FormulaSeek - Similac 360 Total Care RTF vs Earth's Best Gentle Infant Formula


Updated: 12/7/2024


Introduction

Choosing the right infant formula is a crucial decision for parents wanting to ensure the optimal growth and health of their babies. While breast milk remains the gold standard, infant formulas provide a valuable alternative for those who cannot breastfeed or need to supplement their child's diet. The market offers a variety of options, each tailored to meet specific nutritional needs. In this blog post, we will compare two popular infant formulas: Similac 360 Total Care RTF and Earth's Best Gentle Infant Formula. Both claim to provide comprehensive nutrition, but they differ in composition and benefits.

Nutritional Composition

Understanding the nutritional components of infant formulas is essential when making a choice. Each formula has a unique blend of proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and minerals, which contribute differently to a baby's development.

Similac 360 Total Care RTF uses a protein composition balanced between whey and casein, mimicking breast milk. It relies on lactose as the primary carbohydrate source and combines various fat sources for optimal energy levels.

Earth's Best Gentle Infant Formula, on the other hand, often uses partially hydrolyzed whey for easier digestibility. It combines lactose with corn syrup solids as carbohydrate sources and avoids palm oil in its fat blend, opting instead for a blend of oils like safflower and sunflower oils.

Key Differences

Feature Similac 360 Total Care RTF Earth's Best Gentle Infant Formula
Protein Source Balanced whey-to-casein Partially hydrolyzed whey
Carbohydrate Source Lactose Lactose, Corn syrup solids
Fat Source Safflower oil, Soy oil Safflower oil, Sunflower oil
Prebiotics and Probiotics Prebiotics present Prebiotics present
Omega-3 Levels (DHA/ARA) Included Included
Iron and Calcium Content Adequate Higher iron content
Estimated Cost per Ounce $0.45 $0.38
Organic or non-GMO Non-GMO Organic

Note: Prices are estimated and may vary by retailer.

Special Features and Benefits

Similac 360 Total Care RTF is particularly suitable for parents looking for a formula that closely resembles breast milk in its nutritional profile. It includes a blend of nutrients designed to support brain and eye development, while its prebiotics help promote digestive health.

Earth's Best Gentle Infant Formula, with its gentle partially hydrolyzed proteins, is ideal for babies with sensitive stomachs. Its organic formulation assures parents seeking an environmentally conscious option without sacrificing nutrition quality.

Target Audience

Similac 360 Total Care RTF might be best for babies who can handle regular lactose-based formulas and whose parents prioritize a formula that closely replicates the nutritional profile of breast milk.

Earth's Best Gentle Infant Formula is well-suited for babies with sensitive digestive tracts or parents looking for an organic option free from certain synthetic ingredients.

Alternatives to Similac 360 Total Care RTF

  • Enfamil NeuroPro Infant Formula
  • Gerber Good Start Gentle
  • Perrigo's Parent's Choice Advantage Infant Formula
  • Kirkland Signature ProCare Non-GMO Infant Formula
  • Aptamil Stage 1 Infant Formula

Alternatives to Earth's Best Gentle Infant Formula

  • Happy Baby Organic Infant Formula
  • Baby's Only Organic Dairy with DHA & ARA Toddler Formula
  • Mama Bear Organic Infant Formula
  • Plum Organics Gentle Infant Formula
  • Holle Organic Infant Goat Milk Formula

Potential Drawbacks

For Similac 360 Total Care RTF, a major concern could be its higher cost compared to some alternatives. Additionally, availability might vary by location, making it challenging to find consistently.

Earth's Best Gentle Infant Formula, while offering an organic option, might not provide the same close replication of breast milk's whey-to-casein ratio. Its inclusion of corn syrup solids may also be a concern for those looking to avoid added sugars.

Conclusion

In conclusion, both Similac 360 Total Care RTF and Earth's Best Gentle Infant Formula present viable options for parents seeking to complement or substitute breast milk. Similac suits parents seeking a formula mimicking breast milk's nutritional profile, though it comes at a higher cost. Earth's Best is ideal for sensitivity and environmentally-minded families, though its composition may not suit everyone. As always, it's essential for parents to consult with a pediatrician to determine the best formula for their baby's individual needs.

Sources*

Buy Similac 360 Total Care RTF 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

Similac 360 Total Care RTF +/- Data +/- Earth's Best Gentle Infant Formula
5.40 g 0.10 Fat 5.30 g
11.00 g 0.20 Carbohydrate 10.80 g
1.07 g Protein 1.23 2.30 g
1000.00 mg 250.00 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.

Similac 360 Total Care RTF +/- Minerals +/- Earth's Best Gentle Infant Formula
78.00 mg -4.00 Calcium 4.00 82.00 mg
42.00 mg -4.00 Phosphorus 4.00 46.00 mg
6.00 mg -2.00 Magnesium 2.00 8.00 mg
1.80 mg 0.00 Iron 0.00 1.80 mg
0.75 mg -0.25 Zinc 0.25 1.00 mg
5.00 mcg -10.00 Manganese 10.00 15.00 mcg
90.00 mcg 15.00 Copper -15.00 75.00 mcg
15.00 mcg 0.00 Iodine 0.00 15.00 mcg
2.00 mcg -0.80 Selenium 0.80 2.80 mcg
24.00 mg -12.00 Sodium 12.00 36.00 mg
105.00 mg -3.00 Potassium 3.00 108.00 mg
65.00 mg 2.00 Chloride -2.00 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.

Similac 360 Total Care RTF +/- 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
1.50 IU -0.50 Vitamin E 0.50 2.00 IU
8.00 mcg -1.00 Vitamin K 1.00 9.00 mcg
100.00 mcg 20.00 Thiamin (Vit B1) -20.00 80.00 mcg
150.00 mcg 10.00 Riboflavin (Vit B2) -10.00 140.00 mcg
60.00 mcg 0.00 Vitamin B6 0.00 60.00 mcg
0.25 mcg -0.05 Vitamin B12 0.05 0.30 mcg
1050.00 mcg 50.00 Niacin -50.00 1000.00 mcg
15.00 mcg -1.00 Folic Acid 1.00 16.00 mcg
450.00 mcg -50.00 Pantothenic Acid 50.00 500.00 mcg
4.40 mcg 1.40 Biotin -1.40 3.00 mcg
9.00 mg -3.00 Vitamin C 3.00 12.00 mg
24.00 mg 0.00 Choline 0.00 24.00 mg
24.00 mg 18.00 Inositol -18.00 6.00 mg