FormulaSeek - Earth's Best Dairy Infant Formula vs Similac 360 Total Care RTF
Updated: 12/7/2024
Introduction
Choosing the right infant formula is crucial for the health and development of your baby, as it serves as their primary source of nutrition. With numerous formulas available, parents often face the challenge of selecting the one that best suits their baby's needs. Among the popular choices are Similac 360 Total Care RTF and Earth's Best Dairy Infant Formula, each offering distinct benefits. This blog post will provide an in-depth comparison of these two formulas to guide parents in making an informed decision.
Nutritional Composition
The nutritional composition of an infant formula plays a pivotal role in meeting the dietary requirements of a growing baby. Similac 360 Total Care RTF and Earth's Best Dairy Infant Formula both offer robust nutritional profiles, but they differ in their sources of protein, carbohydrates, fats, and other vital nutrients.
Similac 360 Total Care RTF is designed to closely mimic the nutritional profile of breast milk. It includes a blend of whey and casein proteins, lactose as a carbohydrate source, and a fat blend that includes ingredients like palm olein oil, soy oil, and coconut oil. It is also fortified with essential vitamins and minerals for comprehensive nutrition.
Earth's Best Dairy Infant Formula, on the other hand, features 100% lactose as its carbohydrate source and a fat blend that generally avoids palm olein oil, opting for safflower or sunflower oil and coconut oil instead. It includes a blend of proteins to support digestion and growth. Similar to Similac, it is fortified with essential vitamins and minerals, though it may have different levels of certain nutrients.
Key Differences
| Feature | Similac 360 Total Care RTF | Earth's Best Dairy Infant Formula |
|---|---|---|
| Protein Source | Whey and Casein | Whey |
| Carbohydrate Source | Lactose | Lactose |
| Fat Source | Palm olein, Soy, Coconut | Safflower, Coconut |
| Prebiotics and Probiotics | Prebiotics present | Prebiotics present |
| Omega-3 (DHA/ARA) Levels | Included | Included |
| Iron and Calcium Content | High | Moderate |
| Estimated Cost per Ounce | $0.50 (estimated) | $0.40 (estimated) |
| Organic or Non-GMO Certification | Non-GMO | Organic |
Special Features and Benefits
Similac 360 Total Care RTF includes features that aim to enhance immune support and digestive health with its prebiotic content. It also has lutein, a nutrient said to be important for eye health, and a blend of fats resembling those found in breast milk.
Earth's Best Dairy Infant Formula holds an organic certification, appealing to parents interested in reducing their child's exposure to synthetic pesticides and fertilizers. Its use of a digestible carbohydrate source is designed to minimize tummy troubles.
Target Audience
Similac 360 Total Care RTF is often recommended for parents seeking a comprehensive, non-GMO formula that offers a profile similar to breast milk, while also supporting immunological health.
Earth's Best Dairy Infant Formula is targeted towards parents who prefer organic products and have babies with particular sensitivity to certain additives found in other formulas. Its composition might cater more effectively to infants with sensitive digestive systems.
Alternatives to Similac 360 Total Care RTF
1. Enfamil NeuroPro Gentlease
2. Gerber Good Start Gentle
3. Enfamil Enspire Infant Formula
4. Nestle NAN Pro 1
5. Happy Baby Organic Infant Formula
Alternatives to Earth's Best Dairy Infant Formula
1. Plum Organics Grow Well Organic Infant Formula
2. Baby's Only Organic Dairy with DHA & ARA Formula
3. Holle Organic Infant Formula
4. Kendamil Organic Baby Formula
5. Lebenswert Organic Baby Formula
Potential Drawbacks
Similac 360 Total Care RTF can be more expensive and might not be as readily available in some regions compared to other formulas. Some parents might also be concerned with its use of palm olein oil.
Earth's Best Dairy Infant Formula may have cost considerations due to its organic certification, making it pricier than non-organic options. Additionally, the absence of certain nutrients or compounds might not suffice for some babies with specific nutritional needs.
