Key Differences Between Similac Pure Bliss and Alimentum
| Feature/Component | Similac Pure Bliss | Similac Alimentum |
|---|---|---|
| Main Target Audience | General population of infants | Infants with cow’s milk protein allergy and sensitivity |
| Primary Protein Source | Non-fat milk and whey protein concentrate | Casein hydrolysate (extensively hydrolyzed) |
| Carbohydrate Source | Lactose | Corn maltodextrin and sugar |
| Fat Source | High oleic sunflower oil, soy oil, coconut oil | High oleic safflower oil, medium-chain triglycerides, soy oil |
| Probiotics and Prebiotics | Contains Galactooligosaccharides (prebiotics) | No specific probiotics or prebiotics mentioned |
| Specialty | Mimics breast milk, Non-GMO | Hypoallergenic, contains 2’-FL HMO for immune support |
| DHA and ARA | Yes | Not specified |
| Additional Features | No artificial growth hormones, antibiotics, and palm olein oil | Rapidly reduces colic symptoms due to protein sensitivity |
| Allergy and Sensitivity Focus | Designed for babies without lactose intolerance and cow’s milk protein allergy | Focuses on babies with lactose sensitivity and cow’s milk protein allergy |
| Market Positioning | Premium formula resembling breast milk | Hypoallergenic formula addressing specific issues like colic and allergies |
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This article aims to compare two popular Similac formulas: Pure Bliss vs Alimentum.
We will analyze their ingredients and nutritional composition to help you make the best decision for your baby.
Let’s get after it!
Related read: Similac Pure Bliss vs Happy Baby Organic
Our Short Answer
Although Pure Bliss is objectively a better formula, we cannot declare it the winner, as both formulas are designed for different types of babies.
Choose Pure Bliss if your baby:
- Does not have a cow’s milk allergy 2.
- Does not have lactose intolerance or sensitivities.
- Does not have severe digestive problems such as reflux or heavy gas.
Choose Alimentum if your baby:
- Has an allergy to cow’s milk protein 2. Has no lactose intolerance or sensitivities 3.
- Is lactose intolerant or lactose sensitized
- suffers from reflux, spit-up or gas
That said, before making a decision, we recommend that you learn about the alternatives below in the article, as there are better formulas on the market than Pure Bliss and Alimentum.
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Overview of the Two Formulas
Similac Pure Bliss: Premium formula, resembles breast milk, grass-fed cow’s milk source, avoids artificial hormones, antibiotics, palm olein oil, Non-GMO, contains DHA, ARA, and Galactooligosaccharides for growth, digestion, and immunity support.
Similac Alimentum: Hypoallergenic formula for cow’s milk protein allergy, rapidly reduces colic symptoms, contains 2’-FL HMO for immune support, addresses specific issues like colic and allergies.
Similac Pure Bliss
Similac Pure Bliss is a premium infant formula designed to closely resemble breast milk, providing complete nutrition for your baby’s first year. It’s crafted from milk obtained from grass-fed cows, thus ensuring a more natural nutritional profile for the formula.
To make it gentle for little tummies, Pure Bliss avoids the use of artificial growth hormones, antibiotics, and palm olein oil, offering an option that’s as natural as possible. Moreover, it’s Non-GMO, reinforcing its commitment towards providing wholesome nutrition to your baby.
Besides basic nutrients, Pure Bliss also contains DHA and ARA to support your baby’s brain and eye development. To aid with digestion, it comprises a prebiotic called Galactooligosaccharides.
Similac Pure Bliss targets various aspects of infant health, including growth support, fussiness, eye and brain development, immune system support, and ease of digestion.
Similac Alimentum
Similac Alimentum is an entirely different formula designed to tackle specific infant dietary needs. It’s a hypoallergenic formula that’s beneficial for babies who are allergic to the protein found in cow’s milk. Unlike many foods, it’s broken down into tiny pieces, largely nullifying potential allergic reactions in most babies.
Alimentum starts reducing colic symptoms caused by protein sensitivity in about 24 hours, offering relief to your little one and potentially more sleep for you too.
On top of that, it’s the first and only hypoallergenic formula brand that contains 2’-FL HMO, an immune-nourishing ingredient, which gives it an edge for the immunity of your baby.
Unlike Pure Bliss, this formula focuses more on specific issues like colic, cow’s milk protein allergy, and brain and eye development, thus making it suitable for babies with sensitive stomachs or specific dietary needs.
Nutritional Composition
Similac Pure Bliss: Premium, mimics breast milk, grass-fed source, no artificial hormones, antibiotics, palm olein oil, Non-GMO, includes DHA, ARA, and Galactooligosaccharides for growth, digestion, immunity.
Similac Alimentum: Hypoallergenic for cow’s milk allergy, quick colic relief, with 2’-FL HMO for immunity, tailored for colic and allergies.
