Key Differences Between Kendamil and Aptamil
| Features/Aspect | Kendamil Organic | Aptamil Gold+ |
|---|---|---|
| Protein Source | Organic skimmed milk, organic demineralized milk whey protein | Milk solids, including whey protein |
| Protein Ratio | Whey-to-casein ratio of 60:40 | Whey-to-casein ratio of 60:40 |
| Carbohydrate Source | Organic lactose | Lactose |
| Fat Blend | No palm or fish oil, uses algae-derived DHA, organic vegetable oils (sunflower, coconut, rapeseed) | Blend of vegetable and fish oils, some formulas may include palm oil |
| Prebiotics/Probiotics | GOS and organic HMOs | GOS/FOS and Bifidobacterium (probiotics) |
| Environmental Consideration | Eco-friendly, avoids palm and fish oil | Uses fish oil, some formulas include palm oil |
| Vegetarian Friendly | Yes | No (due to fish oil) |
In this article, we’ll compare Kendamil and Aptamil, two popular baby formula brands.
We have been where you are, looking for the best formulas for our son Pablo, and it is not easy.
Being here already proves that you are a good parent trying to look for the best for your baby.
We will analyze their ingredients and nutritional compositions to help you make the best decision for your baby.
*We will compare Kendamil Organic vs Aptamil Gold, each brand’s two most popular formulas. However, this can also apply to other comparisons of both brands since the ingredients are fairly similar.
Our Short Answer
After analyzing both formulas, we choose Kendamil for the following reasons:
- The origin of its ingredients is more natural (and more so if it is the organic version)
- It uses whole milk as a base
- Its fat blend is better because it does not add palm, canola, or high oleic vegetable oils
- It uses organic HMOs equal to those provided by breast milk
Aptamil is pretty good too, especially because it has probiotics, however, if your baby needs them, we recommend you look at the alternatives below, where we mention the Hipp brand, which specializes in that.
Kendamil Organic offers a wholesome start to life.
- Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMOs) and MFGM (Milk Fat Globule Membrane)
- EU-Certified Organic Milk
- Whole Cream Milk = Less Vegetable Oils
- Vegetarian-Friendly
- Nutrient-Rich
- Allergen-Free
- Ethically Sourced
Overview of the Two Formulas
Kendamil combines organic whole milk with naturally occurring HMOs for immune support, using full-cream milk and plant-based DHA without palm or fish oil, catering to vegetarians.
Aptamil Gold+ merges over 50 years of research with prebiotics, probiotics, and DHA for comprehensive baby development, offering a blend rich in vitamins and minerals.
Kendamil Organic
Kendamil is more than just baby food; it’s a blend crafted with love and science.
Its key ingredient is organic whole milk from happy cows, ensuring your baby gets high-quality milk.
Kendamil is proud of its standout feature – naturally occurring Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMOs). These special molecules are superheroes for your baby’s immune system.
What sets Kendamil apart?
Its formula uses full-cream milk, echoing the fat found in breast milk, which boosts babies’ brain growth. It skips on palm or fish oil, using eco-friendly veggie oils and plant-based DHA instead.
It’s also vegetarian-friendly, appealing to families with those dietary preferences.
Aptamil Gold+
Aptamil is a product of over 50 years of breast milk research.
This formula claims to balance nutrition and science to support your baby’s development.
Aptamil features a mix of prebiotics and probiotics to aid digestion and DHA for brain and eye development, mirroring key components found in breast milk.
Its gold-standard nutrition comes from the blend known as Aptamil® Gold+ Infant Milk, which is rich in necessary vitamins and minerals to bolster the immune system.
With roots going back to 1968, Aptamil has cemented its reputation as a trusted choice for parents seeking complete nutrition for their babies.
Nutritional Composition
Kendamil and Aptamil offer similar protein and carbohydrate profiles, both prioritizing easy digestion and natural energy sources.
Kendamil stands out with organic ingredients and a palm oil-free, eco-friendly fat blend, including algae-derived DHA.
Aptamil uses a mix of vegetable and fish oils, with some formulas including palm oil.
Protein Content
Kendamil uses organic skimmed milk and organic demineralized milk whey protein powder as its primary proteins. These choices mirror the quality found in breast milk, aiming at easy digestion and supporting overall growth. It has a whey-to-casein ratio of 60:40.
Aptamil, on the other hand, integrates a mix of milk solids, including whey protein. It also has a whey-casein ratio of 60:40.
Both formulas are similar in their protein composition. The main differences are that Kendamil uses organic milk (which is better) and demineralized whey powder. This makes it easier to digest on paper compared to what Aptamil offers.
Carbohydrate Content
Carbohydrates are vital for energy.
Kendamil opts for organic lactose sourced from their high-quality milk. This choice reflects a natural way to provide energy to the baby, mirroring what is found in breast milk.
Aptamil also uses lactose exclusively, which comes from its milk solids.
