Key Differences Between Similac and Kirkland
| Aspects | Similac 360 Total Care | Kirkland ProCare |
|---|---|---|
| Brand Reputation | (90+ years experience) | (Affordable & Comprehensive) |
| Protein Source & Content | Nonfat milk & Whey protein (2.07g per 100 Cal, Whey:Casein = 48:52) | Nonfat milk & Whey protein (1.7g per 100 Cal, Whey:Casein = 52:48) |
| Carbohydrate Source & Content | Lactose (10.5g per 100 Cal) | Lactose (8.6g per 100 Cal) |
| Fat Source & Content | High Oleic Safflower Oil, Soy Oil, Coconut Oil, M. Alpina Oil & DHA Oil (5.6g per 100 Cal) | High Oleic Safflower/Sunflower Oil, Soy Oil, Coconut Oil & DHA Oil (4.5g per 100 Cal) |
| Probiotics & Prebiotics | ✋5 HMOs | ☝️2 HMOs |
| Price | (Higher) | (Lower) |
| Availability | (Target), (Walmart) | (Costco) |
This article compares two popular infant formulas in the US: Similac vs Kirkland.
We’ve chosen Similac 360 Total Care and Kirkland ProCare because they are the most popular formulas of both brands.
We will analyze their ingredients and nutritional compositions to help you make an informed decision.
Let’s get started!
*Note: If you wanted a comparison between Similac Advance or Pro-Advance and Kirkland, check out the comparisons below and see why Similac 360 Total Care is a better option:
– Similac Advance vs 360 Total Care
– Similac Pro-Advance vs 360 Total Care
Our Short Answer
Another very close and difficult-to-resolve comparison.
Don’t worry; we never leave you without an answer.
After analyzing both formulas’ ingredients and nutritional compositions, our winner is Similac 360, for the simple fact of having a blend of 5 HMOs.
The differences between both formulas are minimal, except in its prebiotics, which Similac would come out victorious.
That said, Kirkland would be our choice if we were to compare it to other Similac formulas, such as its Advance version.
As always, we recommend you look at our favorite alternatives further in the article.
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Brand Reputation
Similac, trusted for 90+ years, offers science-based nutrition, including HMOs. SNAP eligibility is a plus.
Kirkland Signature ProCare provides budget-friendly comprehensive nutrition, HMOs, transparent sourcing, and kosher and Halal certifications.
Similac Reputation
Similac, a product of Abbott Nutrition, has been serving the infant formula industry for over 90 years.
Popular worldwide and trusted by many parents and health practitioners, Similac champions its baby formulas with a commitment to science-based nutrition for babies in their crucial developmental stages.
The brand’s flagship product, Similac 360 Total Care, is particularly praised for its “closer to breast milk than ever” feature and multifaceted nutritional support designed for babies’ immune system, brain, and digestive health.
One of the highlights of Similac’s brand reputation is its innovative incorporation of human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) in their formula – being the first to achieve this in a leading infant formula brand.
Eligibility for purchase with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits puts it within reach of many parents.
Kirkland Reputation
Kirkland Signature ProCare Infant Formula is a product from Costco Wholesale Corporation – an American multinational company renowned for its high-quality offerings at competitive prices.
Kirkland takes on the same approach in their baby formula, offering comprehensive nutrition akin to breast milk for an infant’s first year at a budget-friendly price.
The modern inclusion of human milk oligosaccharide (HMOs), namely 2′-FL and LNnT, further makes the formula beneficial for infants’ immune support.
Moreover, Kirkland maintains transparency in sourcing its dairy ingredients dominantly from renowned dairy markets like the United States, Canada, and New Zealand.
Avoiding artificial growth hormones and GMO ingredients exhibits their commitment to providing healthier infant choices.
Its kosher certification expands it to Jewish users while also being Halal-certified, raising accessibility for Muslim consumers.
*Related read: Enfamil vs Kirkland
Nutritional Composition
Similac 360 Total Care and Kirkland ProCare have similar protein sources, but Kirkland has a better whey-to-casein ratio closer to breast milk.
Both use lactose as the primary carbohydrate source, mimicking natural breast milk.
Similac has a slightly higher fat content and includes M. Alpina Oil for added ARA.
Protein Content
Similac 360 provides 2.07 grams of protein per 100 Cal serving. The primary source of protein in Similac 360 Total Care is nonfat milk and whey protein concentrate. Nonfat milk is a good source of high-quality protein, providing essential amino acids required for the requisite growth and development of infants. Whey protein, on the other hand, is easily digestible and promotes muscle growth.
