Key Differences Between Bobbie and Alimentum
| Key Differences | Bobbie | Alimentum |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | United States | United States |
| Farming Practices | Organic farming, no palm oil | Contains palm oil derivatives |
| Brand Reputation | Organic and simple, prioritizes high-quality ingredients, convenience with customizable subscriptions | Focus on alleviating protein sensitivities, includes immune-nourishing 2′-FL HMO |
| Milk Source | Organic cow’s milk | Hydrolyzed protein for babies with protein sensitivities |
| Protein Content | Whey-to-casein ratio resembling breast milk | Hydrolyzed casein protein |
| Unique Protein Feature | Organic protein, easy to digest | Hydrolyzed protein for reduced allergic reactions |
| Carbohydrate Content | Exclusively from lactose, no other added sugars | Corn maltodextrin and modified corn starch |
| Carbohydrate Benefits | Similar to human breast milk, easy to digest | Easily digestible for babies who can’t digest lactose |
| Fats and Oils | Organic high oleic safflower/sunflower, soybean, and coconut oil | High oleic safflower oil, medium-chain triglycerides, and soy oil |
| Omega Fatty Acids | Contains high quantities of DHA | Contains DHA and ARA |
| Prebiotics and Probiotics | Lactose in the formula has some prebiotic effects, no added prebiotics or probiotics | Contains 2′-FL HMO prebiotic, no added probiotics |
| Cost and Availability | Easier to find, $1.66 per ounce | More challenging to find, $2.50 per ounce |
| Best Suited For | Mild digestive concerns, organic preference | Severe lactose intolerance or milk protein sensitivity |
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This article will compare two popular formulas from the US: Bobbie vs Alimentum.
This comparison is a special one, since the two formulas have very different approaches. Bobbie being an organic and simple/pure formula, while Alimentum is designed for babies with digestive issues.
We will delve into their reputation, nutritional composition, and other factors, to help you make an informed decision.
Let’s get after it!
Tip: Read about the Best Hypoallergenic Formulas.
Our Short Answer
We can’t choose a clear winner in this comparison as it ultimately depends on your baby’s specific nutritional and sensitivity requirements.
Bobbie offers quality organic ingredients and a gentle formula for mild digestive issues, while Alimentum caters to babies with more severe lactose intolerance or milk protein sensitivity.
So, depending on your specific case, choose one or the other.
Less is more. That is the saying of Bobbie.
Crafted with care, focussed on essential, high-quality ingredients.
Bobbie is your go-to if you want a US-based product with an Organic European Formula quality.
- Organic American Grass-Fed Milk: Sourced from Organic Valley cows
- Iron meets FDA and EU standards
- Perfect Whey:Casein Ratio
- Organic Expeller-Pressed Fat Blend
- Organic Lactose
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Brand Reputation
Bobbie focuses on high-quality organic ingredients, transparency, and convenience with customizable subscriptions.
Alimentum (Similac) specializes in alleviating protein sensitivities and includes immune-nourishing 2′-FL HMO, backed by Similac’s research and expertise in infant nutrition.
Bobbie Reputation
Bobbie positions itself as a brand that puts babies’ needs at the forefront, with a commitment to high-quality organic ingredients inspired by EU nutritional guidelines.
Bobbie believes that “every ingredient counts” and aims to provide a formula that meets the stringent FDA regulations and the EU nutritional requirements that prioritize the well-being of infants.
The brand has a transparent approach to manufacturing, and its infant formula has received the Clean Label Project Purity Award and Pesticide Free certification.
Bobbie proudly shares its dedication in sourcing and testing for over 400 contaminants and toxins.
Moreover, Bobbie emphasizes convenience for parents by offering a customizable subscription service, allowing families to adjust the frequency, quantity, or skip orders according to their baby’s feeding needs.
Alimentum [Similac] Reputation
Alimentum, a product of Similac, has built its reputation as a brand focused on alleviating the discomfort experienced by babies with protein sensitivities.
Alimentum provides a hypoallergenic infant formula that aims to reduce colic symptoms caused by protein sensitivity within 24 hours for most infants, according to their clinical studies.
The brand takes pride in including 2′-FL HMO, an immune-nourishing ingredient that sets it apart from other hypoallergenic formulas.
As part of Similac, Alimentum enjoys the benefits of a well-established brand in infant nutrition, including research, quality assurance, and availability of products.
Alimentum’s reputation and philosophy stand on providing specialized nutrition care for babies with protein sensitivities while aiming to nourish their immune system.
Nutritional Composition
Bobbie uses organic cow’s milk with a whey-to-casein ratio resembling breast milk. It exclusively uses lactose for carbohydrates and organic oils without palm oil.
Alimentum has hydrolyzed protein, corn maltodextrin, and starch for carbs and includes palm oil derivatives.
Bobbie prioritizes organic and natural ingredients.
Protein Content
Bobbie: The protein in Bobbie formula is derived from cow’s milk and features a whey to casein ratio of 60:40, closely resembling the ratio found in mature human breast milk. This balanced protein composition and the fact that it comes from organic sources support easy digestion and better cater to babies’ nutritional needs.
Alimentum: Alimentum formula provides a casein hydrolysate protein source, broken down into tiny pieces to virtually eliminate allergic reactions in most babies allergic to cow’s milk protein.
This hypoallergenic formula is specialized for babies with protein sensitivities and aims to reduce colic symptoms caused by protein intolerance.
Both formulas have a very different approach to protein. Bobbie´s approach is logically more natural and pure than Alimentum’s.
This is because Alimentum has hydrolyzed protein to make it easier to digest. It breaks the molecules so the baby’s stomach does not have to do it.
