Key Differences Table Between Alimentum and Sensitive
| Aspect | Similac Alimentum | Similac Sensitive |
|---|---|---|
| Suitability | For babies with Cow’s Milk Protein Allergy (CMPA) or severe lactose intolerance | For babies with lactose sensitivity but not severe lactose intolerance |
| Type | Hypoallergenic formula | Regular formula with reduced lactose |
| Protein Source | Predigested casein hydrolysate (extensively hydrolyzed) | Nonfat milk and whey protein concentrate |
| Carbohydrate Source | Corn maltodextrin | Corn syrup solids |
| Fat Source | Blend of high oleic safflower oil, medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), and soy oil | Includes palm olein, soy, coconut, and high oleic safflower and/or sunflower oils |
| Palm Olein Oil | No | Yes |
| Probiotics/Prebiotics | 2’-FL HMO | Not featured |
| DHA and ARA | Yes | Yes |
| Ease of Digestion | Designed for fast relief from food allergies and colic due to protein sensitivity | Formulated to be gentle on the stomach for lactose-sensitive babies |
This article will compare two popular Similac formulas for babies with sensitivities: Similac Alimentum vs Sensitive.
We will analyze their ingredients and nutritional composition to help you choose the best option for your baby.
Let’s get after it!
Related read: Similac Neosure vs Enfamil Enfacare | Similac Alimentum vs Total Comfort
Our Short Answer
In this comparison, the choice largely depends on the specific dietary needs of your baby.
Choose Similac Alimentum if:
- Your baby has a diagnosed Cow’s Milk Protein Allergy (CMPA).
- Your baby is completely lactose intolerant and requires a hypoallergenic formula to avoid serious allergic reactions.
On the other hand, choose Similac Sensitive if:
- Your baby has lactose sensitivities which cause discomfort, but is not completely lactose intolerant.
In terms of ingredients, Similac Alimentum is often the superior choice on paper due to its use of maltodextrin instead of corn syrup solids, which generally has less sugar content. Additionally, Alimentum does not contain palm olein oil, which can be harder for some babies to digest, making it a better formula for infants with sensitive systems and special dietary needs.
Having said all this, we recommend you to take a look at the alternatives below, as there are better options.
What about Alimentum vs Pro-Sensitive?
Similac Pro-Sensitive has something extra called 2-FL HMO, which is a prebiotic from breast milk that helps with gut health. This makes it more like breast milk in terms of boosting immunity. *Learn more: HMOs in Formula
However, this doesn’t change how it compares to Similac Alimentum. If a baby can’t tolerate cow’s milk protein (CMPA) or is completely lactose intolerant, Similac Alimentum is still the better choice because it’s hypoallergenic. While Pro-Sensitive is good for its extra prebiotic, the main thing to consider is what the baby can handle and their specific health needs.
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Overview of the Two Formulas
Similac Alimentum is hypoallergenic, designed for fast relief from food allergies and colic due to protein sensitivity, and includes essential nutrients for healthy development.
Similac Sensitive is tailored for lactose-sensitive babies, offering reduced lactose content and essential growth nutrients while being gentle on the stomach.
Alimentum
Similac Alimentum is specially formulated for babies with food allergies and colic due to protein sensitivity. If your baby suffers from these conditions, this hypoallergenic formula might offer the relief you both need. Here’s what sets Alimentum apart:
- Hypoallergenic: A predigested milk protein is broken down into tiny pieces to virtually eliminate allergic reactions in most babies who are allergic to cow’s milk protein.
- Ease of Digestion: Its easily digestible formula is designed to reduce fussiness and gas due to lactose sensitivity.
- Nutrient-Rich: Alimentum contains nutrients like DHA and ARA that are essential for your baby’s brain and eye development, similar to what they’d get from breast milk.
- Fast Relief: Parents often report seeing a difference in their baby’s comfort within 24 hours of using Alimentum, though individual experiences may vary.
Similac Alimentum can be very useful for families with infants who struggle with allergies or severe digestive issues. It is important, as with any significant dietary change, to consult with your pediatrician before starting your baby on Alimentum.
