Kendamil vs Similac: Which Baby Formula Is Better?

In this article, we will compare two popular infant formulas: Kendamil vs Similac. We have chosen the two most popular formulas from both brands: Kendamil Classic vs Similac 360 Total Care.

We will analyze their ingredients and nutritional composition to help you make an informed decision for your little one.

If you are looking to compare other Kendamil and Similac formulas, you can check the table above or the following articles:

• Kendamil Organic vs Pure Bliss
• Kendamil vs Alimentum

Our Short Answer

After analyzing all of the Kendamil and Similac formulas, and more specifically Kendamil Classic and Similac 360 Total Care, we are sticking with Kendamil in all possible comparisons for the following reasons:

• Its source of ingredients is more natural (and if we talk about Kendamil Organic much more).
• It uses whole milk instead of skim milk, which means it does not depend so much on vegetable oils (milk fat is better than vegetable fat).
• Uses neither soybean oil nor high oleic oils such as Similac (these oils are best avoided as much as possible).

We found no compelling reason to choose Similac over Kendamil, except if our baby suffered from CMPA. In that case, we would go for Similac Alimentum.

Overview of the Two Formulas

Kendamil Classic uses whole milk from British cows, including MFGM and algae-derived Omega 3, offering a vegetarian-friendly formula close to nature.

Similac 360 Total Care features 5 HMO prebiotics for immunity and brain development, trusted by hospitals, and is non-GMO.

Kendamil Classic

Kendamil Classic is a special baby formula from the UK.

What makes Kendamil stand out is its use of whole milk from cows living on farms in the British Lake District. This means the milk in Kendamil formula comes from happy cows that graze on lush fields.

Kendamil is proud of where it comes from—its name even comes from its local town, Kendal!

One good thing about Kendamil is that it includes MFGM (Milk Fat Globule Membrane), usually found in breast milk.

Plus, they get their Omega 3 from algae and do not use animal rennet, making this formula vegetarian-friendly.

It’s a unique choice for parents who prefer something closer to nature for their babies.

Similac 360 Total Care

Similac 360 Total Care is one of the most popular Similac formulas.

This formula has a blend of 5 HMO prebiotics—special additives also found organically in breast milk and are super important for your baby’s health. They help with immunity, brain development, and keeping the tummy healthy.

Similac is known for being the number one formula brand used in hospitals, which says a lot about its reliability and trust among healthcare professionals.

It does not contain artificial growth hormones and is non-GMO, meaning it does not include any genetically modified ingredients.

Nutritional Composition

Kendamil Classic prioritizes whole milk and demineralized whey for natural, gentle protein, closely mirroring breast milk’s composition.

It exclusively uses lactose for carbohydrates and blends organic oils with microalgae for brain-boosting fats.

Similac offers similar nutrients but relies more on plant-based oils and additives.

Protein Content

Kendamil Classic uses whole milk as its primary source of protein, along with demineralized whey powder enriched in alpha-lactalbumin. Whole milk provides a natural and gentle form of protein that babies can digest, matching closely with what’s naturally present in breast milk.

Similac 360 Total Care, on the other hand, has nonfat milk and whey protein concentrate as its main protein sources. The whey protein concentrate is designed to mimic the protein profile of breast milk, aiming for easy digestion and aiding in infant growth and development.

Kendamil’s protein sources are better than Similac’s. Using whole milk has plenty of advantages (see fats and oils). Demineralized whey powder is easier to digest than whey protein concentrate. Additionally, Kendamil whey-to-casein ratio is 60:40, the same as mature breast milk, while Similac’s is 48:52, close, but not optimal.

Carbohydrate Content

Carbohydrates are key for energy, so babies must get the right amount from their formula.

Kendamil Classic gets its carbohydrates exclusively from lactose, which comes from milk. Lactose is also the main carbohydrate in breast milk, making it a good choice for mimicking the natural feeding experience.

Similac 360 Total Care uses lactose as well. However, take into account that some Similac formulas make use of corn syrup solids, so make sure to read the labels properly.

Both formulas use lactose, which is what we look for in conventional formulas. The only difference would be the source of it, which, in this comparison, Kendamil wins since its milk comes from more natural sources.

Fats and Oils

Fats are super important in a baby’s diet because they help with brain development, among many other things.

Kendamil Classic gets its fats from whole milk and vegetable oils: sunflower, coconut, and rapeseed. These oils are blended to balance essential fatty acids necessary for brain development and growth. Furthermore, Kendamil includes oils from microalgae to supply DHA, an omega-3 fatty acid crucial for eye and brain health.

Similac 360 Total Care includes a mix of high-oleic safflower oil, soy oil, and coconut oil, plus added C. Cohnii (a source of DHA) and M. Alpina oil (a source of ARA) oils.

Kendamil wins again because its fat blend is more natural and nutritious than Similac’s. This is because it uses milk fats (which are more nutritious and better than plant-based fats), and avoids high-oleic and soy oils (this last one is the worst oil and it is better to avoid it)

Probiotics and Prebiotics

Kendamil uses milk-derived prebiotics for digestive support, while Similac 360 includes 5 HMO prebiotics mimicking those in breast milk for immune and gut health.

Probiotics are good bacteria that live in our guts and help keep the tummy happy and healthy. They are like tiny helpers that fight off bad germs and help with digestion.

Prebiotics, on the other hand, are food for these good bacteria. They help the good bacteria grow strong to do their job better.

Kendamil Classic explicitly uses naturally occurring prebiotics, galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS), from milk. These prebiotics feed the good bacteria in your baby’s gut, helping support their digestive system naturally. Kendamil’s emphasis on natural milk components provides a supportive environment for beneficial gut bacteria to thrive.

Similac 360 Total Care includes an exclusive blend of 5 HMO prebiotics structurally identical to those found in breast milk. These HMOs (2′-fucosyllactose and Lacto-N-Tetraose) are advanced prebiotics that offer specialized support for the immune system and nurture healthy gut flora.

Best Places to Buy Kendamil and Similac

Kendamil

If you live in the US, you can find Kendamil formulas at Target and Walmart, since the FDA has approved them and they are legally sold there.

If not, we always recommend Organic’s Best if you want to purchase European Formulas.

Similac

Similac can also be bought at Target and Walmart, or in your local brick-and-mortar formula store.

What are the best alternatives to Kendamil and Similac?

Holle is a European brand offering organic infant formula from biodynamic and organic ingredients. They prioritize sustainable and ethical practices in their production, and their formulas are free from preservatives, artificial colors, and other additives. *Read: Holle vs Kendamil and Holle vs Similac

Hipp is another European brand that offers a variety of organic infant formulas made from high-quality, natural ingredients focused on great digestibility and prebiotic and probiotic blends. They are strongly committed to sustainability and ethical practices, and their formulas are free from GMOs, pesticides, and other harmful substances. *Read: Hipp vs Kendamil and Hipp vs Similac

Lebenswert is a German brand offering organic infant formula made from grass-fed cows’ milk. They prioritize natural and sustainable practices in their production and are certified by the EU Organic regulations. *Read: Lebenswert vs Kendamil

Bobbie is a US-based brand that also makes organic infant formula made from high-quality, natural ingredients. They closely resemble European formula standards and prioritize simplicity, using only a few key ingredients to ensure optimal nutrition for babies. Read: Bobbie vs Kendamil and Bobbie vs Similac

Last Words

We hope this comparison between Kendamil and Similac has helped you make an informed decision for your little one.

If you have further questions, please leave a comment or feel free to contact us at [email protected].

Happy feeding!