Updated on 19 June 2022 • 12 minute read Show
OverviewAre you looking for an infant formula that’s closest to breast milk and can support your baby’s brain development? Similac Advance and Similac Pro-Advance are two of the formula brand’s most popular options that can provide complete nutrition for your baby, with formulations as close to breast milk as possible. Can these formulas also strengthen your little one’s immune system? Are they good options for supplementing breastfed babies? Which one is the best formula for your baby? Continue reading to find out more. Main Similarities & DifferencesSimilaritiesSimilac Advance and Similac Pro-Advance have the following similarities:
What’s The Difference Between Similac Advance And Pro-Advance?Similac Advance and Similac Pro-Advance are nearly identical infant formulas. The following are their slight differences: What Is Similac Advance Good For?
Why Similac Pro-Advance Infant Formula Is Better
Similac Advance Infant FormulaPricing
Best Features & Safety
Is Similac Advance Good For Newborns? This formula may provide complete nutrition for your baby from birth up to one year old. Ingredients
This formula is free from:
Nutritional FactsEach 5 fl oz serving of this formula (prepared as directed) contains the following nutrients:
Product RecallMassive Similac Formula Recall (2010)
Over 1,500 lots of Similac Advance products were included in this recall: (3)(4)
These products had been distributed across the US, Guam, Puerto Rico, and Caribbean countries. (3) According to the FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration), ingesting the contaminated recalled products doesn’t pose an immediate health risk of food poisoning. But the larvae or beetle may cause intestinal discomfort. Your child might also refuse to eat due to irritation in the gastrointestinal tract. (3) Abbott Laboratories Inc. later assured affected consumers that tests on the recalled Similac products showed only 0.16% were contaminated with the beetle. (5)
For return or refund processing, affected customers can call 800-986-8850 or visit similac.com/recall. Similac Advance Liquid Ready-To-Drink Formula Recall (2006)
Similac Advance Hospital Discharge Kit Recall (2006)
Similac Advance with Iron Powder Formula Recall (2005)
Pros & ConsPros
Cons
What Customers SayPositive Reviews “I just had my 10th child and have never been able to breastfeed for very long. As disappointed as that makes me I feel assured knowing Similac has had my back for the last 20 years. Its pricy and that is why I gave 4 out of 5 stars but I do recommend the Advance as well as Similac Sensitive. About half of my children have or have had a lactose sensitivity at birth. The sensitive formula helped them feel better quickly!” – Reviewer on Similac’s website. “Similac advance is a great formula in my opinion. My baby has never had any trouble keeping it down. And I feel like it’s a good formula to try if you want to transition you’re baby. But all babies are different and might need a different formula.” – Reviewer on Similac’s website. “Great price. I gave this product to all 3 of my babies after I stopped breastfeeding around 8-9months old. All three babies did well with the change to Similac. Our youngest is 10 months old and drinks it down quickly with no problems. I highly recommend this product.” – Reviewer on Amazon. Negative Reviews “This product causes extreme constipation. My 2 month old has been on Advance, Sensitive and now Total Comfort – he has been constipated since birth, with the Similac products. Pediatrician gave samples of a different brand, which worked WONDERS; however we are on WIC and unfortunately they do not offer a different brand of formula.” – Reviewer on Similac’s website. “My baby violently threw up everytime I tried this formula- needed it to supplement my breast milk. A complete waste of my money and added stress to my baby and me.” – Reviewer on Amazon. “The hospital started us out with Similac advanced, but then we started to notice the stool count shorten. Similac Advanced caused my baby to have extremely bad constipation to where now I have been switched from Advanced to Sensitive to now Total-Comfort and my baby hasn’t had a stool in 4 days. If it wasn’t because of WIC only covering Similac, I would look for something else that fits my child and what he needs.” – Reviewer on Similac’s website. Similac Pro-Advance Infant FormulaPricing/Packages
Best Features & Safety
Age Range
Ingredients
This milk brand is free from:
Nutritional FactsEach 5 fl oz preparation of this formula contains the following nutrients:
Product Recall
Pros & ConsPros
Cons
