Bobbie vs. ByHeart: Similarities & Differences

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Bobbie and ByHeart are the only new FDA-regulated infant formulas to be launched in more than five years. That’s a really big deal for an industry that has been dominated by massive companies for decades.

So we decided to compare Bobbie vs. ByHeart and highlight the most important similarities and differences between these two new infant feeding options.

About Bobbie Organic Baby Formula

Launched in 2021 and inspired by breastmilk, Bobbie organic baby formula was born out of the frustration of two moms, Sarah Hardy and Laura Modi, who wanted better formula options for their babies.

They came up with a new, European style recipe to satisfy parents who preferred EU formulas but wanted something that met FDA requirements and was legal in the US.

Bobbie uses pasture-raised dairy milk, 100% lactose and plant-based oils, and meets EU requirements for DHA and iron. It is USDA organic, non-GMO and was the first baby formula to have received the Clean Label Project Purity Award and Pesticide-Free certification. The nutritional profile of Bobbie organic infant formula is designed to support early development, immunity, and gentle digestion.

About ByHeart Baby Formula

ByHeart formula was founded in 2016 and launched in 2022.

Similar to Bobbie, ByHeart was launched by parents, Mia Funt and Ron Belldegrun, who were frustrated by the current offerings in the infant formula market and decided to invest in changing the options available to parents.

ByHeart infant formula is a whole nutrition infant formula, a nutritionally complete milk-based formula for infants 0 to 12 months of age. The ByHeart recipe is designed for easy digestion, immune support, and brain and gut health. ByHeart has also earned the Clean Label Project Purity Award and Clean Label certification.

Comparing Popular Formulas: Bobbie vs. ByHeart

While Bobbie and ByHeart each bring their own unique characteristics to the infant formula market, they do have several similarities.

How Bobbie and ByHeart are similar:

FDA Registered: both Bobbie and ByHeart infant formulas are registered with FDA and meet FDA requirements for infant formula.
Milk-based: both infant formulas are cow’s milk-based and use organic milk.
Lactose: both infant formulas use 100% lactose as the carbohydrate source, avoiding ingredients like corn syrup solids or maltodextrin.
Vitamins and minerals: both infant formulas provide all essential vitamins and minerals at levels that have been shown to support growth and development during the critical early stages of life.
Omega-3 fatty acids: both infant formulas include DHA, an omega-3 fatty acid shown to play a role in brain and eye development. Additionally, neither Bobbie nor ByHeart uses hexane-extracted DHA. Hexane is a chemical often used to extract DHA from algae. Both companies use DHA extracted using an alternative method, avoiding hexane altogether.
Palm oil: no palm oil is found in either Bobbie or ByHeart infant formulas.
Both formulas have received the Clean Label Project Purity Award.

How they are different:

Organic: Bobbie is a certified organic infant formula, meaning that 95% or more of its ingredients are organic. ByHeart formula is not certified organic, though it does use organic milk.
Whey:casein ratio: while whey is the prominent protein in both Bobbie and ByHeart - and in breast milk - each formula’s whey to casein ratio differs somewhat. Bobbie’s whey:casein ratio is 60:40, similar to mature breast milk, and ByHeart’s whey:casein ratio is 80:20, which is closer to that of colostrum.
Protein type: all of Bobbie’s protein is intact protein, meaning they use large protein molecules. Much of ByHeart’s protein is intact, but they also use a small amount of hydrolyzed protein, meaning the protein molecules have been broken down to be smaller in size. ByHeart also utilizes lactoferrin and alpha-lactalbumin, proteins found in breast milk.
Nonfat milk vs. whole milk: Bobbie uses organic nonfat milk, while ByHeart uses organic whole milk in their formula. ByHeart relies on the fat provided by the whole milk to supply some of the fat in their formula (and adds other sources to round it out), while Bobbie customizes the entire fat blend in its formula by adding various fat sources.
EU DHA requirements: while the DHA levels in each formula are quite similar (20 mg/100 kcal for Bobbie and 18 mg/100 kcal for ByHeart), only Bobbie’s DHA level meets the EU recommendations for DHA in infant formula.

Bobbie vs. ByHeart: Which formula is right for different needs?