Kirkland ProCare provides slightly less than Similac, with 1.7 grams of protein per serving. A combination of nonfat milk and whey protein concentrate serves as primary protein sources, same as Similac.
Both formulas use the exact types of protein: nonfat milk and whey protein concentrate. These are the standard sources of protein for conventional baby formulas.
They differ in their whey-to-casein ratio, with Similac having a 48:52 and Kirkland having a 52:48.
This last bit makes Kirkland better in terms of protein since it’s closer to mature breast milk.
Carbohydrate Content
In Similac, each 100 Cal serving provides 10.5 grams of carbohydrates mainly from lactose which is the primary carbohydrate found in mother’s milk. Hence the carbohydrate source type maintains a closeness to the nutritional benefits of natural breast milk.
The carbohydrate content in Kirkland ProCare is slightly lower than Similac, comprising 8.6 grams per serving, with lactose being the main carbohydrate source as well.
There are no differences in carb content with both formulas using lactose exclusively as their main source.
No syrups, maltodextrin, or starches found, which is what we would expect from conventional formulas.
Fats and Oils
Similac delivers about 5.6 grams of fat per 100 cal serving derived from High Oleic Safflower Oil, Soy Oil, Coconut Oil, and some including Schizochytrium Sp. Oil† (Source of DHA) and M. Alpina Oil‡ (Source of ARA).
Kirkland ProCare provides just a bit less fat content with approximately 4.5 grams per serving, coming primarily from a blend of High Oleic sunflower or safflower oil, soy oil, and coconut oil and also includes Schizochytrium sp as a source of DHA.
For both brands, this specialized oil blend helps contribute both Omega-6 fatty acids (from safflower or sunflower oil) and Omega-3 fatty acids (from Schizochytrium sp oil). These are essential fats that babies need for brain development.
Both formulas are very similar in fat content as well, with a small difference that gives Similac 360 the win: the addition of M. Alpina Oil, a great source of ARA, a type of Omega 6.
*Learn more: DHA and ARA in Baby Formulas
Probiotics and Prebiotics
Similac 360 has a unique blend of five HMO prebiotics, mimicking breast milk, and supporting beneficial bacteria growth, immunity, and digestion.
Kirkland Procare contains 2′-FL HMO for immune support and gut health, though with fewer varieties than Similac.
While not inherently essential in baby formulas, probiotics and prebiotics could give some babies a nutritional edge.
These elements are beneficial for promoting healthy gut microbiota – the community of microorganisms that inhabit our gastrointestinal tract.
They are beneficial in promoting digestion, boosting immunity, and enhancing overall metabolic health.
Similac 360 Total Care stands out with its exclusive blend of five HMO prebiotics that structurally mimic those found in human breast milk. These play a crucial role in encouraging the growth of beneficial bacteria, boosting the immune system, and promoting better digestive health in infants.
Kirkland Procare, on the other hand, contains 2′-FL HMO designed to support immune function. Though boasting a lesser variety than Similac, this inclusion still provides value when supporting the immune system and fostering a healthier gut for your baby.
Best Places to Buy Similac and Kirkland Formulas
Similac Formulas
Kirkland Formulas
What are the best alternatives to Similac and Kirkland Formulas?
While both Similac and Kirkland baby formulas have excellent benefits and nutritional compositions, there are other quality brands out there that we would instead choose for our baby:
Kendamil Organic: This formula stands out for using whole milk – as nature intended. Plus, it includes real HMOs rather than synthetics or substitutes. It’s also free from GMOs, hormones, antibiotics, and palm oil. *Read: Kendamil vs Similac | Kendamil vs Kirkland
Bobbie: As our top pick for an organic formula brand based in the U.S., Bobbie employs organic ingredients without synthetic additives or processed derivatives. It is also EU-approved, which means it adheres to high nutritional standards. *Read: Bobbie vs Similac 360 | Bobbie vs Kirkland
Holle: Known for its pristine ingredient profile, Holle boasts one of the purest and most organic infant formulas on the market. It’s made from 99% organic ingredients sourced from biodynamic farms renowned for their sustainable farming practices – placed exceptionally high by parents seeking an eco-friendly choice for their babies. *Read: Holle vs Similac
Last Words
We hope this comparison between Similac and Kirkland helps you make an informed decision.
We encourage you to read about our recommended alternatives above before making any purchasing decision.
If you have further questions, we’ll be happy to help you, leave a comment below, and we’ll answer in less than 24 hours.
See you soon!
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!
