Similac vs. Enfamil – Forbes Health - Forbes

https://ift.tt/2Zo4lG6 Similac vs. Enfamil – Forbes Health - Forbes Similac vs. Enfamil – Forbes Health - Forbes When not breastfeeding or otherwise using human milk, most parents in the U.S. rely on standard milk-based infant formulas for nourishing their little ones. Indeed, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends formula-fed babies receive iron-fortified, milk-based formulas. Healthcare providers will look to alternatives if a baby has an intolerance to a milk-based formula, but standard milk-based formulas are most often their starting point, explains Dyan Hes, M.D., a pediatrician in New York City. "We always start with cow's milk formula because all of the sugar is lactose, which is the same as [in] breast milk," she says. The closer infant formulas can replicate the makeup of breast milk, the better for babies. Here's how the standard milk-based formulas from Similac and Enfamil compare. Similac Advance Similac Advance is an iron-fortified, milk-based formula that includes docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)—an omega-3 fatty acid—lutein and vitamin E to better support infant neurodevelopment. The brand boasts it omits palm olein oil in an effort to increase calcium absorption, though it's worth noting studies show the substance naturally occurs in breast milk and has no adverse effects on developing babies. Cost: $26.99 for a 23.2-ounce container Key ingredients: Nonfat milk Lactose Whey protein concentrate High oleic safflower oil Soy oil Coconut oil Galactooligosaccharides (prebiotics) Enfamil NeuroPro What sets Enfamil NeuroPro apart is its emphasis on brain and eye-boosting fatty acids. The World Health Organization recommends infant formulas contain between .3% and .5% DHA for brain health. This formulation from Enfamil contains .32%. Cost: $31.99 for a 20.7-ounce container Key ingredients: Nonfat milk Lactose Vegetable oil (palm olein, coconut, soy and high oleic sunflower oils) Whey protein concentrate Whey protein-lipid concentrate The Winner: Enfamil NeuroPro While the Advance and NeuroPro formulas appear to share a similar ingredient list, the Enfamil NeuroPro has a winning advantage: something called milk fat globule membrane (MFGM). MFGM is a substance that occurs naturally in human milk fat, which helps this formula more closely mimic the properties of breast milk, says Delene P. Musielak, M.D., a pediatrician in St. Louis. One study in the Journal of Pediatrics found consuming formula with added bovine MFGM and bovine lactoferrin gave babies a boost in their language, cognitive and motor development. Dr. Musielak also notes the Enfamil NeuroPro contains slightly higher levels of both DHA and arachidonic acid (ARA), an omega-6 fatty acid. These fatty acids are essential to the development of babies' eyes and brains, though she also notes studies have been inconclusive about the long-term benefits of consuming higher levels of these fatty acids in infancy. "Parents should use the formula that their baby tolerates best and is most affordable for the family," Dr. Musielak says, noting that one formula isn't necessarily better than the other. However, if finding an option that most closely resembles breast milk is important to you, then the Enfamil NeuroPro has the advantage in this comparison.