Enfamil vs Similac - Is One Brand of Infant Formula Better than the Other?

The debate continues: to bottle feed your baby Enfamil or Similac infant formula? Well, in the hope of making this decision easier, let's take a look at what both products offer.

Mothers about to give birth have a tough decision to make: to breastfeed or bottle feed? Mothers who choose to bottle feed face another difficult decision: what infant formula to use? Enfamil and Similac are both firmly placed as being amongst the best, top-rated brands of infant formula available today. But is one better than the other?

Well, the above question is a little meaningless as both manufacturers make different types of infant formula. Enfamil make Enfamil LIPIL - this contains DRA and AHA; Enfamil LIPIL Gentlease - contains reduced lactose for babies with a lactose intolerance; Nutramigen LIPIL - designed for babies with hypoallergenic formula designed for babies with cow's milk protein allergy symptoms such as colic, rash, and diarrhea; Enfamil ProSobee - a soy-based infant formula; Enfamil Premature LIPIL - designed specifically for feeding rapidly growing premature and low birth weight infants; Enfamil with Iron, the list goes on. Likewise, Similac makes many different types of baby formula; Similac Advance - contains DRA and AHA; Similac Organic - certified USDA Organic and uses cow's milk produced without the use of growth hormones; Similac Isomil Advance - soy based infant formula; Similac Lactose-Free Advance - specially formulated for babies with lactose intolerance; Similac NeoSure Formula - helps meet the nutritional needs of premature and low-birth weight babies; the list goes on.
Therefore one should compare like with like. However, most parents, who bottle feed using Enfamil or Similac, will use Enfamil LIPIL or Similac Advance.

Why Enfamil is better?

Enfamil does contain more levels of DHA and AHA than does Similac; about 17mg compared to around 11mg. Many parents have noted that Enfamil doesn't pack like Similac, which takes the guesswork out of whether you've sifted the powder correctly before scooping. Finally, Enfamil is cheaper than Similac.

Why Similac is better?

Enfamil formula is made using palm olein oil; Similac does not. One study suggests that formulas with a fat blend including palm olein oil (e.g., Enfamil, Prosobee) cause less frequent and firmer stools. Similac claim that their infant formula provides 50% more calcium absorption than Enfamil. They also claim that their new, improved formula has fewer bubbles and therefore makes babies less gassy. Finally, Similac claim that switching to Similac Isomil Advance will reduce fussiness, gas and spit-up in most babies in about 3 days.

Many parents complain that the brand of infant formula they're using causes constipation, gassiness, spit-up and colic in their baby. Often times switching brands eases the condition; often times it doesn't. Usually, it is choosing a different type of milk formula which is specifically made for the condition that eases the baby's discomfort. Unfortunately, the debate as to whether Similac or Enfamil causes adverse reactions for babies is contradictory and often quite heated. One camp will give a big thumbs up for Enfamil, whereas the other camp will rave about the benefits of Similac. Sadly, doctors and hospitals can fail to give guidance, as many are under contract to supply one brand or the other - hardly independent advice.

Whichever brand you choose, be it Similac or Enfamil or some other, you can rest assured that it has been passed safe by the FDA. All brands for sale contain all the nutrients that your child needs for healthy development. If your baby is perfectly happy with the infant formula you are using, then stick with it. But if not, then by all means change brands, but first try to ascertain what might be causing your child's discomfort and select the right type of infant formula that will relieve the symptoms.

Robin O'Brien is founder of Baby Bottle Feeding. It offers advice on what is the best infant formula and any other problems with bottle feeding.
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Baby Formula - Benefits of the Bottle

There has been much debate over whether breastfeeding or formula is best for baby. While breastfeeding is healthier, it is also time consuming and less sociably acceptable in today’s society. This trend is always changing it seems like from year to year. So with much debate, there are still some benefits that come from bottle feedings. Let's face it, if you’re a single mom and your baby is in day care it’s just easier to bottle feed. So here are some of the benefits that go along with bottle feedings.

- Public feedings tend to be easier. You don't get those disapproving looks from people while breastfeeding in a public place. A bottle is easier than breastfeeding in public, less embarrassing for other people as well as the mother, who has a lot to worry about, while feeding her baby in a public place.

-Feeding the baby is less time consuming. When bottle feeding your baby it can take up to 10 to 15 minutes where breastfeeding can take up to that long but on each side, taking up to twice as long than bottle feeding, and when a newborn is eating every 2 to 4 hours it can seem like all your doing is breastfeeding your baby. So if you don't have a lot of time bottle feeding can help you out.

