Key Differences Table Between Enfamil Soy and Nutramigen
| Features/Aspect | Enfamil ProSobee | Nutramigen |
|---|---|---|
| Ideal For | Babies with lactose intolerance, vegan or Kosher diets | Babies with severe cow’s milk allergy (CMPA) and/or lactose intolerance |
| Type | Soy-based formula | Hypoallergenic formula with hydrolyzed protein |
| Primary Protein Source | Soy Protein Isolate | Extensively hydrolyzed casein (milk-based) |
| Carbohydrate Source | Primarily Corn Syrup Solids (55%) | Corn Syrup Solids (48%) and Modified Corn Starch (4%) |
| Fats and Oils | Palm Olein, Coconut, Soy, High Oleic Sunflower Oils | Palm Olein, Coconut, Soy, High Oleic Sunflower Oils |
| Nutritional Support | DHA, essential for cognitive development | Iron-fortified, DHA for visual and mental development |
| Ease of Digestion | Designed for infants with lactose intolerance | Eases colic symptoms related to cow’s milk allergies |
| Probiotics/Prebiotics | None | Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG®) probiotic |
| Specific Benefits | Dairy-free, alleviates digestive discomforts | Supports gut health, hypoallergenic |
This article will compare two formulas for very sensitive babies: Enfamil ProSobee vs Nutramigen.
These two formulas are designed for babies with cow’s milk protein allergies, but which one should you choose and why?
We will analyze their ingredients and nutritional composition to help you choose the best option for your little one.
Let’s get after it!
***Important: Soy formulas are not usually recommended for infants younger than six months of age due to estrogen content and should not be used to treat CMPA until a pediatrician gives the okay.
Our Short Answer
The short answer is that Nutramigen is the best choice in the vast majority of cases.
The first thing is that if your baby is allergic and diagnosed with CMPA, you should see a pediatrician for a formula customized to your baby’s needs.
The only reasons that exist to choose ProSobee are:
- If you want a plant-based formula
- If the price of Nutramigen is too high.
If neither of these two factors affect you, Nutramigen is a better choice, hands down.
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Overview of the Two Formulas
Enfamil ProSobee is a dairy-free, soy-based formula for babies with lactose intolerance or those on vegan or Kosher diets, alleviating digestive discomforts and providing complete nutrition including DHA.
Nutramigen by Enfamil is a hypoallergenic formula with extensively hydrolyzed casein for severe cow’s milk allergies, including Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG probiotic for gut health, and is fortified with iron and DHA, suitable for lactose intolerant infants.
Enfamil Soy (ProSobee)
Enfamil ProSobee is a dairy-free formula designed for babies with lactose intolerance or those who require a vegan or Kosher diet.
The main source of protein in this soy-based formula, Soy Protein Isolate, caters to infants with sensitive tummies and provides an alternative to milk-based baby formulas. The exclusion of dairy in Enfamil ProSobee can help alleviate common digestive discomforts such as gas, fussiness, and colic that are sometimes associated with lactose-containing formulas.
Providing a soy formulation doesn’t mean compromising on crucial nutrients. Enfamil Soy ensures complete nutrition tailored to an infant’s needs for the first 12 months, including critical brain-nourishing components like DHA, essential for cognitive development.
For those participating in government assistance programs, it is relevant to note that Enfamil ProSobee is eligible for SNAP.
Nutramigen
Nutramigen by Enfamil offers relief and nourishment to infants who experience more severe cow’s milk allergy. It stands out as a hypoallergenic formula where the main protein source, casein hydrolysate, has been extensively broken down (hydrolyzed) so that it’s less likely to trigger an allergic reaction, making it easier on your baby’s digestive system.
The addition of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG probiotic helps support gut barrier function and maintains a balanced intestinal flora, which can be vital in promoting overall gastrointestinal health and aiding in managing food allergies.
Nutramigen includes vital iron fortification, alongside Omega 3 DHA, another fundamental element for visual and mental development.
Nutramigen is not just a solution for infants with allergies; it’s also lactose-free, making it suitable for those children who may have issues digesting regular lactose-containing formulas. It seeks to mitigate the challenges associated with food allergies while maintaining balanced nutrition suitable for babies from birth onward.
Nutritional Composition
Enfamil Soy, with soy protein isolate, suits infants with dairy allergies or intolerance, providing quality protein. Nutramigen uses extensively hydrolyzed casein, hypoallergenic and better absorbed than soy protein.
Both use corn syrup solids for carbohydrates, with Nutramigen adding starch for consistency.
Fat blends in both are similar, providing essential fatty acids, with a slight difference in DHA sources.
Protein Content
Enfamil Soy:
- Protein Source: Soy Protein Isolate
The protein in Enfamil ProSobee is sourced from soy, making it a suitable option for infants with allergies to or intolerance to dairy proteins. Soy protein isolate is a highly purified form of soy protein with minimal fats and carbohydrates, providing quality protein essential for growth and development without the presence of milk proteins that can cause discomfort.
Nutramigen:
- Protein Source: Casein Hydrolysate (Milk)
In contrast, Nutramigen contains extensively hydrolyzed casein derived from cow’s milk, which has undergone processing to break down the protein into smaller units. Hydrolysis makes the protein hypoallergenic and less likely to trigger an immune response, making it safe for infants with milk protein allergies.
