Enfamil Vs Similac Comparison: Which Baby Formula is Better in 2023?
Experts recommend exclusive breastfeeding of babies in their first months before the introduction of solid food. Breast milk is packed with all nutrients necessary for growth and development. However, some situations may demand to feed your baby with baby formula.
Unfortunately, babies react differently to formula due to the ingredients. As such, it can be overwhelming to decide the right formula for your baby.
If you decide to feed your child with formula, you’ll be amazed at how the market is overflowing with different varieties. It’s recommended to seek advice from a pediatrician before introducing the formula. Since safety is always the number one concern, always go for FDA-approved brands.
We’ll closely look at Enfamil Vs Similac Formula, the differences and similarities, and everything else you need to know. Keep reading.
Types of Baby Formulas
Before you buy baby formula, it’s essential to have a clear understanding of the available options. There are many types of baby formulas whose contents are based on the composition of their ingredients.
Cow milk-based formulas
Cow’s milk-based formula is the most popular, and although cow’s milk is the primary ingredient, it’s safe and easy to digest.
Typically cow milk is a good alternative to breast milk, and most moms feed it to their kids. Cow’s milk-based formulas are gentle to babies and hence are popular amongst parents.
However, not all babies handle it well due to the lactose content, and in this case, you may need to change to a different option. Available formula options from Enfamil and Similac:
Lactose-free formula
These are made from plant materials such as soy and are gentle on the baby. Some babies are sensitive and intolerant to lactose, so a lactose-free formula is a good option.
Quite too often, lactose-intolerant babies have gas issues and constipation. The protein content in the milk takes a long time to digest or break down, which can be problematic for babies.
Available formula options from Enfamil and Similac:
Gentle formula
Gentle formula has less amount of lactose than cow milk formula. You can consider this formula if your child struggles with lots of gas and fussiness when on other formula brands.
Available formula options from Enfamil and Similac:
Hydrolyzed formula
Hydrolyzed formulas have the milk content broken down into easy-to-digest proteins. It’s calm and suitable for babies who are intolerant to soy-based and cow’s milk formulas.
You may want to consider hydrolyzed formula if your child is protein intolerant. Available formula options from Enfamil and Similac:
Rice starch formula
This formula has a serving of starch in its ingredient and is suitable for babies who suffer from acid reflux. It’s gentle on the tummy, thick, and minimizes spit-ups. It’s ideal for growing babies and is easy to digest.
Available formula options from Enfamil and Similac:
Soy formula
Soy formula is more plant-based and is ideal for babies who struggle with gassiness. Although soy is the main ingredient, they also contain a small amount of glucose or sucrose.
The advantage of Soy milk formulas is that they have zero amounts of animal protein and are suitable for lactose-intolerant babies. Available formula options from Enfamil and Similac:
Specialized baby formula
These are special types of formulas and are suitable for premature babies. In the same category, you’ll find formulas for toddlers to aid in their growth and development.
Available formula options from Enfamil and Similac:
Enfamil vs Similac Baby Formula: Differences and Similarities
Now that we have an idea of the different types of baby formula, we’ll jump straight into the differences between Enfamil and Similac baby formulas.
Ingredient breakdown
To help us understand how the two baby formula brands compare, we’ll look at the composition of the ingredients.
The ingredients are almost similar for both products. For instance, the Enfamil formula contains lactose, nonfat milk, whey protein, and whey protein-liquid concentrate. There’s also palm oleic, soy, coconut, high oleic sunflower oil, and iron.
As for Similac, there’s nonfat milk, whey protein concentrate, lactose, high Oleic sunflower oil, coconut oil, iron, and soy oil.
One striking difference is that Enfamil uses a combination of palm oleic and high oleic sunflower oils as significant ingredients. Although Similac has other oils in its composition, it lacks the palm oleic.
The manufacturers of Similac claim that Palm Oleic lowers the calcium absorption rate in the body. However, there’s no scientific backing to the claim.