Sensitive
Similac Sensitive is formulated for those gentle tummies that aren’t tolerant of the lactose found in many formulas. Perfect for infants with lactose sensitivity, Similac Sensitive helps to reduce fussiness and gas. Here’s how Similac Sensitive stands out:
- Lactose-Free: While it’s not suitable for lactose intolerance, this formula reduces lactose content to help mitigate sensitivity.
- DHA and ARA: Like Alimentum, Similac Sensitive is fortified with DHA and ARA, nutrients found in breast milk that contribute to brain and eye development.
- Growth Support: It includes a blend of nutrients to support your baby’s overall growth and development.
- Gentle on the Stomach: The formula is designed to be gentle on the stomach, providing easy digestion for those sensitive stomachs.
Similac Sensitive is a good option for babies who experience discomfort with regular formulas but don’t have the extensive dietary restrictions requiring a hypoallergenic solution like Alimentum.
Nutritional Composition
Alimentum provides hypoallergenic and easily digestible hydrolyzed protein; Sensitive contains a blend suitable for lactose sensitivity but not milk protein allergy.
Alimentum uses easily digestible corn maltodextrin for energy, while Sensitive includes a lactose-free carbohydrate source to reduce sensitivity.
Alimentum employs a blend of vegetable oils without palm olein, suitable for sensitive digestion; Sensitive combines plant-based oils to mirror breast milk’s fat composition.
Protein Content
Similac Alimentum
Protein is crucial for your baby’s growth, but for those with sensitivities, the source and form of protein are especially important. Similac Alimentum utilizes a casein hydrolysate protein source. What does this mean? Casein, a cow’s milk protein, is extensively broken down into tiny pieces (hydrolyzed) to make it easier to digest and less likely to cause an allergic reaction. Here’s an at-a-glance look at Alimentum’s protein:
- Predigested casein hydrolysate
- Implemented to minimize allergic reactions
- Aids in easy digestion for sensitive systems
Similac Sensitive
In Similac Sensitive, the protein is derived from nonfat milk and whey protein concentrate that has not been broken down into smaller pieces like in Alimentum. While the formula is still designed to be gentle, it is not suitable for babies with a milk protein allergy but rather for those with lactose sensitivity:
- Nonfat milk and whey protein concentrate blend
- Provides essential amino acids for growth
- Suitable for lactose-sensitive infants
Carbohydrate Content
Similac Alimentum
Due to the formula being hypoallergenic, the carbohydrate source is carefully chosen to avoid common allergens. Alimentum contains a corn maltodextrin-based carbohydrate, which serves as an energy source that’s easy on a sensitive baby’s digestive system:
- Corn maltodextrin as the primary carbohydrate
- Designed for fast absorption and digestion
- Free from lactose to prevent allergenic responses
Similac Sensitive
Similac Sensitive addresses lactose sensitivity with its carbohydrate source by significantly reducing lactose content:
- Lactose-free carbohydrate sources, including corn syrup solids
- Provides energy necessary for a baby’s growth and activity
- Formulated to alleviate discomfort associated with lactose sensitivity
On paper, Alimentum’s carb source is better since maltodextrin has less sugar than corn syrup solids.
*Learn more: Corn Syrup in Formula | Maltodextrin in Formula
Fats and Oils
Similac Alimentum
Similac Alimentum offers a blend of vegetable oils that mimic the fat composition of breast milk, providing essential fatty acids that support growth and brain development:
- A blend of high oleic safflower oil, medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), and soy oil
- MCTs are easily absorbed, efficient energy sources for babies with sensitivities
- Supports overall growth and the development of eyes and brain through essential fatty acids
Similac Sensitive
Just like Alimentum, Similac Sensitive includes a blend of fats designed to be easily digestible for sensitive tummies. The fat source is a mix of plant-based oils:
- A mix that includes palm olein, soy, coconut, and high oleic safflower and/or sunflower oils
- Designed to provide a balance of fats comparable to that found in breast milk
- Necessary for growth, development, and absorption of fat-soluble vitamins
Same as with carb content, the fat blend of Alimentum is better than Sensitive’s because it does not use palm olein in its formula.
