What Formula Is Best for Constipation?

The Short Answer

If your baby is struggling to poop, switch to a palm oil-free formula with partially hydrolyzed proteins.

Palm oil (often listed as palm olein) reacts with calcium in a baby's gut to form hard, cement-like "soaps" that cause severe constipation. Bobbie Gentle, Kendamil Comfort, and HiPP Comfort are top choices because they skip palm oil entirely and break down the milk proteins for easier digestion.

Why This Matters

Formula-fed babies are significantly more prone to constipation than breastfed babies. The reason usually comes down to the fat blend.

Breast milk is rich in palmitic acid, so mainstream formula manufacturers use palm oil to mimic it. The problem? Baby guts don't process palm oil the same way. Instead of absorbing it smoothly, the palm oil binds with calcium in the intestines, creating hard stools that are painful to pass. Palm Oil Formula Bad

Switching to a formula with a different fat source—like whole milk fat or coconut oil—is often all it takes to get things moving. You don't necessarily need a "specialty" constipation formula. In fact, some heavily marketed constipation formulas actually contain the very ingredients causing the problem.

⚠️ Urgent ByHeart Warning

If you recently fed your baby ByHeart formula and they developed severe constipation, call your pediatrician immediately.

In November 2025, ByHeart recalled its formulas nationwide due to infant botulism contamination. The very first symptom of infant botulism is typically severe constipation, followed by muscle weakness, drooping eyelids, and poor feeding. Baby Formula Recalls

What's Actually In "Constipation" Formula

Let's look at Enfamil Reguline, the #1 pediatrician-recommended formula specifically designed to promote soft stools.

• Partially Hydrolyzed Proteins — Good. Broken-down proteins are easier for a newborn's immature gut to digest. Easiest Digest Formula
• Prebiotics (Polydextrose & GOS) — Good. These feed healthy gut bacteria and draw water into the bowel.
• Palm Olein Oil — A massive red flag. Palm Oil Baby Formula Enfamil adds prebiotics to soften the stool, but keeps the cheap palm olein oil that hardens it in the first place.

What to Look For

Green Flags:

• Palm Oil-Free — Look for coconut oil, sunflower oil, or whole milk fats instead.
• Partially Hydrolyzed Proteins — The milk proteins are pre-digested, making them gentler on the digestive tract.
• Whey-Dominant Ratio — Whey is liquid-based and digests quickly; casein forms curds and digests slowly. Look for a 60:40 whey-to-casein ratio.
• Goat Milk — Goat milk proteins naturally form softer, smaller curds in the stomach than cow's milk, making it a great natural alternative. Goat Vs Cow Milk Formula

Red Flags:

• Palm Oil or Palm Olein — The number one dietary culprit for formula-induced constipation.
• Intact Casein Proteins — Harder for immature digestive systems to break down, leading to slower digestion.
• Corn Syrup Solids — Often used as a cheap carbohydrate replacement in "gentle" formulas. Is Corn Syrup Formula Bad

The Best Options

You don't need a formula with "Constipation" on the label. You just need a formula with clean fats and gentle proteins.

The Bottom Line

1. Check the ingredient list for palm oil. If it's there, switch to a palm-free brand immediately.

2. Try a partially hydrolyzed formula. Broken-down proteins move through the digestive tract faster and with less effort.

3. Consider goat milk. It naturally digests faster and forms softer curds than standard cow's milk. Is Bobbie Good

FAQ

Does the iron in formula cause constipation?

Usually, no. While iron supplements in adults cause constipation, the regulated amount of iron in baby formula is rarely the culprit. Palm oil and heavy casein proteins are far more likely to cause hard stools. Do not switch to a low-iron formula without consulting your pediatrician.

Can I add extra water to the formula to help constipation?

Never do this. Diluting formula is incredibly dangerous and can lead to water intoxication and fatal electrolyte imbalances. Always mix formula exactly according to the package directions. Tap Water Formula

How long does it take for a new formula to fix constipation?

Give it one to two weeks. It takes time for your baby's gut microbiome to adjust to a new fat and protein blend. Unless your baby is showing signs of an allergic reaction (or symptoms of botulism), be patient before switching again.

---

References (10)

1. 1. womenshealthmag.com
2. 2. hellosubscription.com
3. 3. bumblebabychicago.com
4. 4. hibobbie.com
5. 5. organicsbestshop.com
6. 6. childrensnational.org
7. 7. fda.gov
8. 8. alibaba.com
9. 9. oli6.com
10. 10. aap.org