FormulaSeek - Earth's Best Gentle Infant Formula vs Similac 360 Total Care
Updated: 12/7/2024
Introduction
Choosing the right infant formula is a critical decision for parents who opt to bottle-feed their babies. The right formula ensures that infants receive all necessary nutrients to support their rapid growth and development. With a plethora of options available, it can become overwhelming for parents to decide which formula to choose. In this post, we will delve into two popular infant formulas: Similac 360 Total Care and Earth's Best Gentle Infant Formula, to help you make an informed decision.
Nutritional Composition
Both Similac 360 Total Care and Earth's Best Gentle Infant Formula provide essential nutrients required for infant development. However, their compositions differ in terms of specific ingredients and nutrition profiles.
Similac 360 Total Care is known for its blend of ingredients that closely mimic breast milk, including a balanced protein composition, essential fatty acids such as Omega-3 (DHA), and prebiotics for digestive health.
Earth's Best Gentle Infant Formula, on the other hand, is formulated to be easy on a baby's delicate stomach. It features a protein blend that includes partially hydrolyzed whey protein, which is designed to reduce fussiness and gas.
Key Differences
| Feature | Similac 360 Total Care | Earth's Best Gentle Infant Formula |
|---|---|---|
| Protein Source | Whey and Casein | Partially Hydrolyzed Whey |
| Carbohydrate Source | Lactose | Lactose, Maltodextrin |
| Fat Source | High Oleic Safflower Oil, Soy Oil | Palm Oil, Soy Oil |
| Prebiotics and Probiotics | 2’-FL HMO, No Probiotics | GOS Prebiotics |
| Omega-3 (DHA/ARA) Levels | Included | Included |
| Iron and Calcium Content | Meets Daily Infant Requirements | Meets Daily Infant Requirements |
| Estimated Cost per Ounce | $0.20 (estimated) | $0.15 (estimated) |
| Organic or Non-GMO Certification | Non-GMO | Organic, Non-GMO |
Special Features and Benefits
Similac 360 Total Care is designed to provide complete care for infants, offering a formulation that mimics the composition of breast milk closely. It includes 2’-FL HMO, a prebiotic found in breast milk, to support immune function.
Earth's Best Gentle Infant Formula stands out for its gentleness on babies' tummies. The partially hydrolyzed protein is easier to digest, making it suitable for babies experiencing fussiness or gas.
Target Audience
Similac 360 Total Care is ideally suited for babies without specific digestive issues or sensitivities and is designed to support overall growth and immune health.
Earth's Best Gentle Infant Formula is perfect for infants who encounter digestive sensitivities, such as gassiness or fussiness, as it features easier-to-digest proteins.
Alternatives
Alternatives to Similac 360 Total Care
- Enfamil NeuroPro Infant Formula
- Gerber Good Start Gentle
- Kirkland Signature ProCare Non-GMO Infant Formula
- Happy Baby Organic Infant Formula
- Parent’s Choice Infant Formula
Alternatives to Earth's Best Gentle Infant Formula
- Gerber Good Start SoothePro
- Similac Pro-Total Comfort
- Enfamil Gentlease
- Happy Baby Sensitive Organic Formula
- Tippy Toes Gentle Stage 1 Infant Formula
Potential Drawbacks
Similac 360 Total Care may be seen as more expensive compared to other formula brands, and as a non-organic product, it may not align with preferences for organic-certified formulas.
Earth's Best Gentle Infant Formula comes with a slightly lower fat content due to the exclusion of certain oils like safflower, and the presence of palm oil might be a concern for some parents.
Conclusion
Selecting the right infant formula largely depends on an infant’s individual needs, sensitivities, and family preferences. Similac 360 Total Care excels in providing comprehensive nutritional support akin to breast milk, making it suitable for most infants, while Earth's Best Gentle Infant Formula is ideal for babies with digestive sensitivities. Ultimately, it is crucial to consult with a pediatrician to determine the most suitable formula for your baby’s nutritional needs.
Sources*
Buy Earth's Best Gentle Infant Formula Online
Buy Similac 360 Total Care Online
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Nutrient comparison
| Earth's Best Gentle Infant Formula | +/- | Data | +/- | Similac 360 Total Care |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5.30 g | Fat | 0.30 | 5.60 g | |
| 10.80 g | 0.30 | Carbohydrate | 10.50 g | |
| 2.30 g | 0.23 | Protein | 2.07 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 Gentle Infant Formula | +/- | Minerals | +/- | Similac 360 Total Care |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 82.00 mg | 4.00 | Calcium | -4.00 | 78.00 mg |
| 46.00 mg | 4.00 | Phosphorus | -4.00 | 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 |
| 1.00 mg | 0.25 | Zinc | -0.25 | 0.75 mg |
| 15.00 mcg | 10.00 | Manganese | -10.00 | 5.00 mcg |
| 75.00 mcg | -15.00 | Copper | 15.00 | 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 |
| 36.00 mg | 12.00 | Sodium | -12.00 | 24.00 mg |
| 108.00 mg | 3.00 | Potassium | -3.00 | 105.00 mg |
| 63.00 mg | -2.00 | Chloride | 2.00 | 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 Gentle Infant Formula | +/- | Vitamin | +/- | Similac 360 Total Care |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 9.00 mcg | 1.00 | Vitamin K | -1.00 | 8.00 mcg |
| 80.00 mcg | -20.00 | Thiamin (Vit B1) | 20.00 | 100.00 mcg |
| 140.00 mcg | -10.00 | Riboflavin (Vit B2) | 10.00 | 150.00 mcg |
| 60.00 mcg | 0.00 | Vitamin B6 | 0.00 | 60.00 mcg |
| 0.30 mcg | 0.05 | Vitamin B12 | -0.05 | 0.25 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 |
| 3.00 mcg | -1.40 | Biotin | 1.40 | 4.40 mcg |
| 12.00 mg | 3.00 | Vitamin C | -3.00 | 9.00 mg |
| 24.00 mg | 0.00 | Choline | 0.00 | 24.00 mg |
| 6.00 mg | -18.00 | Inositol | 18.00 | 24.00 mg |
| 1000.00 mcg | -50.00 | Niacin | 50.00 | 1050.00 mcg |