*Learn more: Palm Oil in Formula
Nutrient Composition Comparison
| Nutrient | Similac Alimentum | Similac Sensitive |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 100 | 100 |
| Total Fat | 5.54g | 5.4g |
| Sodium | 44mg | 30mg |
| Total Carbohydrate | 10.2g | 11.1g |
| Protein | 2.8g | 2.1g |
| Vitamin A | 300.00IU | 300.00IU |
| Calcium | 105.00mg | 88.00mg |
| Potassium | 118mg | 107mg |
| Iron | 1.80mg | 1.80mg |
| Vitamin D | 60.00IU | 60.00IU |
| Vitamin E | 3.00IU | 1.50IU |
| Vitamin K | 8.00mcg | 8.00mcg |
| Niacin | 1350.00mcg | 1050.00mcg |
| Vitamin B6 | 60.00mcg | 60.00mcg |
| Folic Acid | 15.0mcg | 15.0mcg |
| Vitamin B12 | 0.45mcg | 0.26mcg |
| Biotin | 4.50mcg | 4.60mcg |
| Pantothenic Acid | 750.00mcg | 470.00mcg |
| Phosphorus | 75.00mg | 59.00mg |
| Iodine | 15.00mcg | 9.00mcg |
| Magnesium | 7.50mg | 6.00mg |
| Zinc | 0.75mg | 0.79mg |
| Selenium | 2.00mcg | 2.00mg |
| Copper | 75.00mcg | 90.00mcg |
| Manganese | 8.00mcg | 5.00mcg |
| Chloride | 80.00mg | 68.00mg |
Prebiotics and Probiotics
The role of probiotics and prebiotics in baby formulas has become increasingly prominent.
Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that can help maintain a healthy gut flora, which is essential for digestion and immunity.
Prebiotics, on the other hand, are dietary fibers that feed the good bacteria in the gut. Together, they support a balanced digestive system and promote overall health.
Similac Alimentum and Similac Sensitive, do not prominently feature probiotics in their formulations. However, Alimentum does have 2’-FL HMO, a very beneficial prebiotic for babies found in breast milk.
Best Places to Buy Similac Alimentum and Sensitive
Alimentum
Sensitive
What are the Best Alternatives to Similac Alimentum and Similac Sensitive?
When searching for suitable alternatives to Similac Alimentum and Similac Sensitive, parents have a few options to consider. Each alternative has its unique composition and benefits which may align better with your baby’s needs or your nutritional preferences:
The alternatives to Alimentum are:
- Enfamil Nutramigen: The most common alternative to Similac Alimentum, it is designed for infants with milk protein allergy or colic due to cow’s milk allergy. Similar to Alimentum, it’s hypoallergenic and contains extensively hydrolyzed proteins. *Read: Alimentum vs Nutramigen
- Hipp HA: This hypoallergenic formula provides a solution for babies at risk of allergies. It includes hydrolyzed proteins, making them easier to digest and reducing the risk of an allergic response. However, it’s important to note that Hipp HA is not suitable for babies with diagnosed cow’s milk protein allergy (CMPA). *Read: Hipp HA vs Alimentum
For an alternative to Similac Sensitive, these are our top options:
- Hipp AR: A formula specifically designed to reduce the symptoms of reflux and regurgitation through specially thickened feed that helps the milk to stay down in the stomach. It includes natural locust bean gum as a thickener and offers probiotics and prebiotics.
- Hipp Comfort: With reduced lactose content similar to Similac Sensitive, Hipp Comfort supports infants who suffer from colic, constipation, and digestion issues. It is known for its prebiotic and probiotic blend, which can be particularly beneficial for a baby’s digestive health. Plus, it’s made with organic ingredients, providing a natural option for your infant. *Read: Hipp Comfort vs Hipp AR
Last Words
We hope this comparison helps you make the best decision for your baby.
If you have any further questions, please reach us at [email protected], contact us through our homepage or comment below.
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!
