There is no shortage of options when it comes to infant formula brands and varieties. It can be an overwhelming decision for a mother who plans to bottle feed or cannot breastfeed. With so many options for a hungry baby, parents can use all the help they can get in choosing which formula is best. It’s can also be a challenge even if you’ve short-listed a brand as to which formula within a brand is right for your baby. Below we look at Similac Pro Advance vs Advance and which is best.
A Leading, Trusted Brand
Similac has been around for over ninety years, and they are known for their excellence in infant nutritional benefits and dedication to parents’ satisfaction. It is a leading infant formula brand, and for a good reason. It was also the first infant formula company to announce no artificial growth hormones in its blends of ingredients.
No Artificial Growth Hormones
Artificial growth hormones are given to cows to produce more milk, and many parents have become concerned over the years that it leads to immune system and health issues in infants and children. There are many formulas on the market, but Similac stands apart as the first to promise the banning of this substance from its blends and is why it’s trusted by moms everywhere.
With so many different formula types offered by Similac, you may find yourself standing in the formula aisle of the store, utterly confused. Baby formula is something you should carefully choose, and they all promise to be the best. However, there are two Similac formulas that stand out above the rest.
A Tough Decision
Similac Advance infant formula and Similac Pro Advance formula are among the most highly reputed formula types you can purchase. But which is better? Is the Similac Pro Advance better simply because it has the word “pro“? Or is that for babies who need a little extra help with nutrition? Is Similac Advance formula the better option?
There are a lot of questions surrounding the different types of baby formula, specifically the different Similac formulas.
Similac advance vs pro advance
To compare Similac Advance infant formula to Similac Pro Advance infant formula, we first need to understand each formula on its own. The baby formula may seem essentially all the same, but it is not, and you might be shocked to find out just how different some formula blends are from others.
Similac Advance Infant Formula
Similac Advance sounds like it is a Similac formula chock full of added benefits and blends that will cater to the specific needs of infants. However, it is a pretty straightforward formula. The added plus to this formula is that it contains iron, which is good for babies. The perk of this formula over other formula brands is that they boast what they refer to as an “exclusive” blend of ingredients that optimizes the health of babies so that your child is getting the very best of standard formulas.
Exclusive Ingredients
Most of us are not nutritionists or chemists, so it can be confusing to understand the long list of ingredients on the back of the formula can when trying to understand which formula will benefit our babies the most. Even if we can manage to pronounce the words, we still have to figure out what advantages these ingredients offer when in combination with the other ingredients on the label.
The following is a crash course in the breakdown of some of the major ingredients in Similac Advance.
1. Docosahexaenoic Acid
Also known as DHA, this is an Omega-3 fatty acid that you also find in foods like salmon and other fish. DHA is good for the brain and eye development and can be vital to the growth and development of a newborn or infant. DHA is also found in breast milk and provides the same benefits.
2. Lutein
Lutein is essential to eye development in infants and is found in varying degrees and blends across the board in most baby formula brands and varieties. However, the level found in Similac Advance promises complete nutrition on this front.
3. Vitamin E
Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant and an immune system booster for the baby. It is a required ingredient in baby formula, but the level found in Similac Advance provides optimal benefits to your little one.
4. No Palm Olein Oil
Why are we talking about what is not in this formula? The answer is that palm olein oil makes it more difficult for a baby to absorb calcium, which is important for developing strong bones and the skeletal system. The absence of this ingredient, which is found in many other formula brands, means that your baby will have an easier time getting the calcium needed for complete nutrition.
5. No GMO Ingredients
Similac Advance does not use GMO ingredients in its formula, which means that no ingredients are genetically engineered. This is a relief for the parents who choose only to use a non-GMO formula, as the company promises that it never includes GMO ingredients.
The Pros of Similac Advance
Let us review the positives of choosing this formula blend for your infant. Keep in mind that these are also perks offered by other brands and combinations, so be sure to do your research thoroughly when making a choice.
- Non-GMO
- Exclusive blend of vitamins and nutrients unique to the Similac brand
- Several sizes to choose from
The Cons of Similac Advance
Getting a perfect formula blend from a brand is a big ask, and it seems that nothing in life comes without a couple of disadvantages. The following are some cons to purchasing and using this blend of formulas.
- Expensive
- Some reports that it can sometimes cause fussiness, gas, or constipation in newborns and infants
Similac Pro Advance Infant Formula
Everyone can agree that there is no better option for a baby to ingest than breast milk, nutritionally speaking. But if you have issues with your breast milk supply, cannot breastfeed, or simply choose not to, you would likely go with an option of baby formula that boasts close to breast milk, right? That is exactly what Similac Pro Advance claims to be: the closest thing possible to real breast milk.
The Major Difference
Similac Pro Advance formula sounds superior to the Similac Advance simply because they threw the word “pro” into the title. Similac certainly does advertise for and push this product more than they do the Similac Advance formula. So what does the Pro Advance have to offer more than Advance that makes it superior?
Human Milk Oligosaccharide
Similac Pro Advance has an ingredient that makes it the closest thing to breast milk that baby formulas can get. Does your baby need this? When comparing Similac Advance vs Pro, you need to consider a few factors.
Does Your Baby Need Something Close to Breast Milk?
