Choosing the perfect formula for your baby is one of the most daunting tasks for a mother. It’s not just about picking a random can from the endless options in the market.
The process is quite tricky and requires careful consideration of multiple factors.
With so many formulas available, each with its long list of ingredients and confusing terminologies, it can be overwhelming to make the right choice.
But with the right information and guidance, you can confidently select the perfect formula for your little one between Similac vs Bobbie.
This article will compare the Similac formulas to Bobbie – including their pros, cons, similarities, and differences.
Things To Do Before Making Choice Of Formula
When choosing an infant formula, it’s essential to consider your baby’s specific nutritional needs any potential allergies or sensitivities, and consult with your pediatrician if you have any concerns.
Always follow the guidance and recommendations of healthcare professionals when it comes to feeding your baby.
The following steps can also help you make an informed decision.
1. Follow the Basic
Infant formulas consist of a combination of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates.
Protein ratio in baby formula:
Infant formula contains two types of proteins: whey and casein.
- What exactly is whey? In simple terms, whey proteins are the ones that stay in liquid form while being digested. If your baby spits up and it’s in a watery consistency, that’s whey! As whey is liquid, it empties the stomach faster than casein.
- What is Casein? Casein is a protein component that solidifies during digestion, forming the more solid and curdled parts of your baby’s spit-up. Due to its density and characteristics, casein takes longer to empty the stomach.
Fat Blend in baby formula:
Fat is a necessary component of infant formula as it provides healthy fatty acids for development and growth.
All infant formulas contain different fat blends, which can sometimes cause constipation.
Carbohydrates in baby formula:
Carbohydrates are essential for infants and can be found in breast milk and formula. The formula may contain lactose, maltodextrin, corn syrup, brown rice syrup, corn syrup solids, and/or sucrose.
2. Consult with your pediatrician:
Your child’s healthcare provider can guide you on which formula may best fit your baby’s nutritional needs, digestion, and health considerations.
3. Read labels and ingredients
Compare the formulas’ nutritional information, ingredients, and potential allergens. Some infants may have allergies or sensitivities that could impact their formula choice.
Some infants may also have specific dietary requirements or conditions (such as lactose intolerance or reflux), and certain formula options might be better suited for them.
4. Take cost and availability into account
Formula costs can vary, so consider your budget and the availability of the chosen formula brand in your area.
Similac Formula
Similac is a well-known brand of infant formula produced by Abbott Nutrition. They offer a range of formula products designed to meet the nutritional needs of infants at different stages of development.
Similac formulas are formulated to provide essential nutrients that support a baby’s growth and development.
The brand has various product lines, such as Similac Advance, Similac Pro-Advance, Similac Sensitive, and more, each catering to specific needs.
Here are different types of Similac infant formula according to their different categories:
- Routine Formulas: such as Similac Advance, Similac Pro-Advance, Similac 360 Total Care
- Gentle Formulas: such as Similac Sensitive, Similac Pro-Sensitive, Similac Total Comfort, Similac Pro-Total Comfort, Similac 360 Total Care Sensitive, Similac for Spit Up
- Organic / Non-GMO Formulas: Like Similac Organic Infant Formula, Pure Bliss
- Hypoallergenic Formulas: Alimentum Infant Formula.
These formulas are designed to meet the nutritional needs of infants and provide the necessary vitamins, minerals, and other essential nutrients for healthy growth and development.
Features
- Contains ingredients like cow’s milk-based proteins, vegetable oils, lactose, and added vitamins and minerals.
- Available in various formulations, catering to different baby needs, including those with sensitive tummies or lactose intolerance.
- Widely available in most stores and pharmacies.
- It contains 2’-FL HMO
- It contains DHA
- It contains Lutein
- It contains Vitamin E
Pros
- It is nutritionally balanced
- It contains a wide range of varieties that can meet different baby needs
- Improved Eye Q plus nutrition
- Readily Available
- Their manufacturing process is very rigorous, hence their high standard.
- Similac offers a smooth transition between different stages of formula feeding, allowing babies to adapt to new formulations as they grow gradually.
- Contains DHA that supports brain and eye development
Cons
- It is expensive
- Some products can cause allergies when used for some babies
- Its mixing requires tactfulness
Bobbie Formula
Bobbie is another infant formula brand that aims to provide parents with a more natural and organic option.
Bobbie emphasizes the use of high-quality, organic ingredients and strives to create formulas that mimic the composition of breast milk as closely as possible.
The brand focuses on transparency and providing parents with information about their sourcing and manufacturing processes.
Features
- It is a fully organic formula for infants from 0 to 12 months
- Its resemblance to breast milk is very high.
- FDA-approved products modeled after European formulas
- It lacks the presence of GMOs, palm oil, or added sugar
- Its essential vitamins and minerals contents are very high.
- It has a high content of DHA
Pros
- The only American formula fully complies with the official EU regulations.
