Key Differences Table Between Similac Advance and Alimentum
| Features/Aspect | Similac Advance | Similac Alimentum |
|---|---|---|
| Ideal For | Babies without diagnosed sensitivities | Babies with lactose intolerance or CMPA |
| Type | Standard milk-based formula | Hypoallergenic formula |
| Primary Protein Source | Nonfat milk and whey protein concentrate | Extensively hydrolyzed casein |
| Carbohydrate Source | Lactose | Corn maltodextrin and sucrose |
| Fats and Oils | High oleic safflower oil, soy oil, coconut oil | High oleic safflower oil, soy oil, coconut oil, MCTs |
| Nutrient Profile | Fortified with OptiGRO™ (DHA, Lutein, Vitamin E) | Designed for easy nutrient absorption, fortified with key nutrients |
| Digestibility | Gentle on the stomach | Designed for rapid relief of colic symptoms in sensitive infants |
| Prebiotics/Probiotics | Galactooligosaccharides (GOS) | 2-Fucosyllactose (2′-FL) |
| Specific Benefits | Mimics breast milk’s nutrients, supports brain, eye, and cellular development | Hypoallergenic, suitable for milk protein allergies, alleviates colic symptoms |
This article aims to compare two popular Similac formulas: Similac Advance vs Alimentum.
We will analyze their ingredients and nutritional composition to help you make an informed decision for your baby.
Let’s get after it!
Our Short Answer
The choice between Similac Advance and Alimentum depends on your baby’s needs.
Choose Similac Alimentum if your baby:
- Is lactose intolerant
- Has allergy to cow’s milk protein (CMPA)
Choose Similac Advance if:
- Your baby has no diagnosed sensitivities
As you can see, both formulas are designed for babies with different types of needs.
If you have doubts, we recommend you read our article on how to choose formula for your baby.
Overview of the Two Formulas
Similac Advance offers a blend mimicking breast milk’s nutrients, including nonfat milk, lactose, and whey protein, fortified with OptiGRO™ for brain, eye, and cellular development, and is gentle on the stomach.
Similac Alimentum is hypoallergenic, suitable for milk protein allergies, designed for easy nutrient absorption, and can rapidly alleviate colic symptoms in sensitive infants.
Advance
Similac Advance is designed to provide complete nutrition for your infant’s first year and is commonly chosen by many parents as a formula close to breast milk in nutrient composition. Let’s delve into the details:
- Primary Ingredients: It contains a blend of nonfat milk, lactose, whey protein concentrate, and a high oleic safflower oil mix, among other components, designed to mimic the rich nutritional profile of breast milk.
- Nutrient Profile: This formula is fortified with OptiGRO™, an exclusive blend of DHA for brain development, Lutein for eye health, and Vitamin E for cellular development.
- Digestibility: The composition of Similac Advance is said to be gentle on the stomach, making it a go-to option for many babies without specific sensitivities or allergies.
Alimentum
Similac Alimentum might be the shining light at the end of a colicky tunnel for parents dealing with infants with food allergies or sensitive tummies. Here’s what you need to know about this specialized formula:
- Hypoallergenic Properties: Similac Alimentum is a hypoallergenic formula for babies with milk protein allergies. It contains a predigested milk protein that significantly reduces the chance of an allergic reaction.
- Nutrient Absorption: This formula is also designed for easier absorption of nutrients. It’s often recommended for little ones who experience extreme fussiness, gas, or bloating due to a sensitivity to regular cow’s milk formula.
- Rapid Relief: Clinical studies have shown that this formula can reduce excessive crying due to protein sensitivity within 24 hours.
Nutritional Composition
Similac Advance uses nonfat milk and whey protein concentrate, mimicking breast milk, ideal for babies without digestive issues. Similac Alimentum features extensively hydrolyzed casein for easy digestion in babies with CMPA.
Advance’s primary carbohydrate is lactose, whereas Alimentum uses corn maltodextrin and sucrose, accommodating those who can’t process dairy-derived carbs.
Both have similar fat blends, but Alimentum includes MCTs, beneficial for babies with sensitivities.
Protein Content
Protein is the cornerstone of growth, especially in the first year of life. It’s essential for building muscles, tissues, and cells.
- Similac Advance: The protein in Similac Advance comes from nonfat milk and whey protein concentrate, which are intended to be easy for babies to digest. The balance of whey and casein mimics that of breast milk, promoting growth and development.
- Similac Alimentum: In Similac Alimentum, the protein source is extensively hydrolyzed casein. It’s a form of protein broken down to be virtually free of allergens, aiding infants with allergies or intolerances. This helps minimize the possibility of an adverse reaction while still fulfilling protein requirements.
