If you are searching for the best formula for colic, the most important thing to know is that formula is not the main cause of most colic. Many otherwise healthy babies with colic improve with time, soothing, feeding-position changes, and support for parents. That said, a formula change can help in some situations, especially when your pediatrician suspects cow's milk protein allergy, reflux, or another feeding issue rather than uncomplicated colic alone.
This guide is here to help you make a calmer, more practical decision. Instead of ranking a long list of brands, it explains when a formula switch may actually make sense, which formula categories are sometimes used for colicky babies, what to try before changing formula, and which symptoms mean you should call your pediatrician instead of trying one more can of formula.
Quick answer: does changing formula help colic?
Sometimes, but not for every baby. According to Mayo Clinic's colic treatment guidance, a clinician may suggest a short trial of an extensively hydrolyzed formula if soothing and feeding-practice changes have not helped. The NHS also notes in its colic and bottle feeding guidance that there is no actual cure for colic and that parents should not keep changing formulas unless a GP or health visitor advises it.
The short version is this:
- Most colic is not fixed by switching from one standard formula brand to another.
- A formula change may be worth discussing if your baby also has reflux, feeding discomfort, mucus or blood in stool, eczema, vomiting, or poor weight gain.
- Extensively hydrolyzed formulas are usually the most discussed option when milk protein sensitivity is suspected.
- Random formula changes can make feeding more confusing without solving the crying.
What colic is and why formula is not always the problem
Colic usually describes intense crying in an otherwise healthy baby for at least three hours a day, at least three days a week, often starting in the first few weeks of life. HealthyChildren notes that colic affects about one in five infants and usually improves by about 3 to 4 months. The same source also points out that colic often reflects a baby's sensitivity to stimulation and is only rarely caused by sensitivity to milk protein in formula.
That matters because parents often reach for formula first when the real issue may be a mix of normal infant crying, swallowed air, overtiredness, overstimulation, reflux, or a baby who is just hard to settle in the evening. The NHS bottle-feeding guidance specifically recommends looking at burping, upright feeds, anti-colic bottles, and other soothing methods before assuming the formula itself is wrong.
So when parents search `can formula cause colic`, the fairest answer is: usually not directly. But some babies who seem colicky are actually reacting to something else, such as reflux or cow's milk protein allergy, and those babies may improve when feeding management or formula type changes.
Best formula for colic: which formula types may help in specific situations?
If your pediatrician thinks formula may be part of the problem, the real decision is usually about formula category, not which brand has the strongest marketing promise.
Standard cow's milk formula: still fine for many colicky babies
HealthyChildren's formula guidance explains that standard cow's milk-based formulas are appropriate for most formula-fed infants. That means many babies with uncomplicated colic do not need a special formula at all. If your baby is gaining weight, stooling normally, and not showing signs of allergy or reflux complications, switching from one standard milk-based formula to another often does not change much.
Extensively hydrolyzed formula: often the main formula trial doctors consider
If your baby has colic symptoms plus signs that suggest milk protein sensitivity or allergy, this is the formula category most often discussed. Mayo Clinic says a clinician may suggest a one-week trial of an extensive hydrolysate formula when soothing and feeding changes are not enough. HealthyChildren also explains that extensively hydrolyzed formulas are commonly used when a baby needs a hypoallergenic option. Examples parents often hear about include Nutramigen and Alimentum, but the key point is the protein type, not just the label on the can.
This category is more relevant when your baby has symptoms like eczema, vomiting, painful feeds, mucus or blood in stool, or poor weight gain, not just evening crying alone.
Amino acid formula: for more severe or confirmed allergy situations
Amino acid formulas are usually not the first thing to try for routine colic. They are more specialized and are generally reserved for babies with more severe intolerance or allergy patterns under pediatric supervision. If a baby has persistent severe symptoms, poor growth, or does not improve with an extensively hydrolyzed option when allergy is strongly suspected, this is the kind of escalation a pediatrician may discuss.
Soy formula: not a default colic fix
Parents often wonder whether soy formula is the best anti-colic formula. HealthyChildren notes that soy formulas have specific uses, but switching to soy is often done without a valid reason. Their symptom-checker also notes that switching from milk formula to soy is sometimes used for cow's milk allergy, but protein hydrolysate formulas are often preferred because many babies sensitive to cow's milk protein may also react to soy. In other words, soy is not the simple answer for every fussy baby.
Reflux or thickened options: relevant if the issue is really reflux
Some babies who seem colicky may actually be more bothered by reflux or feeding mechanics. The NHS reflux bottle-feeding guidance explains that reflux can cause unsettled feeds, swallowing, crying, and frequent spit-up. If reflux seems to be driving the problem, your pediatrician may focus first on bottle-feeding position, burping, feed size, and pacing rather than a dramatic formula overhaul.
What to try before switching formula
Before changing formula, it often helps to tighten up the feeding routine. Some babies swallow a lot of air, feed too fast, or get overfed when parents are desperately trying to soothe them. Those issues can make colic look worse.
Feed upright and burp often
Mayo Clinic recommends holding your baby upright during bottle-feeding and burping often during and after feeds. The NHS gives very similar advice and also suggests checking whether the bottle teat is introducing too much air. These are small changes, but they are often easier, safer, and cheaper to try before moving to a specialized formula.
Use responsive feeding instead of pushing the clock
The NHS responsive feeding guidance reminds parents that babies do not need a rigid feeding schedule and should be fed according to hunger cues. A baby who is pressured to finish a bottle or fed past fullness may end up fussier, gassier, and harder to settle afterward.
