Enfamil AR and Similac Spit Up are rice-based formulas that can reduce burping up and acid reflux in babies. These contain fortified iron and added nutrients to ensure a complete nutrition supply for your baby.
Of my four children, two had minor spit up issues that benefited by using a rice based formula. They seemed less fussy as well, but maybe that was just me!
Have trouble selecting one? This guide will help you decide.
Enfamil AR and Similac Spit Up come with different Ingredients and nutritional values but can effectively reduce burping up.
The nutritional facts, similarities, dissimilarities, pros, and cons are discussed here to help you choose between Enfamil AR vs. Similac Spit Up.
Table of Contents
- Ingredients and Nutritional Facts
- How They Help Babies Stop Spitting Up?
- Similarities Between Enfamil Ar and Similac Spit Up
- Differences Between Enfamil AR and Similac Spit Up
- Battle of the Formulas
- Enfamil AR
- Similac Spit Up
- Preparation of Rice-Based Formulas
- Which One Is It?
Ingredients and Nutritional Facts
The main differences between Enfamil AR and Similac Spit Up are in the ingredients and nutritional facts. You should always check the product packaging to know the exact and consolidated ingredient and nutrient list.
- Enfamil AR
Enfamil AR contains 2.5 gm of protein, 5.1 gm of fats, 11.3 gm of carbohydrate, 133 gm of water, and 780 mg of Linoleic acid per 100 calories or 5 fluid ounces.
- Similac Spit Up
Similac Spit Up contains 2.1 gm of protein, 5.4 gm of fats, 11 gm of carbohydrates, 133 gm of water, 1000 mg of Linoleic acid per 100 calories or 5 fluid ounces or 148 ml when prepared according to the given directions.
How They Help Babies Stop Spitting Up?
Infants under 12 months can suffer from spit-ups due to many reasons. The upper stomach lining in infants takes time to develop. Meanwhile, the babies have trouble digesting and keeping the food down. In addition, since infants are always laid down on their backs, reflux is more common in them. Not much is more annoying than a baby with constant vomit coming out of them, but I felt so bad and would do whatever I could to help.
Enfamil AR and the Similac Spit Up both are rice starch-based milk formulas that reduce spit-ups in babies. How each formula helps babies are given below;
- Enfamil AR
Enfamil AR claims to reduce spit-ups in babies by 50% within the first week of initiation. The rice starch thickens as soon as it’s consumed and makes it hard for the stomach to push it up.
Enfamil AR contains Prebiotics that help safeguard a baby’s guts and develop immunity by allowing the growth of good bacteria.
It has DHA and Choline, which promote better brain development in babies. It has lactose and fortified iron to ensure that your baby gets all the necessary nutrients.
This formula proved in a clinical trial that infants fed Enfamil AR have less frequent spit-ups compared to when they were not.
Enfamil AR follows the guidelines of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) on reflux control while making the formula.
- Similac Spit Up
Similac Spit Up is nutritionally balanced to ensure that your baby sees proper growth. It supplies 20 calories per fluid ounce with nutrients like DHA, Vitamin E, and Lutein.
The blend of DHA, Vit E, and Lutein in their formula enables better brain, sight, and cell development.
Similac Spit Up contains nucleotides, prebiotics, and carotenoids that help build good immunity and digestion in babies.
The added nutrients are proven clinically to support growth in babies. It also contains a lower amount of lactose for easy digestion. Furthermore, it is kosher, halal, and gluten-free.
Similarities Between Enfamil Ar and Similac Spit Up
Enfamil AR and Similac Spit Up are both formulas that help with spit-ups in babies. The following nutrients exist in the same amounts in the two formulas.
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin D
- Vitamin B6
- Choline
- Iron
- Iodine
Both formulas contain DHA and nutrients for gut and immunity development.
Both formulas contain corn syrup. Enfamil AR contains it in the form of corn Maltodextrin and Similac Spit Up in the form of corn syrup solids.
Galactooligosaccharide is a source of Prebiotics in both formulas.
M. Alpina and C. Cohnii oils are added in both formulas as sources of ARA and DHA, respectively.
Differences Between Enfamil AR and Similac Spit Up
There are more differences in ingredients and features between Enfamil AR and Similac Spit Up than similarities. These are listed below;
- Enfamil AR uses Maltodextrin as a sweetener, and Similac Spit Up contains sugars as a sweetener.
- Similac Spit Up has corn syrup solids as the main ingredient for carbohydrates whereas Enfamil AR uses non-fat milk solids as the primary source of carbohydrates.
