Key Differences Table Between Enfamil Enspire and Similac 360 Total Care
| Criteria | Enfamil Enspire | Similac 360 Total Care |
|---|---|---|
| Main Selling Points | Contains MFGM and Lactoferrin; better Whey-To-Casein ratio; better source of DHA | No Palm Olein; has 5 types of HMOs |
| Resemblance to Breast Milk | Contains key components like Lactoferrin and MFGM | Unique blend of five HMO prebiotics |
| DHA Source | Schizochytrium sp. oil | C. Cohnii oil |
| Whey-To-Casein Ratio | 65:35 | 48:52 |
| Prebiotics | Dual prebiotics (Lacto-N- Neotetraose and 2′-Fucosyllactose) | Five HMO prebiotics (including 2′-Fucosyllactose, Lacto-N-Tetraose, 3-Fucosyllactose, 6′-Sialyllactose, 3′-Sialyllactose) |
| Protein Source | Skimmed milk and whey protein concentrate | Skimmed milk and whey protein concentrate |
| Carbohydrate Source | Lactose | Lactose |
| Fat Blend | Palm Olein, Coconut Oil, Soy Oil, High Oleic Sunflower Oil | High Oleic Safflower Oil, Soy Oil, Coconut Oil (no Palm Olein) |
| Non-GMO Ingredients | Yes | Yes |
| Artificial Growth Hormones | None | None |
This article aims to compare two popular formulas in the US: Enfamil Enspire vs Similac 360 Total Care.
We will analyze their ingredients and nutritional compositions to help you decide the best option for your baby.
Let’s get after it!
Related read: Similac 360 Total Care vs Enfamil Neuropro
Our Short Answer
Enfamil Enspire and Similac 360 Total Care are two of the best formulas from the titanic brands Enfamil and Similac.
After analyzing both, our personal recommendation is that you choose Enfamil Enspire for the following reasons:
- Contains MFGM and Lactoferrin
- It has a better Whey-To-Casein ratio
- It has a better source of DHA
That said, Similac 360 also has its advantages:
- It does not use Palm Olein
- Has 5 types of HMOs instead of 2 like Enspire
Still, we think that all things considered, Enfamil Enspire would be our choice if we had to pick one for our baby.
That said, we recommend you take a look at the alternatives further down in the article.
Overview of the Two Formulas
Enfamil Enspire closely resembles breast milk, containing key components like Lactoferrin and MFGM for mental and immune health, plus Omega 3 DHA for brain and eye development, with non-GMO ingredients and dual prebiotics.
Similac 360 Total Care competes with a unique blend of five HMO prebiotics, supporting immunity, brain development, and digestion, also emphasizing non-GMO, hormone-free ingredients, favored in hospitals.
Enfamil Enspire
Enfamil Enspire is a top-notch baby formula claiming to be one of the brand’s formulations closest ever to breast milk. This claim lies in its inclusion of crucial elements like Lactoferrin and MFGM that are also prominent in breast milk and known to promote mental development and immune support.
What’s more, this powdered milk formula has Omega 3 DHA, known to be beneficial for eye and brain development. And that’s not all – this formula also boasts non-GMO ingredients and dual prebiotics for added nutritional benefits.
Similac 360 Total Care
On the other side of the competition lies Similac 360 Total Care — a formula that prides itself on an exclusive blend of five HMO prebiotics structurally identical to those found in breast milk.
The design behind this formula is geared towards ensuring immune support, brain development, as well as fostering digestive health – key aspects of your baby’s growth journey.
Ranking highly among brands trusted within hospital settings, Similac ensures it uses no artificial growth hormones and non-GMO ingredients in producing this particular variant.
Nutritional Composition
Enfamil Enspire and Similac 360 Total Care both utilize Whey Protein Concentrate for optimal protein bioavailability, with Enspire more closely mimicking breast milk’s whey-to-casein ratio.
They use lactose as the sole carbohydrate, matching human milk’s primary carb.
For fats, Enspire includes a vegetable and specialized oil blend, while Similac opts out of palm olein oil, offering better fat quality.
Protein Content
Proteins are a cornerstone in healthy growth and cell development for babies.
