Did you know that there are more than 50 different baby formulas on the market that US parents can choose from? If you’re trying to narrow down your options and are looking for a recommended organic formula, two popular brands of baby formula with organic certification are Baby’s Only vs Kendamil.
Sifting through nutrition labels to try to figure out which brand of formula is right for your child can be a challenge, especially if you’re knee-deep in changing diapers and onesie folds.
We have a lowdown on these two brands of formula, Baby’s Only formula and Kendamil formula, to highlight the most important similarities and differences between them to make your choice easier.
About Baby’s Only Formula
Baby’s Only has been around for over twenty years. They actually developed the first 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, Gentle Dairy Formula, Sensitive DHA/ARA Formula and one made with plant-based pea protein. For baby nutrition, there is Premium Infant Formula and Gentle Infant Formula, designed for easier digestion.
Baby’s Only Stuff
Parents love Single organic baby formulas because they are modeled after breast milk. This means that the carbohydrate source comes from lactose, and whey protein is added to make the protein composition similar to breast milk. Ingredients like corn syrup, maltodextrin, and palm oil are left out of their formulas in favor of high-quality, nutrient-dense options.
Baby’s Only Pricing and Availability
Another highlight of Baby’s Only is the economic price point. A 21 ounce can of their Premium Infant Formula will set you back about 20 bucks in subscription and savings, which comes out to about 95¢ cents per ounce, making Baby’s Only one of the most affordable organic formula in the US
You can find Baby’s Only in stores and by online subscription.
About Kendamil Formula
As a result of the formula shortage in 2022, the FDA began allowing the importation of more foreign-made formula into the US and Operation Fly Formula helped get it on store shelves quickly.
These initiatives have helped parents maintain access to nutrition for their formula-fed babies and give them more options when it comes to formula brands. Another reason US parents have started looking across the pond for European-style formulas is that they often contain lactose as the main carbohydrate source instead of vegetable oils.
Kendamil originates from the United Kingdom and takes its name from Kendal, where their factory headquarters are based. The milk in Kendamil Organic Formula comes from grass-fed cows that live on local, Red-Tractor Accredited dairy farms in the UK. Kendamil is 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 oil, coconut oil, and rapeseed oil for its fats. They also use marine algae instead of fish oil for vegetarian-friendly omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.
Kendamil Pricing and Availability
Kendamil is more expensive than Baby’s Only. Their 28.2 oz can is $39.99, making it about $1.42 per ounce (compared to 95¢ for Baby’s Only)
Can be purchased at online retailers or in stores.
Which formula is right for different needs?
To help parents make the best choice for feeding their baby, we’ll look at how these two formulas stack up for specific needs or situations.
Comparison of baby formulas: Baby’s Only vs. Kendamil Organic
While Baby’s Only and Kendamil Organic bring their own unique characteristics to the infant formula market, they have some 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 breastmilk, which is 60:40, although how they get there is a little different. The Kendamil ratio is maintained due to their whole milk base, while the added whey protein makes the Baby’s Only ratio the same as mother’s milk.
- Lactose: Both infant formulas use 100% lactose as the carbohydrate source.
- Vitamins and minerals: Both infant formulas provide all the essential vitamins and minerals at levels shown to support growth and development during critical early stages of life.
- Palm oil: There is no palm oil found in either Kendamil or Baby’s Only infant formula.
- GMOs: Both companies use only Non-GMO certified ingredients.
- Gluten-Free: Both brands of infant formula are gluten-free.
These two baby formulas also have distinct differences, such as:
- Non-fat Milk vs. 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 nonfat milk blend of organic oils for the fats (instead of fats from whole milk) to better mimic the fatty acids. of breastmilk and to support calcium and fat absorption.
- Omega-3 fatty acids: Kendamil includes Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids (from algae). Baby’s Only does not contain Omega 3s.
- Third Party Certifications: Baby’s Only received the Clean Label Project Purity Award.
- Fats and oils: Kendamil contains a mixture of sunflower, coconut and rapeseed 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 (galacto-oligosaccharides) that aid digestion and HMOs (Human Milk Oligosaccharides) that help shape the 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 specification for calcium set by the FDA.
- Manufacturing: Kendamil is made in the UK and Baby’s Only is made in the United States.
Only Infant Formula vs. Kendamil Formula
Both Baby’s Only and Kendamil formulas are great options for parents looking for a regular infant formula with organic ingredients for their healthy, full-term baby.
Both formulas meet FDA requirements for nutrients, contain lactose as the primary carbohydrate source, and have a whey:casein protein ratio that closely mimics breast milk.
Ultimately, these organic formulas are the same, so you’re relatively safe with Baby’s Only Formula or Kendamil Formula for your formula-fed baby.
Baby’s Only is a good choice if you want something formulated in the United States, and since Kendamil is about $0.47 more per ounce, Baby’s Only is also a more economical choice.
See also: Formula Feeding Basics: What to Do and What You’ll Need
