The health benefits of fruits and vegetables are indisputable. In this article, we discuss whether plant-based formulas are better than milk-based formulas and a few things to know about vegan formulas.

What is Plant-Based Baby Formula?

Plant-based baby formula are standard infant formulas that are made with (whole) plant proteins instead of cow’s milk proteins. In the United States, the only plant-based baby formulas available are made from soy proteins.

In the past, these soy-based formulas were simply called soy formulas. However, “plant-based” is a trendy food marketing term, therefore, companies like Ger ber ® Good Start® and Ea rt h’s Best® have changed the labeling of their soy formulas, renaming them plant-based. Soy formulas with trademarked names, like Enfamil® P roSobee®, Similac ® Soy I somil® have kept their branded names.

Why You May See “Plant-Based” on Toddler Beverage Packaging

At least two toddler beverages call themselves plant-based, because they include pea proteins or a combination of plant-proteins. Toddler formulas from the grocery store are not safe for babies, because they are not nutritionally complete. They should only be used occasionally and as part of a varied diet. They should never be used as sole source nutrition.
For more on this topic, read our article The 101 on Pea Protein Baby Formula.

What is in Soy Formula?

Soy formula is made from soy protein isolate, a product that comes from whole soybeans that have had fat removed (defatted). Since infant formula is the only source of nutrition for many babies, it must contain all the nutrients that infants need to grow and thrive. However, soy is an incomplete protein.

Proteins are made from amino acids linked together like chains. Formula must have the right combination of amino acids for a baby to use for growth. Soy formula must be supplemented with three amino acids: methionine, carnitine, and taurine.

Soy formulas do not contain any of the newest functional ingredients like HMOs, nucleotides, or prebiotics.

Is Plant-Based Formula Good for Babies?

Infants were born to digest human milk, so it is hard to make the argument that a liquid diet of plant proteins is superior. Indeed, the American A cademy of Pedi atrics believes:

….that there are few circumstances in which soy formula should be chosen instead of cow's milk–based formula.

European Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition (ESPGHAN) takes a similar position.

Rarely, a soy-based formula is necessary to treat a metabolic disease. In this case, formula is used as a clinical intervention, much like medicine is used. These are exceptional cases and parents are encouraged to follow recommendations of their medical team.

Is Soy Formula Safe for Babies?

The safety of soy formula has been extensively examined. A 2018 review in Frontiers in Nutrition, concluded, “a global evaluation of the impact of modern SFs [soy formulas] on human development seems to suggest that their use is not associated with relevant abnormalities.”

Is Plant-Based Formula Bad for Babies?

Eating plants in the form of fruits and vegetables is good for babies (when they are developmentally read for them of course!). However, there is no nutritional advantage to plant-based infant formulas.

The health effects of soy proteins have been extensively studied in infants. Researchers had looked at the sexual development and growth of infants fed soy formulas and found no clear negative effects.

Crucially, soy formulas appear to be safe from a neurodevelopmental perspective, as shown in a nationwide study of infants born in Korea. Soy formula intake did not increase the risk for developing epilepsy, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), or decreased developmental status.

Plant-Based Formulas and Cow’s Milk Allergy

Some families turn to soy-based formulas because of suspected cow’s milk protein allergy. Soy proteins can cross react with cow’s milk proteins; therefore, soy is not an appropriate formula for infants with a cow’s milk allergy. In fact, up to one half of infants with a cow’s milk allergy who are fed a soy formula are also sensitive or allergic to soy proteins (this is called cross reactivity). A 2020 review article from Europe recommends avoiding soy formula for infants with cow’s milk allergy who are under 6 months of age.

Is there a Vegan Baby Formula in the US?

The short answer is no.

Food is commonly labeled as vegan if it is free from all animal products to the extend it is practical or possible. Even the smallest amount of an animal ingredient causes a formula to no longer be vegan to some people. (Note that there are no labeling laws for the term “vegan”)

While there are many plant-based or soy baby formulas on the US market, all of them contain vitamin D3, (listed as cholecalciferol) an ingredient that comes from lanolin, a wax secreted by sheep wool. Most vitamin D in supplements and fortified foods comes from lanolin.

Although vitamin D is the only animal-containing ingredient found in soy formulas, this tiny amount means that cannot be considered vegan. Veganism can be quite practical, and many families use these formulas because they exclude animal products as far as is practical.

Vegan families in Europe have other options

Two French companies make completely vegan baby formulas. Bébé M, sells vegan, organic baby formulas that uses vitamin D made from plants. Interestingly, this product uses hydrolyzed (digested) rice to provide protein instead of soy. Prémibio makes a very similar product, Prémiriz for infants aged 6 to 12 months.

Some US families choose to order these products through online third-party sellers, which is not a safe way to obtain infant formula. Indeed, Formula Sense ordered Prémiriz formula in 2020 and received a product without any expiration date and no English-language mixing instructions!

Is There a Vegan Toddler Formula?

Although there is not a vegan baby formula available in the United Sates, there is a vegan toddler formula on the US market that is made by Else Nutrition. This product uses buckwheat and almonds for protein, and tapioca maltodextrin for carbohydrate. Else is developing an infant version of this vegan formula and has started the regulatory process, which takes 24-36 months to complete.

While the Else Nutrition Toddler product is fine for occasional use for older babies and toddlers, it should never be used for sole-source nutrition or even for most of the diet. This toddler formula does not contain all the amino acids, the building blocks of proteins, that infants need. Kudos to Else Nutrition for making that clear in their marketing.

Homemade Vegan Baby Formula Recipes – Beware!

With a quick web search parents can find homemade vegan baby formula recipes. These recipes are completely, unsafe and should never be used. Infants drinking these formulas have been harmed because they have either too few or excessive nutrients.

Earlier this year, I wrote about Kyla, a baby I cared for who almost died as a direct result being fed an homemade vegan formula.

The reasons parents turn to homemade vegan formulas is complex. One reason is the labels. Baby formula ingredient labels read like a list of scary chemicals because the FDA requires that the formula scientific names of each nutrient. The Formula Sense Ingredient Search helps parents translate these highly technical words into everyday language.

Points to Remember About Plant-Based Baby Formula:

In the United States, the only plant-based baby formulas are made from soy proteins. European families have other protein options.
Some soy formulas are changing their names to plant-based for marketing reasons.
Babies are born to digest milk. While soy formula is safe, it is not superior to cow’s milk. In fact, it must be supplemented with amino acids, the building blocks of proteins.
Soy formulas are sometimes used therapeutically; however not a good choice for infants with cow’s milk protein allergies because of cross-reactivity
There are no vegan formulas on the US formula market, because all formulas use a form of vitamin D that is made from sheep’s wool. There is a vegan toddler formula, which is safe to use after 12 months of age.
Homemade vegan baby formula recipes are extremely dangerous and should never be used.

Choosing a formula can feel complicated! We break it down to Four Question that Every Parent Should Ask. Download your free guide here.

Key Things to Know About Plant-Based, Soy, & Vegan Baby Formulas