5 Steps to Get You Started on Your Pregnancy Journey

It’s easy to become overwhelmed quickly when you find out you’re having a baby. (I completely freaked and had no idea where to start.)

5 Secrets to a Panic-Free Pregnancy

If you are a “whatever will be will be” type of person who doesn’t get night sweats when you read a headline about how some food increases the risk of seven belly buttons in newborns, this series isn’t for you. If you plan on googling “seven belly button risk” after reading this, it might be a good one for ya.

Is it actually a sensitivity, or just… a baby?

Before you go formula shopping, it’s worth pausing here, because I got this wrong with my first son. I assumed every grunt and squirm meant something was wrong with what he was eating. Sometimes it did. A lot of the time it was just newborn digestion being newborn digestion. Gas is normal, a few fussy hours in the evening is normal, and spit-up that doesn’t bother the baby (even if it horrifies you) is usually fine.

Signs that point more toward an actual sensitivity:

• Consistent fussiness or crying after most feeds, not just occasionally
• Visible discomfort with gas – pulling legs up, arching the back
• Spit-up that seems to bother the baby, not just make a mess
• A pattern that doesn’t improve with basic troubleshooting (paced feeding, more frequent burping, smaller volumes)

If that’s what you’re seeing, a gentle formula is a reasonable next step. If your baby is also showing signs like blood in the stool, poor weight gain, or severe reflux, that’s a call to your pediatrician first and formula switching shouldn’t be the first move there.

What “gentle” formula means

So what makes a gentle formula “gentle,” or different from a standard formula? The proteins are broken down into smaller pieces (called partially hydrolyzed protein), which makes them easier for your baby’s digestive system to handle — not magic, just smaller protein molecules. This can also make the formula smell a bit stronger than usual, which is normal and just a sign of the broken-down protein. Many gentle formulas also skip palm oil, which has been linked to firmer stools and lower calcium absorption in some babies¹. It’s not a big deal for every baby, but good to know if your baby’s already uncomfortable.

Gentle vs. Sensitive formula

Gentle formulas focus on protein. Sensitive formulas focus on lactose (milk sugar). They reduce or remove the lactose, often replacing it with corn syrup solids or corn-based syrup as the carb source, since some babies tolerate that better. The tradeoff is that removing lactose moves the formula further from what’s naturally in breast milk. Since true lactose intolerance is rare in babies, and protein digestion issues are much more common, gentle formula is usually the first thing pediatricians suggest.

5 gentle formulas worth considering, and how they differ

These aren’t ranked by “best” because they’re genuinely solving slightly different problems, so I’ve grouped them by what each one is actually built for.

1. Bobbie Organic Gentle²

It uses partially hydrolyzed whey protein (so the gas-and-fussiness mechanism is there) but keeps the carbohydrate source as 100% organic lactose instead of swapping in corn syrup solids or maltodextrin, which most “gentle” formulas do. It’s USDA and EU Organic certified, uses an expeller-pressed fat blend (no hexane or solvents), plant-based algae DHA, and is Clean Label Project Certified, meaning it’s tested for 400+ contaminants and heavy metals. This recipe is a first of its kind and the only gentle formula to use 100% lactose in the US.

Best for: Parents who want the gas/fussiness benefit of hydrolyzed protein without moving away from lactose, and who care about organic certification and contaminant testing. This is where I’d start for most sensitive-but-otherwise-healthy babies. Find it here.

2. Enfamil NeuroPro Gentlease³

This is the formula most pediatricians will mention first, mostly because it’s been around a long time and is everywhere. It uses partially hydrolyzed whey and casein proteins plus reduced (not eliminated) lactose, and adds MFGM (milk fat globule membrane) along with DHA. Enfamil’s own research points to gas reduction within 24 hours for a lot of babies.

Best for: Parents who want a widely available, heavily studied option and don’t need it to be organic. It’s a reasonable default if you want something every pharmacy and big-box store carries. Find it here.