Conclusion
In conclusion, both Similac 360 Total Care RTF and Earth's Best Dairy Infant Formula offer unique benefits. Similac is ideal for parents seeking non-GMO formulas that mimic breast milk closely, while Earth’s Best appeals to those looking for organic options. Parents should carefully consider their baby's nutritional needs and consult with a pediatrician before deciding on an infant formula to ensure it is the right fit for their child.
Sources*
Buy Earth's Best Dairy Infant Formula Online
Buy Similac 360 Total Care RTF Online
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Nutrient comparison
| Earth's Best Dairy Infant Formula | +/- | Data | +/- | Similac 360 Total Care RTF |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5.30 g | Fat | 0.10 | 5.40 g | |
| 10.60 g | Carbohydrate | 0.40 | 11.00 g | |
| 2.20 g | 1.13 | Protein | 1.07 g | |
| 750.00 mg | Linoleic Acid | 250.00 | 1000.00 mg |
Ingredient comparison
Items in the left column are unique to that formula, same for the right. Items in the middle are in both.
Minerals comparison
Items in the left column are unique to that formula, same for the right. Items in the middle are in both.
| Earth's Best Dairy Infant Formula | +/- | Minerals | +/- | Similac 360 Total Care RTF |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 78.00 mg | 0.00 | Calcium | 0.00 | 78.00 mg |
| 43.00 mg | 1.00 | Phosphorus | -1.00 | 42.00 mg |
| 8.00 mg | 2.00 | Magnesium | -2.00 | 6.00 mg |
| 1.80 mg | 0.00 | Iron | 0.00 | 1.80 mg |
| 0.75 mg | 0.00 | Zinc | 0.00 | 0.75 mg |
| 15.00 mcg | 10.00 | Manganese | -10.00 | 5.00 mcg |
| 71.00 mcg | -19.00 | Copper | 19.00 | 90.00 mcg |
| 15.00 mcg | 0.00 | Iodine | 0.00 | 15.00 mcg |
| 2.80 mcg | 0.80 | Selenium | -0.80 | 2.00 mcg |
| 27.00 mg | 3.00 | Sodium | -3.00 | 24.00 mg |
| 110.00 mg | 5.00 | Potassium | -5.00 | 105.00 mg |
| 68.00 mg | 3.00 | Chloride | -3.00 | 65.00 mg |
Vitamins comparison
Vitamins from both formulas are listed in the center. If they exist in a formula they will have a value next to them. The difference will be show under the +/- column for easy visibility.
| Earth's Best Dairy Infant Formula | +/- | Vitamin | +/- | Similac 360 Total Care RTF |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 300.00 IU | 0.00 | Vitamin A | 0.00 | 300.00 IU |
| 60.00 IU | 0.00 | Vitamin D | 0.00 | 60.00 IU |
| 2.00 IU | 0.50 | Vitamin E | -0.50 | 1.50 IU |
| 8.00 mcg | 0.00 | Vitamin K | 0.00 | 8.00 mcg |
| 100.00 mcg | 0.00 | Thiamin (Vit B1) | 0.00 | 100.00 mcg |
| 160.00 mcg | 10.00 | Riboflavin (Vit B2) | -10.00 | 150.00 mcg |
| 63.00 mcg | 3.00 | Vitamin B6 | -3.00 | 60.00 mcg |
| 0.30 mcg | 0.05 | Vitamin B12 | -0.05 | 0.25 mcg |
| 1100.00 mcg | 50.00 | Niacin | -50.00 | 1050.00 mcg |
| 16.00 mcg | 1.00 | Folic Acid | -1.00 | 15.00 mcg |
| 500.00 mcg | 50.00 | Pantothenic Acid | -50.00 | 450.00 mcg |
| 4.60 mcg | 0.20 | Biotin | -0.20 | 4.40 mcg |
| 12.00 mg | 3.00 | Vitamin C | -3.00 | 9.00 mg |
| 16.00 mg | -8.00 | Choline | 8.00 | 24.00 mg |
| 6.00 mg | -18.00 | Inositol | 18.00 | 24.00 mg |