Key Differences Table Between Enfamil Neuropro and S26 Gold
| Feature | Enfamil Neuropro | S26 Gold |
|---|---|---|
| Age Range | 0-12 months | Newborns up to 6 months |
| Key Ingredients | MFGM, DHA, GOS | Alpha-lactalbumin, DHA & AA, L-tyrosine, L-carnitine |
| Protein Source | Nonfat milk, whey protein concentrate | Skimmed milk powder, whey protein concentrate enriched with alpha-lactalbumin |
| Carbohydrate Source | Lactose | Lactose |
| Fats and Oils | Vegetable oils, including sources of ARA and DHA; includes MFGM for added benefits | Blend of vegetable oils, including sources of ARA and DHA; lacks MFGM |
| Prebiotics | Yes (GOS) | No |
| Iron-Fortified | Yes | Yes |
Welcome to our comparison between Enfamil and S26 infant formulas.
We have chosen Enfamil Neuropro to compete against S26 Gold as they are both brands’ most popular formulas.
We will analyze their nutritional compositions and ingredients to give you the information you need to make the best decision for your baby.
Let’s get after it!
Related read: Similac vs S26
Our Short Answer
Both formulas are quite similar to each other, but there are some key differences.
After analyzing both, our choice is Enfamil Neuropro for these two reasons:
- It adds MFGM (Milk Fat Globule Membrane) to its formula, a naturally occurring membrane in breast milk that supports cognitive development and plays a role in brain structure and function.
- It adds GOS (Galactooligosaccharides), a prebiotic found in milk.
Although S26 has its strengths such as the addition of alpha-lactalbumin and nucleotides, we do not believe they are as beneficial as those offered by Enfamil Neuropro.
That said, we recommend you take a look at the alternatives we offer below in the article.
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Overview of the Two Formulas
Enfamil Neuropro:
- Medical-grade infant formula for 0-12 months.
- Contains MFGM and Omega 3 DHA for cognitive development and immunity.
- Iron-fortified, 20 calories per ounce.
- Gluten-free and non-GMO certified.
- Includes prebiotics for gut health.
S26 Gold:
- For newborns up to six months.
- Balanced nutrient blend but lacks breast milk.
- Ingredients: lactose, vegetable oils, skimmed milk powder, whey protein concentrate, alpha-lactalbumin, L-tyrosine, L-carnitine.
- Contains Long Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (DHA & AA) for infant development.
Enfamil Neuropro
Enfamil Neuropro is a prominent Enfamil brand product known for its infant formula range. It’s positioned as a medical-grade, regular-feed baby formula prescribed for infants aged 0–12 months.
The main selling point here is its imitation of specific components found in breast milk, MFGM, and Omega 3 DHA. Evidence indicates that these elements aid cognitive development and boost immunity.
Being an iron-fortified milk-based product with 20 calories per fluid ounce, it offers a safe and well-tolerated source of nutrition with the addition of prebiotic content.
S26 Gold
The S26 Gold Stage 1 Infant Starter Formula caters to newborn babies until they’re six months old. It pitches a balanced blend of essential nutrients required for robust growth and development—although it bears mentioning that it doesn’t contain breast milk.
Its ingredient list features lactose as the primary carbohydrate, vegetable oils providing necessary fats, and skimmed milk powder and whey protein concentrate enriched with alpha-lactalbumin as the protein source. Essential amino acids like L-tyrosine and L-carnitine are included as well.
However, what truly stands out in this mix are the Long Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (DHA & AA) sourced from single-cell organisms—added to help foster infants’ developing bodies.
Nutritional Composition
Protein Content:
- Enfamil Neuropro: Nonfat milk and whey protein concentrate. No specified alpha-lactalbumin quantity.
- S26 Gold: Skimmed milk powder and whey protein concentrate enriched with alpha-lactalbumin. Both have a 65:35 whey-to-casein ratio, close to mature breastmilk.
Carbohydrate Content:
- Both formulas use lactose as the sole carbohydrate source, mirroring breast milk: no added starches, maltodextrin, or corn syrup solids.