3. Dr Brown’s Good Start Soothe Pro (Previously Gerber)⁴

The standout feature here is the added live probiotic, L. reuteri, alongside partially hydrolyzed whey protein and reduced lactose. If your baby’s issue leans more toward colicky crying than straightforward gas, the probiotic angle is worth knowing about. Some research on L. reuteri specifically looks at reducing crying time in colicky infants, not just gas⁵.

Best for: Babies whose main issue is prolonged crying/colic rather than gas alone. Also tends to be one of the more budget-friendly options. Find it here.

4. Similac Gentle Comfort (Previously Pro-Total Comfort)⁶

This one also uses partially hydrolyzed whey protein, plus FOS prebiotics, and skips palm olein oil, which some parents find helps with stool consistency. It’s a solid middle-ground pick if you want hydrolyzed protein without committing to an organic price point.

Best for: Parents managing both gas and occasional constipation, since the no-palm-oil angle plus prebiotics is specifically aimed at stool softness. Find it here.

5. HiPP Comfort (or HiPP AR, for reflux-leaning fussiness)⁷

If you want an organic European formula and are okay with ordering from a 3rd party website, HiPP’s Comfort line uses partially hydrolyzed protein and has EU organic certification, with a different sourcing/processing approach than the U.S. brands above. Some parents specifically reach for HiPP AR when fussiness comes with a reflux component, since it includes a thickener that isn’t standard in most U.S. gentle formulas.

Note: HiPP formulas are not FDA-registered or regulated to U.S. infant formula standards⁸. They’re manufactured to EU standards and imported through 3rd-party distributors rather than sold through the standard U.S. supply chain. Adding to the confusion, HiPP Comfort comes in different country versions (UK and German are the most common), which vary in things like probiotic content and carbohydrate source — so it’s worth confirming exactly which version you’re getting.

Importing a formula that is not registered with the FDA comes with risks, including seizure at U.S. customs, improper storage temperatures during transit, and a lack of a recall notification system⁹. Talk to your pediatrician before using an imported formula, especially for infants who are immunocompromised or at higher risk.

Best for: Parents specifically wanting EU organic standards, or whose baby’s fussiness seems tied to reflux rather than gas alone (talk to your pediatrician about this distinction first). Find it here.

A note on what these aren’t

None of these are extensively hydrolyzed, hypoallergic, or amino-acid-based formulas like Nutramigen or Alimentum. Those are a different category entirely, usually reserved for diagnosed cow’s milk protein allergy or malabsorption, and that diagnosis should come from your pediatrician. If gas and fussiness don’t improve after a 2-week trial period on a partially hydrolyzed formula, that’s the conversation to have next.

How to switch formulas without making things worse

This part trips people up so it’s worth having a game plan:

• Don’t switch cold during a growth spurt or illness. You won’t be able to tell what’s causing what.
• Give it 3 – 5 days before judging whether it’s working. Digestive systems need a beat to adjust to any change, even a good one.
• Watch stool consistency and color, not just fussiness. A shift in stool color or texture is normal in the first few days; persistent diarrhea or constipation is not.
• Keep your old can until you’re confident in the switch, just in case you need to go back.

What other parents tend to ask next

Is gentle formula necessary, or marketing? For a genuinely fussy or gassy baby, the protein and carb differences are real and mechanistic, not just branding. For a baby with no symptoms, you don’t need it and regular formula is fine.

Can I mix gentle formula with breast milk? Yes, this is common and fine. Prepare formula using the mixing ratios on the can before adding it to expressed breast milk. Never use breast milk in place of water to mix powdered formula.

Does gentle formula cost more? Usually, yes, generally a few dollars more per can than standard formula. Subscription options (Bobbie’s Stay Stocked program runs from $28.80/can vs. $31.99 retail, for example) can soften that if your baby tolerates it well and you’re not switching again soon.

