Deciding on the best infant formula is not an easy task especially when your baby is intolerant to certain ingredients.
If the baby is gassy, colic or struggling with fussiness, inappropriate formula will worsen the symptoms, upsetting both the parent and the baby.
Similac Sensitive and Similac Total Comfort are good formula choices for sensitive tummies. They’re both manufactured by Similac; the most trusted choice by parents and pediatricians.
While both of them are ideal for sensitive stomachs, which formula should you choose for your little one? What’s the huge difference?
Similac Sensitive Overview
Similac Sensitive is manufactured for sensitive babies who have a difficult time handling the regular formula.
It is designed for fussiness and gas that arise when the infant’s tummy is unable to digest lactose or proteins present in the formula.
Inability of the little tummies to handle these ingredients results in build-up of gas. As a result, the baby becomes fussy and may cry for an extended length of time due to stomach discomfort.
Similac Sensitive Ingredients
Similac Sensitive is formulated with milk protein isolate instead of the regular cow milk. This product has reduced lactose content that’s gentler for sensitive little tummies though it might still be difficult for some babies.
Lactose contributes only about 2-percent of the formula to ease the digestion process. Similac replaces lactose with corn maltodextrin to supply the child with carbs.
The formula is fortified with OptiGRO, the exclusive blend of lutein, DHA and vitamin E, preciously obtainable in human breastmilk.
DHA is the building block that supports healthy eye and brain development constituting about 97 percent in the brain and 93 percent in the eyes.
Lutein is responsible for healthy eyes and brain function. It is found in high amounts in the brain where it’s associated with early learning and memory.
Vitamin E holds antioxidant properties like those in breastmilk for proper cells development, healthy skin, eye sight and strong body immunity.
Overall, it references breastmilk during the formulation process to accord the child all the nutrients they need for healthy growth.
Similac Total Comfort Overview
Similac Total Comfort is designed for sensitive tummies with issues digesting protein and lactose found in regular milk.
Like Similac Sensitive, it is suitable for gas and fussiness. If the child is having difficulty putting up with other milk-based infant formulas, Similac Total Comfort is a little gentler for the delicate belly.
Similac Total Comfort Ingredients
Similac Total Comfort consists of Whey Protein Hydrolysate as an alternative to regular milk protein.
Whey protein is cow milk protein that has gone through hydrolysis where it’s extensively reduced so it does not cause allergic reaction.
In the process, Whey Protein has been tailored to match the size of breastmilk proteins to minimize the chances of protein intolerance.
It doesn’t contain casein like it’s the case with the Similac sensitive which makes it much easier for the tummy to handle.
This formula does not use corn syrup as the carbohydrate source. Instead, it contains Maltodextrin which is sourced from non-GMO plants.
Like Similac Sensitive, there’s OptiGRO which has Lutein, DHA and Vitamin E. OptiGRO is beneficial for healthy eye and brain development.
What’s even great about this formula are prebiotics for soft bowel movement and Nucleotides for strong immune system. What’s more, no GMO ingredients were used during the formulation process.
Similac Sensitive vs Similac Total Comfort: The Difference
Whole cow milk is comprised of two types of milk proteins: casein and whey. Whey digests quickly while casein is slow.
Similac sensitive contains both types of milk proteins while Similac Total Comfort contains only whey.
As a result, digesting Similac Sensitive might be difficult for some babies because of the complex casein proteins.
Another ingredient that we don’t find in Similac Total Comfort is corn syrup which makes it a perfect diet for children who cannot digest the sugar content.
Similac Sensitive has considerable sugar content since it has corn syrup as the primary ingredient.
A major complaint shared by both formulas is the weird smell. Similac Total Comfort smells a bit sharp while Similac Sensitive emits a tin-like smell.
On price, Similac Total Comfort is a little pricy obtainable as a pack of 4. Similac Sensitive price is somewhat lower as a pack of 3.
Similac Sensitive vs Similac Total Comfort: Which One to Choose?
Similac Total Comfort is hands down the better choice for sensitive babies who suffer from protein and lactose intolerance.
What we like about Similac Total Comfort is the low sugar content which is a huge advantage for sensitive tummies.
Casein has been taken out from Similac Total Comfort, so it’s much easier to break down than Similac Sensitive.
Easy digestion amounts to less gas, fussy periods and improved bowel movement. What’s even great about it is how it helps in spit-up, colic, constipation and acid reflux problems.
Despite the decent sugar levels, Similac Sensitive is an amazing formula for fussiness and gas though it may not be the right one for gentle tummies and digestion issues.
But then, it will all depend on how the baby responds to formula ingredients. You can start with Similac Total Comfort or Similac Sensitive then switch to the other if the former is not working.