Key Differences Between Bobbie and Similac Advance
| Features/Aspect | Bobbie | Similac Advance |
|---|---|---|
| Organic Ingredients | Yes | No |
| Protein Source | Organic nonfat milk and whey protein concentrate | Nonfat milk and whey protein concentrate |
| Whey-To-Casein Ratio | 60:40, closer to breast milk | 48:52, less similar to breast milk |
| Use of Soy | No soybean oil | Includes soy oil |
| Carbohydrate Source | Organic lactose | Lactose |
| Fats and Oils | Organic blend without chemical extraction | High oleic sunflower, soy, coconut oil |
| Prebiotics/Probiotics | Does not include | Includes prebiotics (GOS) |
| Overview | Organic, non-GMO, Clean Label Project Pesticide-Free | #1 brand in US hospitals, no artificial growth hormones |
In this article, we’ll compare two popular infant formulas—Bobbie and Similac—to better understand which one might be the best fit for your little one.
We have chosen Similac Advance as Bobbie’s contender, as it is the most popular and competes directly with Bobbie.
Other Bobbie vs Similac comparisons:
Our Short Answer
After analyzing both formulas, we undoubtedly choose Bobbie for the following reasons:
- It uses organic ingredients, which is extremely important in infant nutrition.
- It has a Whey-To-Casein ratio closer to breast milk (60:40), making it easier to digest.
- It does not use soybean oil and cold extracts vegetable oils, which means they retain nutrients and are not refined.
The only aspect in which Similac Advance is ahead is in the use of prebiotics, although these are not always necessary, and depend on the formula in question, and the baby.
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
Overview of the Two Formulas
Bobbie offers an organic, non-GMO formula with milk from pasture-raised cows, avoiding harmful chemicals and prioritizing safety with extensive testing for a clean start.
Similac Advance, the top hospital brand in the US, supports growth and development without artificial hormones.
Bobbie
Bobbie is a baby formula made with organic and non-GMO ingredients, making it a clean start for your baby’s nutrition. It features milk from happy, healthy, pasture-raised cows fed a grass-rich diet.
The formula avoids using chemical solvents, high heat, or inorganic bleaching agents during oil extraction, ensuring safety and purity.
Bobbie excludes ingredients like corn syrup and incorporates higher quantities of DHA, closely following U.S. and European regulations.
Additionally, it passes rigorous testing for over 400 contaminants, proudly carrying the Clean Label Project’s pesticide-free certification.
Similac Advance
Similac Advance provides a milk-based formula that’s iron-fortified and designed to support a baby through their first year.
It promotes brain and eye development with an exclusive blend of ingredients, including prebiotics for digestive health.
Similac Advance also prioritizes your baby’s calcium absorption through its no palm olein oil blend.
Recognized as the #1 infant formula brand in hospitals in the US, it targets comprehensive nutritional needs without including artificial growth hormones—a significant choice for parents focusing on traditional but effective infant nutrition.
Nutritional Composition
Bobbie’s formula features organic nonfat milk and whey protein, emphasizing natural, high-quality sources for growth, with a more digestible whey-to-casein ratio similar to breast milk.
Both use lactose for carbs, but Bobbie opts for organic.
For fats, Bobbie uses an organic, soy-free blend, focusing on mimicking breast milk’s fatty acid profile without chemical extraction, contrasting with Similac’s inclusion of soy oil.
Protein Content
Bobbie: Bobbie’s protein primarily comes from organic nonfat milk and organic whey protein concentrate. These sources deliver high-quality protein necessary for growth and development, sourced from milk of grass-fed cows. This approach emphasizes organic and natural sources for the baby’s well-being.
Similac Advance: The protein in Similac Advance is derived from nonfat milk and whey protein concentrate as well. These ingredients mimic the balance of proteins found in breast milk, offering a foundation for strong growth.
Bobbie and Advance use the same approach to protein, with skimmed milk and whey protein concentrate, but there are two important differences. The first one is obvious: Bobbie uses organic milk, which, in baby nutrition, we think is of the utmost importance in the long term. The second one is their whey-to-casein ratios; Bobbie has a 60:40 (same as mature breastmilk and easier to digest) and Advance a 48:52.
Carbohydrate Content
Bobbie: The main carbohydrate source in Bobbie’s formula is organic lactose. Lactose, naturally found in breast milk, provides energy babies need to grow and thrive.
Similac Advance: Like Bobbie, Similac Advance uses lactose as its primary carbohydrate source. This choice supports a familiar dietary component for infants transitioning from breast milk or starting on formula.
Both formulas use lactose, exactly what we want to see in conventional formulas. However, by choosing organic lactose, Bobbie ensures a clean, pesticide-free energy source for your baby.