Is gentle formula FSA or HSA eligible? Generally, no. Standard and gentle/sensitive formulas are typically treated by the IRS as food rather than a medical expense, so FSA, HSA, and HRA funds usually can’t be used for them, even for the gentle or organic versions. That said, Bobbie partners with Truemed on FSA/HSA programs for its Gentle formula, which you can sign up for when you purchase it through their website.

The one exception is if your pediatrician diagnoses a specific medical condition (like a cow’s milk protein allergy) and provides a Letter of Medical Necessity, in which case some plans will reimburse the cost difference between standard and specialty formula, though that’s not guaranteed and varies by plan administrator. If you’re hoping to use pre-tax dollars, it’s worth a quick call to your FSA/HSA administrator before assuming it’ll be covered.

What if gentle formula doesn’t help after a week or two? Talk to your pediatrician about whether you’re dealing with something beyond typical fussiness – reflux, an allergy, or something else that needs a different approach (like an extensively hydrolyzed or amino-acid-based formula, which are different categories entirely).

The bottom line

Most “gentle” formulas are solving for one thing: protein digestibility.

The differences between them come down to the carbohydrate source, what’s added (probiotics, MFGM, anti-reflux thickeners), and how transparent the brand is about sourcing and testing. Of the five above, Bobbie Organic Gentle is where I’d start for most babies, mainly because it’s the rare option that doesn’t ask you to trade hydrolyzed protein for a bigger departure from breast milk’s actual composition. But Enfamil Gentlease and Gerber’s SoothePro are both reasonable, well-studied alternatives if availability, probiotics, or price are bigger factors for your family, and HiPP is worth a look if reflux is part of the picture.

If you’re still in the deciding phase, my advice is the same as it’s always been: give whatever you choose a real week before judging it, and trust what you’re actually seeing in your own baby over what any label promises.Have questions about formula feeding, combo feeding, or just want to compare notes? Drop them in the comments.

Next read: Baby Reflux: What Every Parent Should Know About Spit-Up, GER, and GERD

This post may contain affiliate links. If you purchase through my links I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting Pregnant Chicken — it keeps the lights on and supports our free content. Information obtained as of August 5, 2026, from the following websites:

Sources

1. Bobbie Organic Gentle Infant Formula — Product Page
2. Enfamil NeuroPro Gentlease — Product Page
3. Gerber Good Start SoothePro Powder Infant Formula — Product Page
4. Gerber Good Start Soothe Formula Gives Babies Less to Cry About
5. Similac Pro-Total Comfort — Product Page
6. HiPP Comfort Milk — Product Page 
7. Calcium and Fat Metabolic Balance, and GI Tolerance in Term Infants Fed Formulas With and Without Palm Olein and Palm Kernel Oils: A Randomized Blinded Crossover Study 
8. Questions & Answers for Consumers Concerning Infant Formula 
9. Infant Formulas Marketed in the U.S. 

1. The Expectant Father by Armin Brott

This is a classic for a reason. It’s organized month-by-month, so you can pick it up, read the section that matches where your partner is in the pregnancy, and put it back down. It covers the stuff other pregnancy books skip, like how dads actually feel during this process, what’s happening to you emotionally, not just to her physically. Less “miracle of life” prose, more practical checklist.

2. We’re Pregnant! The First Time Dad’s Pregnancy Handbook by Adrian Kulp

The no-frills option. It’s broken into short, weekly reads (a few pages at most) with straightforward checklists covering what’s changing for your partner and what you should actually be doing about it, plus coverage that carries you through the first few months after the baby arrives. If the other books on this list feel like too much homework, start here.

3. Crib Sheet by Emily Oster

Oster is an economist, and she brings that same data-first approach to parenting questions: co-sleeping, sleep training, screen time, discipline. Instead of telling you what to do, she walks through the actual research and lets you draw your own conclusions. If you’re the type who wants evidence instead of vibes before making a call, this is your book. Some people feel she should stick to her economist lane, but I have always found her books helpful amid a sea of “better safe than sorry” crap.