The protein sources of both formulas are completely different. Advance uses skimmed milk and whey protein concentrate, the standard protein sources in conventional formulas for babies without digestive issues.
Alimentum uses extensively hydrolyzed protein, which means its molecules are entirely broken down, making it very easy to digest. This type of protein is designed for babies with diagnosed CMPA.
Learn more: Hydrolyzed Baby Formulas
Carbohydrate Content
Carbohydrates provide essential energy and support brain development. The composition and source of carbs can significantly affect your infant’s digestion and satisfaction.
- Similac Advance: This formula features lactose, the main carbohydrate found in breast milk, as the primary carbohydrate source, offering energy and aiding in absorbing essential minerals like calcium.
- Similac Alimentum: Similac Alimentum uses corn maltodextrin and sugar (sucrose) as carbohydrate sources due to its hypoallergenic nature. This deviation from lactose is deliberate to accommodate babies who cannot process standard dairy-derived carbohydrates.
Lactose is the carb source we want to find in standard formulas.
Alimentum uses corn maltodextrin, an alternative to lactose (better than corn syrup solids), but it also adds sucrose for better palatability (which, in our opinion, is not necessary)
*Learn more: Maltodextrin in Baby Formula
Fats and Oils
Fats are vital for your baby’s brain development, energy, and absorption of fat-soluble vitamins. The selection of fats and oils in baby formulas is designed to replicate the benefits received from breast milk.
- Similac Advance: The formula includes a blend of high oleic safflower oil, soy oil, and coconut oil, among others. This blend aims not only to provide essential fatty acids but also to match breast milk’s fat profile closely.
- Similac Alimentum: Similarly, Similac Alimentum also contains a mix of oils, including high oleic safflower and soy oil, and medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), which are easier for a baby with sensitivities to digest and utilize.
Both fat blends are the same in terms of quality.
Alimentum ads MCT’s which are great for a hypoallergenic formula because they are very easy to absorb.
Prebiotics and Probiotics
Prebiotics and probiotics can play an important role for some babies, acting as the good bacteria and their fuel to foster an infant’s gut health. So, let’s look at the specifics:
Similac Advance is fortified with a specific prebiotic known as Galactooligosaccharides (GOS). This prebiotic has been shown to support gut health and is sourced from lactose.
Similac Alimentum, this formula also includes 2-Fucosyllactose (2′-FL), a prebiotic that supports the immune system found in natural breast milk.
On paper, 2′-FL is a better prebiotic for babies, since it’s closer to breastmilk than GOS. However, the difference between both will depend on your baby’s tummy.
Best Places to Buy Similac Advance and Alimentum
Similac Advance
Similac Alimentum
What are the Best Alternatives to Similac Advance and Alimentum?
Even though Similac is a well-known brand, there are better brands in terms of quality and purity. These are our favorite alternatives to Advance and Alimentum formulas.
For Similac Advance:
- Kendamil: Our favorite standard formula, Kendamil distinguishes itself by using real human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) and whole milk in its composition. It’s rich, creamy and filled with all the goodness your baby needs. *Read: Kendamil vs Similac | Kendamil vs Alimentum
- Bobbie: As a high-quality US-based formula, Bobbie comes through with its simplicity, containing organic ingredients and essential nutrients without many extras, making it a worthy option to consider. *Read: Bobbie vs Similac Advance | Bobbie vs Similac Alimentum
- Hipp: Recognized for being gentle on the stomach, Hipp is a go-to option for babies with sensitive tummies. Its formula is both nutritious and gentle. *Read: Hipp vs Similac
- Holle: Regarding purity and natural ingredients, Holle is second to none. Certified organic, this formula has a reputation for clean, simple ingredients, making it a solid choice for many parents. *Read: Holle vs Similac
For Similac Alimentum:
- Nutramigen: As one of the most common alternatives, Nutramigen is designed for infants with allergies and comes with the assurance of a brand that’s been in the hypoallergenic game for a long time. *Read: Alimentum vs Nutramigen
- Hipp HA: This formula is suitable for babies with sensitivities, although it may not be appropriate for those diagnosed with cow’s milk protein allergy (CMPA). Hipp HA offers partial hydrolyzed proteins, which can be easier to digest for some babies. Hipp HA vs Alimentum
Last Words
We hope this comparison between Similac Advance and Alimentum helps you choose the best formula for your baby.
If you have extra questions, leave a comment or contact us, and we’ll be happy to guide 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!