No differences in carbohydrates whatsoever, except for the source of the milk (Kendamil ‘s being better)
Fats and Oils
Fats are crucial for baby development, especially for the brain.
Kendamil stands out by avoiding palm or fish oil and incorporating DHA from algae, milk fats, and organic vegetable oils, such as sunflower, coconut, and rapeseed. This mix offers essential fatty acids in a more eco-friendly manner while still ensuring healthy growth.
Aptamil uses a blend of vegetable and fish oils to provide balanced fats in its formula. While Aptamil Gold + does not mention its vegetable oils, other Aptamil formulas usually contain palm, canola, coconut, and high-oleic sunflower oils.
Kendamil has a better fat blend than Aptamil, thanks to avoiding palm, canola, and high-oleic oils. Palm oil would be acceptable if organically grown, but canola and high-oleic are not optimal and should be replaced with others or avoided.
Probiotics and Prebiotics
Probiotics are good bacteria that live in our guts and help digest food. Prebiotics are food ingredients that feed these good bacteria and help them grow.
Kendamil focuses on the power of GOS and Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMOs), a prebiotic naturally found in breast milk. These HMOs are vital for nurturing the beneficial gut bacteria, directly supporting your baby’s immune health.
Aptamil incorporates both prebiotics and probiotics into its formula. It combines GOS/FOS (Galactooligosaccharides/Fructooligosaccharides) as prebiotics with Bifidobacterium as a probiotic.
If we had to choose between organic HMOs (Kendamil) or GOS/FOS + Bifidobacterium, we would go for the HMOs, as they are especially beneficial for babies since they are found in breast milk.
Best Places to Buy Kendamil and Aptamil
Kendamil
Kendamil has been approved by the FDA, which means you can find it at Target and Walmart if you live in the US. If you live outside of Europe, we recommend Mommy Formula or My Organic Company.
Kendamil Organic offers a wholesome start to life.
- Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMOs) and MFGM (Milk Fat Globule Membrane)
- EU-Certified Organic Milk
- Whole Cream Milk = Less Vegetable Oils
- Vegetarian-Friendly
- Nutrient-Rich
- Allergen-Free
- Ethically Sourced
Aptamil
You can also find Aptamil Gold at Target and Walmart if you want to purchase it online. Aptamil can be found internationally outside of the US, so you should not have problems finding it.
What are the best alternatives to Kendamil and Aptamil?
We always recommend parent to do some research on other formula brands before they make their final decision, just in case they find a better suit for their baby.
Here are the ones we usually recommend for most babies:
1. Bobbie: This US-based brand offers premium organic infant formulas that resemble breast milk composition. By strictly following US regulations and prioritizing high-quality ingredients, Bobbie provides parents with trustworthy and nutritious products for their little ones. *Read: Kendamil vs Bobbie | Bobbie vs Aptamil
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
2. Holle: As a European company with Demeter certification, Holle epitomizes environmentally friendly farming practices and stellar product quality. Their baby formulas are made from organic ingredients sourced following strict biodynamic agricultural principles – offering excellent nutrition while respecting nature’s harmony. *Read: Holle vs Kendamil | Holle vs Aptamil
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.
3. HiPP: This brand stands out for its wide-ranging specialty formulas catering to specific dietary needs such as reflux, colic, or lactose intolerance. HiPP uses organic ingredients and carefully selects nutrients to fulfill infants’ nutritional requirements while addressing these specific challenges. *Read: Hipp vs Kendamil | Hipp vs Aptamil
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.
4. Nannycare: For parents considering a goat milk formula, Nannycare is an excellent choice. Made with quality goat milk as its base ingredient, this brand offers a gentle alternative to cow’s milk formulas for babies with sensitivity or dietary preferences. *Read: Kendamil vs Nannycare
Crafted with minimally processed whole goat milk, it's a naturally easier-to-digest option that supports your little one's gut health. Perfect for babies with sensitive tummies.
- Easier-to-digest protein
- Lower allergen profile
- Whole goat's milk base, no whey added
- Sourced from grass-fed goats on New Zealand family farms
- Free from maltodextrin, palm oil, GMOs, and soy
- Contains natural prebiotics for gut health
Last Words
We hope this comparison between Kendamil and Aptamil has helped you make an informed decision for your little one.
If you have further questions, do not hesitate to leave a comment or contact us at [email protected].
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!
This research is incorrect aptamil isn’t British made its from france originally kendamil is the only formula what is British made to date
Hello Mark,
Thank you very much for your comment and your insight. You’re absolutely right that the Aptamil brand is originally French, owned by Danone, which is a point we should have made more clear. However, for the purposes of our comparison, we used Kendamil Organic and Aptamil Advance. Even though Aptamil is a French brand, the Aptamil Advance formula we’re referencing is manufactured in the UK.
We apologize for any confusion and greatly appreciate your input. This is an excellent reminder for us to always be as specific as possible when discussing product origins. Thank you for helping to improve the accuracy of our information!