Similac vs Parent’s Choice: Which Formula Is Better?

Similac vs Parent’s Choice: Comparison Chart

FORMULA	SPECIALTY	PREBIOTICS	PROBIOTICS	LACTOSE	CORN SYRUP	PALM OIL	OUR RATING
Similac Advance	Standard	✅	❌	❌	❌	❌	5/10
Parent’s Choice Infant Premium	Standard	✅	❌	❌	❌	✅	6/10
Similac 360 Total Care Sensitive	For Lactose Sensitivity	✅	❌	✅	✅	❌	7/10
Parent’s Choice Sensitivity Premium	Sensitivity	✅	❌	✅	✅	❌	7/10
Similac Sensitive	For Lactose Sensitivity	❌	❌	✅	✅	❌	5/10
Parent’s Choice Gentle	Gentle	❌	❌	❌	✅	✅	7/10
Parent’s Choice Hypoallergenic	Hypoallergenic	❌	✅	❌	✅	✅	7/10
Similac Alimentum	Reducing colic symptoms due to protein sensitivity	❌	❌	✅	✅	❌	7/10

This article will compare two popular baby formula brands in the US: Similac vs Parent’s Choice. We will focus on comparing the best standard formulas from both brands (Pure Bliss and Advantage Premium).

We’ve included a chart above comparing other formulas from both brands in case you need to compare different formulas.

We will analyze their ingredients and nutritional compositions to help you make the best decision for your baby.

Let’s get after it!

Our Short Answer

When comparing Pure Bliss and Advantage Premium, Pure Bliss comes out on top for the following reasons:

• It uses milk from free-range cows
• It does not use palm olein
• It adds 2′-FL HMO, a very beneficial prebiotic found in breast milk.

That said, Parent’s Choice Advantage Premium is very good value for money being cheaper and on par with other formulas such as Similac Advance and Enfamil Neuropro.

Key Differences Table Between Similac Pure Bliss and Parent’s Choice Advantage Premium

Features/Aspect	Similac Pure Bliss	Parent’s Choice Advantage Premium
Ideal For	Babies needing a milk-based, non-GMO formula	Budget-conscious families needing complete nutrition
Milk Source	Grass-fed cows	Not specified
Artificial Growth Hormones	None	Complies with FDA standards (likely none)
Non-GMO	Yes	Not specified
Nutritional Profile	DHA, ARA, vitamins, minerals	DHA, Lutein, Vitamin E, prebiotics
Ease of Digestibility	High-quality milk proteins for less discomfort	Designed for overall digestive health
Protein Source	A2 milk protein	Nonfat milk and whey protein concentrate
Carbohydrate Source	Lactose only	Lactose only
Fats and Oils	High oleic sunflower oil, soy oil, coconut oil	Palm olein, soy, coconut, high oleic safflower or sunflower oil
Prebiotics	2’-FL HMO	Galactooligosaccharides (GOS)
Specific Benefits	Sourced from grass-fed cows, no palm olein, includes 2′-FL HMO	Cost-effective, complete nutrition, widely available

Overview of the Two Formulas

Similac Pure Bliss, sourced from grass-fed cows, offers a milk-based, non-GMO formula without artificial growth hormones, including DHA and ARA for development, and is known for easy digestibility.

Parent’s Choice Advantage Premium is cost-effective, provides complete nutrition with prebiotics, and is widely available, complying with FDA standards.

Similac Pure Bliss

Similac Pure Bliss is designed to provide a milk-based formula that closely mirrors breast milk’s richness and complexity. Here are some key points about Similac Pure Bliss:

• Sourced from Grass-Fed Cows: The milk used in Similac Pure Bliss is derived from grass-fed cows, which some parents (including us) consider essential for holistic nutrition.
• No Artificial Growth Hormones: The formula is free from artificial growth hormones, ensuring your baby is not exposed to these substances.
• Non-GMO: All ingredients in Similac Pure Bliss are non-GMO, which means they haven’t been genetically modified. This may be important for parents looking for a more ‘natural’ formula option.
• Nutritional Profile: It includes a blend of nutrients such as DHA and ARA, essential for your baby’s eye and brain development.
• Digestibility: Some parents report that their babies experience less discomfort and gas when switching to Similac Pure Bliss, possibly due to the high quality of its milk proteins.

Similac Pure Bliss aims to provide simplicity and purity in its composition, aligning with parents’ desires for wholesome and uncomplicated nutrition for their babies.

Parent’s Choice Advantage Premium

Parent’s Choice Advantage Premium is a formula that offers balanced nutrition while being mindful of budget-conscious families. Here’s what makes Parent’s Choice Advantage Premium stand out:

• Cost-Effective: Designed to offer nutrition similar to the brand-name options but at a more affordable price.
• Complete Nutrition: This formula includes essential nutrients that mimic breast milk, including DHA, Lutein, and Vitamin E, vital for overall development.
• Prebiotics: Included in its composition are prebiotics that can help support a child’s digestive health.
• Ease of Availability: Parent’s Choice is widely available in numerous retail outlets, making it convenient for parents to purchase.
• Trustworthiness: Being compliant with FDA regulations and standards, parents can trust in this formula’s safety and nutritional adequacy.