Notably, Oleic is a fatty acid found in vegetables or animal fats. Studies reveal that it’s an essential compound for growth and also minimizes inflation.
The FDA regulations give guidelines on the right baby products, so it’s advisable to ensure that the milk is FDA approved for quality assurance.
Additionally, each serving of the Enfamil formula contains 1.8mg of iron, 105 mg of calcium, and 24 mg of choline. The compound choline supports brain development.
Nutritive Value ( Fats, Vitamins, Proteins, Calories, DHA and MFGM)
When it comes to nutritive value, Similac is one of the best brands for immunity support. It’s designed with 2′- FL HMO, which makes it similar to breast milk when it comes to providing your baby with nutrients.
It has a mix of Lutein, Vitamin E, and DHA found in breast milk. These nutrients support your child’s growth and, in particular, brain and eye development.
DHA is an omega fat that’s useful for a baby’s development. It helps in bone formation and strengthens the muscles and the eyes.
On the other hand, Enfamil is packed with a protein blend that consists of DHA and MFGM. These compounds are found in breast milk, and hence it’s a perfect supplement.
Enfamil boasts of decades of clinical trials in being an essential formula for brain nutrition. Indeed, studies reveal that the compound MFGM is essential in supporting children’s cognitive development in their early years.
Additionally, it has probiotics, Vitamin C, E, and other nutrients to support your baby in the early months.
Enfamil is suitable for babies below 12 months; thus, your baby will have all the nutrition elements in their first year.
Nutrients fall into different categories, and the main players include calories, proteins, fats, and carbs. Each formula has 20 calories/ounce and 2.1 grams of protein/100 calories.
However, the difference comes in quantities of carbs and fat. Similac has 10.7 grams of carbs/ 100 calories, whereas Enfamil has 11.2 grams of carbs/100 calories.
On the other hand, Similac has 5.6 grams of fat/100 calories, and Enfamil has 5.3 grams of fat/100 calories.
As you can see……
Similac has fewer sugars or calories in its formula, unlike Enfamil, which has a lot of sugar content. Also, Enfamil has less fat content than Similac.
Next, we’ll compare the vitamin composition of both formulas. Firstly, there’s no difference in the amount of Vitamin A present in either product. Certainly, Vitamin A is vital for the growth of the baby.
There are also similarities in the amount of calcium as well as iron. Calcium is responsible for stronger bones, whereas Iron assists in cognitive and motor development in the early months.
Similac has high amounts of Vitamin D, thiamin, biotin, niacin, and riboflavin. It’s also loaded with copper.
On the contrary, Enfamil has higher levels of Vitamin B12, K, E, and C. It also contains more folic acid, choline, inositol, and pantothenic. There are also higher amounts of zinc, selenium, magnesium, and phosphorous.
Additives
Similac is made from natural products and doesn’t contain growth-stimulating hormones. The same applies to Enfamil, which is made from non-GMO products.
Ease of digestion/tolerance
Enfamil is an excellent formula for babies, and it is easy to digest. It’s made of non-GMO, a product that consists of partially-broken proteins that are easy to digest. Therefore, this makes it an excellent choice for babies who have sensitive stomachs. It’s also ideal for babies who suffer from lactose sensitivity.
What differentiates Enfamil from other baby formulas is the composition of materials that reduces gassiness and fussiness. It’s easy on the tummy since it contains plant-based proteins and is lactose-free.
Similac is also gentle on sensitive babies as it’s easy to digest. As a milk-based formula, it contains ingredients present in breast milk. For this reason, it’s ideal for fussy infants.
Enfamil vs Similac: Formula Comparisons
Enfamil and Similac are the two best formula brands on the market. They both have product lines that are comparable to each other.
To find which baby formula is better, we have researched similar formulas from each brand. Let’s take a look.
