Why Bobbie Organic Gentle Is the Best Stuff
Bobbie Organic Gentle combines 100% partially hydrolyzed whey protein with 100% organic lactose as its carbohydrate source. In other words, it offers the broken-down protein that makes it a gentle formula without also using alternative carbohydrate sources.
Here’s what else I like about this formula:
- It's USDA Organic. Bobbie also carries EU Organic recognition through the U.S./EU Organic Equivalency Arrangement.
- It contains DHA and ARA. Bobbie provides 20 mg DHA per 100 calories, meeting EU DHA standards.
- The testing is robust. Bobbie formula undergoes more than 2,000 quality and safety checks, is screened by Light Labs for 550+ toxins, and is Clean Label Project Certified.
What Exactly Makes a Formula “Gentle”?
“Gentle” isn't a standardized formulation, and companies can make formula easier for fussy babies to tolerate in several different ways, sometimes simultaneously.
This can include alterations to:
- Protein. This is the most common one. Standard, or “routine,” formulas generally have intact milk proteins, while gentle formulas often use partially hydrolyzed protein, making them easier to digest.
- Carbohydrate. Some gentle formulas reduce or eliminate lactose and replace it with something like corn syrup solids or maltodextrin. The rationale is that lactose can worsen gas and discomfort if a baby has temporary lactose malabsorption. True lactose intolerance is rare in infants, so unless your doctor diagnoses this (or a dairy allergy), it’s unlikely that you need a lactose-free or reduced-lactose formula.
- Protein ratio or type. A formula might use more whey relative to casein, because whey is easier to digest than casein. Some gentle formulas use almost all whey.
- Fat blend. Some gentle formulas alter their fats (for example, avoiding palm olein) to potentially improve fat/calcium absorption and promote healthy stool consistency.
- Prebiotics/probiotics. These may be added to gentle formulas to influence the gut microbiome and stool frequency and consistency.
Bobbie's approach is to change the protein by breaking it down (via hydrolysis) without also altering the carbohydrates. In other words, they didn't remove the lactose to make their gentle formula.
This is important because breast milk's primary carbohydrate is lactose, and so I always prefer a formula that uses this for a carbohydrate source.
What I Don't Love About Bobbie Organic Gentle
As I always say, there is no perfect formula, including the ones we designate as the Best Stuff.
My biggest issue here is the same one I have with all infant formulas: Bobbie Organic Gentle still relies on a blend of plant-based oils, including high-oleic sunflower or safflower oil, low erucic acid rapeseed oil, coconut oil, and linoleic sunflower or safflower oil.
Still, Bobbie Organic Gentle is my favorite American option in the gentle formula category.
Bobbie Organic Gentle vs. Regular Bobbie
If your baby is happily drinking a standard formula and isn't experiencing digestive issues, I wouldn't switch simply because “gentle” sounds better. Out of all the formulas in Bobbie’s lineup, I actually like the whole milk organic one best because it uses more milk fat and fewer plant oils.
But if your baby is particularly fussy or gassy, and your pediatrician has suggested trying a gentle formula, Bobbie’s is my pick.
Of course, persistent digestive symptoms or a suspected milk-protein allergy is another matter! Bobbie Organic Gentle still contains dairy and is not a hypoallergenic formula.
Bottom Line: Is Bobbie Organic Gentle Good Stuff?
Yes!
It’s the only American gentle formula we've identified that uses lactose as its sole carbohydrate. Plus, it’s organic and has Clean Label Project certification. If my baby needed a gentle formula, this is the one I would try first.
Stay sane,
