We like
We don't like
In partnership with Bobbie. Editor's note: We only work with partners that meet our quality standards, so you can rest assured we only endorse products we believe in.
If you’re a new mom, thinking of becoming a new mom, or just know a new mom, you’re aware that the formula industry has faced some challenges over the past few years. In 2022, after supply chain struggles and product recalls, the United States initiated Operation Fly Formula, temporarily importing formula brands from other countries to keep shelves stocked.
In the past two years, two American formula brands–ByHeart and Nara Organics–were linked to cases of infant botulism and recalled their product. As a result, parents in the U.S. have been inundated with a lot of information and concern.
To make sure I’m making the best decisions for my little ones, I’ve been knee deep in the research, which has led me to this formula comparison where I’ll be explaining 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 OG European-style infant formula that’s both manufactured (with globally sourced ingredients) and sold in the U.S. Bobbie is made in Vermont and at their owned facility in Heath, Ohio (a facility built specifically for infant nutrition), meets FDA requirements for infant formula, and was inspired by European nutritional requirements. It’s USDA organic and it has received both the Clean Label Project Purity Award and the Clean Label Pesticide-Free Certification.
Kendamil: Kendamil is a privately-owned infant formula brand made primarily 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 formulas and was awarded a Monde Selection Gold Medal for its organic formula.
Test #1: Variety
Bobbie: Bobbie currently offers an Organic Whole Milk Infant Formula, Organic Gentle Infant Formula, Whole Milk Infant Formula, and Organic Infant Formula, all of which are suitable for full term, healthy infants between 0-12 months old.
Kendamil: While Kendamil has offered its Classic Stage 1 infant formula for years, the brand launched its Organic Formula in 2018. They also offer a goat milk formula. All are suitable for infants between 0-12 months.
Test #2: Ingredients and Nutrition
Bobbie: Bobbie uses lactose as its exclusive carbohydrate source and contains no corn syrup, alternative sugars, soy allergens, or palm oil. Its protein is milk-based, and its whole milk formulas are made with grass-fed milk from cows that graze on pasture 365 days a year. It meets U.S. standards for organic dairy, which means no antibiotic medicines are given to the cows who make the milk used in Bobbie’s formulas. Bobbie formulas include a proprietary fat blend, including natural milk fat (in the whole milk formulas) with added safflower, sunflower, canola, and coconut oils. Their routine formulas have a 60:40 whey-to-casein ratio (which matches the ratio in mature breast milk). All Bobbie formulas also have 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, alternative sugars, soy allergens, or palm oil. For fat sources, Kendamil uses a blend of fat from whole milk from grass-fed cows in the UK, plus sunflower, coconut, and canola oils. Notably, Kendamil Organic is certified organic, while Kendamil Classic is not. 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 easy 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 Organic Gentle Infant Formula is made with partially hydrolyzed, broken-down proteins, specifically for this reason).
Kendamil: Kendamil is also known for its dissolvability and smooth texture. All of their formulas use whole milk, which may be more difficult for babies with sensitive stomachs to digest. This one really comes down to personal preference–while some moms report happy 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 Stay Stocked™ membership: Bobbie will deliver right to your door each month with up to $45/month in savings. Bobbie’s closest to breast milk option—their organic whole milk infant formula— runs $1.78/oz, and one can makes about 25 4 oz. bottles. Additionally, Bobbie is also carried at Whole Foods Market, Walmart, Costco, and Target stores nationwide. On Target shelves, Bobbie is available in two sizes—the original 14.1 oz can and a larger 24oz can.
Kendamil: Kendamil does not offer a subscription service for U.S. customers. Instead, it’s available in a variety of retail stores nationwide. One 28.2 oz can of Kendamil Classic costs $33.99, or ($1.21/oz). Kendamil Organic is a bit more expensive at $39.99/can, or $1.42/oz. While Kendamil is cheaper on a price-per-ounce basis, their lack of subscription service means parents are limited to what they can find on shelves. Unfortunately, Kendamil has faced intermittent out-of-stocks since entering the U.S. market in 2022.
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 mom-founded and led, 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 very dedicated to advocating for parents. 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 comparisons. 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.
Try Bobbie for yourself here.
Information obtained as of July 2022 and updated August 2026.
.jpg)
