Similac vs Enfamil — Which Is Better?

The Short Answer

Similac is the better choice if your baby struggles with digestion. Similac formulations completely avoid palm oil, a common ingredient that can cause constipation and hard stools in infants.

Enfamil is the better choice if you prioritize brain-building fat profiles. Enfamil includes MFGM (Milk Fat Globule Membrane), a specialized fat structure that mimics human milk, but you will have to accept palm oil in the ingredient list.

Why This Matters

When choosing between the two corporate giants that control 80% of the US market, the fat and sugar sources are the only real differentiators. Both are strictly regulated by the FDA and contain identical baseline nutrients for infant survival.

The biggest digestive difference comes down to the oils. Palm olein oil can bind with calcium in a baby's gut, creating a "soap-like" compound that leads to constipation. Similac famously refuses to use it, making their standard options some of the Easiest Digest Formula available at the grocery store.

Meanwhile, both brands play the exact same marketing game with their specialty lines. If you buy Similac Sensitive or Enfamil Gentlease, you are buying Corn Syrup Baby Formula. They swap out high-quality lactose for cheaper, highly processed corn syrup solids to reduce gas.

Finally, heavy metals are an inescapable reality for both manufacturers. A March 2025 Consumer Reports test found alarming heavy metal levels in both brands' hypoallergenic formulas. While their standard formulas tested beautifully clean, Similac Alimentum showed high inorganic arsenic, and Enfamil Nutramigen tested high for lead. Heavy Metals Baby Formula

What's Actually In These Formulas

Standard cow's milk formulas from both brands rely on similar base ingredients, but their proprietary blends dictate how your baby will react.

• Palm Olein Oil — Used exclusively by Enfamil in this matchup. It closely mimics the palmitic acid in breast milk but is notorious for causing constipation. Palm Oil Baby Formula
• Milk Fat Globule Membrane (MFGM) — The star ingredient in Enfamil NeuroPro. It is a structure found naturally in breast milk that shows real, clinically backed promise for infant cognitive development. Closest To Breast Milk
• Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMOs) — Prebiotics favored by Similac. Similac 360 Total Care includes five different HMOs to feed good gut bacteria and build immunity.
• Corn Syrup Solids — The primary carbohydrate in both brands' "sensitive" lines. It spikes blood sugar faster than lactose and is best avoided unless your baby has a diagnosed medical need. Is Corn Syrup Formula Bad

What to Look For

Green Flags:

• Lactose as the first ingredient — This is the primary sugar naturally found in breast milk.
• Added prebiotics — Ingredients like HMOs or GOS help develop a healthy infant gut microbiome.
• No palm oil — Look for safflower, sunflower, and coconut oils instead to guarantee softer stools.

Red Flags:

• Corn syrup or maltodextrin — You should only feed these if your baby has a confirmed milk protein allergy or lactose intolerance.
• Unnecessary "Sensitive" labels — Most babies do not need broken-down proteins and are simply experiencing normal, temporary newborn digestive issues. Best Formula Gassy Babies

The Best Options

Comparing the standard and sensitive lines head-to-head reveals clear winners. For standard feeding, Similac edges out Enfamil purely on digestive comfort. Similac Vs Enfamil

The Bottom Line

1. Choose Similac 360 Total Care for standard feeding. It uses lactose as its only sugar and completely avoids constipation-causing palm oil.

2. Don't buy "Sensitive" formulas by default. Both Similac and Enfamil replace healthy lactose with corn syrup in their gentle lines, which most babies don't actually need.

3. Be extremely cautious with hypoallergenic formulas. If your baby needs Alimentum or Nutramigen, talk to your pediatrician about alternative options that may test cleaner for heavy metals. Generic Vs Name Brand Safety

FAQ

Which is easier to digest: Similac or Enfamil?

Similac is generally easier to digest for most infants. Because Similac does not use palm olein oil, it is significantly less likely to cause constipation and hard stools.

Do Similac and Enfamil contain heavy metals?

It highly depends on the specific product line. A 2025 Consumer Reports test found that standard Similac Advance and Enfamil Gentlease tested clean for heavy metals. However, their specialized allergy formulas (Alimentum and Nutramigen) tested high for arsenic and lead, respectively. Heavy Metals Baby Formula

Why do hospitals use Similac and Enfamil?

Hospitals use these brands because they have massive, exclusive financial contracts with the manufacturers. It has nothing to do with them being the absolute best formulas on the market. Most hospitals will simply offer whatever brand they are contractually obligated to provide.

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