Any grocery store’s aisles will likely have a variety of infant formula selections from Similac and Enfamil two of the most well-known brand names. Which will benefit your family more—the conventional formula from one manufacturer or the tailored choice for spit-up-prone infants from the other?
We’ll look at both brands’ typical milk-based, mild, and spit-up formulas below to help you determine which is best for your baby.
Table of Contents
Enfamil vs. Similac: the primary differences
While Similac and Enfamil infant formula brands have many things in common, there are also some significant distinctions between them. Here is a list of the key points describing Enfamil vs. Similac:Â
- Two formulas designed specifically for fussy newborns, Pro-Total Comfort by Similac and Gentlease by Enfamil, use various protein sources. While Enfamil’s formula employs 60% whey and 40% casein, Similac’s formula contains 100% whey protein
- Baby formulae for spit-ups: Similac asserts that its formula lowers spit-up episodes by 54%, whereas Emfamil asserts that its formula reduces spit-up episodes somewhere around 50%.
- Standard milk-based infant formulas: Enfamil NeuroPro has slightly greater quantities of certain fatty acids and milk fat globule membrane, which more closely resembles breast milk.
Similac Pro Total Comfort and Enfamil Gentlease are two gentle baby formula options
While most doctors advocate switching to mild types if parents observe any of the following problems do arise:
- digestive problemsÂ
- gas
- extreme and colic fussinessÂ
- reactivity to lactose
Little stomachs may more easily digest mild or partly hydrolyzed formulations since the protein molecules in the milk have already been broken down. In fact, the size of the proteins in mild formulas may be more similar to those in breast milk.
Pro-Total Comfort by Similac
It could be easier for some people’s stomachs to consume Similac’s Pro-Total Comfort formulation, which has 100% whey protein that has partially been hydrolyzed. HMOs or Human milk oligosaccharides, prebiotics that is naturally present in breast milk and supports the immune, digestive, and cognitive systems, are an ingredient in Similac.
Gentlease Enfamil
Gentlease offers nonfat milk that has been partly hydrolyzed and whey protein, making it softer on young tummies. This formulation is designed for babies who are experiencing digestive distress and seeks to reduce the fussiness and gas that frequently can be observed.
Baby formulae for spit-ups
Spit-up is a natural aspect of becoming a new parent. The culprit is tiny, growing digestive systems, but with appropriate weight growth and enough wet diapers (six to eight per day), physicians frequently see no reason for alarm.
Spit-Up Similac
When compared to infants fed regular milk-based formulas, Similac claims that their spit-up formulation lowers spit-up incidents in healthy, two-month-old newborns by 54%. This formula offers a combination of lutein, DHA, and vitamin E to boost newborn neurodevelopment and extra rice starch to help with spitting up.
Enfamil A.R.
This is a thick rice-starch infant formula designed to cut down on spitting up by as close as 50%. The suggested dosages of ARA and DHA in this choice are the same as those in the brand’s other formulations.
Standard milk-based infant formulas
Most parents feed their infants with common milk-based baby formulae when they are not nursing or otherwise providing human milk.
Similac Advance
To further promote baby neurodevelopment, Similac Advance is a milk-based formula supplemented with iron, lutein, vitamin E, and the omega-3 fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid to further support newborn neurodevelopment (DHA). Although it’s important to note that studies demonstrate the ingredient naturally appears in breast milk and shows no negative effects on developing newborns, the brand advertises that it excludes palm olein oil in an effort to boost calcium absorption.
Enfamil NeuroPro
Enfamil NeuroPro stands apart due to its focus on fatty acids that support the brain and eyes. Infant formula should include between.3% and.5% DHA, according to the World Health Organization, to promote brain health. This Enfamil formulation contains.32%.
Conclusion
No matter the infant formula you select, you can be confident that it complies with the FDA’s stringent nutritional standards. Formula selection ultimately boils down to preference, both on your part and that of your child.
Generally speaking, base your choice on an initial couple of ingredients on the list.
FAQs
- Why does infant formula contain corn syrup?
According to Enfamil, maize syrup is made from corn and is composed of long chains of glucose. Corn syrup solids, which should not be mistaken for high-fructose corn syrup, give infants energy.
- Can I make infant formula in a microwave?
The FDA advises against heating breast milk or infant formula in the microwave because it might cause hotspots that could scald your baby’s lips or throat.
