Similac vs S26: Which Baby Formula Is Better?

Key Differences Table Between Similac Pro-Advance and S26 Gold

Feature	Similac Pro-Advance	S26 Gold
Protein Source	Nonfat milk and whey protein concentrate	Skimmed milk powder and whey protein concentrate enriched with alpha-lactalbumin
Carbohydrate Source	Lactose	Lactose
Fat Source	High oleic safflower oil, soy oil, coconut oil (No palm olein oil)	Vegetable oils including palm oil
Prebiotics	2’-FL HMO (human milk oligosaccharide)	Nucleotides (act as prebiotics)
Unique Advantages	Supports immune system with prebiotics	Whey-to-casein ratio closer to breast milk, contains alpha-lactalbumin and nucleotides for digestive health
Ease of Digestion	Absence of palm olein oil may promote better fat and calcium absorption	Alpha-lactalbumin and hydrolyzed protein may make it easier to digest for some babies

This article will compare two popular conventional formulas: Similac vs. S26 Gold.

We have chosen Similac Pro-Advance as it is the most similar to s26 Gold; this way, the comparison will make sense.

Having said this, the comparison will also apply to other conventional Similac formulas like Similac Advance.

We will analyze their nutritional compositions and ingredients so you have all the information you need to make the best decision for your baby.

Let’s get after it!

Related read: Enfamil vs S26

Our Short Answer

Both formulas have their strengths.

Similac Pro Advance:

• Does not use palm oil.
• It adds 2′-FL HMO, a prebiotic found in breast milk that is very beneficial for babies’ microbiota.

S26 Gold:

• Adds alpha-lactalbumin, an amino acid found in breast milk.
• It has a whey-to-casein ratio closer to breast milk, which on paper makes its protein easier to digest.
• It adds nucleotides, which act as prebiotics, helping the intestinal flora.

Given these key points, if we had to choose one, we’d go with Similac Pro-Advance, as avoiding non-organic palm oil and the addition of an HMO (prebiotic) seem to us to be more compelling factors than what S26 offers.

That said, we recommend you take a look at the alternatives below before you make any purchasing decisions.

Overview of the Two Formulas

Similac Pro-Advance:

• Contains 2’-FL HMO, a prebiotic for immune support.
• Exclusive nutrient blend includes DHA, lutein, and vitamin E for brain and eye development.
• No palm olein oil for better calcium absorption.
• Non-GMO and free from artificial growth hormones.

S26 Gold Stage 1 Infant Starter Formula:

• Designed for newborns up to six months.
• Features lactose from skimmed milk and whey protein concentrate enriched with alpha-lactalbumin.
• Contains essential fatty acids like DHA.
• Includes amino acids like L-Tyrosine and L-Carnitine, along with nucleotides for growth and development.

Similac Pro-Advance

Similac Pro-Advance is a popular baby formula renowned for its 2’-FL HMO (human milk oligosaccharide†). Don’t let the scientific jargon scare you – it’s simply a prebiotic that aids in strengthening your baby’s immune system. Moreover, Similac Pro-Advance is touted as being closer to breast milk than previous versions.

The formula also features an exclusive blend of essential nutrients such as DHA, lutein, and vitamin E, which support your little one’s brain and eye development. The absence of palm olein oil in its makeup is worth noting – this promotes better calcium absorption for strong bones.

Similac is non-GMO and contains zero artificial growth hormones — additional information that might influence your decision-making process.

S26 Gold

Now, onto S26 Gold Stage 1 Infant Starter Formula. Specifically designed for newborns up to six months old, S26 Gold aims to deliver all the critical vitamins and minerals needed for your baby’s early development.

The formula encompasses lactose sourced from skimmed milk and whey protein concentrate enriched with alpha-lactalbumin — sought-after sources of carbohydrates and protein, respectively. It also comprises essential fatty acids like Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) from single-cell sources.

S26 Gold also includes several amino acids like L-Tyrosine and L-Carnitine, along with nucleotides, all promoting optimal growth and development.

Nutritional Composition

Protein Content:

• Similac Pro-Advance primarily sources protein from nonfat milk and whey protein concentrate.
• S26 Gold derives protein from skimmed milk powder and whey protein concentrate enriched with alpha-lactalbumin, which is closer to the protein in breast milk.
• S26 Gold has a whey-to-casein ratio of 65:35, closer to breast milk’s 60:40 ratio, making it a better protein source.