- The Bobbie formula is made from 100% organic ingredients
- The Bobbie formula has FDA approval and is widely available in the US.
- A new modern formula created by moms for moms
Cons
- The customer feedback is still few because it is still a new product.
- It has only one product available at the moment
- It lacks options for babies with lactose intolerance or milk allergy
- It is more expensive than other similar options.
Similac Vs Bobbie: Product Comparision
Similac and Bobbie are designed to meet the nutritional needs of infants and provide the necessary vitamins, minerals, and other essential nutrients for healthy growth and development.
Since there are different types of Similac infant formula, we will compare each formula to Bobbie, excluding Alimentum, a hypoallergenic baby formula.
Similac Advance, Similac Pro-Advance vs Similac 360 Total Care vs Bobbie
Whey Casein Ratio Comparison
The whey-to-casein ratio in baby formulas varies. Bobbie’s formula has a 60:40 ratio closest to breast milk. The compared Similac routine formulas have a 48:52 ratio.
Price Per Oz
- Similac Advance & Pro-Advance Formula: $1
- Similac 360 Total Care: $1.09
- Bobbie Formula: $1.84
Key Takeaways
- Unlike Similac Advance, Pro-Advance, and 360 Total Care, Bobbie has no GMOs.
- Bobbie has a more optimal whey-casein ratio than Similac, making it easier to digest.
- But Similac is more budget-friendly than Bobbie.
Similac Sensitive vs Similac Total Comfort vs Similac Pro-Sensitive, Pro-Total Comfort, and 360 Total Care vs Bobbie
Carbohydrate Source
Similac Sensitive: Similac Sensitive is a lactose-reduced formula in powder, liquid concentrate, and ready-to-feed forms.
The primary carbohydrate sources used in this formula are corn syrup, sucrose, maltodextrin, and/or sugars.
These are used instead of lactose, making it suitable for babies sensitive to lactose. Similac Sensitive is designed to help with fussiness, gas, or mild spit-up caused by lactose sensitivity.
Similac Total Comfort: Similac Total Comfort is a lactose-free formula specially designed for infants with mild tolerance symptoms such as fussiness and gas due to lactose sensitivity or mild milk protein intolerances.
It contains partially hydrolyzed milk proteins and a modified carbohydrate source, with maltodextrin and sugars being used instead of lactose as the primary carbohydrate sources. Additionally, it is an iron-fortified formula that aids digestion.
Similac Pro-Sensitive and Pro-Total Comfort: Similac offers a “Pro” range of formulas that includes the human milk oligosaccharide (HMO) 2’FL, a prebiotic that has been clinically shown to promote a healthy immune system and microbiota.
In the Pro-sensitive and Pro-total comfort formulas, maltodextrin and sugar are used instead of lactose as a carbohydrate source.
Similac 360 Total Care: This formula contains 5 different HMOs for maximum immune support, using a combination of corn syrup and sugar as the carbohydrate source instead of lactose.
Bobbie: This powder formula uses lactose as the primary carbohydrate source and contains no modified milk proteins or added lactose.
Price Per Oz
- Similac Sensitive Formula: $1.17
- Similac Total Comfort: $1.00
- Similac Pro Sensitive: $1.23
- Similac Pro Total Comfort: $1.25
- Similac 360 Total Care: $1.59
- Bobbie Formula: $1.84
Key Takeaways
- Carbohydrate Source: The Similac and Bobbie formulas differ mainly in their intended purposes. While Similac Sensitive, Pro-Sensitive, and Pro-Total Comfort are designed to address fussiness, gas, and mild spit-up by reducing lactose and modifying the protein ingredient, Bobbie is meant for everyday use with 100% lactose and intact whey and casein protein.
- Similac Sensitive Formulas are not organic and contain GMOs, whereas Bobbie is an organic and non-GMO formula.
- Similac Sensitive Formulas are less expensive than Bobbie on a per-ounce basis.
Read Also: Similac Vs Kabrita
Similac Organic & Pure Bliss vs Bobbie
Organic Infant Formula
Similac offers two types of formulas that meet different needs. Their Similac Organic is an organic, non-GMO formula made with USDA organic ingredients.
Meanwhile, their Pure Bliss product is non-GMO but not organic. It is made with milk from grass-fed cows.
However, some parents have anecdotally reported that Similac Organic causes constipation in some babies, possibly due to a whey casein ratio that is not as similar to breast milk as Bobbie’s formula.
Bobbie is a USDA-certified organic formula that uses milk from Organic Valley® grass-fed cows. It is also lactose-based and iron-fortified.
All three of these formulas contain DHA and ARA. Similac Organic and Pure Bliss are available in powder forms, while Similac Organic also comes in a ready-to-feed form.