To help parents make the best choice for feeding their baby, we’ll look at how these two formulas stack up for specific needs or situations.

Best Standard Formula: Bobbie vs. ByHeart

Both Bobbie organic infant formula and ByHeart infant formula are great options for parents seeking a routine infant formula for their healthy, full-term infant.

Both formulas are carefully designed to meet the recommended intake of nutrients to support normal growth and development. The protein, lactose, and fat blends in Bobbie and ByHeart are likely to be well-tolerated by healthy infants.

Both formulas provide all essential vitamins and minerals, and both formulas meet EU standards for iron in infant formula. Bobbie has slightly more DHA than ByHeart and meets EU requirements for DHA, but both formulas provide this essential nutrient to support brain and eye development.

Bottom Line: Either Bobbie or ByHeart are great choices for a standard infant formula. For families seeking an organic option, Bobbie will be the best choice.

Best Gentle Formula: Bobbie vs ByHeart

Gentle formulas are designed to help infants showing signs of gastrointestinal intolerance (GI) to formula, such as fussiness, gassiness, or constipation. Most babies do not need a gentle formula, but if you think your baby does be sure to chat with your pediatrician.

Best Gentle Formula chart: Bobbie vs ByHeart

In general, both Bobbie and ByHeart are designed to be routine infant formulas. That said, some characteristics of ByHeart formula may be somewhat similar to other “gentle” formulas:

Whey to casein ratio: Bobbie’s whey:casein ratio is 60:40 similar to that found in mature breast milk. Byheart has a 80:20 whey:casein ratio more closely resembling colostrum or early breast milk.
Hydrolyzed protein: a small portion of ByHeart’s protein is hydrolyzed, or broken down to be smaller in size. This characteristic may also be useful in a situation where parents are seeking a more “gentle” formula option for an infant who may be having trouble tolerating their formula.

Bottom Line: Neither Bobbie or ByHeart is specifically categorized as a “gentle” formula though both are designed to be easily digested by infants. A portion of ByHeart’s protein is hydrolyzed, so it might be a better choice if your baby isn't tolerating your current formula well.

Best Spit-Up Formula: Bobbie vs. ByHeart

While some spitting up after feeding is totally normal for babies, sometimes parents want to try a different formula to see if that helps. The characteristics of “spit-up” formulas vary but may include reduced lactose, formulas that are thickened with rice starch, formulas with pre- or probiotics, or formulas with a modified protein source (such as soy formula or formula with hydrolyzed proteins).

Bottom Line: While neither Bobbie organic infant formula or ByHeart infant formula is specifically designed to address spit-up and both have 100% lactose, each formula does have other qualities that may be appropriate for your baby. Always talk to your pediatrician if you’re concerned about your baby’s spit-up - they can assess your baby and make sure there’s nothing more going on.

Best Non-GMO Formula: Bobbie vs. ByHeart

Both Bobbie and ByHeart are non-GMO formulas. This means they are made without genetically modified organisms. A GMO - or genetically modified organism - is “a plant, animal, microorganism or other organism whose genetic makeup has been modified in a laboratory using genetic engineering or transgenic technology.”

Bottom Line: Both are a great option if you're looking for a non-GMO formula. If you want organic as well, Bobbie is your best bet.

Best Non-GMO Formula chart: Bobbie vs. ByHeart

In Conclusion: Formula Recommendation

Both Bobbie and ByHeart infant formulas bring innovation to the infant formula market which helps to elevate feeding standards and raises the bar for every infant formula manufacturer.

For parents and caregivers who are looking for a product with a slightly unique and modified protein source, ByHeart may meet those needs, with its addition of lactoferrin and alpha-lactalbumin and small portion of hydrolyzed proteins. ByHeart is also non-GMO, meets FDA requirements for infant formula, and is Clean Label Project-certified.

For parents and caregivers who want a European-style infant formula that also meets FDA requirements, is both non-GMO and organic, Clean Label Project-certified, and provides EU-recommended DHA levels, Bobbie will meet those needs.

You can find ByHeart on their website and Bobbie on their website.

SHOP BOBBIE

SHOP BYHEART

Always talk with your pediatrician about the best feeding option for your baby and before making any formula changes.