From formula to solids: 3 food brands that work for babies and toddlers, approved by a mom

As a first-time mom, I had no idea where to begin… with anything.

From which diapers worked best to which stroller could survive the streets of NYC, to the swaddle that might actually help her sleep through the night — it was all one big game of trial and error. Figuring out the right way to feed her felt no different. 

When I returned to the office, I had to switch my daughter over to formula. I wanted to find something that would support her nutritional needs, meet my standards (especially heavy-metal testing), and — perhaps most challenging of all — satisfy her picky palate. 

We cycled through a couple of brands before finally landing on one she could tolerate. And then she turned six months, and the rules completely changed again.

The CDC recommends introducing solids around that age, though every baby develops at their own pace. For me, that meant scrambling all over again to find nutritious, age-appropriate foods my daughter liked.

That’s when I realized just how overwhelming the baby-to-toddler food market really is.

There are formulas, single-ingredient purées, baby-led weaning options and eventually bite-sized snacks for toddlers testing their independence and forming their palettes. Feeding your baby is truly a journey, and their needs evolve fast. 

The challenge is that most brands specialize in just one or two stages.

For me, the hardest part was finding one brand I could stick with through every stage. Babies can be sensitive to change, and as new parents, we already have enough on our plates. Having a brand that grows with your child makes all the difference.

Fortunately, there are a few companies that truly get it, offering a range of options for infants all the way up to toddlers. Below, I’ve rounded up three brands that checked every box for my little one.

Best Overall: Little Spoon

Little Spoon

Little Spoon has become a go-to for many parents looking for convenience without sacrificing ingredient standards. The brand is the first and only baby food company in the U.S. to set strict limits for more than 500 toxins and contaminants, aligning with some of the most stringent European standards.

Little Spoon also recently expanded into infant formula, adding another option for families who want everything in one place. The company publishes exact heavy metal test results online, and every batch of formula goes through 2,000+ quality checks — including voluntary testing for Sulfite-Reducing Clostridia. Their limits are 10× stricter than international guidelines, going well beyond what’s required.

Beyond formula, the company offers Babyblends for early eaters, including single-ingredient organic purées and yogurt-based options, along with Biteables for toddlers learning to self-feed. I’ve taste-tested the finger foods and smoothies myself and can affirm that they taste as good as they look (the Green Dream Smoothie is my guilty pleasure).

Little Spoon also keeps a long list of banned ingredients — including artificial sweeteners, added colors and hydrogenated oils and fats. For families looking to cut the junk, Little Spoon stands out as a reliable choice. I, for one, appreciate the fact that I know exactly what goes on my daughter’s plate.

The concept at Little Spoon is to offer better-for-you options that cover multiple stages. Little Spoon’s lineup packs options from infancy through age seven, so families can stick with the brand as their child grows. The added convenience of home delivery in perfectly-portioned, beautifully packaged boxes doesn’t hurt, either.

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Best Value: Happy Family Organics

Happy Family Organics

Another solid choice for the baby-to-toddler stage is Happy Family Organics (also known as HappyBaby and HappyTot). The brand offers a full range of formulas, snack pouches and meal bowls designed to meet kids exactly where they are in their development.

While it’s still a premium, organic brand, you can often find bundled deals on Amazon, making it a slightly more budget-friendly option. Shopping by age is also very straightforward on the Happy Family Organics’ Amazon page. You can filter for formula, 6+ months, 9+ months and toddler options.

The HappyBaby Organic Infant Formula, modeled after breast milk, is made with at least 95% organic ingredients and is USDA Organic certified. It’s also packed with patented probiotics and prebiotics to support babies’ digestive health (and it’s said to promote softer stools, too).

Although the brand has a slimmer meal selection, it does offer convenient pouches and some ready-to-heat bowls for toddlers. Just pop them in the microwave and they’re ready to go, a major time-saver for busy parents. The snack selection is also impressive. I recommend the melt-in-your-mouth Yogis. Trust me, parents will be hooked on these, too.

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Best Fresh: Once Upon a Farm

Once Upon a Farm

Once Upon a Farm nearly has it all. The farm-fresh kids’ food brand, co-founded by Jennifer Garner, offers plenty of delicious snacks and smoothies made with real, wholesome ingredients. However, it’s not technically an infant-to-baby-to-toddler brand yet. They don’t offer formula.

If your little one has already moved past that stage, this is still a strong company to consider. All of Once Upon a Farm’s products are organic, contain no added sugars, and are Clean Label Project–Certified. The brand works directly with farmers to source the best ingredients, and its menu rotates seasonally to reflect what’s freshest.

There’s a lot to choose from: grab-and-go oat bars, pouches, and pantry snacks are popular. For bigger kiddos, there are plant-rich frozen meals and organic meal starters that offer a good amount of fiber. The variety is colorful, and the shapes are slightly imperfect. As a mom, I seriously appreciate the fact that everything looks like real food, not overly processed.

If you’re looking for a brand that delivers fresh-from-the-source food while meeting U.S. regulations and rigorous EU testing standards, this is a solid option. Once Upon a Farm may not cover every category yet — but for fresh, high-quality kids’ food, this brand is certainly hard to beat.

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How We Tested

Since my daughter was born, I’ve spent over two years researching and vetting the best baby-to-toddler food brands, evaluating each company based on a number of parameters: ingredient and nutrition quality, packaging and delivery, stage-based eating options, and safety and testing standards.

Miska Salemann

• Ingredients and Nutrition: While vetting the best baby and kids’ food brands, I considered the brands’ nutritional standards as well as the quality and variety of ingredients. I checked for common fillers like artificial sweeteners, dyes and preservatives and considered whether brands used organic and non-GMO ingredients. I also filtered through different menu options to find foods that meet certain nutritional needs, such as protein, dairy and fiber.
• Packaging and Delivery: Beyond ingredients, I scrutinized the packaging. I looked for brands that prioritize safety by using eco-friendly, BPA, BPS and phthalate-free materials. I also factored in the logistics, evaluating each company’s delivery speed and shipping costs. I checked for safety seals and ensured that temperature-sensitive items arrived properly chilled. While testing with my daughter, I also evaluated the ergonomics of the packaging — observing how easily she could navigate the pouches, plates and dispensers herself.
• Stage-based eating options: Each brand has its own menu options and variety; I searched for companies that offered snacks and meals geared towards different ages and stage-based feeding. I also checked for flavor variety, considering that each child has their own taste preferences. Finally, I made note of how easy it was to filter for different dietary needs and common allergens, including sugar-free, nut-free, dairy-free, gluten-free and vegan options.
• Safety and Testing: To guarantee food safety, I conducted a rigorous audit of each brand’s safety protocols, specifically screening for hidden fillers and prohibited substances. My evaluation prioritized brands that utilize independent third-party testing and hold prestigious certifications, such as Clean Label Project verification or USDA 100% Organic status.

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Why Trust Post Wanted by the New York Post

This article was written by Miska Salemann, New York Post Commerce Journalist. As a Gen Z first-time mother of one, Miska tests baby, maternity and postpartum products ranging from stylish new kids clothes to long-trusted diaper brands with her daughter. She evaluates baby- and mom-approved products for practicality and quality, and consults medical and parenting experts to weigh in on safe ingredients, usage and more. Before arriving at the Post, she covered the lifestyle and consumer verticals for the U.S. Sun.

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