4. The Birth Partner by Penny Simkin

If you’re planning to be in the delivery room, this book is written specifically for the support person, not the parent giving birth. It walks through what labor really looks like stage by stage, how to help, and what your job is when things don’t go according to plan. It consistently comes up as one of the least condescending, most genuinely useful childbirth prep books out there. (For the record, you will be called ‘dad’ a lot and rarely by your name.)

5. All Joy and No Fun by Jennifer Senior

Less of a how-to book and more of a “here’s what’s actually going to happen to your marriage, your identity, and your sense of self” book. It’s built on research and interviews, and it’s refreshingly honest about the fact that parenting is often more meaningful than fun, especially early on. If you want something that manages expectations instead of just cheerleading, it’s a good pick.

And a few podcasts worth queuing up

New Old Dads — Two dads talking through pregnancy and early fatherhood in real time, week by week. Low-key and conversational, more like listening in on friends than a lecture.

Dadsplaining — Hosted by new dads working through fatherhood stage by stage. Practical and grounded in what they’re actually dealing with at that point in the timeline.

Daily Dad — Built for the commute: a short daily thought during the week, with a longer 15-minute episode on weekends. Good if you want something you can dip into without committing a full episode’s worth of attention.

The Birth Hour — Not dad-specific, but genuinely useful: real people calling in to share their birth stories, covering every kind of labor and delivery imaginable. Great for calibrating expectations before you’re the one in the room.

How Other Dads Dad — Casual interviews with dads at different stages of the journey. It can lean on familiar advice at times, but the conversations are relaxed and unpretentious rather than macho.

The bottom line: Nothing on this list is going to fully prepare you (nothing does, that’s sort of the deal with parenthood). But one practical book, one perspective-shifting book, and one podcast for the drive are a great start to making the chaos feel a little less like free fall. Let me know what else you would add!

What’s included:

• Storybook Art Kit: write-your-own-adventure kit with stickers, markers & writing prompts – Amazon.com and Amazon.ca
• Sand Art Activity Kit: mess-controlled sand art with 50+ stickers – Amazon.com and Amazon.ca
• Aqua Puffs 3D Art Kit: color it, add water, watch it puff to life – Amazon.com and Amazon.ca
• Foil Fun Space Kit: no-mess foil art, award-winning summer toy – Amazon.com and Amazon.ca
• Guess in 10 Animals Megapack – the ultimate family trivia card game – Amazon.com and Amazon.ca

Spring

Spring is the easy one. The weather forgives you.

• Stroller walks, no destination required. Budding trees and birds are enough. I used to time these around nap windows so I’d get a walk and a nap out of the deal.
• Library baby story time. Free, indoors if it rains, and it’s the first place I actually met other parents who weren’t just from my prenatal class. Check your library’s website for the infant session — most cities run one.
• Farmers markets. Colors, smells, gentle noise — a baby in a carrier is basically a captive audience for market chaos, and they love it.
• Botanical gardens. Many have free or pay-what-you-can days. Worth a quick check before you go.
• Puddle-jumping, once they’re upright. Rain boots, one puddle, twenty minutes of pure delight. Bring a spare outfit.
• Duck ponds. Skip the bread (not great for the ducks) and just watch. My oldest could sit and stare at ducks for genuinely twenty minutes, which as any parent knows is an eternity of free entertainment. Pigeons are also a wealth of entertainment to the point where I kept a bag of birdseed in my car.
• Cherry blossom spotting. If your city has a park known for spring blooms, it’s basically a free photo shoot and a nice walk in one. Check local park department pages for bloom updates.
• Community egg hunts. A lot of towns run free ones around Easter, even for babies too young to hunt. You just carry them around while older kids do the work.
• Playground bench time. Even a six-month-old who can’t play yet loves watching older kids run around. Bring a blanket, sit on the grass, let them people-watch.

Summer

Longer days, more options, more sunscreen.