Fats and Oils:
- Enfamil Neuropro: Vegetable oils, Mortierella Alpina Oil (ARA), and Schizochytrium Sp. Oil (DHA). Includes MFGM.
- S26 Gold: Blend of vegetable oils, Mortierella Alpina Oil (ARA), and Crypthecodinium Cohnii sourced DHA. They have similar fat sources but lack MFGM.
Enfamil Neuropro’s inclusion of MFGM sets it apart, offering multiple benefits for infants. Both formulas use palm oil or palm olein, with potential concerns about calcium absorption and environmental impact.
Protein Content
In Enfamil Neuropro, protein accounts for a significant portion of the overall nutrition content. This formula uses nonfat milk and whey protein concentrate as primary protein sources.
S26 Gold employs skimmed milk powder and a specialty whey protein concentrate enriched with alpha-lactalbumin. While the exact quantity per serving isn’t specified, these ingredients offer ample protein vital for infant growth and development.
The only difference in protein content is that S26 Gold adds alpha-lactalbumin, a major protein found in breast milk, which is known to help digestion. Apart from that, even their whey-to-casein ratios are the same: 65:35, close to mature breastmilk: 60:40.
Carbohydrate Content
Carbohydrates contribute to an infant’s energy levels and growth.
In both formulas, the only carb source is lactose, the natural sugar in breast milk. This is perfect, as it is what we expect to see in conventional formulas. The only thing that could be improved here is if it was organically sourced.
No traces of starches, maltodextrin, or corn syrup solids in any of the formulas.
Fats and Oils
Fats provide babies with essential energy and aid in brain development.
Enfamil Neuropro gets its fats from vegetable oils, including palm olein, coconut, high oleic sunflower, and soy. It also contains Mortierella Alpina Oil (a source of ARA) and Schizochytrium Sp. Oil (a source of DHA). These specific oils mimic naturally occurring fatty acids in breast milk that support eye, brain, and nerve development. Neuropro adds MFGM (Milk Fat Globule Membrane), a powerful ingredient found in breast milk with multiple benefits for babies.
On the other hand, S26 Gold utilizes a blend of different vegetable oils (palm fruit, coconut or palm kernel, soybean oil, and high oleic sunflower or canola oil) for its fat content. It shares the addition of Mortierella Alpina sourced ARA and Crypthecodinium Cohnii sourced DHA with Enfamil Neuropro — again for aiding the developmental growth of infants.
The fat sources of both formulas are relatively similar, the only difference being the source of DHA. Enfamil uses a better source on paper: Schizochytrium Sp. Oil, but the difference is minimal.
The real differentiator between the two formulas is the inclusion of MFGM by Enfamil Neuropro. This ingredient is a game-changer because it has plenty of benefits for babies.
Both formulas use palm oil or palm olein, which is still controversial because it has been linked with poor calcium absorption in some studies and, of course, for its environmental impact.
Learn more: Palm Oil in Baby Formula
Prebiotics and Probiotics
Regarding nutritional composition, probiotics and prebiotics have become recent highlights due to their essential roles in supporting gut health and immunity.
Enfamil Neuropro includes a blend of Galactooligosaccharides (a prebiotic type) in its formula, designed to nourish the good bacteria in an infant’s gut.
On the other hand, while S26 Gold doesn’t directly mention having probiotics or prebiotics in their description, it does indicate the presence of nucleotides that play a beneficial role in immune system function and overall well-being.
What are the Best Alternatives to Enfamil and S26?
Even though Enfamil and S26 formulas are good options, there are better formulas in the market. Here you have our favorites:
-
Buy NowLess 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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-
Buy at Organic's Best Buy at My Organic Company
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
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-
Buy at Organic's Best Buy at The Milky Box
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.
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
-
Buy at Organic's Best Buy at The Milky Box
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.
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
Read how they compare here:
Last Words
We hope this comparison between Enfamil and S26 helps you make the best decision for your baby. Remember to learn more about the alternatives above before you make your final decision.
If you have further questions, leave a comment, and we’ll happily answer 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!