Fats and Oils
Bobbie: Concerning fats, Bobbie utilizes a blend of organic high oleic sunflower or safflower oil, organic canola oil, organic coconut oil, and organic linoleic sunflower or safflower oil. This mix aims to closely mimic the fatty acid profile of breast milk while also ensuring all oils are extracted safely and organically without harsh chemicals.
Similac Advance: The fat content in Similac Advance comes from high oleic sunflower, soy, and coconut oil. While it strives to mirror the fatty acids found in breast milk for optimal absorption and infant health, Similac includes soy oil in its blend—a difference from Bobbie’s all-organic approach.
Bobbie clearly wins in fat content for two main reasons: it avoids soy (one of the worst vegetable oils) and uses cold oil extraction, which means the oils don’t lose properties and are not refined.
Probiotics and Prebiotics
Probiotics and prebiotics can be important for a baby’s digestive health, helping to establish a strong and balanced gut microbiome. However, not all formulas add them, as they can be considered additives.
Bobbie: While Bobbie focuses heavily on being organic and non-GMO, it does not include probiotics or prebiotics. The emphasis is more on clean, organic sourcing and a composition that mirrors European standards, which do not always require the addition of these elements.
Similac Advance: Similac Advance includes galactooligosaccharides (GOS), a common prebiotic used in formulas. These prebiotic fibers, similar to those found in breast milk, help nourish the good bacteria in a baby’s gut.
Best Places to Buy Bobbie and Similac
Bobbie
Thanks to their subscription model, the best place to purchase Bobbie is from their 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
Similac: Target or Walmart
If you want to buy Similac Advance online, we recommend Target or Walmart. You may also find it in brick-and-mortar stores.
Buy Similac Advance at Walmart
What are the best alternatives to Bobbie and Similac?
We always recommend parents to read about other formula brands before they make their final decision.
Here are the ones we usually recommend for most babies:
Holle is a German brand that offers organic infant formulas made from biodynamic, Demeter-certified ingredients. Their formulas are free from synthetic nutrients and artificial preservatives, making them a popular choice for health-conscious parents. *Read: Holle vs Bobbie and Holle vs Similac
Holle stands out for its organic and natural ingredients.
- Demeter Certified: The highest organic standard in Europe, ensuring biodynamic, chemical-free farming.
- Nutrient-rich: Packed with essential vitamins (A, D, E), minerals, and fatty acids (DHA & ARA).
- Pure & Simple: Free from artificial sweeteners, GMOs, chemicals, hormones, gluten, and soy.
- Organic Lactose & Milk Fats: Mimics natural breast milk carbohydrates.
Hipp, another German brand, is known for its organic and sustainable approach to infant nutrition. They provide a wide range of formulas, including those designed for sensitive stomachs or specific dietary needs. *Read: Hipp vs Bobbie and Hipp vs Similac
Hipp formula is the best to provide your baby with a wholesome and easily digestible formula.
- Breastmilk-Like Composition: Natural probiotic lactic acid cultures from real breast milk and lactose as the main carbohydrate.
- EU Organic Certified: Sourced from biodynamic farms.
- Nutrient-Enriched: Contains prebiotics (GOS) and essential fatty acids (DHA & ARA)
- Allergen-Free: Free from artificial sweeteners, GMOs, gluten, soy, peanuts, and eggs.
Kendamil, a UK-based brand, offers infant formulas made from whole milk sourced from British farms. They use high-quality ingredients and do not include palm oil, soy, or fish oil in their products. *Read: Kendamil vs Bobbie and Kendamil vs Similac
Kendamil Classic uses a premium blend that mirrors breast milk.
- Whole Milk Base
- DHA & ARA from Marine Algae
- Prebiotic Blend
- UK Red Tractor-certified farms
- No palm oil, corn syrups or maltodextrin
- Vegetarian Friendly
Lebenswert, also from Germany, is an organic formula brand that emphasizes simplicity and purity. Their formulas are made with high-quality ingredients and follow strict EU regulations for infant nutrition. *Read: Lebenswert vs Bobbie
Lebenswert Bio Stage 1 is a high-quality, organic formula perfect for babies who want the simplest yet complete nutrition.
- Bioland Certification
- Made with minimal organic ingredients to support natural digestion.
- Contains LCPs and lactose, mimicking breast milk.
- Free from starch, maltodextrin, artificial additives, and common allergens, ensuring easy digestion.
- No GMOs
- Rich in Essential Fatty Acids
Last Words
We hope this comparison between Bobbie and Similac Advance has helped you make an informed decision for your little one.
If you have further questions, leave a comment or contact us at [email protected].
Happy feeding!
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!