• Splash pads. Free, at most public parks, and the fastest way to entertain a baby for an hour without spending a cent. Go early to dodge peak heat and crowds.
• Shaded park time. A blanket, a tree, a couple of toys. That’s the whole activity, and it’s enough.
• Free outdoor concerts or movie nights. Check your city’s summer events calendar. Babies sleep through more noise than you’d think (obviously AC/DC concerts might be a bit much – I still have hearing damage from the “Those About to Rock tour) .
• Zoo or aquarium free days. Most bigger institutions run a handful of free-admission days a year. Worth bookmarking their calendar.
• Backyard sprinkler. Costs nothing if you already own a hose. Low effort, high payoff.
• Beach or lake edge. You don’t need a whole beach day. Even twenty minutes at the water’s edge with bare feet in the sand is enough to count as an outing, and toddlers in particular go feral for it in the best way.
• Mommy-and-me classes in the park. Free outdoor yoga or fitness meetups pop up in most cities all summer — search your local parks department or community Facebook group. Half the value is the adult conversation, honestly.
• Evening porch time. Once it cools off, sitting outside with a baby at dusk is criminally underrated. Fireflies, if you’re lucky, are basically free magic.
• County or town fair. Many have free admission or free days for young kids. You’re not there for the rides, you’re there for the noise, the lights, and the change of scenery.

Fall

Crisp air, no extremes. A crowd favorite for a reason.

• Apple orchards and pumpkin patches. Many only charge for what you pick, and even wandering around is often free.
• Leaf walks. Genuinely underrated. Crunching leaves is a full sensory experience for a baby, and it costs you nothing but time.
• Community harvest festivals. Usually free to attend, and a good excuse to get everyone dressed and out the door.
• Nature centers. Often free or by donation, and the trails are almost always stroller-friendly.
• Trunk-or-treats. Free, low-key, and a solid way to try out a baby’s first Halloween costume without committing to actual trick-or-treating. My youngest was a pumpkin exactly once before he decided costumes were an act of war.
• Corn mazes. A lot of farms let babies and toddlers in free since they’re not exactly navigating it themselves. Worth calling ahead to check the policy.
• Fall thrift shopping. Not glamorous, but hunting for a warm coat or a cheap sweater is an actual outing, and it doubles as a task you needed to do anyway.
• Tailgates or community game days. If your neighborhood has a local football culture, even watching from a stroller on the edge of the action gives a baby new sounds and faces without you spending a dime.

Winter

This one takes more intention, but you can still get out without spending much — and you should, because the winter isolation is real and nobody warns you about that part either.

• Library programs. Story time doesn’t stop for cold weather. Warm, free, and a built-in reason to get dressed.
• Mall walking. Not glamorous, but climate-controlled and stroller-friendly, and most have a play area if your baby’s mobile.
• Museum free evenings. Science centers and children’s museums often run free or pay-what-you-wish nights – worth checking before you assume it’s out of budget.
• Window-watching snow. On the days it’s genuinely too cold to go out, sit your baby by a window. A change of scenery doesn’t always mean leaving the house.
• Baby-and-me groups at your local community center. Usually low-cost, and honestly more for you than the baby. Winter with a newborn is isolating, and a weekly group gives you something to look forward to.
• Holiday light drives or walks. Free, cozy, and a baby in a carrier bundled up to watch lights is peak winter contentment. Bring hot chocolate for yourself.
• Holiday markets. Usually free to wander, and the lights and music make for great sensory overload in a good way.
• Ten minutes of snow. You don’t need a whole outing. Just bundle them up (an event in itself), let them feel snow on a mitten, and call it a day. Short and sweet beats a full production every time.
• Indoor play cafes. Not free, but usually cheap for a drop-in visit, and worth it on the days you need adult coffee and a warm room more than the baby needs the toys.

A Few Things That Work in Any Season

• Just drive around. A car ride can be a full activity when everyone needs a change of scenery (and sometimes a nap).
• Visit a friend or relative. New sights, new voices, new smells — free and often the easiest outing of all.
• Grocery store trips. Bright lights, colors, and gentle bustle make for surprisingly good baby entertainment.
• Walk a new route instead of the usual one. Novelty matters more than distance.