Carbohydrate Content
Bobbie: The carbohydrate content in Bobbie formula is sourced exclusively from lactose, the most common sugar in human breast milk. Lactose provides the necessary energy for growing babies, and Bobbie contains no other added sugars, such as sucrose, maltose, corn syrup, glucose syrup, brown rice syrup, or maltodextrin.
Alimentum: Alimentum’s carbohydrate content comes primarily from corn maltodextrin and modified corn starch. The formula contains sucrose, which helps maintain the phrasing and make the formula palatable.
Another big difference between both formulas.
Bobbie’s carb content is what we like to see: organic lactose exclusively.
Alimentum uses maltodextrin and starch, two carb sources we do not like to see in baby formulas, but it has a reason. For babies who can’t digest lactose easily, these carb sources are the alternative, and they are easily digestible.
Fats and Oils
Bobbie: The fats in Bobbie formula are derived from organic high oleic safflower or sunflower, soybean, and organic coconut oil. Notably, Bobbie does not contain palm oil. The formula also provides the essential omega-3 fatty acid DHA, sourced from Schizochytrium sp. oil, which supports brain, eye, and immune system development.
Alimentum: Alimentum gets its fats primarily from high oleic safflower oil, medium-chain triglycerides (from modified coconut and/or palm kernel oils), and soy oil. Additionally, it contains the essential omega-3 fatty acid DHA, sourced from C. cohnii oil, and the omega-6 fatty acid ARA, derived from M. alpina oil.
Bobbie wins the fat battle for being organic. It also does not add any palm oil derivate, which we do not like to see in formulas in their non-organic version.
Probiotics and Prebiotics
Bobbie does not have added prebiotics but lactose in the formula has some prebiotic effects.
Alimentum includes 2′-FL HMO, a prebiotic similar to breast milk, promoting a healthy gut microbiome.
Neither formula has added probiotics; supplementation is optional and should be advised by healthcare professionals.
Prebiotics are non-digestible fibers that serve as food for beneficial gut bacteria. They help promote the growth of good bacteria, resulting in improved gut health and function.
At the time of this writing, Bobbie Organic Infant Formula does not contain added prebiotics. However, lactose, which is the main carbohydrate source in Bobbie formula, does have some prebiotic effects.
On the other hand, Alimentum includes a unique prebiotic called 2′-FL HMO (2-fucosyllactose Human Milk Oligosaccharide), structurally similar to an oligosaccharide found in human breast milk. This immune-nourishing ingredient helps develop a healthy gut microbiome and immune system.
Neither Bobbie nor Alimentum infant formulas contain added probiotics. Additional supplementation of probiotics would be at the parents’ discretion and, ideally, based on a healthcare professional’s advice.
Cost and availability
Bobbie and Alimentum infant formulas are readily available in the United States, with Bobbie being easier to find.
Bobbie is priced at $1.66 per ounce, and you can purchase it directly from their website.
Alimentum may be more challenging to find but can often be located at major retailers like Target or Walmart. Its price is higher at around $2.50 per ounce.
Both brands may be difficult to find in other parts of the world, making them less accessible for international consumers.
Best Places to Buy Bobbie and Alimentum
Bobbie´s Official Website
Less is more. That is the saying of Bobbie.
Crafted with care, focussed on essential, high-quality ingredients.
Bobbie is your go-to if you want a US-based product with an Organic European Formula quality.
- Organic American Grass-Fed Milk: Sourced from Organic Valley cows
- Iron meets FDA and EU standards
- Perfect Whey:Casein Ratio
- Organic Expeller-Pressed Fat Blend
- Organic Lactose
ALIMENTUM: TARGET AND WALMART
What are the best alternatives to Bobbie and Alimentum?
If you’re looking for alternatives to these two formulas based on your baby’s specific needs, here are some recommendations:
Bobbie Alternatives:
Holle: A great option for its Demeter certification and high-quality, organic ingredients. *Read: Holle vs Bobbie
Kendamil: Valued for its simplicity and the use of whole milk, which results in a formula more similar to breast milk in composition. *Read: Kendamil vs Alimentum and Kendamil vs Bobbie
Alimentum Alternatives:
- Hipp Speciality Formulas: Hipp offers hypoallergenic and targeted formulas, such as Hipp HA, Anti-Reflux, or Comfort, which cater to babies with specific dietary needs or sensitivities. *Read: Hipp HA vs Alimentum and Hipp vs Bobbie
Conclusion
It’s challenging to choose between Bobbie and Alimentum as the best choice since their purposes differ significantly.
Suppose your baby has mild digestive concerns like occasional reflux or colic. In that case, Bobbie is a suitable option due to its organic ingredients, perfect whey-to-casein ratio, and clean formula that is gentle on your baby’s tummy.
Conversely, if your baby experiences more severe issues such as lactose intolerance or sensitivity to milk protein, Alimentum or other hypoallergenic formulas are the better routes.
Always consult a healthcare professional to determine the best solution for your baby’s needs.
We’re Maria and Alberto, a married couple and educators who are nutrition enthusiasts. Even before we had kids, we were already crazy about nutrition.
We’d read scientific articles, watch videos from nutritionists, and spend hours listening to nutrition podcasts.
Today, we continue doing this, but in a different way, as we’ve learned to sift through the noise and trends. Nutrition, like any other field of knowledge, the more you read and learn, the more you develop a comprehensive understanding of reality, and that’s what has happened to us.
Before having our first child, we focused on learning everything we could about child nutrition, using the same techniques we had already employed, backed by our extensive knowledge in nutrition.
Our mission is to help other parents with their children’s nutrition, to help them become the best versions of themselves.
If we are what we eat and drink, which is absolutely true, let’s do it right!
