FormulaSeek - Enfamil Nutramigen vs Earth's Best Gentle Infant Formula
Updated: 12/7/2024
Introduction
Choosing the right infant formula is a critical decision that can significantly impact your baby's growth and development. For parents who are unable to breastfeed or those who supplement breast milk, finding a formula that closely mimics natural nutrients is crucial. This blog post will provide a detailed comparison between two popular infant formulas: Enfamil Nutramigen and Earth's Best Gentle Infant Formula. These formulas are designed to meet specific nutritional needs and cater to different dietary sensitivities of infants.
Nutritional Composition
Understanding the nutritional composition of these formulas helps parents make informed decisions. Enfamil Nutramigen is a hypoallergenic formula with extensively hydrolyzed proteins, making it suitable for babies with cow's milk protein allergy. It also contains DHA and ARA, important for brain and eye development. In contrast, Earth's Best Gentle Infant Formula features a whey-dominant protein blend with lactose as the primary carbohydrate, and it is enriched with iron and prebiotics to support digestive health.
Key Differences
| Feature | Enfamil Nutramigen | Earth's Best Gentle Infant Formula |
|---|---|---|
| Protein Source | Extensively Hydrolyzed Protein | 60:40 Whey-to-Casein Ratio |
| Carbohydrate Source | Corn Syrup Solids | Lactose |
| Fat Source | Palm Olein, Soy Oil | Safflower Oil, Palm Oil |
| Prebiotics and Probiotics | None | FOS Prebiotics |
| Omega-3 (DHA/ARA) Levels | Yes | Yes |
| Iron and Calcium Content | High in Iron | High in Calcium and Iron |
| Estimated Cost per Ounce | $0.80 | $0.60 |
| Organic or Non-GMO Certification | Non-GMO | Organic |
Special Features and Benefits
Enfamil Nutramigen is specially formulated for infants with allergies or severe lactose intolerance. Its hydrolyzed proteins and absence of lactose reduce the risk of allergic reactions and aid digestion. Earth's Best Gentle Infant Formula is fortified with prebiotics, which support a robust immune system, and is certified organic, appealing to parents looking for natural options.
Target Audience
Enfamil Nutramigen is ideal for infants with cow's milk protein allergies, lactose intolerance, or those experiencing colic due to protein sensitivity. On the other hand, Earth's Best Gentle Infant Formula caters to infants without specific allergies who may benefit from an organic and digestive-friendly option.
Alternatives to Enfamil Nutramigen
1. Similac Alimentum
2. Gerber Extensive HA
3. EleCare Hypoallergenic
4. Neocate Infant DHA/ARA
5. PurAmino Hypoallergenic
Alternatives to Earth's Best Gentle Infant Formula
1. Similac Organic
2. Happy Baby Organic Infant Formula
3. Plum Organics Grow Well Infant Formula
4. Baby’s Only Organic Formula
5. Kabrita USA Goat Milk Toddler Formula
Potential Drawbacks
While Enfamil Nutramigen is effective for allergy management, it can be costly and may have an unpleasant taste to some infants. Earth's Best Gentle has a more budget-friendly price point but might not be suitable for babies with severe protein or lactose intolerances.
Conclusion
Both Enfamil Nutramigen and Earth's Best Gentle Infant Formula provide distinct advantages based on your baby's specific dietary needs. For infants with allergies or sensitivities, Enfamil Nutramigen offers a safer option with hydrolyzed proteins. On the other hand, Earth's Best Gentle is a well-rounded organic formula for babies without severe allergies. Always consult with a pediatrician to determine the best choice for your infant's health and nutritional requirements.
Sources*
Buy Enfamil Nutramigen Online
Buy Earth's Best Gentle Infant Formula Online
+ Links are reviewed periodically for accuracy; failing links might mean the product is currently unavailable.
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Nutrient comparison
| Enfamil Nutramigen | +/- | Data | +/- | Earth's Best Gentle Infant Formula |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5.30 g | Fat | 5.30 g | ||
| 10.30 g | Carbohydrate | 0.50 | 10.80 g | |
| 2.80 g | 0.50 | Protein | 2.30 g | |
| 780.00 mg | 30.00 | Linoleic Acid | 750.00 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.
| Enfamil Nutramigen | +/- | Minerals | +/- | Earth's Best Gentle Infant Formula |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 94.00 mg | 12.00 | Calcium | -12.00 | 82.00 mg |
| 52.00 mg | 6.00 | Phosphorus | -6.00 | 46.00 mg |
| 8.00 mg | 0.00 | Magnesium | 0.00 | 8.00 mg |
| 1.80 mg | 0.00 | Iron | 0.00 | 1.80 mg |
| 1.00 mg | 0.00 | Zinc | 0.00 | 1.00 mg |
| 25.00 mcg | 10.00 | Manganese | -10.00 | 15.00 mcg |
| 75.00 mcg | 0.00 | Copper | 0.00 | 75.00 mcg |
| 15.00 mcg | 0.00 | Iodine | 0.00 | 15.00 mcg |
| 2.80 mcg | 0.00 | Selenium | 0.00 | 2.80 mcg |
| 47.00 mg | 11.00 | Sodium | -11.00 | 36.00 mg |
| 110.00 mg | 2.00 | Potassium | -2.00 | 108.00 mg |
| 86.00 mg | 23.00 | Chloride | -23.00 | 63.00 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.
| Enfamil Nutramigen | +/- | Vitamin | +/- | Earth's Best Gentle Infant Formula |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 0.00 | Vitamin E | 0.00 | 2.00 IU |
| 9.00 mcg | 0.00 | Vitamin K | 0.00 | 9.00 mcg |
| 80.00 mcg | 0.00 | Thiamin (Vit B1) | 0.00 | 80.00 mcg |
| 90.00 mcg | -50.00 | Riboflavin (Vit B2) | 50.00 | 140.00 mcg |
| 60.00 mcg | 0.00 | Vitamin B6 | 0.00 | 60.00 mcg |
| 0.30 mcg | 0.00 | Vitamin B12 | 0.00 | 0.30 mcg |
| 1000.00 mcg | 0.00 | Niacin | 0.00 | 1000.00 mcg |
| 16.00 mcg | 0.00 | Folic Acid | 0.00 | 16.00 mcg |
| 500.00 mcg | 0.00 | Pantothenic Acid | 0.00 | 500.00 mcg |
| 3.00 mg | 0.00 | Biotin | 0.00 | 3.00 mcg |
| 12.00 mg | 0.00 | Vitamin C | 0.00 | 12.00 mg |
| 24.00 mg | 0.00 | Choline | 0.00 | 24.00 mg |