Baby Formula 101: Ingredients to look for & avoid, how it’s regulated & letting go of feeding guilt

Dec 15, 2025

44 mins

View Transcript

Episode Description

This week on Two Parents & A Podcast, we’re joined by Laura Modi — co-founder & CEO of Bobbie — to talk through everything parents actually need to know about infant formula, without the fear, guilt, or internet panic.

Laura breaks down formula in a way that finally makes sense: what it is, how it’s designed to mimic breast milk, how to read ingredient labels, and which things actually matter (+which ones parents can stop spiraling about). We also get into why formulas that look nearly identical can be priced so differently, whether European formulas are really “better” than U.S. formulas, and why seed oils have become such a hot-button topic in this space.

We also talk openly about recalls, safety standards, switching formulas, and the emotional weight that comes with feeding decisions — including the guilt and pressure so many parents experience when breastfeeding doesn’t go as planned or when formula ends up being the right choice for their family (because feeding your baby should not feel like a moral test).

If you’ve ever stood in the formula aisle feeling overwhelmed, gone down an ingredient-label rabbit hole, or wondered if you’re “doing it right” (you are) — this episode is here to bring clarity, confidence, and a whole lot of relief (and maybe help you close 17 browser tabs).

Timestamps:

00:00:00 Welcome Back to Two Parents & A Podcast!

00:00:32 Meet Laura Modi, Co-Founder & CEO of Bobbie

00:03:15 Formula 101: What It Is, How It Mimics Breast Milk & How to Read a Formula Label

00:04:50 The Top 3 Ingredients to Look for in Infant Formula

00:06:03 The Top 3 Ingredients to Avoid in Infant Formula

00:07:00 Why Formula Prices Vary (Even When Ingredients Look Similar)

00:10:17 How Formula Is Approved, Tested & Regulated in the U.S.

00:14:38 Are European Formulas Really “Better Than” U.S. Formulas?

00:17:08 Why Seed Oils Became So Controversial

00:25:00 What Infant Formula Would Look Like Without Seed Oils

00:29:09 The ByHeart Recall & How Parents Should Think About Safety

00:31:13 The Biggest Formula Myth Parents Need to Unlearn

00:35:24 When a Formula Isn’t Working & How to Know It’s Time to Switch

00:37:25 Feeding Guilt, Shame & Choosing What’s Best for Your Baby

00:40:46 Where Laura Hopes Bobbie Will Be in 10 Years

00:42:00 Thanks for Listening!

#twoparentsandapod

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