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Enfamil vs. Similac: Choosing the best formula for your little one
If you intend to become a mother shortly, one of the most important decisions you may have to make is whether you will give your baby your breast milk or choose from the different baby formulas available on the market. Of course, many agree that breast milk is the best option for a baby. However, if, for some reason, you have to use the formula for your children, two of the most popular brands around the world are Enfamil and Similac.
Many people wonder which formula is better, Similac or Enfamil. The truth is that both are used by millions of mothers to feed their children, and there are many pros and cons to both. How to choose between them is a difficult question for most moms. Let’s look at Enfamil and Similac and highlight their characteristics and make it easier for moms to decide on one of the two children's formulas.
What’s the difference between Enfamil and Similac?
• Enfamil
Enfamil is a baby formula made by Mead Johnson and is extremely popular as an alternative to breast milk among mothers across the world. This is a children’s formula representing over 50% of the children’s formula market in the United States.
The company produces different formulas according to the age of the child, such as Enfamil Premium Newborn for infants aged 0-3 months, Premium Infant, which is used for infants up to 12 months, and finally, Enfamil Premium Toddler who is used for children of aged between 1-3 years. These baby powders are made to contain all the nutrition that children need for their optimal body growth.
They are enriched with vitamins and contain all the nutrients that doctors consider essential for the development of the child and provide immunity from various diseases. All these formulas contain the daily requirement of 400 IU of vitamin D for babies and contain ARA and DHA, which are natural ingredients in breast milk.
Mead Johnson is a company that makes special formulas for babies with special needs like spitting babies, premature babies, babies with digestive problems, and so on.
• Similac
Similac is a formula for children, which is also very popular among mothers across the world. The company mainly produces Similac Go and Grow for babies and children and Similac Pro Advance for babies up to 12 months of age. The children’s formulas produced by the company contain all the nutrients necessary for the growth and development of children.
They contain DHA and ARA, both found in breast milk and also contain Lutein, a substance found naturally in breast milk that helps develop the babies’ eyes and brains. In addition to these two general formulas, Similac also produces some special formulas to take care of the needs of children who have certain problems. Similac Sensitive is best suited for sensitive children, and Similac Expert Care Alimentum is for children who have food allergies.
What is the main difference between Similac and Enfamil?
First of all, you should know that despite the main differences between Similac and Enfamil, they are both valid brands with plenty of different solutions.
- Similac is produced by the Abbott laboratories, while Mead Johnson produces Enfamil.
- Enfamil has a larger share in the children’s formula market than Similac in the United States.
- Both products meet the nutritional needs of infants and young children and have started adding DHA and ARA naturally present in breast milk to make their formulas much better than before.
- It is difficult to compare the two products as both companies have a wide variety of products designed, taking into account the specific needs of children.
- It is best to try one of the formulas and stick to it if the child normally grows without difficulty. One can always switch to the other brand in case of difficulty. It all depends on a child’s experience with either baby formulas.
What to look for in baby formula: Similac vs. Enfamil
When choosing the formula for babies, parents usually decide based on nutrition, safety documentation, product range, availability, and prices. This is an impartial comparison between Similac and Enfamil, the two major infant formula manufacturers on these parameters.
Types of the formula for babies
Whether you choose Enfamil or Similac, they are both available in various forms such as milk-based, soy-based (in case of allergy to milk proteins) fortified with iron, and many more.
Nutrition: the main factor to consider
The nutritional value of Enfamil varies according to the product.
Enfamil Enspire vs. Enfamil Premium
Enfamil Enspire contains 2,1 g of protein, 5,3 g of fat, 11,2 g of carbohydrates, 800 mg of linoleic acid, 300 IU of vitamin A, 60 IU of vitamin D, and 16 mcg of folic acid per 5 fl. oz.
- Contains 1 - 20.5 ounce container of baby formula milk powder
- First and only baby formula in the US containing the ingredients Lactoferrin and MFGM making Enfamil Enspire our closest ever infant formula to breast milk
- Lactoferrin is a protein found in colostrum and breast milk that provides immune support and intestinal development, and MFGM has been shown to support mental development. Omega 3 DHA and Choline are brain support nutrients also found in breast milk
- Proprietary blend of baby probiotics designed to provide immune support, and clinically proven to promote digestive health
- Brought to you by Enfamil, the #1 Pediatrician Recommended Brand*
Enfamil’s Premium formula for infants contains 2, 1 g of protein, 5, 3 g of fat, 11, 2 g of carbohydrates, 860 mg of linoleic acid, 300 IU of vitamin A, 75 IU of vitamin D, 16 mcg of folic acid and 17 mg of DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) per 5 fl. oz. The nutritional value of Similac also varies by product.
Similac Pro Advance vs. Enfamil Enspire
Enfamil vs. Similac supplementation within these two products is quite similar. The two products are not too different, and both provide good nutrition for newborns.
Both infant formulas are generally considered good. Similac Pro Advance is sometimes more recommended because it is based on more than fifteen years of experience. Moreover, it contains polysaccharides, which are renowned for promoting digestive health and immunity, and the OptiGRO blend is perfect for the baby’s eye and brain development.
- No.1 BRAND FOR IMMUNE SUPPORT: Similac Pro-Advance is the first infant formula with 2’ FL HMO designed to be closer than ever to breast milk. (Based on pediatrician recommendations & IQVIA ProVoice survey 12 months ending February 2020; not from human milk)
- NO ARTIFICIAL GROWTH HORMONES: Similac is the first leading infant formula brand with no artificial growth hormones (No significant difference has been shown between milk derived from rbST-treated and non-rbST-treated cows)
- BRAIN & EYE DEVELOPMENT: Our exclusive blend of DHA, Lutein, and Vitamin E – nutrients also found in breast milk – helps support baby’s overall growth and brain and eye development
- TRUSTED: Similac is the No.1 infant formula brand chosen by moms and the No.1 brand fed in hospitals (total US infant formula all outlets as of 3/31/18, Nielsen data)
- BRAIN & EYE DEVELOPMENT: Our exclusive blend of DHA, Lutein, and Vitamin E – nutrients also found in breast milk – helps support baby’s overall growth and brain and eye development
So, which is better in 2023: Similac or Enfamil?
Enfamil, compared to Similac, contains 50% more DHA and AHA for neural, brain and eye development, and partially hydrolyzed nonfat milk to make digestion easy. However, Similac is better than Enfamil because it incorporates Lutein and avoids GMOs. But Similac uses a possibly allergenic milk protein isolate and more sugars for better taste.
Everything considered, it strongly depends on your budget, personal concerns, and preferences (such as sugar intake, immune system boosting vs. brain-boosting or GMOs), and what your baby responds better to. After all, your child is the one who’s going to drink it, and if you struggle to feed him, maybe that’s not the right formula for him!
We at Parenthoodroutine do hope our Enfamil vs Similac review was helpful! Share your opinion with us below!
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