ByHeart vs Kabrita Formula (2026): Which Is Better?
ByHeart vs Kabrita formula compared side by side. Price, features, safety, ease of use, and real parent reviews. Our pick for 2026.
By TeachToddler Editorial Team · Updated April 11, 2026 · Baby Gear
🍼 Two Premium Formulas, Two Very Different Approaches
ByHeart and Kabrita are both premium-priced formulas that market themselves as gentler alternatives to mainstream brands like Similac and Enfamil. But they take fundamentally different approaches: ByHeart is a cow's milk formula that focuses on protein processing and fat composition, while Kabrita uses goat milk as an entirely different protein source. Both are popular with parents looking for something beyond the standard options.
- ByHeart: Founded in 2020, US-based, FDA-registered infant formula (0–12 months). Uses whole cow's milk protein with organic lactose. ~$36/24 oz can
- Kabrita: Dutch brand (made by Ausnutria), sold in the US as a goat milk toddler formula (12–36 months). Based on European goat milk formula sold internationally as infant formula. ~$37/28 oz can
- ByHeart is one of the few formulas that uses whole milk protein rather than skim milk + added whey — they claim this preserves the protein in a more natural, digestible state
- Kabrita's goat milk is naturally A2 protein dominant, which avoids A1 beta-casein — a protein type that some research links to digestive discomfort
🧪 Ingredient Comparison
Here's a side-by-side look at the key ingredient differences between ByHeart and Kabrita.
- Protein source: ByHeart uses whole cow's milk protein (not separated into skim + whey). Kabrita uses whole goat milk and goat whey protein. Goat milk forms smaller, softer curds in the stomach, which may ease digestion
- Carbohydrate: ByHeart uses organic lactose as the sole carb. Kabrita uses lactose (from goat milk) plus a small amount of prebiotic GOS (galactooligosaccharides). Neither uses corn syrup solids or maltodextrin
- Fat blend: ByHeart uses a proprietary fat blend with organic high oleic sunflower oil, organic coconut oil, and organic soybean oil designed to mimic the sn-2 palmitate structure of breast milk fat. Kabrita uses a blend of vegetable oils (palm, coconut, sunflower, rapeseed) plus goat milk fat
- DHA/ARA: Both include DHA and ARA. ByHeart sources DHA from algal oil (Crypthecodinium cohnii) and ARA from Mortierella alpina oil. Kabrita uses similar algal/fungal-derived DHA and ARA
- Prebiotics: Kabrita includes GOS prebiotic fiber, which supports beneficial gut bacteria. ByHeart does not list a specific prebiotic but notes that their whole milk protein approach supports gut health
- Palm oil: Kabrita contains palm oil in its vegetable oil blend. ByHeart does not use palm oil
Allergy alert: Goat milk protein shares about 90% structural similarity with cow's milk protein. If your baby has a confirmed cow's milk protein allergy (CMPA) diagnosed by a pediatrician, goat milk formula is NOT a safe alternative. You'd need an extensively hydrolyzed formula (like Nutramigen or Alimentum) or an amino acid-based formula (like EleCare or PurAmino).
💰 Price and Value Comparison
Both ByHeart and Kabrita sit firmly in the premium tier. Here's what to expect.
- ByHeart: ~$36 for a 24 oz can. Works out to about $1.50/oz of powder. Subscription available through byheart.com with ~5% savings. Also sold at Target and Amazon
- Kabrita: ~$37 for a 28 oz can. Works out to about $1.32/oz of powder — slightly better value per ounce. Sold at Whole Foods, Amazon, and kabrita.com
- Monthly cost: Expect roughly $150–$200/month for either formula for a baby drinking 25–30 oz of prepared formula daily
- Compared to mainstream: Both are 30–60% more expensive than Similac Pro-Advance or Enfamil NeuroPro. The premium pays for specialized protein sources and manufacturing processes
- Neither is WIC-eligible. Both offer subscription discounts through their direct websites
👶 Digestibility and Gentleness
Both brands market themselves as easier on baby's stomach. Here's what's behind those claims and what parents actually report.
- ByHeart's approach: They use a patented low-heat, gentle processing method for their whole milk protein. The theory is that conventional formula manufacturing denatures (unfolds) proteins when it separates skim milk and whey, making them harder to digest. ByHeart published a clinical trial showing their formula produced stool patterns and gut bacteria closer to breastfed babies than conventional formula
- Kabrita's approach: Goat milk naturally forms smaller fat globules and softer curds than cow's milk. The A2 beta-casein protein in goat milk avoids producing BCM-7, a peptide fragment from A1 protein that some research associates with slower gut transit and discomfort
- Parent reports on ByHeart: Many parents switching from Similac or Enfamil report less gas, softer stools, and reduced fussiness. Some note the formula mixes very smoothly with minimal foam
- Parent reports on Kabrita: Parents often report it settles well with babies who were gassy or spitty on cow's milk formula. Some note a slightly "tangier" taste compared to cow's milk formulas, but most babies transition without issue
- Neither is hypoallergenic. For babies with diagnosed CMPA, reflux requiring thickened formula, or other medical conditions, consult your pediatrician for an appropriate specialty formula
⚠️ Important Regulatory Differences
One critical distinction parents should understand: these two products have different regulatory statuses in the US.
- ByHeart is fully FDA-registered as an infant formula for 0–12 months. It has gone through the FDA notification process, met all infant formula nutrient requirements, and can legally be marketed as infant formula
- Kabrita is sold in the US as a "goat milk-based toddler formula" for 12–36 months. It has not completed FDA registration as an infant formula. In Europe and Asia, Kabrita is sold as a Stage 1 infant formula from birth
- Some US parents use Kabrita for babies under 12 months based on the European infant formula formulation. This is an off-label use that parents should discuss with their pediatrician
- The nutritional composition of Kabrita does meet the levels required for infant formula — the regulatory gap is procedural (FDA notification pathway) rather than necessarily nutritional
✅ Which Should You Choose?
ByHeart and Kabrita serve overlapping but distinct needs. Here's a decision framework.
- Choose ByHeart if: You want an FDA-registered infant formula for 0–12 months, prefer cow's milk-based with a "breast milk-inspired" approach, want no palm oil, and are okay with the higher price for a clinically studied product
- Choose Kabrita if: Your baby (12+ months, per US labeling) doesn't tolerate standard cow's milk formula well, you want to try goat milk as an alternative protein source, or your baby has mild digestive discomfort that isn't caused by a true milk protein allergy
- If your baby has a cow's milk allergy: Neither of these is appropriate. Goat milk cross-reacts with cow's milk protein in most allergic babies. Ask your pediatrician about Nutramigen, Alimentum, EleCare, or PurAmino
- If budget is a concern: Both are premium-priced. Enfamil Gentlease or Similac Total Comfort offer gentleness at a lower price point. Store-brand gentle formulas are even more affordable
- For taste: ByHeart has a mild, slightly sweet flavor that most babies accept easily. Kabrita has a slightly different flavor profile due to goat milk — some babies love it, others need a few days to adjust