Key Differences Between Similac Advance and 360 Total Care
| Key Differences | Similac Advance | Similac 360 Total Care |
|---|---|---|
| Baby Suitability | Babies without allergies or intolerances | Babies without allergies or intolerances |
| Main Ingredients | Nonfat milk, whey protein concentrate, lactose, high oleic safflower oil, soy oil, coconut oil | Nonfat milk, whey protein concentrate, lactose, high oleic safflower oil, soy oil, coconut oil |
| Nutrients for Brain Development | Contains DHA for brain and eye development | Enriched with an exclusive blend of 5 HMO prebiotics for immune system and brain development |
| Protein Source and Content | Nonfat milk and whey protein concentrate, approx 2.07g of protein per serving | Nonfat milk and whey protein concentrate, approx 2.07g of protein per serving |
| Carbohydrate Source and Content | Lactose, approx 10.7g per serving | Lactose, approx 10.5g per serving |
| Fats and Oils Source and Content | High oleic safflower oil, soy oil, and coconut oil, approx 5.6g of fat per serving | High oleic safflower oil, soy oil, and coconut oil, approx 5.6g of fat per serving |
| Palm Oil | No palm oil or palm olein | No palm oil or palm olein |
| Probiotics and Prebiotics | Contains Galactooligosaccharides (GOS) for digestive health | Contains a blend of 5 HMOs (Human Milk Oligosaccharides) for immune system development |
| Whey:Casein Ratio | 48:52 | 48:52 |
| Price | Generally less expensive | Generally more expensive |
| Overall | Good, high-quality formula, number one choice of infant formula in hospitals | Superior formula due to the presence of 5 HMO prebiotics, closer to breast milk, hence a better choice if price is not an issue |
This article aims to compare two popular Similac formulas: Pro Advance and 360 Total Care.
We will analyze their ingredients and nutritional compositions to give you the information you need to make an informed decision for your baby.
Let’s get after it!
Related reads: Similac Advance vs Similac Pro Advance | Similac Pro-Advance vs 360 Total Care
Our Short Answer
After closely analyzing the ingredients and nutritional information of both formulas, we have to say that this is one of the most evenly matched comparisons we have made.
However, veterans know that we like to give you our personal preference.
If we had to pick a winner, we’d go with Similac 360 Total Care. Although it’s a bit more expensive as a general rule, we think using HMOs is too beneficial not to consider it.
Otherwise, both formulas are very similar, and their differences are minor.
That said, both formulas are aimed at babies without any allergies or intolerances, as they use unhydrolyzed protein and lactose as their only carbohydrate source.
Having said this, we encourage you to read about the formula alternatives we mention below in the article.
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Overview of Both Formulas
Similac Advance: Milk-based formula, supports brain and eye development, no palm olein oil, includes DHA and lutein.
Similac 360 Total Care: Exclusive blend of 5 HMO prebiotics, supports immunity and digestive health, designed for immune, brain, and gut health.
Both formulas are designed for babies without intolerances or allergies.
Similac Advance
Similac Advance is a milk-based, iron-fortified infant formula for babies in their first year.
This nutritionally complete formula includes an exclusive blend of ingredients supporting brain and eye development in infants.
A feature unique to this product is its omission of palm olein oil, which promotes better calcium absorption.
Additionally, Similac Advance employs ingredients like DHA and lutein, elements found in breast milk that support eyesight and cognitive development. It’s also worth mentioning that it’s both kosher and halal.
However, it’s critical to note that this formula isn’t suitable for infants or children with galactosemia.
Similac 360 Total Care
Similac 360 Total Care features an exclusive mix of five HMO prebiotics structurally identical to those present in breast milk, designed to provide more comprehensive coverage for infant needs. These prebiotics serve an important function by bolstering immunity while promoting optimal digestive health.
Similac 360 Total Care takes a step further by providing nutritional support designed specifically for immune health, brain development, and gut health – hence its name, ‘360’, standing for all-around care.
As with the Advanced variant, 360 Total Care does not contain artificial growth hormones or GMOs. 360 Total Care isn’t suitable for infants or children affected by galactosemia either.
Nutritional Composition
Similac Advance and Similac 360 Total Care:
Nonfat milk and whey protein concentrate as protein source.