Think about the full comfort picture
Sometimes parents start changing formula when the real issue is a baby who is overtired, overstimulated, constipated, or simply going through a very fussy phase. If gas discomfort is part of the picture, our guide on newborn gas relief can help you separate ordinary gas-management steps from bigger feeding decisions.
It also helps to ask what is happening around the crying. Is it mostly in the evening? Mostly during or right after feeds? Is the baby arching, coughing, gagging, straining, or refusing the bottle? The pattern matters. Evening crying in a thriving baby often behaves differently from pain during feeds or poor weight gain, and those differences are more useful than a generic label like “bad colic.”
If your baby takes bottles quickly, check bottle flow too. A faster teat is not always better. Some babies become gulpier, swallow more air, and seem worse afterward. The NHS bottle-feeding guidance and Mayo Clinic both make the same general point in different ways: feeding mechanics can matter a lot, and they are often easier to improve than trying a formula carousel.
How to switch formula safely if your pediatrician suggests it
If your pediatrician does recommend a change, try to give the trial enough structure to be meaningful.
- Change one major thing at a time rather than switching formula, bottle, and feeding schedule all at once.
- Track crying, spit-up, stool changes, feeding comfort, and sleep rather than relying on a rough impression after one hard night.
- Follow preparation instructions exactly; formula concentration matters.
- Ask how long to trial the formula before judging it. A real response may take days, not just one bottle.
- Do not keep switching from one standard milk-based formula to another if there is no clear reason.
One practical way to judge a formula trial is to write down the same small set of details for three to seven days: total crying time, best and worst stretch of the day, spit-up frequency, stool pattern, and how comfortable feeds look. That record gives your pediatrician something concrete to interpret. Without it, families often end up making decisions based on whichever night felt hardest, which is understandable but not always accurate.
It is also okay if the answer is “stay where you are for now.” Parents often feel pressure to act fast because colic is exhausting, but repeated switching can create a new set of problems: temporary stool changes, confusion about what actually helped, and extra stress for caregivers. A deliberate trial beats a desperate series of changes almost every time.
HealthyChildren's formula guidance also makes an important background point: formula should come from regulated infant formula products, not homemade recipes, toddler milks, or standard dairy milks. If you are making a change, it still needs to stay inside the category of safe infant formulas.
When crying may be more than colic
One reason parents search for the best formula for colic is that they are afraid to miss something serious. That instinct is worth respecting. Colic is common, but not every screaming baby just has colic.
Call your pediatrician sooner if your baby has any of these signs:
- poor weight gain or feeding refusal
- vomiting that seems forceful, frequent, or worsening
- blood or mucus in the stool
- eczema or other allergy-type symptoms plus feeding problems
- fever, lethargy, or a baby who looks ill
- crying that is paired with breathing concerns or unusual color changes
Another clue that it may not be simple colic is when the crying seems tightly linked to a specific physical symptom. For example, if your baby consistently cries with feeds, arches hard, has frequent spit-up plus poor growth, or develops eczema and stool changes after feeds, the conversation starts to move away from uncomplicated colic and toward reflux, milk protein allergy, or another condition that deserves direct medical review.
This is also why the “best formula for colic” question has limits. Sometimes the most helpful answer is not a formula recommendation at all. It is a careful exam, a growth check, or reassurance that your baby is miserable but still healthy and likely to improve with time and supportive care.
HealthyChildren notes that milk protein allergy may come with vomiting, blood in stool, or poor weight gain, while Mayo Clinic recommends evaluation when it is not clear that crying is simply colic. If your baby also seems uncomfortable in sleep or has other distress signals, you may need to look beyond formula alone. Our guides on crying during sleep and fast breathing red flags can help you think through the bigger picture.
FAQ
What is the best formula for colic?
The best formula for colic depends on why your baby is crying. Many babies with uncomplicated colic do not need a special formula at all. If your pediatrician suspects cow's milk protein sensitivity or allergy, an extensively hydrolyzed formula may be worth a supervised trial.
Can formula cause colic?
Formula does not directly cause most colic. However, some babies who seem colicky may actually be reacting to milk protein, reflux, or feeding discomfort, which can make formula choice more relevant.
Can changing formula help colic?
Changing formula can help some babies, but it is not a guaranteed fix. It is more likely to help when there are signs of milk protein sensitivity, allergy, reflux, or clear feeding intolerance instead of uncomplicated colic alone.
Is hydrolyzed formula better for colic?
Hydrolyzed formula may help when a baby's symptoms suggest cow's milk protein sensitivity or allergy, and Mayo Clinic notes that doctors sometimes use a short trial of extensive hydrolysate formula in that situation. It is not automatically better for every colicky baby.
Should I try soy formula for colic?
Soy formula is not the default choice for colic. Some babies who react to cow's milk protein may also react to soy, so it is best to discuss this with your pediatrician before switching.
When should I call the pediatrician about colic?
Call the pediatrician if your baby has poor weight gain, vomiting, blood in stool, feeding refusal, fever, lethargy, eczema with feeding problems, or crying that seems to be getting worse instead of better.
The bottom line
If you are trying to find the best formula for colic, the safest approach is not to chase the most heavily marketed can. Start by asking a better question: does my baby's crying sound like uncomplicated colic, or are there signs that formula tolerance, reflux, or milk protein allergy may be part of the picture?
For many babies, the answer will be soothing, time, feeding-position changes, and parent support rather than a dramatic formula switch. But if your pediatrician suspects a feeding issue, a targeted formula trial can be reasonable. The key is to make that decision based on symptoms and guidance, not desperation at 2 a.m.
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