Similac Spit Up vs Enfamil AR – what are the differences and which one is better? The short answer is that Similac generally offers products that taste better, which is often a result of higher sugar content. Meanwhile, Enfamil tends to avoid the use of high sugar content, which while healthier, sacrifices taste in exchange for higher nutritional benefits. Both are effective at decreasing spit-up. Below we have highlighted the main differences between the two so you can determine which is better for your baby. Keep reading to see how they compare in ingredients, price, reviews, and much more.
Similac Spit Up vs Enfamil AR: Comparison Table
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Similac Spit Up
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Enfamil A.R.
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Similac Spit Up Review
Pros
- Uses non-GMO ingredients
- Clinically shown to reduce frequent spit-up by 54%
Cons
- Higher sugar content
- Limited variety
Review
Reviews of Similac Spit Up have been quite positive with many who switched to this formula and had great results.
Parents are very fond of the premade formula most, though some have criticized the somewhat chunky consistency of the powdered version.
Similac Spit Up is made by Abbott Laboratories and is designed to reduce frequent spit-up. This formula has both the regular and the Non-GMO versions available.
Spitting up in infants is common and generally a result of adjusting to the feeding process that usually peaks at 4 months. Similac Spit Up comes in dry powder and liquid varieties.
Similac Spit Up claims to drastically reduce spit-up and is manufactured with additional DHA, lutein, vitamin E and non-GMO ingredients.
Enfamil AR Review
Pros
- Available in individual serving pouches
- High levels of nutritional content
Cons
- More expensive than Similac Spit Up
- Thick consistency can clog bottle
Review
However, some noted the thick consistency of the powdered formula had a tendency to sometimes clog the bottle if not prepared properly.
Enfamil A.R. is made by Mead Johnson, is designed to reduce spit-up in infants by over 50% while providing complete nutrition to support healthy growth.
A developing digestive system can be a primary cause of spitting up and this issue can be addressed with a nutritionally balanced formula like Enfamil A.R. that has Natural Defense Dual Prebiotics Blend to assist in providing proper digestion.
It also consists of recommended levels of DHA and ARA to support your infant’s brain and eye development. Enfamil’s AR formula has a thicker consistency which allows for a slower pace of consumption when drinking from a bottle.
Similac Spit Up vs Enfamil AR: Key Differences
Effectiveness
Of course, the most crucial factor when choosing between these two formulas is to determine which one is ultimately the most effective.
While the effectiveness of each formula may vary with each case there are still some important factors to consider. Both Similac Spit Up and Enfamil AR have garnered quite a number of positive reviews, with users reporting their respective formula to be effective for reducing spit-up.
Each formula has been clinically tested for its overall effectiveness.
Similac Spit Up is reported to be able to reduce spit-up by up to 54%, while Enfamil AR has shown similar results of reducing spit up by up to 50%.
While Similac Spit Up may come out on top in terms of these clinical tests it is not necessarily a decisive indicator for the results you will experience with your child.
Ingredients and Nutrition
Similac uses modified rice starch to maintain its consistency and help your baby keep their milk down.
Rice starch is said to be a superior ingredient when compared to alternatives such as rice cereal. It contains corn syrup for a carbohydrate source and milk protein isolate for a protein source.
Similac Spit Up is enriched with a unique and nutritional blend of OptiGro that contains lutein, DHA, and vitamin E which are vital to the development of your infant’s eyes, brain, and immune system.
This is especially important during a newborn’s first year because the eyes and brain are in constant development. Similac Spit Up also makes use of non-GMO ingredients. Being that genetically modified organisms have a higher risk of potential health issues, this is a nice plus.
Enfamil A.R. also uses rice starch for its thick consistency. Nonfat milk is added for protein, and a mix of vegetable oils are used as a fat source. Enfamil AR contains Natural Defense Dual Prebiotics.
This special blend uses with two prebiotics that are used to support the baby’s health, immunity and digestion. These same prebiotics are also quite good for reducing indigestion and maintaining healthy bowel movements.
Taste and Smell
Choosing a formula with a pleasant taste and smell can be a crucial factor when making a decision between Similac Spit Up and Enfamil AR.
This is an important aspect to consider for your baby as the smell and taste will play a large role in determining which formula they will more easily accept and have a positive reaction to.
Unpleasant taste and smells could have a negative impact on both the parents and infants experience with either formula.
Reviewers of Similac Spit Up have reported it to have a pleasing taste and smell. Due to its higher sugar content, the taste is extremely palatable for your infant.
While reviewers have not reported any displeasing smell of Enfamil AR, its taste is however slightly more bitter when compared to that of Similac Spit Up. This is due to its more nutrient focused formula that sacrifices some flavor for higher nutritional benefits.
While the difference in smell and taste between Similac and Enfamil is by no means staggering, sometimes even the most subtle difference can become a deciding factor for you and your baby.
Price
In most cases, Enfamil AR tends to be a tad pricier than Similac Spit Up. However being that the ultimate goal is picking a formula that is the most effective in assisting with your infant’s digestion, this can be somewhat of a non-issue if Enfamil AR is your preferred choice.
Prices can vary and range based on which variety you choose. Check the selection of each formula on amazon to find the best value.
If you are looking to save in cost then purchasing the powdered version over the other varieties for both formulas is the best solution.
Premade formulas, while convenient will always be a pricier option. It is worth noting however that the premade formulas tend to be smoother. That results in less clogging and overall superior feeding experience.
The premade bottles also save you some extra work in terms of cleaning. So it all depends on whether or not you find enough personal value in some of these luxuries.
Enfamil AR pouches are also more expensive than the canned powder versions.
Availability
Similac Spit Up comes in premade bottle and powder varieties. However, there are currently no pouch options available.
Parents tend to spring for the powder, being that it is the least expensive version to purchase. For those who want the convenience of not having to carry extra bottles with clean water, the premade bottle version proves to be a handy solution.
Additionally, the premade bottles contain a smoother consistency when compared to that of the powdered version. For parents with picky babies, this can ultimately be a deciding factor.
Enfamil AR comes in an even larger variety with premade bottles, powder, and individually wrapped serving pouches for pouring your own bottle on the go.
These individual pouches are a big plus as they can take a lot of the tricky guesswork out of the equation when trying to coordinate and plan the amount of formula to prepare for trips outside of the home.
Conclusion
Similac Spit Up vs Enfamil AR: And the winner is…
Ultimately the decision comes down to your personal preference and which product suits the particular individual needs of your baby. The effect of both Similac Spit Up and Enfamil AR produce the same result, though you may prefer certain ingredients, consistency or convenience of one or the other.
Every baby reacts differently to the use of certain products, especially when it comes to digestion. If you have difficulty deciding, then the best course of action would be to test both formulas for as much as a week each to see which of them results in the least amount of spit up from your child.
You may find that your own preference does not align with that of your baby. Ultimately each product has its own strengths and weaknesses. Though you should be able to achieve similar results with each option.