Price Per Oz
- Similac Organic: $2.05
- Similac Pure Bliss: $1.21
- Bobbie Formula: $1.84
Key Takeaways
- Bobbie and Similac Organic are both organic, but Similac Pure Bliss is not
- All three formulas are non-GMO and made with grass-fed milk
- Similac Pure Bliss is the most affordable, followed by Bobbie, and Similac Organic is the most expensive.
Similac for Spit-Up vs Bobbie
It’s common for babies to spit up, but sometimes parents worry that their baby is spitting up too much or feels uncomfortable when they do so.
If your baby’s spitting up is not due to a medical condition, you might wonder if switching to infant formula can help.
However, before making any changes to your baby’s formula, it’s important to talk to your baby’s healthcare provider to determine if this is the right option.
Additionally, suppose you are concerned about your baby’s spitting up.
In that case, it’s best to consult with your pediatrician first so that they can help you determine if it’s just a normal baby spit or a medical issue that requires attention.
Price Per Oz
- Similac For Spit Up: $2.10
- Bobbie Formula: $1.84
Key Takeaways
- Similac for Spit-Up is a baby formula that contains rice starch, an ingredient added to help reduce spit-up. The formula also has reduced lactose content. In a clinical study, it has been shown to reduce the frequency of spit-up by 54%. Similac for Spit-Up is designed to reduce spit-up by adding ingredients that settle better in your baby’s stomach. The main difference between Similac for Spit-Up and Bobbie is that the former is formulated to reduce spit-up, while the latter is not.
- In addition to being lactose-free, Bobbie has no rice starch added to it.
- Similac for Spit Up and Bobbie are non-GMO powders containing DHA, ARA, and iron.
- Similac for Spit Up is not organic, while Bobbie is.
Read Also
Similac vs Bobbie: Similarities & Differences
Similarities
- Both formulas are lactose-based formulas with intact proteins.
- Both formulas are ideal for babies who do not have lactose intolerance/sensitivity.
- Both formulas contain DHA.
- Both formulas have Iron content.
- Both formulas are nutritionally complete.
- Both formulas are fortified with essential vitamins and Minerals needed by your baby.
Differences
- Bobbie is purely organic, while Similac is not.
- Similac Advance is available in ready-to-feed, liquid concentrate, and powder forms, while Bobbie is available only as a powder.
- Bobbie’s whey: casein ratio mimics breastmilk the most closely compared to Similac’s formulas
- Similac provides sensitive and gentle versions of their formulas, while Bobbie does not.
- Some Similac formulas contain HMOs, while Bobbie does not.
- Bobbie uses lactose as its carbohydrate source and contains no added corn syrup, other added sugars, or palm oil. At the same time, Similac is made from a high-quality blend of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals. It’s also lactose-based, iron-fortified, and contains DHA.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are All Infant Formulas FDA Approved?
All infant formula manufactured and sold in the United States is regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
To ensure the safety of American formulas, the FDA sets minimum requirements for certain nutrients that all US formula brands must meet.
The FDA also establishes guidelines such as Good Manufacturing Practices, Quality Control Procedures, Quality Factors, Notification Requirements, and Records and Reports for infant formula manufacturers.
However, it is important to note that the FDA does not technically “approve” or “deny” food products, including infant formulas; they only regulate them.
Are European Baby Formulas FDA Approved?
It’s important to know that the FDA does not regulate European formulas, but the European Union regulates them.
Most of these formulas meet FDA nutritional requirements for infant nutrition.
The nutritional standards of the EU are similar to those of the United States and can even be stricter regarding certain ingredients. The EU is known to have some of the best organic formulas available.
Bobbie’s European-style infant formula combines the best of both worlds. It has all the high-quality standards of the EU, while also having FDA approval.
Is Bobbie Formula Better Than Similac?
The decision depends on your goals when choosing between Bobbie Formula, Similac Organic (or Pure Bliss), and Similac Routine Formulas.
Bobbie is the best choice if you prefer organic and natural ingredients, no added sugars, and a gentle formula that is easy to digest. It has the most optimal whey: casein ratio, which is ideal for babies.
However, suppose your baby has a milk protein allergy, intolerance, or other medical condition. Bobbie may not suit them as it contains 100% lactose and no modified milk proteins.
In such cases, Similac’s gentle formula options might be a better choice for your child, even if they don’t have the same optimal ingredients as Bobbie.
What To Look For When Looking For The Best Infant Formula?
When searching for the best baby formula for your child, it is important to consider the following factors:
These points will help you select a high-quality formula that is safe and healthy for your little one.
Conclusion
Similac vs Bobbie is a question I believe you have sorted out using the information provided, and you can reason out the one you want for your baby.
It is good as a parent that you care about your baby and his or her welfare by researching the various formulas available.
But there is something you must bear in mind: there is no magical brand that can satisfy every child’s individual needs. Remember that every child is unique.
It’s also important that you carefully consider both the pros and cons of both infant formulas before deciding.
Choose the one you are at home with; if you are still unsure, you can seek the help of your baby’s health provider.