FAQs

How young is too young to take a baby out?
Once your pediatrician clears you (usually after the first couple of weeks, sooner for a quick walk), fresh air is fine. Skip crowded indoor spaces until after the first round of vaccines if you’re being cautious, but a walk outside is safe almost from day one.

What do I need to bring?
Diapers, a change of clothes, and a way to feed them. Everything else is optional. I over-packed for the first six months with my oldest and under-packed for the rest of my son’s babyhood, and both worked out fine.

My baby just cries the whole outing. Is it worth it?
Some days, no, and that’s okay. But a lot of “outing meltdowns” are really overtiredness. Try timing your outing right before or during a nap window instead of right after they wake up.

Takeaway

You don’t need elaborate plans or expensive gear to give your baby a rich, stimulating world. Fresh air, new faces, and a change of scenery go a long way for both of you. Some days the “outing” will be a walk around the block, and that’s enough.

If you found this list helpful, bookmark it and come back each season. Babies change fast, and what feels like a big outing at three months will feel easy by nine.

Let me know your ideas in the comments so I can add them to the list!

Also check out: 70+ Toddler Activities to Beat Boredom (No Screens Required) and Please Tell Me What to Do With My Newborn All Day

Table of Contents

• Quick Comparison Table
• Milk Base: The Core Difference
• Ingredients and Nutrition
• Digestion: What the Ingredients Suggest
• Taste and Texture
• Certifications and Manufacturing
• Price Comparison
• Where to Buy
• How to Actually Switch Formulas
• FAQs
• Bottom Line

Quick Comparison Table

Bobbie Organic Whole Milk compared to Kendamil Organic

Sourced from: Bobbie Organic Whole Milk and Kendamil Organic First Infant Milk product pages; Bobbie Medical FAQ and Kendamil DHA reference for healthcare professionals; manufacturer pricing verified at Target as of July 2026.

Prices and formulations change periodically, so double-check current pricing on Target.com or the brand’s site before you buy.

Milk Base: The Core Difference

Both formulas lean on whole milk rather than the nonfat/skim base some formulas use, which means more naturally occurring milk fat and less reliance on added vegetable oils. The distinction between them is how much of that milk is actually whole: Bobbie uses 100% organic grass-fed whole milk, while Kendamil Organic blends whole milk with some skim milk. In practice, that gives Bobbie a slightly higher proportion of naturally occurring milk fat, including MFGM (milk fat globule membrane), a component also found in breast milk and linked to brain development support.

Sourcing differs too. Bobbie’s organic whole milk comes from grass-fed cows in New Zealand, with its lactose and whey sourced from organic family farms in the US. Kendamil Organic’s milk comes from grass-fed cows on family farms in the UK, sourced locally to its factory in Kendal, in the Lake District

Ingredients and Nutrition

Both formulas use organic lactose as the sole carbohydrate, both use plant-based DHA sourced from algae rather than fish oil (so neither has a fishy smell or carries mercury exposure risk), and both skip palm oil, corn syrup, and maltodextrin entirely.

Kendamil Organic contains GOS (galacto-oligosaccharides), a prebiotic fiber intended to support gut bacteria and digestion.

Bobbie doesn’t add prebiotics to any of its formulas. Instead, it points to two things: the naturally occurring MFGM from its whole milk base, and the fact that its formula is 100% lactose, which it markets as having some natural prebiotic-like properties, though that works through a different mechanism than added GOS. Babies who might need an additional gut health boost can add their Organic Probiotic Drops.

Bobbie sits at 20 mg of DHA per 100 kcal, meeting the EU minimum. Kendamil Organic provides 24 mg of DHA per 100 kcal, according to Kendamil’s own clinical materials, which state this exceeds EFSA’s 20 mg requirement.

Digestion: What the Ingredients Suggest

Neither brand has published head-to-head digestion studies against the other, so this is ingredient-based reasoning rather than a guarantee. Every baby’s gut responds differently, and persistent reflux or distress is worth raising with your pediatrician rather than solving through label-reading alone.