Lactose as primary carbohydrate source.
No added starch, corn syrups, or maltodextrin.
Fats from high oleic safflower oil, soy oil, and coconut oil.
No palm oil or palm olein.
Both formulas are the same when it comes to nutrients, vitamins and minerals.
Protein Content
The protein sources in both Similac Advance and Similac 360 Total Care are Nonfat Milk and Whey Protein Concentrate.
These form a dominant part of the formula composition. Each serving contains approximately 2.07g of protein in both formulas. Protein is vital for your baby’s growth as it aids cell growth and repair.
Regarding allergenic concerns, some babies are intolerant or allergic to cow’s milk proteins.
Always consult your pediatrician if you notice unusual responses to these formulas from your child.
It’s a draw in protein content, both using nonfat milk and whey protein concentrate.
Both formulas also have the same whey-to-casein ratio: 48:52, which is not ideal but acceptable.
Carbohydrate Content
The primary source of carbohydrates in both Similac Advance and 360 Total Care is Lactose – the natural sugar found in milk that gives it a slightly sweet taste. The carbohydrate content for Advance is slightly higher (10.7g) compared to 360 Total Care (10.5g).
These carbohydrates provide the necessary energy for your baby’s growing needs and aid brain development.
Remember that some babies may be lactose intolerant or lactose sensitive – always closely monitor any unusual digestive responses.
It’s a draw again, as both formulas use lactose exclusively. No starch, corn syrups, or maltodextrin added.
We want to see this in a conventional formula designed for babies who digest lactose without issues.
Fats and Oils
The fats found in these infant formulas come from three oils: High Oleic Safflower Oil, Soy Oil, and Coconut Oil; they are meant to mimic fat found in breastmilk.
Both Similac Advance and 360 Total Care contain approximately a proportion of 5.6g fat per serving.
And again, another draw in fat content, with both formulas using the same three oils.
No palm oil or palm olein in the formulas.
Probiotics and Prebiotics
Similac Advance: Includes Galactooligosaccharides (prebiotics) for digestive health.
Similac 360 Total Care: Includes a blend of five HMOs (Human Milk Oligosaccharides) for immune system development.
No explicit mention of probiotics in either formula.
Probiotics and prebiotics are important in infant formulas due to their significant health benefits, including boosting immunity and healthy digestion.
In Similac Advance, the formula includes Galactooligosaccharides (prebiotics) that support digestive health by feeding healthy bacteria in the gut.
Contrarily, Similac 360 Total Care takes this a step further with its blend of five HMOs (Human Milk Oligosaccharides – a type of prebiotic) structurally identical to the ones found in breast milk. These HMOs nourish beneficial gut bacteria, crucial for your baby’s immune system development.
However, neither formula explicitly mentions using probiotics.
If you are looking for an infant formula that includes prebiotics and probiotics, we recommend reading our article about the best formulas with prebiotics and probiotics.
Similac 360 Total Care wins the prebiotics battle by including the best kind of prebiotic for infants: HMOs.
Similac Advance adds GOS, but if we had to choose which prebiotics to give our baby, we would go for the closest ones to breastmilk: HMOs.
Best Places to Buy Similac Formulas
What are the best alternatives to Similac Advance and 360 Total Care?
-
Buy NowLess 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
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-
Buy at Organic's Best Buy at My Organic Company
Kendamil Classic uses a premium blend that mirrors breast milk.
- Whole Milk Base
- DHA & ARA from Marine Algae
- Prebiotic Blend
- UK Red Tractor-certified farms
- No palm oil, corn syrups or maltodextrin
- Vegetarian Friendly
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-
Buy at Organic's Best Buy at The Milky Box
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.
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
-
Buy at Organic's Best Buy at The Milky Box
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.
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
Read how they all compare here:
- Bobbie vs Similac 360 | Bobbie vs Similac Pro Advance
- Kendamil vs Similac
- Hipp vs Similac
- Holle vs Similac
Last Words
We sincerely hope this comparison between Similac Advance and 360 Total Care has helped you make an informed decision.
Even though it is a close call, we think Similac 360 offers just a bit more than Advance, but if the price is an essential factor, then choosing Advance is totally okay since it is a good and high-quality formula.
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!
