Similac substitute chooser

We’ve modified our formula chart to select formulas based on Similac brand. Now you can see the closest equivalent to any Similac formula!

Any cow’s milk formula below in groups 1-4 is ok to substitute. If you are really having trouble finding your baby’s formula, any formula below is fine for a healthy baby. If you are looking for a substitute for another brand than Similac, you can find it in the charts below or see our formula chart.

If you are having trouble finding formula, if your baby is healthy and not taking a specialty formula, you can use ANY from Group 1, 2, or 3 that you can find.

Brief review of our formula categories

• Group 1: basic cow’s milk formulas. They constantly add ingredients to be more like breast milk and to compete with other brands. Therefore there are basic, plus, and premium versions. You can easily exchange ANY Group 1 formula for another. These also include organic and A2 versions.
• Group 2 is “sensitive” formulas. They replace lactose with corn starches or corn syrup. These used to be called lactose-free formulas. Note: lactose sensitivity is not a medical term or known condition; it was invented by formula companies. Babies are not lactose sensitive or lactose intolerant.
• Group 3 is “comfort” formulas. The cow’s milk proteins are partially broken down and may be more easily digestible. Some also replace lactose with corn starches or corn syrup. Some babies do actually improve with modified cow’s milk proteins.
• Group 4 is anti-reflux formulas. They add rice cereal starch to make them thicker. We generally do not recommend these formulas. Most reflux is mild and does not make a baby fussy. Fussy babies usually have a different cause for fussiness. It is unclear if added rice starch is healthy; it seems safe, but may not be the healthiest option.
• Group 5 is the soy formulas. Soy formulas are not recommended for babies except in rare cases but they are popular despite the fact that they may not be good for healthy babies. They can have side effects, and most babies who are allergic to cow’s milk are also allergic to soy.
• Group 6 is hypoallergenic formulas for babies allergic or sensitive to cow’s milk. The cow’s milk proteins are broken down into smaller pieces.

Remember that each store brand are made by the same company and are EXACTLY the same formula in a different package for each store.

Group 1 formulas

Standard cow’s milk formula. Each company has standard, plus, and premium, and they are grouped that way below. Each adds an ingredient to be more like breastmilk. These are not exactly equivalent; Similac adds one thing to make their formula premium; Enfamil adds something different. These should all be considered equivalent because the basic formula is the same for all of these products.

Organic and non-GMO formulas

Standard cow’s milk formula made with organic ingredients.

A2 formulas

Standard cow’s milk formula made from cows that genetically produce a milk protein more similar to human milk protein than other cows do. Also usually organic as well.

Group 2 Sensitive (lactose-free)

Note that we do not recommend lactose-free formulas. Babies do not have lactose intolerance. These formulas say they are for “lactose sensitive” babies; however, there is no such condition. It is not a medical term but one invented by formula companies. Some of these also have partially broken-down milk proteins, which may help some babies with fussiness.

Each company then offers their sensitive version in their regular, plus, and premium product lines.

Group 3 (“gentle”) formulas

These formulas use cow’s milk but process the proteins first to make them smaller and perhaps more “gentle”.  They also usually replace lactose with corn starch, which makes them like the sensitive formulas as well. Gerber gentle and store-brand tender do not replace the lactose.

Group 4: anti-reflux formulas

These formulas add rice starch which thickens in the stomach to help reduce the amount of spitting up. We generally do not recommend these formulas unless medically necessary for spitting up. Most babies have normal spitting up which is annoying but harmless.

Group 5: Soy formulas

Group 6: For cow’s milk allergy