Carbohydrate Content:

• Both Similac Pro-Advance and S26 Gold use lactose as their primary carbohydrate source, which is ideal for infant formulas.
• Neither formula contains starches, maltodextrin, or corn syrup solids.

Fats and Oils:

• Similac Pro-Advance uses a blend of high oleic safflower, soy, and coconut oil without palm olein oil.
• S26 Gold incorporates palm oil, which may hinder calcium absorption, and includes various vegetable oils and essential fatty acids.
• In terms of fat content, Similac Pro-Advance offers a healthier fat blend compared to S26 Gold due to its avoidance of palm oil.

Protein Content

Protein provides the crucial building blocks for developing your baby’s organs, muscles, skin, and more.

Similac Pro-Advance primarily sources its protein from nonfat milk and whey protein concentrate, both highly processed milk proteins designed to be easier to digest for babies.

On the other hand, S26 Gold derives its protein from skimmed milk powder and whey protein concentrate enriched with alpha-lactalbumin— an easy-to-digest milk protein found in breast milk that fosters the immune system’s functionality.

On paper, S26 Gold has a better source of protein thanks to the addition of alpha-lactalbumin. Apart from this ingredient, both formulas use skimmed milk and whey protein concentrate, the two most common protein sources in conventional formulas.

Similac Pro-Advance has a whey-to-casein ratio of 48:52, while S26 Gold Newborn formula has a whey-to-casein ratio of 65:35. Mature breast milk has a ratio of 60:40, which makes S26 closer to breast milk than Similac Pro-Advance.

Carbohydrate Content

Carbohydrates offer energy that supports your baby’s rapid growth and active play.

In Similac Pro-Advance, lactose serves as its primary carbohydrate source. Lactose is a natural sugar found in milk that is utilized by babies for energy.

S26 Gold also uses lactose as its primary carbohydrate source, featuring it at the top of the ingredient list.

Both formulas use exclusively lactose as their primary carb source. No sign of starches, maltodextrin or corn syrup solids. This is precisely what we like to see in conventional formulas.

Fats and Oils

Fat is another essential macronutrient that is a vital energy source for babies and aids in brain development. Fats also help in the absorption of specific vitamins.

Similac Pro-Advance uses a blend of high oleic safflower oil, soy oil, and coconut oil to supply healthy fats. Notably, this formula does not contain palm olein oil, which hinders calcium absorption and reduces bone strength. It also adds sources of DHA and ARA.

S26 Gold derives its fat from vegetable oils like palm fruit, coconut or palm kernel or palm kernel olein oil, soybean oil, and canola seed or high oleic sunflower oil. The formula also includes long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids from single-cell sources like Arachidonic Acid (AA) and Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA), aiding in brain and visual development.

Regarding fat content, Similac Pro-Advance has a healthier fat blend than S26 Gold. S26 uses palm oil, a controversial ingredient linked with poor calcium absorption in some studies, apart from its environmental impact.

We would only consider buying a formula with palm oil if it was organically and naturally grown.

Learn more: Palm Oil in Baby Formula

Prebiotics and Probiotics

• Similac Pro-Advance includes 2’-FL HMO, a synthetic prebiotic found in breast milk, supporting the baby’s immune system.
• S26 Gold does not explicitly mention the presence of probiotics or prebiotics, but it contains nucleotides associated with promoting infant gut health.

Probiotics and prebiotics do wonders for your baby’s gut health. Probiotics are beneficial bacteria, whereas prebiotics are food for these bacteria. Both work together to balance your baby’s gut microbiome, supporting a healthy immune system and bowel movements.

Similac Pro-Advance contains 2’-FL HMO, a synthetic form of a prebiotic found in breast milk that helps support your baby’s immune system.

On the other hand, while S26 Gold doesn’t explicitly mention the presence of probiotics or prebiotics, it contains several nucleotides associated with promoting infant gut health.

What are the Best Alternatives to Similac and S26?

Read how they compare here:

• Kendamil vs Similac
• Bobbie vs Similac Pro-Advance
• Similac vs Holle
• Similac vs Hipp

Last Words

We hope this comparison between Similac and S26 helps you make an informed decision.

We encourage you to learn more about the alternatives above before deciding.

If you have questions, please comment, and we’ll get back to you in less than a day.

Happy feeding!