Protein Content
Similac Pure Bliss: The protein source in Similac Pure Bliss is derived from nonfat milk and whey protein concentrate. In every 5.3 fl oz serving of Pure Bliss prepared formula, there are 2.07 grams of protein. This formula offers a milk-based protein that aids in building strong muscles and contributes to your baby’s overall growth and development.
Similac Alimentum: The protein in Similac Alimentum is sourced from casein hydrolysate derived from milk. Casein hydrolysate is a form of protein that has been broken down into smaller parts to make digestion easier, which is why Alimentum is ideal for babies with cow’s milk protein allergies. Every 5 fl oz serving of the prepared formula gives your baby 2.75 grams of protein.
The protein sources of these two formulas are made for two different purposes:
Similac Pure Bliss uses nonfat milk and whey protein, the two standard protein sources in conventional formulas.
Alimentum uses extensively hydrolyzed protein, which means that the milk proteins are pre-digested, making them much easier to digest. This is because Alimentum is designed for babies with allergies or who have a lot of difficulty digesting cow’s milk protein.
Learn more: Partially vs Extensively Hydrolyzed Formulas
Carbohydrate Content
Similac Pure Bliss uses lactose as its primary carbohydrate source, which is identical to the main carbohydrate found in breast milk. Each 5.3 fl oz serving prepared as directed includes 10.7 grams of carbs, providing your baby with the energy they need to grow and develop.
For Similac Alimentum, the carbohydrate comes from Corn Maltodextrin and Sugar. In a 5 fl oz serving of the prepared Alimentum, there are 10.2 grams of carbohydrates. This alternative carbohydrate source is easier to digest for babies with sensitivities.
Same as with protein, the carb sources of both formulas are completely different, because they are made for different children.
Pure Bliss uses lactose exclusively. This is exactly what we want to see in conventional formulas designed for babies without digestive issues.
Alimentum however, uses Corn Maltodextrin and Sugar. Maltodextrin is a good substitute of lactose for babies with lactose sensitivities. Sugar is an ingredient that we find completely unnecessary which purpose is to make the formula more palatable and sweet, apart from adding empty calories.
Fats and Oils
Pure Bliss’s fats and oils are derived from High Oleic Sunflower Oil, Soy Oil, and Coconut Oil. These fats contribute to a total fat content of 5.6 grams per a 5.3 fl oz serving. They provide essential fatty acids and are a vital energy source.
The fats in Similac Alimentum come from High Oleic Safflower Oil, Medium Chain Triglycerides, and Soy Oil. These sources result in a total fat content of 5.54 grams per a 5 fl oz serving. Like in Pure Bliss, these fats provide energy and aid in the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins.
Regarding fats, both formulas are quite similar. The only difference is that Pure Bliss uses coconut oil and Alimentum medium chain triglycerides. There is no winner here.
Probiotics and Prebiotics
Similac Pure Bliss: Contains galactooligosaccharides prebiotic, promoting good gut bacteria for improved digestion.
Similac Alimentum: No specific probiotics or prebiotics mentioned, but features hydrolyzed casein protein, aiding digestion for babies with cow’s milk protein allergies.
Probiotics and prebiotics are beneficial for a baby’s digestion. While probiotics are live bacteria that support gut health, prebiotics nourish these good bacteria, fostering a healthy digestive environment.
Similac Pure Bliss includes a prebiotic known as galactooligosaccharides, which helps the good bacteria in your baby’s gut flourish. This aids in making digestion easier and more comfortable for your little one.
On the other hand, Similac Alimentum does not advertise the inclusion of specific probiotics or prebiotics in their formulation. That said, it uses hydrolyzed casein protein, which is beneficial for babies with cow’s milk protein allergies and aids in easy digestion.
Best Places to Buy Similac Pure Bliss and Alimentum
Similac Pure Bliss
Buy Similac Pure Bliss at Target
Buy Similac Pure Bliss at Walmart
Similac Alimentum
Buy Similac Alimentum at Target
Buy Similac Alimentum at Walmart
What are the best alternatives to Similac Pure Bliss and Alimentum?
Similac Pure Bliss Alternatives:
Kendamil Organic: This UK-based organic baby formula uses full-fat milk instead of skimmed, giving it a more natural composition. It stands out for using organic ingredients and real HMOs acquired from actual breastmilk, offering superior nutritional value.
Bobbie: This US-based formula is another excellent alternative, credited for its transparency, straightforward ingredient list, and dedication to avoiding unnecessary additives.
Similac Alimentum Alternatives:
Hipp HA: This German brand is often recommended as an alternative for babies with protein allergies because it’s hypoallergenic. It’s a great choice for parents looking for a baby formula similar to Similac Alimentum.
Hipp AR and Hipp Comfort: These two options from Hipp are specifically designed for babies with digestive issues and lactose sensitivities, making them ideal alternatives if these are your baby’s specific needs.
Last Words
We hope this comparison between Pure Bliss and Alimentum helps you decide the best formula for your baby.
If you have any questions, please feel free to leave a comment, and we’ll get back to you in less than a day.
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!
