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If you’re a new mom, thinking of becoming a new mom, or perhaps even just know a new mom, you’re painfully aware that the formula industry has faced some serious challenges over the past few years. After supply chain struggles and product recalls, the United States initiated Operation Fly Formula. The operation has allowed the U.S. to import formula brands from other countries that meet American health and safety standards in order to keep our shelves stocked.
As such, we’ve seen an influx of new formula brands and product information in recent months. It’s a lot to digest, and in an effort to ensure that I’m making smart decisions for my little, I’ve been knee deep in the research. It’s led me to this next installment of throwdown, where I explain how British-based Kendamil stacks up against my tried-and-true American favorite, European-style Bobbie.
The Players
Bobbie:
Founded in 2018 by two moms who struggled to breastfeed and were frustrated with the formula options on the market, Bobbie is the only European-style infant formula that’s both manufactured and sold in the US. While Bobbie is newer to the market, the brand’s manufacturer has fine-tuned the craft: Bobbie is made by Perrigo, a manufacturer that has been making infant formulas for over 35 years. The brand meets FDA requirements for infant formula and was inspired by European nutritional requirements. It is USDA-certified organic and is the only US baby formula to have received both the Clean Label Project Purity Award and the Clean Label Pesticide-Free Certification.
Kendamil:
Kendamil is a privately-owned baby formula brand made in the United Kingdom. It was founded by a British family more than 60 years ago and has consistently delivered high quality baby formula for years. The brand uses a British supply chain for its whole milk formula and was awarded a Monde Selection Gold Metal for its organic formula. It’s recently available at Target stores in the United States as part of Operation Fly Formula.
Test #1: Variety
Bobbie:
Bobbie currently offers an Organic Infant Formula and an Organic Gentle Infant Formula, both suitable for full term, healthy infants between 0-12 months old.
Kendamil:
While Kendamil has offered its Classic First infant formula for years, the brand launched its Organic First infant formula in 2018. Both versions are suitable for infants between 0-12 months.
Test #2: Ingredients and Nutrition
Bobbie:
Bobbie uses lactose as its carbohydrate source and contains no added corn syrup, added sugars, soy allergens or palm oil. Its protein is milk-based – in fact, it’s flagship formula made with Organic Valley grass-fed milk from pasture-raised cows from across 45 small, family-owned American co-op farms in Vermont and Ohio. It meets US standards for organic dairy, which means no antibiotic medicines are given to the cows who make Bobbie’s milk. Bobbie is also made with added safflower, sunflower, canola and coconut oils, and it has a 60 to 40 ratio of whey to casein (which matches the ratio in mature breast milk). It also has added DHA, an omega-3 fatty acid important for brain and eye development.
Kendamil:
Similarly, Kendamil also uses lactose as its carbohydrate source and does not include any added corn syrup, added sugars, or palm oil. For fat sources, Kendamil uses a blend of fat from whole milk from grass-fed cows in the UK. It also contains sunflower, coconut, and canola oils in both formulas. Notably, Kendamil Organic First is certified organic, while Kendamil Classic First is not. Kendamil Organic First follows EU standards, which allow the use of antibiotic medicines in organic dairy cows. Otherwise, both brands are pretty similar in composition: Kendamil also has a 60:40 whey-to-casein ratio and contains DHA.
Test #3: Taste & Digestion
Bobbie:
We’ve written time and again (and again and again) about the amazing taste of Bobbie’s formula (yes, of course we’ve tried it!). Its consistency is smooth (not lumpy), even with a simple shake of the bottle. It’s no surprise my daughter gulps it down with no trouble at all. And, it’s also a favorite because it was designed with gentle digestion and immune support in mind. Bobbie is known both online and in my circle of friends for being smooth and digestible for even the fussiest and gassiest of babies. Bobbie's new Organic Gentle Infant Formula is made with partially hydrolyzed proteins, specifically for this reason.
Kendamil:
Kendamil is also known for its dissolvability and smooth texture. In terms of digestion, it is a whole milk formula, which can be more difficult for babies with sensitive stomachs to digest. This one really comes down to personal preference – while some moms report happy-as-can-be babies, others have mentioned that its full cream richness has been troublesome for sensitive tummies. We’ve had no trouble at my house, but I have heard from a few friends that have had to swap Kendamil for something gentler.
Test #4: Cost & Convenience
Bobbie:
We often rave about Bobbie’s subscription service, Bobbie will deliver right to your door each month. The formula runs $1.84/oz, and one can makes about 26 4 oz. bottles. Additionally, Bobbie is also carried at more than 1,700 Target stores nationwide. On Target shelves, Bobbie is available in two sizes— the original 14.1 oz can and a new, larger 23.9 oz can (which costs $1.74/oz or $41.99 per can).
Kendamil:
Kendamil also offers a subscription model which is coming to the US soon. It’s also available at Target nationwide. One 31.7 oz can of Kendamil Classic First costs $33.99, or ($1.07/oz). Kendamil Organic First is a bit more expensive at $39.99/can, or $1.41/oz. It’s a relief to be able to subscribe to both options in addition to swing by Target in case of emergency!
Test #5: Brand Ethos
Bobbie:
We write a lot about brand ethos at TQE because we fully believe in brands who go above and beyond in commitment to their craft. Bobbie is certainly a standout here: it’s female-founded and mom-founded, which means the business is personal for Bobbie’s team. The company prioritizes important issues related to feeding, parental leave, and other family-focused topics and is extremely outspoken about mom-focused topics on social media. Simply put, it’s a brand run by people I feel as though I know and trust.
Kendamil:
Kendamil doesn’t offer the same aesthetic and zest that Bobbie was founded on, which is okay with me because its focus seems to purely be on quality ingredients. Kendamil is much more old school – it leaves of-the-times branding, elevated aesthetics, and a mission first persona to Bobbie.
Final Verdict: Bobbie
This is definitely one of our closest calls in terms of infant formula throwdowns. Both brands use exceptional ingredients and pass the test for quality formulation and manufacturing with flying colors. If your little has a tummy on the more sensitive side, I’d certainly recommend Bobbie Organic Formula or Bobbie's Organic Gentle Formula. And if you want to put your dollars behind a brand that will wholeheartedly advocate for you and yours, I’d recommend the same. At the end of the day, I’m thrilled to see more thoughtful formula options – both available on my doorstep and my local Target shelves.
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