Kendamil vs SMA: Which Formula Is Better For Your Baby?

Key Differences Between Kendamil and SMA

Features/Aspect	Kendamil	SMA PRO
Base Ingredient	Whole British milk	Skimmed milk and whey protein
Protein Source	Whole milk and demineralized whey powder, enriched with alpha-lactalbumin. 60:40 whey:casein ratio	Whey protein from milk, skimmed milk 70:30 whey:casein ratio
Carbohydrate Source	Lactose	Lactose
Fats and Oils	Milk fats, vegetable oils (sunflower, coconut, rapeseed), ARA and DHA from algae	Vegetable oils (sunflower, rapeseed), ARA and DHA from algae
Prebiotics/Probiotics	GOS and FOS	2’-Fucosyllactose (2’FL)
Notable Nutrients	MFGM	2’-Fucosyllactose (2’FL)

In this article, we will compare two popular UK-based formulas: Kendamil and SMA (PRO).

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

Let’s get after it!

Our Short Answer

After analyzing both formulas, if we had to choose one for our baby, it would be Kendamil without much hesitation for the following reasons:

• It uses whole milk, which provides several benefits such as not relying so much on vegetable oils for fats.
• It uses coconut oil, which is the best nutritionally thanks to the saturated fats, very important for the proper development of the brain.

SMA PRO gains in prebiotics, as it includes 2′-Fucosyllactose (2’FL), a very beneficial HMO for the intestinal flora of babies. However, it loses this advantage to Kendamil Organic, which has 5 types of HMOs.

So all in all, Kendamil is a better formula, and if you go to its organic version, it is one of the best formulas, if not the best, in the world today.

Overview of the Two Formulas

Kendamil uses whole British milk, featuring MFGM for brain development, and offers a vegetarian-friendly formula with Omega-3 from algae.

SMA PRO, with over 100 years in baby nutrition, provides a breast milk substitute, palm oil-free, and supports Halal diets.

Kendamil

Kendamil is a special baby formula straight from the United Kingdom.

Kendamil stands out because it’s made with whole milk from cows grazing in the lovely British Lake District. This means it includes MFGM (Milk Fat Globule Membrane), which is pretty good for babies.

The company takes pride in using local milk from farms that meet high standards.

Another cool thing about Kendamil is its vegetarian-friendly label. It gets its Omega-3 from marine algae, which means no fishy business, and it skips on animal rennet, making it friendly for vegetarian diets.

SMA PRO

SMA® PRO First Infant Baby Milk has a long history, dating back to 1919, of supporting babies’ nutrition.

This formula is a go-to for many families because it is designed to be a close substitute for breast milk and can be used right from birth.

It has no palm oil and includes DHA (Omega 3) derived from algae, ensuring your baby gets the important fats they need without relying on fish sources.

This formula meets all the legal requirements for infant nutrition and caters to Halal dietary needs, making it versatile and accessible for various families.

SMA emphasizes its dedication to infant nutrition, with over 100 years of research backing its products.

Nutritional Composition

Kendamil and SMA formulas use whey and lactose for easily digestible protein and energy.

Kendamil’s mix mimics breast milk closely and includes a unique blend of milk fats and vegetable oils for brain development, making its fat content notably superior.

Protein Content

Kendamil: Kendamil’s protein comes from whole milk and demineralized whey powder, enriched with alpha-lactalbumin, with a whey-to-casein ratio of 60:40. This mixture closely mimics breast milk’s natural composition, providing high-quality protein vital for a baby’s growth and development.

SMA: The main protein source in SMA formula is whey protein from milk, combined with skimmed milk. Whey protein is easily digestible and supports infants’ needs for rapid growth. It has a whey:casein ratio of 70:30.

Demineralized whey is easier to digest than standard whey because it is isolated from other components. Also, Kendamil has a whey-to-casein ratio closer to mature breast milk, which is around 60:40. These are slight differences, however. Kendamil’s use of whole milk is relevant for its fat blend.

Carbohydrate Content

Kendamil: The carbohydrate in Kendamil formula primarily comes from lactose, the natural sugar in milk. This makes it easily digestible and a good source of energy for babies.

SMA: Like Kendamil, SMA uses lactose from milk as the primary carbohydrate source, ensuring a naturally sweet taste and providing necessary energy.

No differences in carb content, with both formulas using lactose exclusively, which is what we want to see in conventional formulas.

Fats and Oils

Kendamil: Focusing on natural sources, Kendamil uses milk fats from the whole milk, and a blend of vegetable oils (sunflower, coconut, rapeseed) for its fat content. It contains specific oils like oil from Mortierella alpina for ARA and marine algae oil for DHA, avoiding fish oils and making it vegetarian-friendly while supporting brain development.

SMA: SMA opts exclusively for a blend of vegetable oils (sunflower, rapeseed) providing essential fatty acids and also contains ARA (arachidonic acid) from Mortierella alpina oil and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) from microalgae oil. These are crucial for brain and eye and brain health.