- Enfamil AR contains palm oil that can mess up calcium absorption in babies.
- Similac Spit Up uses high oleic safflower oil and other vegetable oils, such as coconut and soy oil as a source of fats.
- Similac Spit Up contains added sugar and milk protein isolate.
- Similac contains Lutein and beta-carotene, but Enfamil does not.
- Enfamil contains Polydextrose as a source of probiotics as opposed to Similac.
- Enfamil AR contains more lactose than Similac Spit Up. Similac can be more tolerable for infants with mild lactose sensitivity.
Battle of the Formulas
Formulas are all created with slight variations in their ingredient lists and nutritional values that can influence your selections. The pros and cons of Enfamil AR and Similac Spit Up in respect to each other are discussed here.
Enfamil AR
Enfamil AR is produced by Mead Johnson under their brand Enfamil. The pros and cons of it are as follows;
Pros
- Uses milk as a source of carbohydrates
- Doesn’t contain added sugar.
- Doesn’t contain Corn Syrup.
- Has dual prebiotics.
- Contains both DHA and ARA.
- Added rice reduces acid reflux.
- Provides total nutrition to babies before 6 months and a good amount before 12 months of age.
- Available in liquid, powder, and small packs.
- Faced no recalls recently.
Cons
- Doesn’t use milk isolate so it can create problems for babies with lactose sensitivity.
- Can create constipation due to the thickening formula.
- Produces gas after feeding.
- A little more expensive than Similac Spit Up.
- Not suitable for babies with special health conditions. However, there are some Enfamil formulas that may be suitable.
- Contains palm oil.
Similac Spit Up
The pros and cons of Similac Spit Up are given below.
Pros
- Contains DHA, ARA, and Lutein.
- Ingredients are non-GMO.
- Works more quickly compared to Enfamil AR.
- Uses lactose isolate and protein isolate and is suitable for babies with other health issues than just acid reflux.
- Is more gentle on the stomach.
- Tastes better due to added sugar.
- OptiGRO is a trademark blend that contains nutrients similar to breast milk.
- No palm oil ensures better absorption of calcium.
- Tastes better due to added sugar.
- Is halal, kosher, and gluten-free.
Cons
- Contains added sugar.
- Uses corn syrup as the main source of carbohydrates.
- Induces constipation.
- Forms gas in the tummy.
- Available only in powder form.
- Only contains one Prebiotic.
Both formulas are recommended by pediatricians and well reviewed. In the end, you should choose a formula that suits your baby’s needs and palate and addresses any medical issue.
Preparation of Rice-Based Formulas
Rice-based formulas are thicker and may have slightly different preparation steps. You should read the instructions on the can to prepare the formula correctly. Enfamil AR requires a 5 minute wait time, but to tell you the truth when the baby is crying we have used almost instantly with no side effects. But waiting does allow it to thicken a bit more.
Steps to Follow
- Wash your hands properly before opening the can. Clean around the can where you’d be working as well. Be sure to check the CDC guidelines.
- Use the scoop provided with the can to take out the powder. Keep the scoop inside the can and make sure that it’s dry.
- Ask your pediatrician about the kind of water you should use.
- Make sure the bottle, nipple, ring, and cap are clean and sanitized.
- Use the exact measurements given on the can or recommended by your pediatrician while preparing the formula.
- Since rice formulas are thicker, you need to shake these longer than your usual formulas to mix.
- Wait around 10 mins after mixing to let the air bubbles get out before feeding your baby. This will reduce the amount of gas they get.
- Make sure to burp your baby frequently while feeding. My babies were always asleep so fast it was harder to burp.
Which One Is It?
Similac Spit Up, and Enfamil AR are both good formulas for babies with acid reflux and spit-up problems. My friends that have newborns have good things to say about both.
The Enfamil AR is widely recommended by pediatricians, and the Similac Spit Up is more popular among consumers.
Both formulas are nutritionally balanced and can ensure the proper development of your little one. Similac Spit Up uses more sugars, so the taste is more enjoyed by babies.
Enfamil AR costs more than Similac Spit Up, but it has more options. You can use the powder or liquid one. It also has small packets that can be easily prepared while traveling. The liquid one is more smooth and can be used without the hassle of preparation.
Despite the pros and cons, both formulas are good for babies. You can check out samples first to see if a brand works out for your baby. Always follow the advice of a pediatrician.
If you have any questions, reach out to me, Sharon Dunn @ babykidcare1 at Gmail.com