The main difference is the type of protein: soy vs extensively hydrolyzed cow’s milk. Both are suitable for babies with allergies.
The main difference is that cow’s milk protein is more bioavailable, which means it is more easily absorbed by the body than soy protein. For this reason alone, it is preferable for infants. That is why soy formulas usually have a higher protein content per 100ml.
If we had to choose one for our baby, we would choose hydrolyzed protein over soy protein.
Carbohydrate Content
Enfamil Soy:
- Carbohydrate Source: Primarily Corn Syrup Solids
- Percentage: 55%
Enfamil ProSobee uses corn syrup solids as its main carbohydrate source. These are easily digestible carbs that serve as an energy source for infants. They’re also useful in promoting a preferable taste in soy-based formulas, which might otherwise be unappealing to some babies.
Nutramigen:
- Carbohydrate Source: Mainly Corn Syrup Solids, Modified Corn Starch
- Percentage: 48% (Corn Syrup Solids), 4% (Modified Corn Starch)
Similar to Enfamil Soy, Nutramigen uses corn syrup solids as a primary carbohydrate. The modified corn starch within Nutramigen helps achieve an appropriate consistency in the formula and may also provide an energy source that’s easy for a baby’s sensitive system to digest.
The only difference in carbs is that Nutramigen adds a bit of starch to add consistency to the formula. This is suitable for babies who have a bit of reflux or acid. Only because of this slight difference, Nutramigen gets the upper hand.
Fats and Oils
Enfamil Soy:
- Fat Sources: A blend of Palm Olein, Coconut, Soy, High Oleic Sunflower Oils
- Presence of Essential Fatty Acids: Mortierella Alpina Oil (A source of ARA), Schizochytrium Sp. Oil (a source of DHA)
Enfamil ProSobee includes a balanced mix of vegetable oils designed to provide the fatty acids necessary for proper development, including palm olein, which helps in calcium absorption. The inclusion of Mortierella Alpina Oil and Schizochytrium Sp. Oil ensures that the infant receives vital nutrients like ARA and DHA that support brain and eye health.
Nutramigen:
- Fat Sources: Blend of Palm Olein, Coconut, Soy, High Oleic Sunflower Oils
- Presence of Essential Fatty Acids: Mortierella Alpina Oil (A source of ARA), Crypthecodinium Cohnii Oil (a source of DHA)
Nutramigen parallels Enfamil Soy in using a similar fat blend which contributes essential fatty acids that infants need but cannot produce on their own. ARA and DHA are present here too – key components that play significant roles in visual acuity and cognitive function during early life stages.
There are virtually no differences in fat content. Both formulas use the same type of oils except for their DHA source. On paper, Schizochytrium Sp. Oil (Enfamil Soy) is a bit better, but the difference is very small.
Prebiotics and Probiotics
Probiotics and prebiotics play an essential role in an infant’s diet, as they are critical for developing a healthy gut flora, which supports digestion and the immune system.
Enfamil ProSobee does not explicitly list probiotics or prebiotics among its ingredients. Therefore, while it offers complete nutrition for babies with dairy sensitivities or for families observing certain dietary restrictions, it doesn’t provide these specific benefits that can foster digestive health.
Nutramigen includes Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, a clinically proven probiotic that helps support gut health—a mainstay for infants struggling with allergies—as it enhances the gut barrier function and promotes a balanced immune response. This can be particularly beneficial for babies experiencing colic related to cow’s milk allergy.
Best Places to Buy ProSobee and Nutramigen
ProSobee
Nutramigen
What are the Best Alternatives to Enfamil ProSobee and Nutramigen?
For parents seeking alternatives to Enfamil Soy or Nutramigen, either due to preference or if their baby’s needs change, several options are available as alternatives:
Similac Isomil:
Similac Isomil is another soy-based formula that is an alternative to Enfamil Soy. It is designed to be gentle on your baby’s tummy and provides soy protein isolate as its primary protein source. This formula is lactose-free and suitable for families requiring vegetarian or Kosher nutrition. *Read: Isomil vs ProSobee
Similac Alimentum:
Similac Alimentum is another hypoallergenic formula alternative similar to Nutramigen. It contains casein hydrolysate protein and is intended for babies with food allergies or those with difficulty digesting proteins found in standard infant formula. It’s also designed to reduce colic symptoms due to protein sensitivity within 24 hours of feeding. *Read: Alimentum vs Nutramigen | ProSobee vs Alimentum
Hipp HA:
Our preferred hypoallergenic formula – outside those from the Enfamil range – would be Hipp HA. Hipp HA is crafted with partially hydrolyzed proteins, making it more manageable for babies’ digestion. This could be a fitting choice for little ones showing signs of developing allergies but not diagnosed with cow’s milk protein allergy (CMPA). While less intact than extensive hydrolysates found in products like Nutramigen, they still lessen potential allergic responses. *Read: Hipp HA vs Alimentum | Hipp HA vs Nutramigen
Last Words
We hope this comparison between Enfamil Soy and Nutramigen helps you make the best decision for your baby.
If you have any further questions, leave a comment or contact us at [email protected], and we’ll be happy to help you.
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!
