FormulaSeek - Similac Advance vs Earth's Best Dairy Infant Formula
Updated: 12/7/2024
Introduction
Choosing the right infant formula is a crucial decision for parents who either cannot breastfeed or choose to supplement breastfeeding. The right choice of formula can significantly impact a baby's growth, development, and overall health. Among the myriad of options available, Similac Advance and Earth's Best Dairy Infant Formula are two of the most popular choices. Similac Advance is well-known for its blend of essential nutrients designed to mimic breast milk, while Earth's Best Dairy is lauded for its organic ingredients. In this blog post, we will compare these two choices to help parents make an informed decision.
Nutritional Composition
When comparing the nutritional composition of Similac Advance and Earth's Best Dairy Infant Formula, it is essential to understand their basic ingredients. Similac Advance typically includes a blend of whey and casein proteins at a certain ratio, lactose as a carbohydrate source, and a fat blend often containing oils like safflower and palm olein oil. In contrast, Earth's Best Dairy Formula uses an organic protein blend, organic lactose, and does not include palm oil. Both formulas are fortified with vitamins and minerals necessary for an infant's development, but their vitamin composition ratios might differ slightly.
Key Differences
| Feature | Similac Advance | Earth's Best Dairy |
|---|---|---|
| Protein Source | Whey and Casein (Ratio may vary) | Organic Protein Blend |
| Carbohydrate Source | Lactose | Organic Lactose |
| Fat Source | Safflower Oil, Palm Olein Oil | Organic Palm Oil Free Blend |
| Prebiotics and Probiotics | May contain added prebiotics | Contains prebiotics |
| Omega-3 (DHA/ARA) Levels | Enhanced Levels | Standard Levels |
| Iron and Calcium Content | Comparably Higher | Comparably Higher |
| Estimated Cost per Ounce | Approximately $1.20 (estimated) | Approximately $1.40 (estimated) |
| Organic or Non-GMO Certification | Non-GMO | Organic |
Special Features and Benefits
Similac Advance is fortified with OptiGRO, a blend of DHA, lutein, and Vitamin E designed to support brain and eye development. It also includes prebiotics to promote digestive health. On the other hand, Earth's Best Dairy Formula carries USDA Organic certification and is made without added corn syrup solids, ensuring a simpler ingredient composition for parents seeking organic options.
Target Audience
Similac Advance is suitable for infants without specific dietary needs, who can benefit from enhanced brain and eye nutrition. It can also be a choice for families seeking non-GMO options. Earth's Best Dairy Infant Formula is most ideal for babies whose families prioritize organic farming practices or those who have expressed concerns about certain oils, like palm oil, within regular formula options.
Alternatives
Alternatives to Similac Advance
- Gerber Good Start Gentle Infant Formula
- Enfamil NeuroPro Infant Formula
- Happy Baby Organic Infant Formula
- Kirkland Signature ProCare Non-GMO Infant Formula
- Parent’s Choice Infant Formula (Walmart Brand)
Alternatives to Earth's Best Dairy Infant Formula
- Happy Baby Organic Infant Formula
- Babies Only Organic Dairy Formula
- Plum Organics Grow Well Infant Formula
- Plum Organics – Premium Organic Infant Formula
- Honest Organic Premium Infant Formula
Potential Drawbacks
While Similac Advance is generally available and considered affordable, some parents might find the presence of palm oil controversial due to its potential impact on fat and calcium absorption. Earth's Best Dairy, however, might not be as widely available and is generally more expensive than non-organic formulas. Parents should also be mindful if their baby shows particular allergies or sensitivities to any of the ingredients commonly used in these formulas.
Conclusion
Both Similac Advance and Earth's Best Dairy Infant Formula offer unique benefits tailored to specific needs. Similac Advance with its OptiGRO ingredient mix is excellent for general well-rounded infant growth, while Earth's Best meets the organic standards that some parents seek. It's paramount for parents to assess their baby's dietary needs and preferences, ideally with advice from a pediatrician, to choose the most suitable option. Whether you prioritize organic ingredients or enhanced nutrient profiles, ensuring nutritional adequacy remains key.
Sources*
Buy Similac Advance Online
Buy Earth's Best Dairy Infant Formula Online
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Nutrient comparison
| Similac Advance | +/- | Data | +/- | Earth's Best Dairy Infant Formula |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5.60 g | 0.30 | Fat | 5.30 g | |
| 10.70 g | 0.10 | Carbohydrate | 10.60 g | |
| 2.07 g | Protein | 0.13 | 2.20 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 Advance | +/- | Minerals | +/- | Earth's Best Dairy Infant Formula |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 45.00 mg | -33.00 | Calcium | 33.00 | 78.00 mg |
| 42.00 mg | -1.00 | Phosphorus | 1.00 | 43.00 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 | 0.00 | Zinc | 0.00 | 0.75 mg |
| 5.00 mcg | -10.00 | Manganese | 10.00 | 15.00 mcg |
| 90.00 mcg | 19.00 | Copper | -19.00 | 71.00 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 | -3.00 | Sodium | 3.00 | 27.00 mg |
| 105.00 mg | -5.00 | Potassium | 5.00 | 110.00 mg |
| 65.00 mg | -3.00 | Chloride | 3.00 | 68.00 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 Advance | +/- | Vitamin | +/- | Earth's Best Dairy Infant Formula |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.50 IU | -0.50 | Vitamin E | 0.50 | 2.00 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 |
| 150.00 mcg | -10.00 | Riboflavin (Vit B2) | 10.00 | 160.00 mcg |
| 60.00 mcg | -3.00 | Vitamin B6 | 3.00 | 63.00 mcg |
| 0.25 mcg | -0.05 | Vitamin B12 | 0.05 | 0.30 mcg |
| 1050.00 mcg | -50.00 | Niacin | 50.00 | 1100.00 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 | -0.20 | Biotin | 0.20 | 4.60 mcg |
| 9.00 mg | -3.00 | Vitamin C | 3.00 | 12.00 mg |
| 24.00 mg | 8.00 | Choline | -8.00 | 16.00 mg |
| 24.00 mg | 18.00 | Inositol | -18.00 | 6.00 mg |
| 300.00 IU | 0.00 | Vitamin A | 0.00 | 300.00 IU |
| 60.00 IU | 0.00 | Vitamin D | 0.00 | 60.00 IU |