Key Differences Between Bobbie and Kirkland
| Key Differences | Bobbie | Kirkland |
|---|---|---|
| Ingredient Source | Organic cow’s milk | Non-organic cow’s milk |
| Protein Ratio | 60:40 whey-to-casein ratio | 52:48 whey-to-casein ratio |
| Carbohydrate Source | Lactose from organic milk | Lactose from non-organic milk |
| Fats and Oils | Sunflower, canola, and coconut oils (no soy oil) | High oleic safflower, soy, and coconut oils |
| DHA Content | Higher DHA content | Contains DHA and lutein |
| Prebiotics and Probiotics | ❌ None | FOS (prebiotic) and 2′-FL HMO |
| Cost per ounce | $1.66 | $0.55 |
| ?️ Availability | US-focused, Bobbie’s website | Widely available in Costco stores |
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As parents, we know how vital it is to make the best decisions for our little ones.
One of the most critical decisions you’ll make during the first year of your baby’s life is choosing the right baby formula, and it is not easy, but we’ll try to help.
We’re here to help comprehensively compare two popular baby formulas: Bobbie and Kirkland.
In this article, we’ll examine the reputations and philosophies behind these two brands and provide you with essential information to make an informed choice.
Let’s get after it!
Our Short Answer
In a nutshell, our top pick between Bobbie and Kirkland is Bobbie.
Its organic ingredients, straightforward formula, higher DHA content, and absence of soy oil make it a more complete and wholesome formula.
Having said that, Kirkland is way more affordable, and if that is a concern, it is still a great formula.
Less is more. That is the saying of Bobbie.
Crafted with care, focussed on essential, high-quality ingredients.
Bobbie is your go-to if you want a US-based product with an Organic European Formula quality.
- Organic American Grass-Fed Milk: Sourced from Organic Valley cows
- Iron meets FDA and EU standards
- Perfect Whey:Casein Ratio
- Organic Expeller-Pressed Fat Blend
- Organic Lactose
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Brand Reputation
Bobbie: US-made formula with organic, non-GMO ingredients, meeting FDA and EU requirements. Meticulous testing, Clean Label Project Purity Award, transparency, mimics breast milk.
Kirkland: Affordable formula supporting immune system and brain/eye development. Contains DHA, Lutein, and 2′-FL HMO. Certified Kosher and Halal, emphasizes value without compromising nutrition.
Bobbie Reputation
Bobbie, a US-made infant formula, stands out in the market with its commitment to quality and safety.
With a philosophy that ‘Every Ingredient Counts,’ Bobbie uses organic, non-GMO, and high-quality ingredients that meet both FDA and EU infant formula requirements.
By combining the best of both worlds, Bobbie offers a gentle formula that closely mimics breast milk.
Their dedication to providing a safe and reliable option for parents is evident in their meticulous testing for contaminants and toxins, and their Clean Label Project Purity Award and Pesticide Free certification.
Bobbie also emphasizes transparency, ensuring parents know exactly where their baby’s food comes from.
Kirkland Reputation
Kirkland, a well-known brand under the Costco umbrella, has built its reputation on offering high-quality products at affordable prices. Their infant formula is no exception.
Kirkland’s formula supports your baby’s immune system, brain, and eye development with essential nutrients like DHA, Lutein, and 2′-FL HMO. It is also certified Kosher and Halal.
Kirkland’s commitment to providing great value is reflected in its choice of ingredients meant to balance nutrition and affordability for parents.
Nutritional Composition
The source of the ingredients and they way they are treated is one of the most important factors when choosing baby formula.
Let’s see how Bobbie and Kirkland compare to each other.
Bobbie: Uses organic cow’s milk, achieves closer whey-to-casein ratio to breast milk, lactose as the sole carbohydrate source, various oils without palm oil, higher DHA content.
Kirkland: Utilizes non-organic cow’s milk, slightly different whey-to-casein ratio, lactose as the main carbohydrate source, a blend of oils including soy oil, contains DHA and lutein.
Bobbie prioritizes organic ingredients, mimics breast milk more closely, and avoids certain additives like soy oil.
Protein Content
Bobbie: This formula uses cow’s milk with added whey protein to achieve a 60:40 whey-to-casein ratio, closely mimicking the protein ratio found in mature breast milk.
Kirkland: Kirkland formula also utilizes cow’s milk as its primary protein source, with whey protein concentrate being one of the main ingredients. Its ratio is 52:48 whey-to-casein.
Breastmilk whey to casein ratio is around 60:40 after a couple of weeks,which means that Bobbie is slightly closer than Kirkland.
Having said that, their main difference is that Bobbie’s milk comes from organic sources, while Kirkland does not.
Carbohydrate Content
Bobbie: Bobbie formula’s sole carbohydrate source is lactose, the sugar naturally found in breast milk. This carbohydrate choice ensures that your baby receives energy without exposure to other sugars like sucrose, maltose, corn syrup, glucose syrup, brown rice syrup, or maltodextrin.
