Key Differences Between Bobbie and Similac Pro Advance
| Key Differences | Bobbie | Similac Pro Advance |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | United States | United States |
| Ingredients | Organic | Non-organic |
| Brand Reputation | Newcomer with focus on transparency and sustainability | Longstanding reputation for research, innovation, and quality |
| Protein Content & Sources | Organic nonfat milk and organic whey protein concentrate (60:40 whey-to-casein ratio) | Nonfat milk, whey protein concentrate, and OptiGRO™ blend (48:52 whey-to-casein ratio) |
| Carbohydrate Content & Sources | Organic lactose | Lactose |
| Fats and Oils & Sources | Organic soy, coconut, and high-oleic sunflower oil | High oleic safflower oil, soy oil, and coconut oil |
| Prebiotics and Probiotics | None | 2′-FL HMO prebiotics (no probiotics) |
| Cost | More expensive | Less expensive |
| Availability | Widely available | Widely available (might be slightly more difficult to find due to formula shortage) |
Blwstore is supported by its audience. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.
This article will compare two important baby formulas: Bobbie vs Pro Advance.
We’ve dissected the reputations and ingredients of Bobbie and Similac Pro Advance, so you can confidently choose the best formula for your little one.
Let’s get after it!
For more Bobbie vs Similac comparisons, check these out: Bobbie vs Neosure | Bobbie vs Similac 360 | Bobbie vs Pure Bliss
Our Short Answer
Our goal is to provide you with reviews from an objective point of view while giving you our subjective opinion as parents and nutritionists.
In this comparison, we also stand with Bobbie for its organic ingredients, transparency, and singular product focus. For us, it is a better formula.
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
At BLWStore, we may earn a commission from some of the products featured on our website through affiliate partnerships with retailers. We want to be transparent with our readers and let you know that we do not receive any products for special consideration. The commission we earn helps support our website and allows us to continue providing helpful information and product recommendations. Thank you for your support!
Brand Reputation
Bobbie is a newcomer known for high-quality, organic formula with transparency and sustainability values.
Similac Pro Advance has a longstanding reputation for rigorous research, innovation, and quality standards.
Bobbie Reputation
Bobbie, a relative newcomer to the infant formula market, has quickly made a name for itself as a high-quality, organic alternative to traditional formula brands.
Founded in 2019 by a mom with a mission to create the best possible formula for her baby, Bobbie’s core values revolve around transparency, sustainability, and using only the highest quality organic ingredients.
Pro Advance (Similac) Reputation
Similac Pro Advance, on the other hand, is a product of Abbott Nutrition, a company with over 90 years of experience in the field of infant and child nutrition.
The brand’s longstanding reputation is built on its commitment to rigorous scientific research, innovation, and ensuring the highest quality standards.
*Related: Similac Advance vs 360 Total Care | Similac Advance vs Pro Advance
Nutritional Composition
Nutritional composition is the most important factor to consider before you choose the formula for your baby.
Let’s take a look at how Bobbie and Pro Advance differ from each other:
Bobbie uses organic nonfat milk, organic whey protein concentrate, and organic lactose, closely resembling breast milk.
Similac Pro Advance uses non-organic ingredients and a unique OptiGRO™ blend.
Bobbie’s organic sourcing sets it apart; both formulas avoid palm oil.
Protein Content
Bobbie uses organic nonfat milk and organic whey protein concentrate as its primary protein sources, which closely resemble the composition of breast milk. It has a 60:40 whey-to-casein ratio, which is the closest to breastmilk, and it makes its formula easier to digest.
Similac Pro Advance features a blend of nonfat milk, whey protein concentrate, and a unique OptiGRO™ blend of ingredients. This blend includes an exclusive mix of DHA, Lutein, and Vitamin E, with a 48:52 whey to casein ratio.
Bobbie’s formula is closer to breastmilk than Pro Advance thanks to its whey to casein ratio.
Both formulas use nonfat milk and whey protein concentrate, which make them fairly similar, except that Bobbie is organic and Pro Advance is not.
Carbohydrate Content
Bobbie relies on organic lactose as its primary carbohydrate source, the same carbohydrate found in breast milk.
Similac Pro Advance also uses lactose as its main and only carbohydrate.
This natural sugar helps support your baby’s energy needs and promotes healthy growth.
Both formulas only use lactose as their main carbohydrate, which is what we like to see, no syrups solids, maltodextrin or non-organic starches.
The only important difference is in their sourcing; Bobbie using organic lactose.
Fats and Oils
Bobbie’s formula contains a blend of organic soy, coconut, and high-oleic sunflower oil, which balances essential fatty acids for your baby’s development.
Similac Pro Advance features a blend of high oleic safflower oil, soy oil, and coconut oil.
Both oil blends supply essential fatty acids that support brain and eye development and overall growth.
Again, not a big difference here, except for the ingredient sourcing, organic vs non-organic.
No palm oil or palm olein, so we are pretty happy about that.
Probiotics and Prebiotics
Bobbie formula focuses on being high-quality and organic without prebiotics or probiotics.
Similac Pro Advance includes 2′-FL HMO prebiotics but no probiotics. Prebiotics’ importance depends on the baby and formula type.
Bobbie aims for natural purity, while Similac uses processed prebiotics.
While prebiotics and probiotics are not essential ingredients in baby formulas, they can offer additional health benefits.
Prebiotics are more commonly found in infant formulas, whereas probiotics are more unusual.
We only recommend using a probiotic formula if your pediatrician specifically advises it for your baby’s needs.
Bobbie’s formula does not contain any prebiotics or probiotics, focusing solely on providing a high-quality, organic, and nutritionally complete formula without additives and keeping a simple and straightforward ingredients list.
Similac Pro Advance, on the other hand, includes 2′-FL HMO (2′-Fucosyllactose), a prebiotic found in breast milk. The formula does not contain any added probiotics.
Are prebiotics important?
It depends on the baby and the type of formula. Not all formulas have prebiotics, but they might be beneficial in some cases.
Bobbie tries to have a formula with the least amount of additives and chemical processes, being as natural and pure as possible; this has pros and cons.
Similac, on the other hand, uses chemically processed prebiotics to support babies’ gut health, but these prebiotics might not do anything for some babies.
Cost and availability
Bobbie is generally more expensive than Similac Pro Advance due to its organic ingredients and manufacturing process. Both formulas are widely available in the US.
Similac Pro Advance might be slightly more difficult to find at times due to the current formula shortage, but it is still a popular choice among parents.
Best Place to Buy Bobbie | Pro Advance is better bought in physical stores.
Bobbie´s Official 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
What are the best alternatives to Bobbie and Similac Pro Advance?
If neither Bobbie nor Pro Advance seems to be the perfect fit for your baby, there are other reputable alternatives to consider:
Hipp: Known for its specialty formulas for reflux and allergies, Hipp offers a range of options to accommodate different needs. *Read: Bobbie vs Hipp
Holle: With its Demeter certification, Holle ensures high-quality, organic, and sustainable ingredients in its infant formulas. *Read: Bobbie vs Holle
Kendamil: Distinguished for its use of whole milk, Kendamil provides a natural and wholesome option for your baby’s nutritional needs. *Read: Bobbie vs Kendamil
Conclusion
Bobbie and Similac Pro Advance offer similar nutritional compositions, but we lean towards Bobbie due to its organic ingredients, simplicity, and transparency.
The fact that they offer only one product instills trust in their commitment to quality.
However, if your baby requires prebiotics, Similac Pro Advance would be your preferred choice, as it contains 2′-FL HMO.
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!
