Key Differences Between Advance and Pro Advance
Main Difference: The main difference between Similac Advance and Pro Advance is the inclusion of 2’FL HMO prebiotics in Similac Pro-Advance, which are very similar to those found in breast milk and highly beneficial to the babies’ microbiota.
Availability and Price: Similac Pro Advance tends to be somewhat higher in price and less available, which may influence the buying decision for some parents.
Ingredients and Nutrition: Both formulas are virtually the same regarding nutritional composition. They use lactose as the main carbohydrate source, deliver the same amount of protein per serving from nonfat milk and whey protein concentrate, and exclude palm oil in their fat content.
Probiotics and Prebiotics: Both formulas include prebiotics for gut health and immunity, with 2’FL HMO, a prebiotic closer to that found in breast milk, in Similac Pro-Advance.
Alternatives: If neither Similac Advance nor Pro Advance seems right for your baby, there are other high-quality alternatives like Bobbie, Kendamil, Hipp, and Holle.
Conclusion: While both Similac Advance and Pro Advance are high-quality formulas for babies without intolerances or allergies, Similac Pro Advance has the edge due to its inclusion of 2’FL HMO prebiotics.
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This article aims to help parents decide between Similac Advance and Pro Advance.
Even though they are pretty similar, some differences are worth looking into.
In this article, we will analyze their ingredients and nutritional compositions so you can make an informed decision for your baby.
Let’s get after it!
*Related reads: Enfamil Neuropro vs Similac Pro-Advance | Similac 360 Total Care vs Pro-Advance
Our Short Answer
Although both formulas are practically the same, a fundamental difference makes us lean towards one over the other.
Similac Pro Advance’s inclusion of 2’FL HMO prebiotics makes it outperform its sister. These prebiotics are very similar to those found in breast milk and are very beneficial to babies’ microbiota.
That said, it is essential to note that the availability of Similac Pro Advance tends to be more limited. The price tends to be somewhat higher, although this will largely depend on where you buy your formula.
Note: Both formulas are designed for babies without intolerances or allergies.
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Overview of the Two Formulas
Nourishing your baby with the right infant formula is a priority for every parent.
This can be challenging with several options, including Similac’s two popular offerings: Similac Advance and Similac Pro Advance.
These formulas aim to provide vital nutrition for your baby’s first year, and although they appear similar at first, there are some essential differences every caring mom should be aware of.
Similac Advance: Resembles breast milk, supports brain and eye development, no palm olein oil, includes DHA and lutein, no artificial growth hormones, gluten-free, kosher, halal certified, non-GMO ingredients.
Similac Pro Advance: Includes 2′-FL HMO prebiotic, supports immunity, brain, and eye development, no palm olein oil, includes DHA, lutein, and vitamin E, no artificial growth hormones, gluten-free, kosher, halal certified, non-GMO ingredients.
Similac Advance
Similac Advance is a robust and wholesome infant formula that aims to resemble natural breast milk.
It provides comprehensive nourishment to support your baby during their crucial developmental stage in the first year.
This formula contains no palm olein oil, which means it promotes excellent calcium absorption necessary for bone development.
Designed to support brain and eye development, this offering from Similac includes DHA and lutein—important ingredients found in breast milk—which contribute to your child’s neurological and visual growth.
For parents concerned about artificial components, the good news is that Similac Advance doesn’t include artificial growth hormones.
Whether your child has certain dietary needs or you appreciate being careful about their food sources, this infant formula ticks those boxes too—it’s gluten-free, kosher, halal certified and its ingredients are non-GMO.
Similac Pro Advance
On the other hand, Similac Pro Advance is backed with 2’-FL human milk oligosaccharide (HMO), a prebiotic known for its immune-supportive properties.
This sets it on par with breastfed infants’ immunity levels because it resembles one of breast milk’s essential components.
Similac Pro-Advance also supports brain and eye development because of its exclusive blend of DHA, lutein, and vitamin E—vital elements found in breast milk.
Furthermore, just like Similac Advance, it contains no palm olein oil that suffices strong bone formation in infants through improved calcium absorption.
It carries no artificial growth hormones, and its ingredients don’t involve genetic engineering either.