Both formulas’ whole-milk bases are designed to be gentler than older nonfat-and-added-oil formulas, with naturally occurring fats some parents find easier to digest and that may support softer stools. Kendamil’s added GOS is specifically marketed for gut health support; Bobbie’s MFGM is marketed primarily for brain development, with digestive ease attributed more broadly to its whole-milk, lower-added-oil composition.

In practice, this means there’s no clear ingredient-based winner on digestion between these two. It’s genuinely a trial-and-observe situation.

Taste and Texture

Both are whole-milk-based, so expect a richer, creamier texture from either than you’d get from a nonfat formula, which is closer to what many parents describe as a “real milk” taste. Because neither uses fish oil, neither should have the faint fishy taste or smell some formula brands carry. Beyond that, taste preference comes down to the baby; there’s no reliable way to predict which one a given baby will prefer before trying it.

Certifications and Manufacturing

Manufacturing location and testing philosophy are really where these two diverge.

Bobbie’s US-based production and third-party testing (Clean Label Project, Light Labs, the botulism screening) appeal to parents who want an outside lab verifying every claim.

Kendamil’s UK manufacturing is backed by 60+ years of production experience, and it shipped steadily enough during the 2022 shortage to enter the US market and help fill gaps for American families. Kendamil’s US-market formula has not been subject to a recall in the United States. The February 2026 recall in Canada due to cereulide toxin contamination did not affect product sold in the US.

If you weigh third-party verification heavily, that favors Bobbie; if you weigh a long, uninterrupted production track record and in-house testing at scale, that favors Kendamil.

Price Comparison

Pricing varies by retailer and whether you’re buying via subscription, so treat these as ballpark figures as of July 2026:

• Bobbie Organic Whole Milk: roughly $1.79/oz with a subscription (around $25.20/can subscription, from $28.99/can retail)
• Kendamil Organic: roughly $1.42/oz at Target ($39.99 for a 28.2oz can)

Kendamil’s larger can (28.2oz vs. Bobbie’s 14.1oz) is a big part of why it lands cheaper per ounce. It’s also worth noting that Bobbie offers an automated subscription with built-in discounts, while Kendamil is currently retail-only in the U.S.

Where to Buy

Bobbie Organic Whole Milk is sold at Target, Whole Foods, Walmart, Meijer, Wegmans, Thrive Market, Amazon, Costco, and Bobbie’s own subscription service, which also includes perks like free sessions with lactation and feeding experts for subscribers. Kendamil Organic is sold at Target, Walmart, and Amazon, and through various formula subscription retailers online.

How to Switch Formulas

If you’re moving from one to the other (or from breast milk to either) the general approach most pediatricians recommend is a gradual transition: start around 25% new formula mixed with 75% of the current one, then shift the ratio over several days while watching for changes in stool, fussiness, or spit-up. Mixing the two formulas together in the same bottle isn’t recommended, since each is formulated to be nutritionally complete on its own; if you want to compare them, alternate by bottle instead.

FAQs

Is Bobbie or Kendamil Organic easier to digest? Neither has published comparative digestion data. Both use whole-milk bases designed to be gentler than older nonfat formulas; Kendamil adds GOS prebiotics specifically for gut support, while Bobbie relies on its 100% whole-milk composition and naturally occurring MFGM. This comes down to trial and observation with your own baby.

Does Kendamil Organic or Bobbie Organic Whole Milk taste more like breast milk? Both are whole-milk-based and tend toward a richer, creamier taste than nonfat formulas. There’s no meaningful taste difference reported between the two beyond ordinary can-to-can or baby-to-baby variation.

Can I switch between Bobbie Organic Whole Milk and Kendamil Organic? Yes, with a gradual transition and pediatrician guidance (see the switching section above). Avoid mixing them in the same bottle.

