10 Best Baby Formulas in the Philippines 2022 | Buying Guide Reviewed by Pediatrician

Here are some key points to consider:

1. Choose among the different types of baby formula.
2. Weigh which form or serving option works best for you based on cost and convenience.
3. Inspect its ingredients and look for nutritional additives.
4. Thoroughly check its ingredients list to steer clear of non-essential additives.
5. Consider your baby’s stage to choose a suitable formula.

For more detailed information, read through our buying guide below.

New parents may be surprised to know that aside from the popular cow's milk, there are other kinds of formula milk including soy and protein hydrolysate. To know more about all of them, below are the different types of formula bases that you can choose from according to your baby's needs.

The majority of baby formula sold commercially is cow milk-based. Widely available in the market, their main ingredient is cow's milk, which has been modified to taste and feel like mother's milk and make it easily digestible.

 
While this formula is the go-to for most parents, note that some infants have an allergic reaction to cow's milk. Thus, make sure to check with their pediatrician first to confirm whether they'll benefit more from formula milk with a different base. 

If your baby is allergic to cow milk-based formula, an alternative that pediatricians may recommend is the HW or hydrolyzed whey milk. Basically, hydrolyzed whey undergoes additional processing to break the milk proteins into smaller fragments that make it easier for babies with allergies to digest milk.

An alternative to animal-based or cow milk is the soy-based formula from the soya plant. It is made using soy protein and it uses corn syrup along with other components that are specially formulated for easy digestion. Soy-based formula is ideal for babies that are lactose-intolerant or allergic to cow's milk.

It is also important to note that most soy products are genetically modified, so looking for a non-GMO one with an organic label is crucial. The only downside of this type of formula milk is that since it is not popular as cow-based ones, fewer brands offer it, making it more expensive.

There are various specialized milk formulas available for babies with special nutrition needs. Generally, this type of milk is usually prescribed for premature babies or those with certain illnesses. 

The primary difference between preemie formulas and formulas for term babies is that preemie formulas are made to have more calories, protein, vitamins, and minerals than regular infant formulas. They are also designed to help underweight babies grow faster.

Baby formula manufacturers have already developed some options on how parents can prepare and serve the formula milk to babies. There are three kinds that you might want to take a look at - powdered, ready-to-use, and liquid concentrate.

The popularity of powdered milk comes from its convenience and long shelf life, making it the most commonly used of all forms. It is also widely available in most supermarkets, groceries, and online shops, so you won't have a hard time finding it.

However, since the powder milk requires to be mixed and diluted in water, you have to measure and make sure that you're putting in the right amount according to the instruction. Due to this, preparing it can take time, making it less preferred for on-the-go parents. 

The concentrated-liquid type is a liquid-based formula for babies. It is pre-mixed in a concentrated formulation, so all you need to do is add equal parts of the liquid concentrate and water then mix it before serving. While not as costly as ready-to-feed formulas, this type is still more expensive than powdered formulas. It also has a shorter shelf-life and it needs to be refrigerated. 

Open and serve; this is the concept behind the ready-to-feed formulas, making it the most convenient form. Coming in a pre-mixed liquid formulation, RTF can already be fed to your baby as is. Thus, these formulas are perfect when you're outside or for on-the-go parents.

The convenience they offer, however, makes them more expensive than others. Apart from the more hefty per-unit cost, they also have a shorter shelf-life. They need to be refrigerated at all times, and they must be consumed quickly before they go bad.

Formulated and designed to simulate the taste and nutritional value of breast milk, different formula-milk brands use different manufacturing processes, ingredients, and additives to create their products. And as a parent, it is important to understand what ingredients are found in the milk you buy. Below are some of the additives that could give your baby some benefits as they grow.

DHA (Docosahexaenoic acid) and AHA (Arachidonic acid) are essential fatty acids that are naturally found in human breast milk. Thus, to simulate and replicate their benefits, manufacturers add these in formula milk. They are known to promote optimal eye and brain development in babies.

However, because of their artificial origin, the chemical structure of DHA and ARA additives in powdered formulas isn't the same as the one in breast milk. Still, many manufacturers are now using natural and organic sources to make this vital additive even safer for babies.