Parent’s Choice Advantage Premium highlights its dedication to providing an economically considerate yet nutritionally adequate option for baby formula, presenting itself as a practical choice for many families.

Nutritional Composition

Similac Pure Bliss uses A2 milk protein for easy digestion and a breast milk-like protein profile, while Parent’s Choice Advantage Premium employs nonfat milk and whey protein concentrate.

Both have lactose as their sole carbohydrate source, aligning with dietary guidelines for infants.

Pure Bliss has a preferable fat blend without palm olein, which is linked to poor calcium absorption, unlike Parent’s Choice.

Protein Content

Similac Pure Bliss:

• Protein Level: Similac Pure Bliss boasts a protein profile similar to that found in breast milk, designed to be easy on an infant’s developing digestive systems.
• Protein Sources: The primary protein source is cow’s milk, but it’s specially processed to narrow down the protein to A2 milk, which some studies suggest may be easier to digest and less likely to cause discomfort.

Parent’s Choice Advantage Premium:

• Protein Level: With a focus on balanced nutrition, Parent’s Choice Advantage Premium provides adequate protein to support your baby’s growth needs.
• Protein Sources: This formula derives its protein from nonfat milk and whey protein concentrate, aiming to mimic the whey-to-casein ratio of breast milk for better digestibility.

Pure Bliss wins the protein battle thanks to better-quality milk from grass-fed cows. The purity of the ingredients might not be important for some people, but in the long term, it really matters.

Their whey-to-casein ratio is slightly different, Similac having 48:52 and Parent’s Choice 52:48. This slight difference will not impact the digestibility of the formulas.

Carbohydrate Content

Similac Pure Bliss:

• Carbohydrate Level: The carbohydrate content in Similac Pure Bliss is designed to mimic the lactose levels in breast milk, the most important carbohydrate source for babies.
• Carbohydrate Sources: Lactose from cow’s milk serves as the sole carbohydrate in this formula, which may help minimize fussiness and gas often associated with other carbohydrate sources.

Parent’s Choice Advantage Premium:

• Carbohydrate Level: The formula includes carbohydrates at levels that comply with the established dietary guidelines for infants.
• Carbohydrate Sources: Lactose is also the primary carbohydrate source in this formula, providing essential energy and helping foster a taste similar to breast milk.

Both formulas use lactose only, which is what we should always expect in standard formulas—no traces of corn syrup solids or maltodextrin.

Fats and Oils

Similac Pure Bliss:

• A mix of high oleic sunflower oil, soy oil, and coconut oil, provides essential fatty acids, contributing to the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins and supporting brain development.

Parent’s Choice Advantage Premium:

• Parent’s Choice utilizes a blend of palm olein, soy, coconut, and high oleic (safflower or sunflower) oils to deliver a balanced fat profile that supports physical and cognitive development.

Pure Bliss comes on top thanks to not using palm olein in its formula. This ingredient has been linked to poor calcium absorption in some babies.

Prebiotics and Probiotics

Including probiotics and prebiotics in baby formulas can significantly influence the health of a baby’s developing digestive system, promoting a balance of beneficial bacteria and supporting overall gut health.

Both Similac Pure Bliss and Parent’s Choice Advantage Premium have taken steps to incorporate these important ingredients.

Similac Pure Bliss includes 2’-FL HMO prebiotic, a human milk oligosaccharide that is structurally identical to the HMOs found in breast milk. This prebiotic has been shown to support a healthy immune system.

Parent’s Choice Advantage Premium incorporates a prebiotic known as Galactooligosaccharides (GOS). GOS are derived from lactose and are often used in formulas to promote similar beneficial bacteria in the digestive tract as those promoted by the human milk oligosaccharides in breast milk.

None of the formulas include probiotics.

What are the Best Alternatives to Similac and Parent’s Choice?

Even though Similac and Parent’s Choice are formula brands with lots of experience and historical data, there are better and healthier options. Here are out top favorites:

1. Kendamil: Our favorite formula brand for including naturally occurring human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) and using whole milk instead of skimmed. Kendamil’s formula is unique in that it relies less on vegetable oils, providing a natural fat profile closer to breast milk. *Read: Kendamil vs Similac
2. Bobbie: This is arguably the best US formula brand, in our opinion. Bobbie is known for its simple and pure ingredient list, including high quantities of DHA, an omega-3 fatty acid crucial for infant brain development. Bobbie formulas also adhere to European standards for DHA content, surpassing the requirements set by U.S. regulations. *Read: Bobbie vs Similac
3. Hipp: Renowned for being gentle on the stomach, Hipp is an excellent choice for infants with sensitive digestive systems. It features a range of formulas tailored to different dietary needs and includes probiotics and prebiotics to foster digestive health. *Read: Hipp vs Similac
4. Holle: Standing out for using organic and biodynamically farmed ingredients, Holle is the gold standard for parents prioritizing the most natural and purest components. With its Demeter certification, Holle guarantees the highest ecological and sustainable standards in farming, ensuring conscientious nutrition for your baby. *Read: Holle vs Similac

Last Words

We hope this comparison between Similac and Parent’s Choice helps you make the best decision for your baby.

If you have further questions, leave a comment below or contact us through the homepage.

Happy feeding!