Enfagrow vs Lactum: Which Toddler Formula Is Better?

Key Differences Table Between Enfagrow and Lactum

Features/Aspect	Enfagrow	Lactum
Protein Source	Nonfat milk	Nonfat milk
Carbohydrate Source	Corn syrup solids, sugar	Corn syrup solids, sugar
Fat Blend	Palm olein, coconut, soy, high oleic sunflower oils	Palm olein, soy, coconut, high oleic sunflower oils
DHA Source	Tuna fish oil	Crypthecodinium cohnii oil
Unique Nutrients	DHA for brain development	Choline for brain health, inulin for digestion
Vitamins and Minerals	Fortified with vitamins and minerals	Lacks some vitamins and minerals present in Enfagrow
Prebiotics	Galactooligosaccharides (GOS), Polydextrose	Galactooligosaccharides (GOS), Polydextrose

This article will compare two popular toddler formulas: Enfagrow and Lactum.

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

Let’s get after it!

Related Read: Pediasure vs Lactum

Our Short Answer

After diving into the ingredients of both formulas, we find ourselves in a situation we’re not usually in.

We can’t recommend either formula, nor can we declare a winner between the two, as our conscience just won’t allow it. The fact that both contain corn syrup solids and sugar is enough for us to cross them out.

For starters, the two formulas are incredibly similar. The main difference is that Lactum includes fewer ingredients, missing some of the vitamins and minerals that Enfagrow has.

If we had to give an answer, we’d lean towards Enfagrow simply because it’s fortified with more vitamins and minerals.

That said, if you’re looking for a formula for your toddler, we strongly recommend looking at the healthier and more natural alternatives we’ve listed further down in the article. These focus on the two fundamental aspects of nutrition: healthiness and naturalness.

Overview of the Two Formulas

Enfagrow is a toddler nutritional drink with real milk, enriched with DHA for brain health, offering twice the DHA of other toddler drinks, but contains corn syrup solids.

Lactum 1+ supports 1-3-year-olds’ brain, bone, immune system, and digestive health, with a mix of DHA, vitamins, and minerals, lacking some nutrients but providing unique benefits like choline and inulin.

Enfagrow

Enfagrow is a nutritional drink for toddlers, made with real milk and boosted with vitamins. It’s designed for little ones who are 1 year old and up.

Switching from baby formula or breast milk to cow’s milk can make the amount of Omega-3 DHA, which is key for brain health, go way down.

Considering that brain growth happens in the first three years of life, supporting this growth is crucial. Enfagrow helps by providing twice as much DHA as you’d find in some other toddler drinks.

At the same time, it has less sugar (but still has corn syrup solids).

The creators of Enfagrow point out that their drink contains essential nutrients that support a growing child’s brain and overall development but remind us it’s not proven to be better for brain development than other specific brands.

Lactum

Lactum 1+ is about helping toddlers between 1 to 3 years old grow healthy.

Made by Mead Johnson Nutrition in the Philippines, this milk supplement is packed with goodies that keep kids’ brains sharp, bones strong, immune systems robust, and tummies happy.

It includes DHA for smart brains, vitamins C and E, zinc and selenium to fight germs, calcium and vitamin D for sturdy bones, and inulin for good digestion.

Comparing Lactum to other toddler milks shows that while it may not have everything – like linoleic acid and folic acid – it brings unique benefits.

These include special care for brain health with choline and inulin for digestion and minerals like selenium and manganese that kids need to grow up well.

Nutritional Composition

Enfagrow and Lactum toddler formulas both use nonfat milk for protein, supporting growth and immune system.

They unfortunately rely on corn syrup solids and added sugars for carbohydrates, a less healthy option compared to lactose.

For fats, they include a mix of vegetable oils and DHA, with both using palm olein and soy oil, which may not be the best choices for nutrient absorption and health.

Protein Content

Protein is key for building muscles, organs, and is vital for overall growth.

Enfagrow: This formula gets its protein mainly from nonfat milk. The amount of protein is tailored to be just right for toddlers, supporting their rapid growth without overdoing it.

Lactum: Like Enfagrow, Lactum uses nonfat milk powder as its primary protein source. The protein in Lactum helps toddlers grow up strong, supporting their muscles and immune system function.

Both formulas use skimmed milk as the base, the usual choice for formula milk. There are no winners here.

Carbohydrate Content

Enfagrow: The carbohydrates in Enfagrow come from corn syrup solids and sugar.

Lactum: Lactum’s carbohydrates include corn syrup solids and sugar as well.

Sadly, both toddler milks use corn syrup solids, which already contain lots of simple sugars, and on top of that, both add extra sugar for sweetness. Feeding small kids simple sugars is NOT healthy, and the fact that none of these two toddler formulas use lactose worries us.

The only instance where you should remotely think about buying a formula with corn syrup solids, is if your child was lactose intolerant, and even then, it is better to find formulas with maltodextrin, instead of corn syrup solids.

Learn more: Corn Syrup in Formula

Fats and Oils

Enfagrow: The fats in Enfagrow come from a mix of vegetable oils (palm olein, coconut, soy, and high oleic sunflower oils). It also includes important omega-3 fatty acids like DHA (from tuna fish oil), crucial for brain development.

Lactum: Lactum contains a similar blend of vegetable oils (palm olein, soy oil, coconut oil, and high oleic sunflower oil) for its fat content. It ensures that toddlers get enough essential fats they need for growth. Plus, it has DHA (from Crypthecodinium cohnii oil) for brain health.

Again, both formulas are almost the same in fat content.

One good thing is that both use coconut oil, the best vegetable oil.

Two bad things: both formulas use palm olein and soy oil. The first is the refined version of non-organic palm oil, which has been proven to reduce calcium absorption. The second one is highly consumed, and it’s in most ultra-processed foods. It’s not healthy and if you can avoid it you should.

Prebiotics and Probiotics

Keeping a toddler’s tummy happy is key to their overall health. That’s where probiotics (good bacteria) and prebiotics (food for the good bacteria) come in.

Enfagrow includes Galactooligosaccharides (GOS) and Polydextrose, both of which are types of prebiotics.

Lactum also uses Galactooligosaccharides (GOS) and Polydextrose as prebiotics.

Prebiotics are important because they help maintain a healthy balance of gut bacteria, which is important for digestion and overall health.

None of them uses probiotics.

What are the Best Alternatives to Enfagrow and Lactum?

If we wanted to buy a toddler formula to supplement our child’s diet, we would choose a formula closest to nature.

These are made with natural ingredients, organic when possible, and lactose is the main carbohydrate source—just like real milk.

Here’s a list of the toddler formulas we always recommend to other parents and that have worked for us and many others:

• Hipp Stage 3: This formula supports outstanding digestibility because it is known for its excellent blend of prebiotics and probiotics. It’s designed to be gentle on your toddler’s stomach while providing all the necessary nutrients.

• Holle Stage 4: With its Demeter Certification, Holle Stage 4 is among the highest-quality organic formulas out there. It adheres to biodynamic farming methods, ensuring that it’s organic and sustainable.

• Nannycare Stage 3: Made from whole goat milk, this alternative is easy to digest and packed with nutrients. For parents looking for something gentle on their toddler’s stomachs but still nutritionally complete, Nannycare Stage 3 is an excellent option.

• Kendamil Stage 3: This unique formula uses whole milk as its base, making it rich and fulfilling for toddlers. It stands out because it stays true to what nature intended for young ones.

Last Words

We hope this comparison between Enfagrow and Lactum has helped you make the best decision for your little one.

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

Happy feeding!