Enfamil Infant vs Similac Advance
Parents love both baby formulas. The formulas are very similar in ingredients, with a greater focus on nutrients. Both are cow’s milk-based formulas that also contain oleic safflower oil, soy oil, and coconut oil. In addition, they both offer a good blend of DHA, Choline, and Vitamin E to support your child’s growth and development.
Name | User Rating | ||
Enfamil Infant | 4.8/5 | ||
Similac Advance | 4.7/5 |
Compared to Enfamil, Similac weighs more on nutrients with the added Lutein, which is great for eye health. If you have a gassy baby, the palm olein oil ingredient of Enfamil formula can upset your baby’s stomach. So, pay close attention to safety and ingredients information.
Enfamil Gentlease vs Similac Sensitive
A quick comparison shows that the ingredients of both formulas include corn syrup solids and the same amount of proteins, fats, vitamins, carbohydrates, and water. The non-GMO ingredients of both formulas are gentle on the baby’s tummy and help with fussiness and gas. However, Enfamil Gentlease tends to rate better amongst parents with sensitive babies because it doesn’t have linoleic acid and added sugars in its formulas.
Name | User Rating | ||
Enfamil Gentlease | 4.8/5 | ||
Similac Sensitive | 4.8/5 |
Similac includes 2′-FL human milk oligosaccharide, which can give your child’s immune system a boost. In addition, Similac created this formula using milk protein isolate for babies with sensitive stomachs. However, if your child has allergies, it might trigger allergic symptoms.
Enfamil Enspire vs Similac Pro Advance
Your baby needs a formula that supports its immune system and provides the right amount of nutrition. Enfamil Enspire and Similac Pro Advance are two such formulas with almost similar ratios of protein, fat, and carbs. Both Enfamil Enspire and Similac Pro Advance have received top reviews from parents, but Enfamil Enspire has an edge over Similac Pro Advance.
Name | User Rating | ||
Enfamil Enspire | 4.8/5 | ||
Similac Pro Advance | 4.5/5 |
Enfamil Enspire uses ingredients Lactoferrin and MFGM to support the immune system. On the other hand, Similac Pro Advance contains 2′-FL Human Milk Oligosaccharide (HMO), which is an immune-nourishing prebiotic. Another major difference is that Similac Advance is free of palm oil and palm olein oil, which allows more efficient absorption. Both formulas are non-GMO and Kosher certified.
Enfamil Nutramigen vs Similac Alimentum
Nutramigen and Alimentum are the two best formulas for babies with reflux, colic, or allergies. Both Nutramigen and Alimentum are produced with colicky babies in mind who show allergic reactions to cow’s milk.
Name | User Rating | ||
Enfamil Nutramigen | 4.7/5 | ||
Similac Alimentum | 4.7/5 |
When you take a look at the ingredients of both formulas, there isn’t much difference. Both use casein hydrolysate and sugars to make digestion easier for babies. One difference between Nutramigen and Alimentum is that Enfamil uses corn syrup and modified corn starch in Nutramigen, which can make things worse for an allergic baby.
Though Enfamil Nutramigen and Similac Alimentum advertise that they can relieve colic symptoms within 48 hours and 24 hours respectively, you should be careful when switching baby formula. Different babies handle formulas differently, give it a week or two before you do a switch.
Related post: Nutramigen vs Alimentum- Which Hypoallergenic Formula is Best?
Enfamil vs Similac: Our Recommendation
As noted earlier, finding the best formula for your baby can be challenging. This is because babies have different dietary needs.
While some babies can feed on any formula off the shelves, some have sensitive tummies, and hence it’s vital to shop while paying key attention to the ingredients. Your decision to buy either Enfamil vs. Similac is based purely on your baby’s needs.
Both products are highly nutritious, so your choice is limited to your baby’s reaction to plant-based or lactose-based formulas.
Enfamil scores great points since it’s a plant-based formula suitable for babies with sensitive stomachs and gassiness. It helps prevent constipation common in the lactose-based formula.