Non-milk-based formulas are often lactose-free, so as a consequence, they lose the benefits of the natural ingredients found in regular milk. As a response to this concern, the essential ingredients, iron & calcium, are often added to non-milk-based formulas to still provide the required vitamin and mineral content that lactose-free milk typically lacks. 

Integral to a baby's health is a well-functioning digestive and excretory system. Prebiotics and probiotics play a role in developing their digestive system because they are food sources for their gut's healthy bacteria and yeasts.

These healthy bacteria assist in the proper digestion of proteins and breakdown of food to help eliminate disease-causing bacteria inside the gut. While these ingredients are not required, they may help improve your baby's gut health, especially if they're formula-fed. 

It is important to consider this because your baby's dietary requirements change at every stage. When buying a baby formula, it is vital to check the number label that indicates the age group it is suitable for.

• Stage 1 -  Stage 1 formulas are designed to be similar to a mother's milk. It is suitable from birth since it has a lower milk protein content that babies can easily digest.
• Stage 2 - By the time your baby reaches 7 months, semi-solid foods are already introduced into their diet. Stage 2 or follow-up formulas are given to them as supplements.
• Stage 3 - Stage 3 formula contains starch, proteins, vitamins, and energy levels that are significantly higher to sustain energy, promote weight gain and muscle development in babies. They are suitable for 12-month-old babies and toddlers.

It is also vital to consider that some parents choose not to change, primarily if their baby is used to or happy with particular infant formula. This is acceptable, and it is safe to continue feeding infant formulas to babies six months up. What's crucial is you don't give an infant Stage 2 or Stage 3 milk.

To give you a rundown, here are our top 5 picks for the best baby formulas you can buy online:

1. Best overall: Nestlé NAN Infini Pro HW
   
2. Best for cognitive development: Mead Johnson Nutrition Enfagrow A+ Four NuraPro
3. Best for affordability: Wyeth Bonakid Milk Supplement
4. Best for sensitive stomachs: Mead Johnson Nutrition Enfamil A+ Gentlease
5. Best for supporting mental functions: Wyeth S-26 Promil Gold 3

The products we introduce below were carefully curated by the mybest team, from the best-sellers of E-commerce sites like Lazada, and using the points mentioned in our detailed and thoroughly researched buying guide.

Disclaimer: These products are recommendations made by our team at mybest Philippines. Our expert, Dr. Joanna Pamela Cuayo-Estanislao, is not affiliated with, nor is she endorsing any of the brands we mention below.

**Prices may vary depending on the website and their campaign period**

Below are some of the most asked questions on the web answered by the mybest team.

As recommended by doctors and medical experts, breastfeeding is indeed the best form of nutrition for babies, but if a mother's milk is unavailable or inaccessible, formula feeding is also a good alternative for infant nourishment. Some benefits include: 

• Formula-feeding gives other family members the time to bond with the infant
• It allows you to easily adapt to the baby's increasing nutritional needs
• Baby formula has the advantage of keeping infants safe from any potential adverse effects that a mother's medicine or diet intake may have.

While it is understandable that parents would want to give warm milk to their babies, there are disadvantages to using a microwave to do so. Studies have shown that with the way microwaves heat, there is a chance that baby formula can be heated unevenly, risking potential scalding to a baby's mouth and throat.

As each baby is different, the amount to feed will vary. But on average, about 1.5–3 ounces (45–90 milliliters) every 2–3 hours. This amount gradually increases as your baby grows older and is able to consume more during feeding. However, make sure not to force your babies to eat more than what they want.

Ideally, a baby formula must be consumed within a short period after being prepared. It is considered safe for up to 2 hours at room temperature, but leaving it untouched for a more extended period risks having the milk develop harmful bacteria which is bad for the infant.  

Keep your babies healthy and happy with some awesome products that you can purchase online. Click on the links below and find out the best merchandise for your little bundles of joy!

Author: C. Lacson

Re-editor: R. Victoriano

Our buying guide was carefully researched and crafted by the mybest team of writers and editors, in collaboration with the expert featured in this article. We used the buying guide as a basis for choosing and ranking the product recommendations, and we looked at reviews and ratings from different E-commerce sites like Lazada, Shopee, and more.