Nutramigen vs Alimentum: Which Hypoallergenic Formula is Best?

Every new mom looks forward to welcoming a new baby into the world. A baby brings joy, and a happy baby is the most beautiful thing in the world. Unfortunately, happiness may be short-lived when the once-happy little one turns into a fussy baby. In this post, we will compare two great baby formulas (Nutramigen and Alimentum) as a solution to reflux, colic, eczema, or allergic triggers.

Fussiness can be a cause of concern, especially for new parents, and it happens for many reasons. It could be due to acid reflux or colic caused by gas accumulation. It’s frustrating and can cause distress for both the baby and the parent.

Likewise, reflux results in the baby refusing to breastfeed or drink milk. The baby can vomit; at this point, you need to act. 

Don’t get us wrong! Both Similac Alimentum and Nutramigen are two great baby formulas on the market. However, there are some similarities as well as differences between them. Here, we bring a comprehensive comparison review of Nutramigen vs Alimentum to help decide what’s right for your baby.

Read also: Best Baby Swing For Reflux And Colicky Baby

Nutramigen VS Alimentum: Overview

Nurtamigen is a baby formula from the famous brand Enfamil. Its hypoallergenic formula is iron-fortified and lactose-free. It works incredibly fast, and within two days, your child’s stomach calms for the much-needed relief. It’s a powdered product designed for colic babies and those with allergies such as eczema and asthma.

Easy-to-digest, Alimentum is made by the famous brand Similac. It’s a safe, predigested infant formula that contains broken-down protein units. It’s ideal for babies with allergies and prevents excessive spitting and vomiting.

Additionally, it’s suitable for babies dealing with colic or food allergies due to reactions to protein-based products. The brand claims that Alimentum offers quick relief after feeding, and most infants show signs of improvement within 24 hours. There may be fewer episodes of allergies after introducing this food product.

Unlike Nutramigen, which only comes in powder form, Alimentum comes in powder and ready-to-feed form. Hence you can feed your baby right away from the can.

That’s why we recommend parents take a look at the in-depth breakdown of each formula before choosing one for their baby.

Ingredients

Even though the main ingredient in Alimentum is cow milk protein, it’s broken down into tiny units to eliminate any allergic reaction in colic babies. It is full of iron, omega-3 DHA, and probiotics, which are vital for your child’s development. Alimentum is gentle on your baby’s tummy and the entire digestive system. Hence your baby will spit less during burping and won’t vomit.

It doesn’t contain lactose and has DHA as well as ARA, which are compounds present in breast milk. Hence, your baby gets the right nutrients necessary for supporting the eye, brain, and overall development.

Nutramigen has iron as its main ingredient, and the protein is hydrolyzed to help with digestion. The formula is clinically tested, and babies on PurAmino get quick relief from colic, intolerance, and reflux.

Nutramigen doesn’t contain dairy products and is a good choice for babies with a cow milk allergy. Quite often, you’ll find that some babies are lactose intolerant and it’d be a good idea to get a dairy-free product. This formulation eases pain and discomfort due to gassiness. It’s soy-free, which is good news for parents whose kids are soy milk intolerant. Hence, it is a safe formula for babies.

Nutramigen is packed with all the nutrients necessary for your baby’s well-being. These ingredients are carefully mixed in the right proportions and include minerals, fat, vitamins, proteins, and water.

Cost

As new parents, we are ready to pay for whatever it takes to have a restful night.

Both products come at a high price tag. However, Nutramigen is pricier compared to Alimentum. As of July 2023, Nutramigen 12.6 ounces can cost around $66, whereas Similac 12.1 ounces can cost $30.

Taste and smell

Unlike most normal formulas, the Alimentum formula is a bit thinner. However, when it comes to taste or smell, it’s hard to tell which is the best between the two.

Most infant-based formulas have a sour or cereal-like taste. However, hydrolyzed options such as Nutramigen and Alimentum taste sour or bitter. Most parents will agree that the smell of both is strong. Although the babies may refuse, they will find the taste tolerable with time.

Preparation

Preparation of either formula is easy. You’ll need to set a baby’s bottle in warm water below 75 degrees F. Any amount of extra heat can cause hotspots and burn your child’s mouth. Likewise, heat can destroy the probiotics present in the formula and render it useless.

Where to buy

Both products are available in shopping stores such as supermarkets, pharmacies, and online e-commerce platforms such as Amazon and Walmart. They are available for the US market, but you can still find them overseas. The advantage of buying online is the availability of several offers that are appealing to many shoppers.