In Enfamil Enspire, Whey Protein Concentrate is utilized to mimic the Whey-to-Casein ratio found in breast milk closely. This protein source also enhances bioavailability – your baby’s body can easily absorb and utilize these proteins.
Similac 360 Total Care also uses Whey Protein Concentrate to deliver easily digestible proteins to your young one. It helps with muscle tissue growth and general bodily function improvement.
Both formulas use skimmed milk and whey protein concentrate.
Enfamil Enspire has a 65:35 whey-to-casein ratio, while Similac 360 has a 48:52. This makes Enspire closer to breastmilk (60:40), which means that on paper, it is faster to digest.
Carbohydrate Content
Carbohydrates are another essential nutrient that equips your baby with energy – needed for their high-energy activities like crawling around or simply growing.
Both these formulas choose to use Lactose as a major source for carbohydrates, making them simulate breast milk even more since Lactose is the principal carbohydrate present in human milk.
Both formulas use lactose only, which is what we want to see in conventional formulas—no traces of corn syrup, maltodextrin, or starches.
Fats and Oils
Fats are indispensable nutrients for securing energy supply, fostering brain development, supporting cell growth, protecting organs, and keeping body temperature steady in infants.
Enfamil Enspire incorporates a blend of Vegetable Oil (Palm Olein Oil, Coconut Oil, Soy Oil, High Oleic Sunflower Oil), Mortierella Alpina oil (source of ARA- Arachidonic Acid), as well as Schizochytrium sp. oil (source of DHA- Docosahexaenoic Acid).
Similac 360 Total Care also provides a mix of High Oleic Safflower Oil, Soy Oil, Coconut Oil, and oil from C. Cohnii (source of DHA) and M. Alpina (source of ARA).
Similac 360 Total Care wins the fat content, thanks to not adding Palm Olein like Enfamil. However, Enspire has a better DHA source than Similac since Schizochytrium sp. oil has technically more bioavailability.
Learn more: Palm Oil in Infant Formula | DHA and ARA in Infant Formula
Prebiotics and Probiotics
Enfamil Enspire infuses its formula with dual prebiotics to maintain your baby’s digestive system health: Lacto-N- Neotetraose and 2′-Fucosyllactose.
Similac 360 Total Care, on the other hand, has an exclusive blend of five HMO prebiotics (2′-Fucosyllactose, Lacto-N-Tetraose, 3-Fucosyllactose, 6′-Sialyllactose, 3′-Sialyllactose). These are structurally identical to those in breast milk and are essential for immunity support and digestive health.
Best Places to Buy Enfamil Enspire and Similac 360 Total Care
Enfamil Enspire
Similac 360 Total Care
What are the Best Alternatives to Enfamil Enspire and Similac 360 Total Care?
These two formulas are probably among the best of both brands, but there are still better formulas in the market. Here are our favorites:
- Kendamil Organic: Our top choice thanks to its HMOs and MFGM ingredients (just as in our featured formulas), but with the bonus of being an organic product. It ensures you’re giving your baby nutrition free from harmful chemicals. *Read: Kendamil vs Enfamil | Kendamil vs Similac
- Bobbie: This option wins its points for having a minimalist ingredient list that doesn’t compromise on needed nutrients. You can rest assured about what’s entering your baby’s system. *Read: Bobbie vs Enfamil | Bobbie vs Similac 360
- Byheart: One of the top US-based formulas that cater to quality-minded parents who want their baby formula suppliers’ transparency about ingredients.
- Holle Bio: With their Demeter certification and commitment to biodynamic farming practices, Holle Bio offers a product that respects nature while providing high nutrition value. *Read: Holle vs Enfamil | Holle vs Similac
- Hipp: Renowned for its organic blend of prebiotics and probiotics, Hipp ensures your little one gets sufficient gut-nourishing components while staying GMO-free. *Read: Hipp vs Enfamil | Hipp vs Similac
Last Words
We hope this comparison between Enfamil Enspire and Similac 360 Total Care has helped you choose the best formula for your baby.
We encourage you to read more about the alternatives before you decide. If you need any extra help, contact us, and we’ll help you!
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!