What Customers SayPositive Reviews “Love this product! When my breast milk supply dried up I wanted something as close as possible to the good stuff! My baby loves this type of formula, he has never spit up or had tummy issues while eating it.” – Reviewer on Similac’s website. “My baby girl loves his formula, especially when it is warm right before bedtime. I’ve noticed that this formula has made her alert and her cognitive skills are far along at her age.” – Reviewer on Similac’s website. “I like that this is lactose-based instead of corn syrup based. Lactose-based makes it more similar to breast milk. This is the formula used at the hospital I delivered at too (they gave the ready to feed formula).” – Reviewer on Target. Negative Reviews “We have been feeding our son Similac Pro Advance since he was a month old when I stopped breastfeeding. We haven’t had any issues with it until last month, around 2.5 months old, when he started spitting up after every feed and continued to spit up for 45 minutes after. He arches his back and acts super painful and gassy as well. He has had infrequent stools, with some being kind of hard instead of soft. We decided to try another brand to see if it will make a difference. Sad to have to switch formula.” – Reviewer on Similac’s website. “I purchased this cause the larger one is sold out. But it doesn’t dissolve well in water and there are a lot of foamy little grains left.” – Reviewer on Target. “I continued to give my son this when we got out the hospital but this formula tore up his stomach so bad after every feeding he was screaming. After a month I finally decided to switch to nutramigen and saw such a huge difference just in the first night. This formula was just not it made him so gassy and just his poops were either runny or just he was constipated.” – Reviewer on Target. Summary & RecommendationSimilac Advance and Similac Pro-Advance can both provide your baby with complete nutrition needed during the first year. There’s no significant difference in most of their nutritional contents, but these might help you choose the right formula for your baby: Choose Similac Advance Infant Formula if:
Choose Similac Pro-Advance Infant Formula if:
Other Infant Formulas To TryWhat Is The Difference Between Similac Pro Sensitive And Similac Advance?What Makes Similac Advance Better:
What Makes Similac Pro-Sensitive Better:
Similac Advance Vs. Similac SensitiveWhy Similac Advance Formula Is Better
Why Similac Sensitive Infant Formula Is Better
Similac Pro-Advance Vs. Similac SensitiveWhat Makes Similac Pro-Advance Better:
What Makes Similac Sensitive Better:
Similac Pro-Advance Vs. Enfamil Neuropro GentleaseThese milk-based formulas are made from non-GMO ingredients and don’t have artificial growth hormones or added sugars. They have the same amount of the following vitamins and minerals:
Why Similac Pro-Advance Better:
It contains more of these nutrients:
Why Enfamil Neuropro Gentlease Better:
It contains more of the following nutrients:
Other Formulas For Your BabyYou may also try the following formulas:
Choosing the Right Formula for Your KidThe following are some factors to consider in choosing the right formula for your child: ProteinsMost formulas come from dairy sources. Cow’s milk is the most popular source, but some goat formulas have also been approved for use with young children. If your kid has a cow’s milk protein allergy or sensitivity to dairy products, you can also find formulas with the following protein sources:
The following are standard or full-sized proteins:
These are smaller, easy-to-digest proteins for babies with sensitive tummies:
CarbohydratesAlways check the formula’s label if your child has lactose intolerance or sensitivity:
Formulas With Specific ConsiderationsSome formulas are also designed to meet your baby’s special needs:
Formulas With Special IngredientsSome also contain special ingredients that you might consider as deciding the factor in choosing your baby’s formula:
Formulas Without Specific Ingredients Or ComponentsSome parents also prefer formulas that don’t have the following:
REFERENCES (1) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8780336/ (2) https://www.cancer.org/cancer/cancer-causes/recombinant-bovine-growth-hormone.html (3) https://buffalonews.com/news/similac-recalls-powdered-formula/article_a7d6e134-56bc-56c7-b29d-11edd4093b1e.html (4) https://www.cbsnews.com/htdocs/pdf/SimilacLotList.pdf (5) https://www.reuters.com/article/us-abbott-idUSTRE68L4ZI20100922 (6) https://www.aappublications.org/content/27/9/2006229 (7) https://abcnews.go.com/Health/ParentingResourceCenter/similac-recall-bug-parts-baby-formula-worry-parents/story?id=11710959 (8) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7352329/ What is the difference between Similac and Similac pro?What is the main difference between Similac Advance* and Similac Pro-Advance* with 2'-FL HMO? Similac Pro-Advance* has 2'-FL HMO (human milk oligosaccharide†), a unique immune-nourishing prebiotic. * Not for infants or children with galactosemia. † Not from human milk.
What is Similac pro advance good for?Similac Pro-Advance* with 2'-FL human milk oligosaccharide† (HMO) is complete nutrition designed to strengthen your baby's immune system, from the #1 infant formula brand for immune support. It has our exclusive blend of DHA, lutein, and vitamin E to help support baby's brain and eye development.
What does pro mean in baby formula?Pro tip: Some generic brands of partially hydrolyzed formula use a blend of partially hydrolyzed and full-size proteins, and could be harder for your baby to digest. So while you may think you're getting the same formula at a savings, they're actually pretty different.
What's the difference between Similac Pro Advance and sensitive?This formula uses milk protein isolate, a protein source from cow's milk that's already separated from components like lactose and fats. These two formulas have similar nutritional contents, but Similac Pro-Sensitive has more protein, carbohydrates, calcium, phosphorus, sodium, and potassium concentrations.
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