And you can take advantage of Amazon’s new “Subscribe and Save” feature, where you can get great deals on essential products when deliveries are set for regular shipments.

Packaging

The package for Alimentum consists of four count-value size containers that last many days. Each can contain 19.8 ounces of protein formula, around 143 four oz milk bottles. Similarly, the packaging for Nutramigen consists of 19.8 ounces cans of protein formula. In other words, there’s no difference whatsoever with the package. By choosing either option, you’ll get the same quantity.

Pros of Nutramigen

• Soy-free and dairy-free
• Trusted by parents and approved by pediatricians
• Right nutrient mix to boost a child’s health
• Available in either ready-to-feed or powder formula
• Extra DHA which is vital for brain development
• Rich in probiotics that nourish a baby’s gut

Cons of Nutramigen

• Expensive
• Not so great taste

Pros of Alimentum

• Predigested, hence eliminates gas and prevents spitting or vomiting after feeding
• Recommended by health experts such as pediatricians as a safe product for babies
• Works fast within the first 48 hours after feeding
• Comes in either ready-to-feed or powder formula

Cons of Alimentum

• Unpleasant taste
• Very costly
• Babies may have difficulty adjusting to the introduction of formula especially if they’re used to breastfeeding.

Importance of Nutramigen and Alimentum

• If your baby is allergic to cow milk, you may want to try either Nutramigen or Alimentum. As we’ve discovered in this review, both products are hypoallergenic. What this means is that the proteins are broken down into smaller amino acids that are easily digested and absorbed into the digestive system.
• Another reason to consider these products is that they are rich in nutrients. They are recommended for babies with cow milk allergies and colic. The majority of these babies will do well when introduced to hypoallergenic products. Further, they are like breast milk and contain all nutrients necessary during the first months of a child’s life.
• Your baby’s gut stays healthy, and the formula is easy to digest. It does eliminate the pain caused by cow milk allergy and colic.

Read Also: Enfamil Vs Similac Comparison

Nutramigen vs Alimentum

Questions & Answers

Which is the best formula for a colic baby?

A baby needs extra care, and as a parent, you need to pay key attention when choosing the best formula for your baby. From our review, it’s pretty evident that the best formula is hypoallergenic and hence gentle on a baby’s stomach besides preventing allergic reactions.

Where can I buy a hypoallergenic formula?

If your baby is restless or fussy, it could be due to colic, lactose intolerance, or acid reflux. It’s advisable to visit your baby’s pediatrician for advice. After examination, the doctor can identify the cause and prescribe medication alongside a hypoallergenic formula.

How long does it take for the formula to start working?

Each formula product works differently and the efficacy time varies. Most hypoallergenic formulas work within 48 hours after which your baby gets relief from colic and gas.

Where can I buy a hypoallergenic formula?

Hypoallergenic formulas are available in food stores and pharmacies. You can only find your favorite package in online stores such as Amazon and Walmart.

What should I do if my baby rejects the hypoallergenic formula?

Due to the unpleasant taste, babies can reject the formula product at first instance. However, your child will get used to it within five days. If the resistance increases, you can consult your baby’s pediatrician for further direction.

Nutramigen vs Alimentum: Verdict

As you can see, the main difference between Nutramigen and Alimentum is that the former has more DHA. Also, whereas both products have Iron, Nutramigen consists of corn syrup, but Alimentum has no corn.

Both formulas are hydrolysate and hypoallergenic products that work by hydrolyzing the protein to allow for quick digestion. After that, this prevents colic, gassiness, or tummy aches in infants. However, it’s worth noting that the protein is only partially broken, and allergies may occur.

When introducing formula products for the first time, you need some patience since babies can resist. Also, it takes time for your baby to accept a new diet, and their appetite tends to improve slowly. If the persistence increases, then you need to contact a pediatrician for further advice.

Both are very costly, and moms on a budget may attempt to try other baby formulas on the market. However, when you compare the benefits, the cost is nothing compared to your baby’s comfort. On the same note, some suppliers may have coupons or discount the prices depending on the offers available.

Nutramigen vs Alimentum: Final Thoughts

From our Nutramigen vs Alimentum discussion, there’s a thin line between the two products. Although you can access the formulas over the counter without any prescription, it’s always important to consult your baby’s pediatrician before introducing any product.

Whereas these products are similar in many ways, we’ve seen that Nutramigen contains probiotics elements that are useful in enhancing a baby’s overall health. You can always start with either formula and see if it works for you and your baby. If it doesn’t, then you can change.

The bottom line is! The best baby formula will offer relief from gassiness, pain, and tummy discomfort.