If the baby is getting gassy most times after feed time, the proteins or lactose within the formula might be the ones upsetting the tummy.
There are numerous formula options if your baby is unable to digest these ingredients. Among them are Similac Sensitive and Pro-Sensitive, both from the Similac brand.
Both are viable options to deal with fussiness and gas, but which one is better? Which one should you choose?
Similac Pro-Sensitive Overview
Similac Pro-Sensitive is the upgraded version of Similac Sensitive, the regular model that include traces of GMO ingredients.
It is designed for infants who are unable to digest lactose, a condition that results to accumulation of gas in the tummy.
The build-up of gas leads to excessive crying spans that frustrate the baby due to tummy discomfort and the mother since she’s unable to calm the fussy baby.
Similac Pro-Sensitive Ingredients
Instead of whole regular milk, Similac Pro-Sensitive is created with milk protein isolate which is much gentler to the little tummies.
Part of lactose and complex fat molecules are isolated from regular milk leaving whey and casein in original proportions.
As a result, milk protein isolate holds only little amount of lactose for children who are intolerant to high levels of this ingredient. Removed lactose is replaced with corn syrup while vegetable oils take the place of fats.
What’s great about this formula is 2’-FL HMO, the special nourishing prebiotic which is also found in natural breast milk.
HMOs feeds the bacteria found in the gut where most of the immune system is found. 2’-FL HMO also gets into the bloodstream to help strengthen the immune system the same way like breastfed babies.
Much like the moms’ breastmilk, this formula contains lutein, vitamin E and DHA that supports eye health, developing cells and brain development.
Similac Sensitive Overview
Similac Sensitive is designed for sensitive tummies that are unable to digest lactose contained in the formula. Lactose intolerance results to gas in the tummy since it can’t put up with the formula ingredient.
This formula is gentler to give the baby a strong start before the digestive system is fully developed.
It’s nutritionally complete as well for infants when the mother does not have enough time for exclusive breastfeeding.
Similac Sensitive Ingredients
Like Similac Pro-Sensitive, milk protein isolate is the primary ingredient that replaces the regular cow milk.
As mentioned previously, milk protein isolate is regular milk that has passed through filtration process where part of lactose and fats are removed. What’s left is a gentler substance that’s bearable to sensitive tummies.
To nourish the infants with carbs, corn syrup is used to replace the previously isolated carbohydrate source (lactose). It uses vegetable oils as the fat source to replace the originally eliminated fats.
The formula is further enriched with a special DHA, Vitamin E and Lutein blend. These nutrients are beneficial for eye heath, brain development and developing cells.
What’s more, it contains antioxidants for cells defense against free radicals; nucleotides for immune system; calcium for heathy bones and prebiotics for digestive health.
Similac Sensitive vs Pro-Sensitive: Comparison
Both Similac Sensitive and Pro-Sensitive contain corn syrup for body energy. As a result, both are similar to human breastmilk which has natural sugars.
The slight difference though is their carb levels. Similac Sensitive has a little higher amount of sugars and carbs than Similac Pro-Sensitive.
What’s special about Similac Pro-Sensitive is the presence of 2’-FL HMO that’s unavailable in Similac Sensitive. It does not contain GMO ingredients as well while Similac Sensitive has traces of genetically modified compounds.
When we look at taste, Similac Sensitive is a little disgusting, but it’s up to the baby to like or detest it. Pro-Sensitive is somewhat sweet though the baby may take some time to get accustomed to the taste.
As for the price tag, Similac Pro-Sensitive is pricier which is somehow reasonable since the product is purely non-GMO.
A major comparison between Similac Sensitive and Pro-Sensitive is that none of them is suitable to children with Galactosemia due to lactose sensitivity.
Similac Sensitive vs Pro-Sensitive: Which One to Choose?
If your child suffers from gas and gassiness, both formula options are good choices for these issues. However, Similac Sensitive is only ideal for mild tolerance conditions.
For a baby with severe gas and fussiness, Pro-Sensitive is the perfect choice to tame the frustrating symptoms. What even better about Pro-Sensitive is 2’-FL HMO that raise the body immunity to be like that of a breastfed baby.
Nonetheless, the nutritional value is actually the same and they both have reduced lactose content that make them ideal for lactose sensitivities.