If you are breastfeeding and need to supplement due to milk supply or a busy work schedule that does not allow you to pump or nurse often enough, then the Similac Pro Advance formula may be the way to go.
With this product, you are mimicking the same, or close to the same, advantages that breast milk contains that will help boost a baby’s immune system, improve brain and eye development, and provide vitamin E. It is the closest to human milk that you can get. On the other hand, the Similac Advance offers that extra boost of iron that is important to development as well.
If you are supplementing with formula while breastfeeding, or are transitioning from breastfeeding to formula, then the Pro Advance may be the way to go for you; however, your child is not really disadvantaged by being feeding them the Advance formula.
Pros of Similac Pro Advance
The following is a list of pros for purchasing and feeding Pro Advance to your baby.
- Contains an exclusive blend of vitamins and nutrients, such as Vitamin E
- Available in several sizes
- Contains FL HMOs to boost gut health
- No palm olein oil
- Iron and calcium for cardiovascular and bone health
- Uses non-GMO ingredients
Cons of Similac Pro Advance
The cons for this formula blend are the same as in the Advance option. However, the fussiness and gas issues are lesser with the Pro Advance version.
- Expensive
- Could cause slight fussiness and constipation due to gas
Other Similac Formulas
While deciding between Similac Advance vs Pro Advance, you may have noticed, if you visit their website or look in the store, that there are many other formula blends and types. Do not count these out, either. Taking the time to learn about the different types of formulas is a headache, but confidently making a choice is worth it.
Similac Pro Sensitive Infant Formula
This Similac Sensitive infant formula is perfect for babies who have lactose intolerance or a cow’s milk protein allergy. Cow milk can cause lots of fussiness and gas in an infant because a lactose-intolerant baby cannot handle the dairy.
Similac Sensitive formula contains a milk protein that is great for lactose-sensitive babies and eases fussiness, gas, and other dairy intolerance symptoms. It is a gentle formula and much easier for sensitive babies to digest than milk-based or milk-derived formulas.
Similac Advance and Pro infant formulas cannot compete with Similac products for sensitive tummies, and if your infant has a sensitive stomach, you may be better off choosing this blend.
Similac Alimentum Formula Brand
Chock full of HMOs, just like most Similac brand formulas, Alimentum is for babies who suffer from reflux or colic and need some pretty heavy-duty sensitivity formula. It is also a hypoallergenic formula that claims it can stop fussiness and colic in its tracks in 24 hours. If your child does not have issues with reflux or indigestion, likely, this formula is not needed. The significant difference between this formula and others of the same brand is cost. Alimentum is more expensive than the other blends of formula.
Enfamil Formulas
Pro Advance formula is great, as is the regular Advance version. But how does Similac Advance and Pro stack up against other leading brands? First, there is the price difference, which is noticeable. The price of Similac is typically much higher than Enfamil. So let us look at more than the price difference and see if the products are similar.
Enfamil Enspire
This formula is a great option with slight differences from its Similac competitor. Touted by pediatricians, this formula contains lactoferrin, which is also found in colostrum in large amounts, and it mimics the massive doses of nutrition and benefits found in breast milk.
Enfamil NeuroPro
When it comes to Pro Advance formulas, this formula, made by Enfamil, has all of the essential vitamins found in Similac baby formula and the milk fat globule membrane, also known as MFGM. MFGM helps in many ways, from boosting the immune system to gut health and improved behavior. This formula is a clear competitor worthy of a second look in the Pro Advance battle.
Which Similac is Better?
We have gone over many different formula options, and while most of them claim to come close to what you can find in human milk, Similac Advance and Pro Advance still stand at the top of their game in terms of nutrition, health benefits, and taste for baby.
What makes Similac Advance good? Many things. One of which is the inclusion of iron and other ingredients like vitamin E. However, they do include GMOs in their blend. If you are looking for a non-GMO option, the Pro Advance may win in the Advance vs Pro Advance conundrum. But make no mistake, it is a tight race when it comes to Similac Advance vs Pro.
Price Difference
The Pro Advance is quite a bit more expensive than the Advance formula, and if your child does not need the added benefits of the Pro Advance, you may be saving money and going with the Advance.
Read Customer Reviews
As with any product you may consider purchasing, always check out reviews from those who have purchased the product and tried it. While Similac is a trusted company, keep in mind that they are also a business dedicated to making a profit. Parents often post honest, if not blunt, reviews of products that they have tried, loved, or hated. Be sure to do your due diligence by reading the opinions of others, as well as asking friends, family members, and your pediatrician which blends and brands they would recommend.
Formula Recalls
Be sure that no matter what brand or a blend of formula you choose to feed your baby, keep up with the recalls going on at any given time. Similac is not immune to issues like any other brand and has had recalls on its products. They have always been more than willing to offer replacement products and refunds. In the same way that you would keep an eye on expiration dates, always be aware of current recalls on all baby products.
Can you Mix Similac Advance and Pro Advance?
The answer here is simple. Yes, you can. Many supplementing parents choose to mix the two blends, and what occurs is the best of both worlds. This is often done when you get a free sample of each from the company.
How to Get Free Samples and Price and Availability Information
The free samples are available if you go to the Similac website and sign up. You can also see ingredient lists and see prices, and availability information. You can also sign up to get coupons, other product information, and infant and toddler development guides.