Are both FDA compliant? Yes. Bobbie is manufactured in the U.S. under FDA regulation. Kendamil transitioned from temporary FDA Enforcement Discretion status (granted during the 2022 shortage) to permanent FDA-compliant status for its U.S.-market formula, which is separate from its UK-only product lines.

Bottom Line

Bobbie Organic Whole Milk and Kendamil Organic are both well-formulated, organic, whole-milk-based options with the same protein ratio as breast milk and none of the ingredients most parents are trying to avoid. Whichever you choose, give it a real trial window before ruling it out, and loop in your pediatrician if anything seems off.

Find out more at hibobbie.com and us.kendamil.com

Have questions about formula feeding or your own experience to share? Drop a comment below.

Next read: How to Switch Baby Formula: Creating a Smooth Transition

This post may contain affiliate links. If you purchase through my links I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting Pregnant Chicken — it keeps the lights on and supports our free content. Information accurate as of August 5, 2026.

Sources

1. Bobbie Organic Whole Milk Infant Formula — Product Page
2. Bobbie Launches the First and Only USDA Organic Whole Milk Infant Formula Manufactured in America — Bobbie press release, April 2025
3. Kendamil Organic First Infant Milk — Product Page
4. Kendamil Organic First Infant Milk — Healthcare Professional Reference
5. Bobbie — Home
6. Kendamil USA — Home
7. Target.com — pricing for Bobbie Organic Whole Milk and Kendamil Organic, verified July 2026

The Only Summer Maternity Wardrobe You Actually Need

Skip the 27-piece “essential” maternity wardrobe roundups. Here’s what I actually wore:

• Flowy dresses — basically fancy nightgowns you can wear in public. Bonus if they’ll work for nursing later.
• Maternity shorts — at least one pair of jean shorts that don’t look like a denim diaper, plus some stretchy yoga shorts for at home.
• Tank tops — stock up. You’ll live in them.
• Biker shorts — worn under dresses so your thighs don’t start a friction fire.

That’s it. Four things.

The Pool Is Your New Best Friend

Swimming while pregnant is basically the only time you’ll feel weightless. A few quick answers:

Is swimming safe? Yes, unless your doctor has told you otherwise. It’s actually one of the best pregnancy exercises going. It’s low impact, easy on your joints, and genuinely good for you. Just don’t decide to train for the Olympics.

Is chlorine safe? In a well-maintained pool, yes. Research actually found that women who swam in early and mid-pregnancy had a slightly lower risk of preterm birth compared to non-exercisers.

Heat + Pregnancy = Actual Risk

Your body is already working overtime, so extreme heat is genuinely something to take seriously. You don’t want your core body temperature going above 102°F, and pregnancy makes it harder to regulate temperature than usual. Some ways to avoid turning into human toast:

• Hydrate constantly — yes, it means more trips to the bathroom. Sorry.
• Become a shade enthusiast — scout the shadiest routes everywhere you go.
• Stay indoors during peak hours — that window between 10am and 4pm is when the sun is most aggressive. If you can avoid it, do.
• Embrace all forms of air conditioning — car, home, ceiling fans, handheld fans. All of them.
• Treat yourself to cold things — popsicles, smoothies, ice cream. It’s medicinal and I will not hear otherwise.
• Be naked at home — draw the curtains and free the bump. You’ve earned it.

Fun Things to Do When You’re Hot and Huge

Because you can’t sit in front of the AC for nine months (though tempting):

• Early morning walks before the sun turns evil
• Evening strolls with your partner — great time to argue about baby names
• Movies (dark, cold, snacks, bathrooms nearby — pregnant paradise)
• Pool time
• Mini golf (shaded and you can still see your feet)
• A babymoon if you can swing it
• Night drives with the windows down and a milkshake in hand
• All the naps. Then one more.

Summer pregnancy is temporary. And somehow – weirdly, inexplicably – you will one day find yourself nostalgic for the days when your biggest problem was being sweaty and enormous. I know. I didn’t believe it either.

Up next: Bug Spray and Pregnancy: What’s Safe to Use