Choosing the right formula for your baby is a vital component in giving them the best possible start in life. It can mean the difference between sleepless nights, gassiness, and tears which we all know is not what any parent wants for their little one.
Figuring out what works best for them and you is key to getting a good routine and some normality for mom too!
View in gallery
Similac creates some of the most popular baby formulas in the US, with all the nutrition your baby needs and no artificial growth hormones or unnecessary additives.
In this article, we will be covering all the differences between Similac Total Comfort vs Similac Sensitive formula to help you choose what will work best for your baby.
In this article
Similac Total Comfort vs Similac Sensitive
You may be wondering what the difference is between Similac Sensitive and Total Comfort formula, with both of these being a popular option in a vast market of formula powders, it can be hard to know where to turn to make sure your little one is getting the best milk for them.
Both of these Similac formulas provide not only complete nutrition for your baby’s first 6 months of life, but they are also designed for infants who may suffer from an intolerance or sensitivity to lactose.
Let’s take a closer look at the signs to spot to see if your little one may have difficulty digesting lactose in their diet.
What is Lactose Sensitivity?
It is estimated in the US that over 30-50 million adults suffer from some variation of intolerance to lactose. Lactose is found in the sugar naturally found in dairy products such as yogurt, ice cream, cheese, and most baby formula on the market.
Lactose sensitivity means your body can’t digest the lactose, this will cause a range of symptoms from stomach cramps to diarrhea. Your baby can’t tell you when they’re feeling this way so it’s important to spot the signs and seek help and advice from your pediatrician or doctor to further diagnose the issues.
The typical signs that your little one is suffering from an intolerance to lactose include:
- Gas
- Bloating
- Diarrhea
- Stomach pains
Spotting stomach pain in your little one can be commonly mistaken for typical behavior.
But if your little one is arching their back, getting very upset whilst passing gas, and generally seeming very tense and uncomfortable then your baby may be suffering from an intolerance to their current formula.
Cows Milk Allergy
You mustn’t confuse a lactose sensitivity or intolerance with an allergy to milk. The symptoms are similar, as well as some more concerning and serious side effects such as:
- Wheezing
- Coughing
- Vomiting
- Swelling
If you think your little one has a cow’s milk allergy it is important to seek medical confirmation from your pediatrician or doctor to help you test for your child allergens and know which formula will be best to direct you towards.
Similac also has a formula blend suitable for cow’s milk allergies called Alimentum. With an easy digest hypoallergenic formula it is designed without any lactose and contains broken down proteins to ease digestion in your little one.
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Now we have covered the information you need to help you figure out if your little one has lactose intolerance or cows milk allergy, let’s take a look at the comparison between Similac Total Comfort and Similac Sensitive.
Similac Total Comfort
This formula contains all the required vitamins and minerals for your little one in an easy-to-digest formula to ensure it doesn’t cause any issues on their delicate and sensitive tummy.
In a study conducted by the brand, they found that parents reported a reduction in their child’s fussiness, gas, and crying after one day of switching to this formula.
This may be due to the inclusion of partially hydrolyzed whey protein that promotes easy digestion on your little one’s tummy.
Whilst being gentle on your baby’s tummy, it also contains prebiotics commonly found in breastmilk as well as complete nutrition to strengthen their immune system alongside DHA and vitamin E to support their eyes and ever-learning brains.
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Similac Sensitive
Unlike the pro-comfort formula, this blend doesn’t have whey protein meaning your little one may struggle to digest it as easily, but it is still suitable for lactose sensitivity in children.
It also features the same immune-supporting ingredients as the pro-comfort meaning your little one is getting all the vital vitamins they need to develop healthily.
Similac sensitive formula has an exclusive blend of ingredients they call OptiGRO containing DHA which is found in fish, Lutein found in spinach, and vitamin E which is found in breastmilk to support babies’ vital eye and brain development.
However, the Similac sensitive blend has a possibility of containing GMO’s meaning if this is something you are trying to avoid then you may want to opt for their Pro-Sensitive Formula which features all the same benefits as the original sensitive blend.
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Comparison
Now that we have covered the basics of both of these great formula options by Similac we can look further into the comparison between the two to help you decide.
Similac Total Comfort
- Whey protein for easy digestion
- Suitable for lactose sensitivity
- Unique probiotics similar to breastmilk
- OptiGRO
- Supports brain and eye development
- Nutritionally complete
- Reduced gas & crying within 24hrs of use
Similac Sensitive
- OptiGRO
- Suitable for lactose sensitivity
- Nutritionally complete
- Less fussiness in lactose babies
Similac Sensitive has had a recent overhaul of their Pro-Sensitive blend which has all of the perks but without the GMO’s.
They have also included 2′-FL HMO which gives your little one better immune support as it is the third most abundant ingredient in breastmilk.
It has cognitive and memory benefits as well as immune response and promotes the growth of healthy bacteria your little one needs.
View in gallery
Looking at the comparison it is clear to see that Similacs Comfort formula has more benefits and a better variety of vitamins in comparison to their Sensitive blend.
If your little one is only suffering from lactose sensitivity then this blend will do the trick, but if they are also needing a gentle touch when it comes to digestion then you may just find Total Comfort will work better for your child.
FAQs
What is Similac Total Comfort used for?
This blend is easy to digest and gentle baby formula. It can help ease the symptoms of intolerance if your little one has difficulties digesting milk-based formulas.
What age is Similac total comfort for?
The calcium-enriched formula is designed for babies and toddlers between 6-24 months of age without any GMO’s
Does Similac total comfort help with reflux?
No, this formula is not designed to help with the issues of reflux in babies and you should seek an anti-reflux blend of formula instead.
The Final Thought
It is important you discover the issue behind your child’s symptoms and should always seek medical advice before changing formula as this can cause some issues in babies with sensitive tummies.
With an option for hypoallergenic and lactose-sensitive children as well as easy digestion, there is sure to be an option that works well for you and your little one.