For parents seeking products that align with specific dietary needs or preferences—Similac Pro offers gluten-free custody for infants’ sensitive systems and is kosher and halal certified.
Nutritional Composition
Both Similac formulas have 2.07g protein per serving, from nonfat milk and whey protein concentrate.
Both use lactose as the main carbohydrate source and deliver 10.5-10.7g per serving.
Fats come from beneficial oils, excluding palm.
They are the same when it comes to nutritional composition.
Protein Content
The primary building blocks of body tissues, proteins are essential for your child’s growth and development.
Both Similac formulas deliver 2.07 grams of protein per 5 fl oz serving.
The primary source of this protein in either formula is nonfat milk and whey protein concentrate, which supply a complete amino acid profile.
Both Similac formulas have the exact same protein profile, using skim milk and whey protein concentrate with a whey-to-casein ratio of 48:52.
Carbohydrate Content
Both Similac Advance and Pro Advance consist of lactose as their primary carbohydrate source, a natural sugar present in breast milk that helps establish healthy gut flora in babies.
Similac Advance delivers 10.7 grams of carbohydrates per serving, while Similac Pro-Advance delivers slightly less at 10.5 grams per serving —still well within the range infants need.
Like with protein, both formulas use the same carb source, lactose. This is what we like to see in conventional formulas. No starch, maltodextrin, or corn syrup solids added.
Fats and Oils
Fats are paramount to infants as they support brain development, hormone production, cell integrity and enhance vitamin absorption.
Both formulas introduce fats through a blend of high oleic sunflower or safflower oils, soy oil, and coconut oil—all beneficial sources that offer essential fatty acids crucial for infant development.
Same fat profile in both formulas. No palm olein or palm oil added. We would love to see rapeseed oil instead of soy, but it’s a minor detail.
Probiotics and Prebiotics
Both Similac formulas contain prebiotics for gut health and immunity, but Similac Pro-Advance also includes 2′-FL HMO, a prebiotic similar to one found in breast milk, for enhanced immune benefits.
Probiotics and prebiotics are critical in promoting a healthy gut environment for digestion and robust immunity in infants.
Both Similac Advance and Pro Advance contain prebiotics in the form of ‘galactooligosaccharides,’ which help nourish the beneficial gut bacteria, improving digestion, enhancing immunity, and reducing inflammation.
However, there’s a key difference here. The Similac Pro-Advance contains 2’-FL HMO, an advanced form of prebiotic closer to that found in breast milk. By replicating the immune benefits provided by breast milk, 2’-FL HMO helps strengthen your baby’s immunity more effectively.
Best Places to Buy Similac Formulas
Buy Similac Formula at Walmart
What are the best alternatives to Similac Advance and Pro Advance
Bobbie: Bobbie is our top suggested formula if you’re based in the US. It stands out due to its adherence to European formula standards, arguably exceeding US standards. The brand strongly emphasizes organic ingredients and incorporates essential nutrients such as DHA and ARA, crucial for brain development. *Read: Bobbie vs Similac Pro Advance
Kendamil: Kendamil is our personal favorite. This formula is distinctive because it uses real Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMOs)—similar to breast milk—and whole milk as a primary ingredient. This is a stark contrast to many other brands that opt for skimmed or processed varieties of milk. *Read: Kendamil vs Similac
Hipp: Hipp is our go-to recommendation for parents whose primary concern is finding a formula that is easy to digest. The brand goes the extra mile to ensure minimal allergenic risks. *Read: Hipp vs Similac
Holle: The German brand Holle is highly recommended for those searching for organic nutrition. The brand sources most ingredients from Demeter-certified farms, ensuring they’re free from artificial chemicals or genetically modified organisms (GMOs). In addition, Holle upholds high standards of animal welfare. *Read: Holle vs Similac
Last Words
We hope this comparison between Similac Advance and Similac Pro Advance has helped you make an informed decision.
As we’ve said during the post, both formulas are relatively similar, with the main difference in including 2’-FL HMO.
That is why we are inclined to choose the Pro Advance version.
Having said this, both formulas are non-GMO, use lactose as the only carb source, and do not have palm oil or olein. All this combined makes them high-quality formulas for babies without intolerances or allergies.
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!
