Only and Kendamil Organic each bring their own unique features to the infant formula market, they have many similarities.
These include the following:
- FDA Compliance: Both brands meet FDA nutritional requirements for infant nutrition.
Organic: Both brands are certified organic – Kendamil is certified by the EU organic certification and the UK Soil Association and Baby’s Only is USDA certified. - Whey:casein ratio: Both brands have the same whey:casein ratio as breast milk, which is 60:40, although how they get there is a little different. The Kendamil ratio is maintained due to the whole milk base, while the addition of whey protein makes the Baby’s Only ratio the same as breast milk.
- Lactose: Both infant formulas use 100% lactose as a carbohydrate source.
- Vitamins and minerals: Both infant formulas provide all essential vitamins and minerals at levels proven to support growth and development during the critical early stages of life.
- Palm oil: There is no palm oil in either Kendamil or Baby’s Only baby formula.
- GMO: Both companies use only non-GMO certified ingredients.
- Gluten free: Both brands of infant milk are gluten-free.
These two infant formulas also have distinct differences, including:
- Skimmed milk versus whole milk: both infant formulas are based on cow’s milk and are organic. However, Kendamil uses whole milk, while Baby’s Only uses a skim milk blend of organic oils for fats (instead of whole milk fats) to better mimic the fatty acids of breast milk and support calcium and fat absorption.
- Omega-3 fatty acids: Kendamil contains Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids (from algae). Baby’s Only does not contain DHA (Omega-3).
- Third Party Certifications: Baby’s Only has received the Clean Label Project Purity Award.
- Fats and oils: Kendamil contains a blend of whole milk, sunflower oil, coconut and canola oil. Baby’s Only contains a blend of sunflower oil, safflower oil, organic soybean oil and coconut oil.
- Prebiotics and probiotics: Kendamil formulas include GOS (Lacto-Oligosaccharides) to aid digestion and HMOs (Human Milk Oligosaccharides) to help shape baby’s gut bacteria and develop the immune system.
- Calcium: Baby’s Only Organic Premium Infant Formula contains 78 mg per 100 calories. Kendamil Classic contains 65 mg per 100 calories. Both meet the minimum standards for calcium set by the FDA.
- Manufacturing: Kendamil is manufactured in the UK and Baby’s Only is manufactured in the United States.
Baby’s Only Formula vs Kendamil Formula
Both Baby’s Only and Kendamil are great choices for parents looking for a regular organic infant formula for their healthy, full-term infant.
Both formulas meet FDA nutrient requirements, contain lactose as the primary carbohydrate source, and have a whey protein:casein ratio that closely mimics breast milk.
Ultimately, both of these organic formulas are good, so you’re pretty safe with either Baby’s Only Formula or Kendamil Formula for your breastfed baby.
If you’re looking for a true European-style formula that meets all EU standards, Kendamil is your best bet.
If you want something more affordable in the United States, then go with Baby’s Only.
See also: Formula Feeding Basics: What to Do and What You’ll Need