Additionally, it’s highly nutritious and supports a baby’s health by providing essential nutrients necessary for cognitive, social, communication, and social development.
On the same note
Some babies are sensitive to soy products, and they can cause gas, bloating, nausea, and constipation.
Similac contains a breast milk ingredient that strengthens a baby’s immune system. It’s an excellent choice since it contains many nutrients to support your baby’s well-being.
Both products are chemical-free and have been approved by the FDA as a safe formula for babies. Therefore, this addresses your safety concerns, and you can shop confidently.
Whereas Similac is great for boosting the baby’s immunity, Enfamil promotes brain development. Thus, you can choose Enfamil if your baby is healthy and you’d like to boost their overall growth. If your baby has low immunity, Similac is an excellent choice.
Vitamins and minerals contained in baby formula are a vital consideration. You want to make sure that your baby gets all the nutrients for proper growth and development. From our review, Enfamil has higher amounts of vitamins and minerals; thereby, it’s the best choice for a growing baby.
Advisably
Stick to a product that works for your baby. Don’t be too quick to change the formula when your baby becomes fussy. You can try extra burping and slower milk flow to allow your baby to swallow and ease teething discomfort.
Some red flags will alert you that your baby is intolerant to some ingredients in the formula. For instance, if your baby becomes fussy, has a bloody stool, or has a rash, it could be due to intolerance.
Most parents will blame the ingredients of a baby’s formula, and quite often, fussiness is also a stage in a baby’s development. Be consistent in what you feed your baby, and talk to your baby’s pediatrician before you change.
Things to Keep in Mind While Choosing a Baby Formula
There are many options when choosing the right formula for your baby. Quick surfing on the internet will reveal different brands, so choosing the right formula for your baby can be confusing.
1. Enfamil and Similac are examples of brands that have excelled in baby formula. However, they, too, have different items in their product lines.
2. Baby formula is available in three categories. Some are powdered and concentrated liquid formulas that require mixing with water. Some come as ready-to-use, and you’ll not need to mix them with water before feeding your baby.
3. A hungry baby can’t wait, so their favorite formula should be easily accessible. If it’s hard to find from local baby stores, consider an alternative.
4. Your baby’s safety comes first. When shopping for baby formula, consider a product that doesn’t contain GMO products and chemicals. In the same context, organic baby formulas shouldn’t contain growth hormones. Ensure that the baby formula is FDA-approved for safety.
5. Budget consideration is always a top priority. Consider the amount you’d like to spend and find out the best formulation for your baby. Powdered formulas are cheaper and suitable for mommies looking forward to saving some money. Ready-to-use formulas are expensive but highly convenient since you can feed your baby anywhere.
6. When it comes to convenience, concentrated formulas take the trophy since they are easy to prepare. Additionally, you can use them anywhere since preparation is a breeze. You may need to store them in the refrigerator since they’re in liquid form. Powdered baby formulas can be messy during preparation but are easy to store. They are not convenient when traveling with a baby.
7. Switching different formula types is not recommended as your baby may react. Before you change a baby formula, talk to your pediatrician, and discuss the options available.
8. Always follow instructions for use before feeding your baby with formula. For instance, mix correctly, stir, use the correct water levels, and observe hygiene to prevent exposure to bacteria.
Read Also: Pampers Vs Huggies
Conclusion
Undoubtedly, choosing between Similac and Enfamil can be challenging since both are excellent options for your baby. If you need more clarification about the best product, it’s essential to seek your pediatrician’s advice.
However, from our review, your decision will entirely depend on your baby’s needs. Enfamil is a better choice for a growing baby since it contains many calories, minerals, and vitamins responsible for their growth and development.
Similac is an excellent choice if you’re looking to boost your baby’s immunity.
Other factors to consider are lactose tolerance and acidity. If your baby struggles with gassiness due to lactose, then Enfamil is the right choice since it’s a plant-based formula.
Hopefully, now you can choose between Enfamil vs Similac formula and get the best product for your baby.