Kirkland: Kirkland formula also relies on lactose as its primary carbohydrate source, with nonfat milk and lactose listed as the top two ingredients.
Both formulas use lactose as their main and only carb source, which is what we love to see.
The main difference is that Bobbie’s lactose comes from organic milk.
Fats and Oils
Bobbie: The fats in Bobbie formula come from various sources, including sunflower, canola, and coconut oils. The formula also contains omega-3 fatty acids, including DHA, essential for developing brain, eye, and immune systems. Bobbie does not contain palm oil, which can concern some parents.
Kirkland: Kirkland formula features a blend of high oleic safflower, soy, and coconut oil as primary fat sources. It also includes essential omega-3 fatty acids like DHA and lutein, which support eye development.
Bobbie has an edge here because it contains higher amounts of DHA and does not have soy oil, which is better avoided in baby formulas. It is not as bad as palm olein, but it’s an additive we should avoid.
Probiotics and Prebiotics
Bobbie: No specific prebiotics or probiotics, but promotes gut health with high-quality ingredients and optimal whey-to-casein ratio.
Kirkland: Contains FOS as a prebiotic for digestive health, includes 2′-FL for immune and gut health. No probiotics mentioned.
Prebiotics and probiotics are not essential ingredients in baby formulas; however, their inclusion can offer additional health benefits to some babies.
Prebiotics, which are more commonly found in formulas, promote the growth of beneficial gut bacteria.
On the other hand, probiotics are live bacteria that can improve gut health, but are less frequently included in formulas.
We recommend only choosing a formula with probiotics if your pediatrician advises you to do so.
Bobbie: Bobbie contains no specific prebiotics or probiotics. However, its focus on high-quality, organic ingredients and the optimal whey-to-casein ratio supports overall gut health and digestion.
Kirkland: Kirkland formula contains fructooligosaccharide (FOS) as a prebiotic to support digestive health. Additionally, it includes 2′-fucosyllactose (2′-FL), a human milk oligosaccharide (HMO) that contributes to immune support and gut health. There are no probiotics mentioned in Kirkland’s formula.
Cost and availability
Both Bobbie and Kirkland formulas are available in the United States but may be more difficult to find in other countries.
The cost of each formula varies, with Bobbie being more expensive due to its organic ingredients and manufacturing practices that ensure purity. Kirkland, on the other hand, is a more affordable option. The prices for these formulas are as follows:
- Bobbie: $1.66 per ounce
- Kirkland: $0.55 per ounces
Best Places to Buy Bobbie and Kirkland
Bobbie´s Official Website
Less is more. That is the saying of Bobbie.
Crafted with care, focussed on essential, high-quality ingredients.
Bobbie is your go-to if you want a US-based product with an Organic European Formula quality.
- Organic American Grass-Fed Milk: Sourced from Organic Valley cows
- Iron meets FDA and EU standards
- Perfect Whey:Casein Ratio
- Organic Expeller-Pressed Fat Blend
- Organic Lactose
Kirkland: Costco
What are the best alternatives to Bobbie and Kirkland?
If you’re looking for alternatives to Bobbie and Kirkland, consider the following options:
Holle: A European organic formula that uses high-quality, biodynamic ingredients. Holle offers various formula options, including cow’s milk and goat’s milk-based formulas. *Read: Bobbie or Holle?
Hipp: Another European organic formula brand that provides a range of options, such as anti-reflux, hypoallergenic, and comfort formulas. Hipp products are made with high-quality, organic ingredients and follow stringent European guidelines. *Read: Bobbie or Hipp?
Kendamil: A UK-based formula brand that offers organic and non-organic options. Kendamil products feature whole milk, which provides a more natural taste and contains essential fatty acids. *Read: Bobbie or Kendamil? | Kendamil vs Kirkland
For other comparisons check out: Bobbie vs Happy Baby | Bobbie vs Gentlease | Bobbie vs Baby’s Only
Conclusion
Bobbie and Kirkland’s formulas offer great products for your baby, making this a close comparison.
However, if we had to choose one, we would recommend Bobbie.
This is because of its organic ingredients, simplistic and transparent formula without additives, and higher DHA content.
Additionally, Bobbie does not contain soy oil, which may concern some parents, including us.
However, if you want a more affordable formula with prebiotics, then Kirkland is for you.
We’re Maria and Alberto, a married couple and educators who are nutrition enthusiasts. Even before we had kids, we were already crazy about nutrition.
We’d read scientific articles, watch videos from nutritionists, and spend hours listening to nutrition podcasts.
Today, we continue doing this, but in a different way, as we’ve learned to sift through the noise and trends. Nutrition, like any other field of knowledge, the more you read and learn, the more you develop a comprehensive understanding of reality, and that’s what has happened to us.
Before having our first child, we focused on learning everything we could about child nutrition, using the same techniques we had already employed, backed by our extensive knowledge in nutrition.
Our mission is to help other parents with their children’s nutrition, to help them become the best versions of themselves.
If we are what we eat and drink, which is absolutely true, let’s do it right!
