This post may contain affiliate links, which means that I may earn a commission if you make a purchase using these links at no extra cost to you.
Whether you have low breast milk yield, think breastfeeding is not your thing, or your baby struggles with a condition that requires you to supplement, there are a handful of reasons you may prefer or need to formula feed your baby.
Whichever of those reasons is yours, this article offers you a comprehensive guide to making the right pick between Nutramigen vs Alimentum – two great formulas for special babies. Let’s go!
Nutramigen Vs Alimentum
Nutramigen
Nutramigen is one of the most common hypoallergenic formulas on the market and is dubbed as the #1 pediatrician-recommended infant formula for babies with cow’s milk allergy.
Pros
- Nutramigen is accompanied by tons of healthy nutrients and probiotics to help revitalize your baby’s immune system and strengthen its tolerance for whey and casein.
- It comes rich in iron, and so helps your baby grow without the need for artificial growth hormones.
- Nutramigen comes with omega 3 oils, DHA, choline, and ARA – all of which are targeted at enhancing your baby’s mental and body development.
- It is lactose-free and soy-free and hence helps manage your baby’s intolerances.
- Nutramigen is pediatrician approved.
- It begins to work within 48 hours
Cons
- Quite pricey.
- The taste and smell are strong, because of the pre-digested proteins.
Alimentum
Similac Alimentum, the other competitor in the Nutramigen vs Alimentum duel, is also a hypoallergenic formula and a top recommendation by pediatricians all over the world.
Pros
- Pediatrician recommended
- Alimentum comes with DHA, ARA, and Vitamin E, all of which enhance your baby’s mental and sight development.
- Due to its fast-acting properties and collection of great nutrients, Alimentum helps your baby sleep better and stay clear of late-night wake-ups. It also eliminates the incidence of clear or yellow spit-ups on the mattress.
- Of the Nutramigen vs Alimentum duo, the latter works faster than the former. It relieves your baby’s allergic reactions to whey and casein within 24 hours of ingestion.
- No artificial growth hormones.
Cons
- Nutramigen vs Alimentum is equally pricey.
- Like Nutramigen, the taste and smell of Alimentum can be discouraging.
Nutramigen vs Alimentum for Eczema; Which Formula Works Best For Eczema?
While both formulas are pronounced helpful for the relief of eczema, Nutramigen seems to be at the top of the game. The most important thing to note, however, in comparing both formulas is that symptoms vary individually. While the symptom for one person may be dryness, for the other, it may be itching. Hence, the smart thing to do is to give both formulas a shot and see which one works best for you.
Nutramigen and Alimentum For Reflux; Which Formula Works Best For Reflux?
Nutramigen and Alimentum are both hypoallergenic formulas designed by globally reputable brands. The basic truth is, that no one formula is essentially better than the other. They both work for reflux and come with their pros and cons. The beauty, however, is in finding the one that not only works for reflux but whose taste and quality your baby will find comfortable, whether Nutramigen or Alimentum.
Nutramigen vs Alimentum For Constipation: Which Formula Works Best For Constipation?
Palm oil is a likely cause of constipation in that it reduces calcium and fat absorption, which can result in the hard stool. In this case, a palm oil-free formula like the ready-to-feed version of Alimentum makes sense, as it results in soft stools. Nutramigen, meanwhile, is no less an effective formula for colic. It all depends on you and your baby’s needs, actually.
Nutramigen vs Alimentum For Colic; Which Formula Works Best For Colic
Hypoallergenic formulas have the most features in common. And when parents buy these special formulas, they have an allergic or colicky baby at home to care for. Nutramigen is as effective formula in relieving colic as Alimentum. The only difference here is, that Alimentum gets the job done faster (24 hours) than Nutramigen (48 hours), and may be a preferred alternative if you want a quick result. However, it is safer to act on your pediatrician’s recommendation.
Nutramigen vs Alimentum For Gas; Which Is Better For Gas?
Determining which formula between Nutramigen vs Alimentum is the best for gas actually depends on your baby and their specific needs. While Nutramigen is credited for alleviating gas in some babies, for others, Alimentum is king. No two babies have exactly the same body systems, which is why in finding a formula that manages gas in your baby, their peculiar needs, as well as a recommendation from your pediatrician, must take the center.
Nutramigen vs Alimentum For Milk Protein Allergy; Which Formula Works Best For Milk Protein Allergy
If you have a baby with an allergy to cow’s milk protein, hypoallergenic formulas like Nutramigen and Alimentum are the best ways to manage it. Nutramigen does a great job, and Alimentum does nothing less. However, depending on the severity of the milk protein allergy, you may want to settle for Alimentum which works to relieve your baby in 24 hours, compared to Nutramigen which takes 48 hours.
Note that this doesn’t necessarily make one better than the other. The better one is that which works for your baby.
Nutramigen and Alimentum Smell; Which Formula Smells Better?
We hate to be the bearer of bad news, but none of Nutramigen vs Alimentum smells better. Some parents consider this as a turnoff, and quite understandably so. However, you may want to try the ready-to-feed version of Alimentum out. It smells much better.
Nutramigen and Alimentum Taste; Which Tastes Better
Like the smell, Nutramigen and Alimentum also share a fate in taste. The state of their smell and taste is due to the fact that both formulas come with pre-digested protein. That said, most babies prefer the taste of Alimentum to Nutramigen, as the former contains sucrose (sugar table) which sweetens the formula.
In a situation where your baby just really has to take the formula, all you need to do is keep showing up, they will get familiar.
Bottom Line
Nutramigen and Alimentum are both fantastic hypoallergenic formulas, designed specially to meet the needs of babies suffering from cow’s milk allergy, reflux, colic, and the like. As with any other product, they have their fair share of pros and cons. It is important to know what differentiates one from the other is not as much as what unites them, and the better of the formulas is the one that aids your baby’s growth.