- Anyone can feed your baby formula, unlike breastfeeding where the mother is the only one that can feed baby, until baby starts solids. This can help involve the father of the baby as well, unlike the breastfeed baby who can only eat from mom unless she expresses milk. The dad can now share in the responsibility of feeding baby, this helping mom get more sleep, because they can trade off feedings. Also a babysitter, grandparent’s siblings whoever can feed baby as well.
-It is easy to see how much baby is eating. When breastfeeding many moms are concerned that baby is not getting enough to eat. They can not see the intake, so this is a big concern when it comes to breastfeeding. The bottle feed baby doesn't have that problem, the mom can see just how much the little bundle of joy is eating this easing her worry of her baby eating enough to grow.

-Bottle feed babies don't need to eat as often, the bottle fed baby eats once every three to four hours depending on the baby, opposed to the breastfed baby who needs to eat every 2 hrs. The milk protein in formula keeps baby full and satisfied longer.

-Bottle fed mothers don't have to watch what they eat, they can take medicine, or have a few drinks at dinner, and not have to worry about it harming baby. The breast fed mother cannot, she can't drink caffeine or drink alcohol or take medicine because that all goes thought to the baby.

-The bottle fed mom can diet as soon as the baby is born while the breast fed mother cannot she still needs to eat for two, she needs to eat more fatty things to ensure her milk keeps coming in.

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10 Tips for Easing Reflux When Feeding Baby Formula Milk

As much as 50 percent of all healthy babies have reflux at some stage. Reflux is less common in babies that are exclusively breastfed as breast milk is more hypoallergenic and is digested twice as fast as formula milk. But for mothers who bottle feed their baby, there are a few simple steps that will greatly ease, or stop altogether, reflux during feeding.

1. Clothing
Tight clothing, especially round the tummy can make reflux worse, therefore make sure the clothing is loose and has elastic waists, if possible. Change diapers before feeding and not after, on a full tummy.

2. Feeding Position
Feed your baby in an upright position. Hold you baby upright for at least thirty minutes after feeds to help reduce reflux. This allows gravity to work at holding the food in their tummies. As well, after feeding, try to keep them as motionless as possible for at least thirty minutes after feeding.

3. Don't Rush The Feed
Don't rush. Slow down the feed. Pause a little and then resume feeding.

4. Don't Overfeed.
Smaller more frequent feeds throughout the day can alleviate reflux. Also, avoid feeding your baby just before bedtime.

5. Burping
Stopping to burp your baby frequently (at least after every ounce) during feedings can help. Also, after the feed, don't forget to burp, keep your baby in an upright position (Tip 2).

6. Thickening
Try thickened milk feeds. The added weight of cereal in the formula milk helps to keep the food from splashing around in your baby's tummy and helps keep it down.

7. Avoid Certain Foods
If your baby has a milk allergy or sensitivity then soy based or hypoallergenic will likely help the reflux improve. Certain foods make reflux worse. Avoid whole milk, chocolate milk, tomatoes, and citrus fruits like oranges, grapefruit and pineapple. Anything prepared with whole milk or high-fat such as cold cuts, sausage, bacon, fatty meat. Avoid all animal or vegetable oils, chocolate, carbonated beverages, chicken, beef, milk, or cream-based soups.

8. Changing Formula
Changing infant formula might help. If your baby has a milk allergy or sensitivity then soy based or hypoallergenic will likely help the reflux improve. As well, hypoallergenic formulas are pre-digested (either partially or completely) so they tend to move through the stomach faster than standard formulas. Moving food out of the stomach faster can be beneficial for two reasons. If the baby is a picky eater it may help them get hungry again faster. It also means the food isn't sitting around in the stomach waiting to be refluxed. Only change formula after consulting your doctor.

9. Using a Pacifier After Feeding
Giving your baby a pacifier to suck on after feeding increases saliva production. Saliva is alkaline which can help neutralize some of the acid that may come up.

10. Sleeping after a feed
Discuss sleeping your baby on his tummy with your paediatrician. Although sleeping on the back is recommended in order to reduce the risk of SIDS babies with severe Gastro-esophageal reflux benefit from sleeping on their tummy. Only do this under doctor's orders.

As stated above, most babies will experience reflux at some stage and most will overcome it all by themselves. By following the above 10 tips, you can help reduce reflux when feeding your baby infant formula. If the symptoms continue and are causing your baby discomfort then your first point of call should be to discuss the mater with your doctor.

Robin O'Brien is founder of Baby Bottle Feeding. It offers advice on what is the best infant formula and formula milk and reflux.
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