Even though SMA’s fat blend is great, Kendamil’s is the best one we’ve found in a formula. It contains coconut oil, the most nutritious vegetable oil, and uses milk fats, which are more bioavailable for the baby’s organism. This means it also contains MFGM, a powerful fat molecule in breast milk with tremendous benefits for the baby.

Nutritional Facts Comparison

Nutrient	Kendamil (per 100ml)	SMA Pro (per 100ml)
Energy (kcal)	67	67
Total Fat (g)	3.6	3.6
Saturates (g)	1.2	0.3
Total Carbs (g)	7.2	7.5
Sugars (g)	6.8	7.5
Fiber (g)	0.27	0.025
Protein (g)	1.3	1.24
Vitamin A (mcg)	52	58
Vitamin D3 (mcg)	1.35	1.5
Vitamin E (mg)	1.9	1.8
Vitamin K (mcg)	3.9	5
Vitamin C (mg)	10.4	13
Thiamin (mg)	0.06	0.08
Riboflavin (mg)	0.13	0.18
Niacin (mg)	0.58	0.52
Vitamin B6 (mg)	0.05	0.04
Folate (mcg)	15	19
Vitamin B12 (mcg)	0.1	0.22
Pantothenic Acid (mg)	0.42	0.54
Biotin (mcg)	2.6	1.68
Sodium (mg)	21	21
Potassium (mg)	71	85
Chloride (mg)	46	50
Calcium (mg)	44	43
Phosphorus (mg)	26	24
Magnesium (mg)	6.3	5.7
Iron (mg)	0.66	0.67
Zinc (mg)	0.45	0.48
Copper (mg)	0.05	0.05
Iodine (mcg)	12	13.6
Selenium (mcg)	2.2	3.5
Taurine (mg)	5.8	4.6
Choline (mg)	22	22
Inositol (mg)	13	9.7
L-Carnitine (mg)	0.9	1.4
Nucleotides (mg)	2.9	1.9
α-Linolenic Acid (Omega 3) (mg)	50	49
Docosahexaenoic Acid (Omega 3) (mg)	16.1	17
Linoleic Acid (Omega 6) (mg)	542	555
Arachidonic Acid (Omega 6) (mg)	8	17

Probiotics and Prebiotics

Kendamil: Galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) and Fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS). No Probiotics.

SMA PRO: 2’-Fucosyllactose (2’FL). No Probiotics.

Probiotics and prebiotics play essential roles in a baby’s diet by supporting their digestive health and boosting their immune system.

Kendamil: Kendamil formula includes Galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) derived from milk, and Fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS). These act as prebiotics, feeding the good bacteria in the baby’s gut and promoting a balanced digestive system. Kendamil does not explicitly list probiotics among its ingredients.

SMA: The SMA formula incorporates 2’-Fucosyllactose (2’FL), a human milk oligosaccharide (HMO) that functions as a prebiotic, just like it does in breast milk. It mainly focuses on supporting the growth of beneficial gut bacteria, aiding digestion, and enhancing the baby’s immune system. SMA does not include probiotics.

Best Online Stores to Buy Kendamil and SMA

If you live in Europe, you should not have issues finding Kendamil or SMA formulas in your local stores, but if you want to purchase online or live outside the EU, these are the places we recommend.

Kendamil

For Kendamil Classic, we recommend Organic’s Best as our top option. Still, if you want to purchase the organic version, My Organic Company or Mommy Formula would be your best options.

SMA PRO

For SMA PRO, we recommend BritSuperstore as our go-to store for purchasing UK products safely and trustworthy.

What are the best alternatives to Kendamil and SMA?

We always recommend parents to do more research before they make their final decision. This is because it’s a good idea to have more formulas in mind as second options just in case the first one disagrees with your baby.

These are the formulas we recommend for most babies:

Holle: Holle is a European organic infant formula brand offering a range of cow’s and goat’s milk-based formulas. The brand emphasizes biodynamic and organic farming practices, resulting in high-quality ingredients. Holle formulas are free from synthetic nutrients, GMOs, and added sugars. *Read: Holle vs Kendamil and Holle vs SMA

Hipp: Hipp is another European organic infant formula brand known for its commitment to sustainable farming and high-quality ingredients. Their formulas include prebiotics, probiotics, DHA, and essential vitamins and minerals. Hipp offers a range of formulas, including hypoallergenic and specialty options for babies with specific dietary needs. *Read: Hipp vs Kendamil and Hipp vs SMA

Bobbie: Bobbie is a US-based infant formula brand inspired by European standards. Their organic cow’s milk formula is designed to mimic breast milk, containing DHA, ARA, prebiotics, and essential vitamins and minerals. Bobbie’s formula is free from artificial ingredients, palm oil, and corn syrup. *Read: Bobbie vs Kendamil

Last WOrds

We hope this comparison between Kendamil and SMA has helped you make an informed decision.

If you have further questions, leave a comment or contact us at [email protected], and we’ll be happy to help.

Happy feeding!