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Aptamil vs Enfamil Formula: Which Is Better?

Aptamil vs Enfamil Formula: Which Is Better?
Latest posts by Keith Lindner (see all)

It can be a minefield to choose the right formula for your baby. If you’ve decided not to breastfeed or wish to combine your own milk with baby formula, it’s key you look for a brand that’s rich in nutrients, high in quality, and great tasting so your baby will be happy to drink it.

Doing your own thorough research is a great place to start, but we know how busy new parents can be. That’s why our expert moms and dads have scoured the internet; reading through tons of reviews to bring you our honest, open opinions. This guide will take a look at Aptamil vs Enfamil formula; pitting them against each other to see which one comes out on top.

But it’s not really a competition – one brand won’t be best for everyone so we’ll weigh up the pros, cons and main features of each one so you can make an informed decision on the best formula for you and your baby.

Both of these brands have been chosen as they’re some of the biggest names in the baby formula world, and are used by moms and dads all over the world. When choosing your baby formula, it’s really important that you study the ingredients list carefully. You want to avoid harmful chemicals, preservatives, and additives that can do serious damage to your baby’s fragile body.

High-quality baby formula is designed to help with your baby’s growth and development, so top-quality ingredients can make all the difference. We hope that by the end of this guide you’ll have a better understanding of what’s in both Aptamil vs and Enfamil, so you can pick the one that will best suit your and your baby’s needs.

Bottom Line Up Front Summary: The clear winner for us here is the Enfamil line as it has a better track record (fewer recalls) AND offers more variety for all sorts of conditions or preferences (including non-GMO, sensitive stomachs, etc… UPDATE: You can also now order directly from the Enfamil site here to save in bulk bundles.

Buy in bulk & save
How to save on Enfamil

Enfamil's flagship products can be ordered in bulk from most major retailers (Amazon, Walmart, Target, Costco, etc.) as well as from their own site. We found Amazon typically had the best selection and prices.

Shop on Amazon
We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you.

Aptamil Formula vs Enfamil Formula – Which Is Better for Your Baby?

We’d be happy to recommend both Aptamil and Enfamil to new moms and dads but by doing our research and reading real-life reviews from parents who have already used them, these are our detailed results on which one comes out on top. Both baby formula brands are widely available in stores and online, and both have a huge range of products for you to choose from, which we’ll list below.

Aptamil Baby Formula

aptamil formula

Aptamil has been inspired by 40 years of research, using a unique blend of ingredients suitable from birth right through to the toddler stage. They know that breast is best, but have created a range of products that help to support your child’s growth when you decide to use the baby formula on the advice of a health professional.

They have three main ranges – their classic baby milk, their Profutura range, and their specialist milk. All have been designed to cater to your baby’s needs, whether you’re switching from breastfeeding, are unable to, or need a unique milk blend to deal with your baby’s intolerances or allergies.

All formula milks meet strict quality and safety standards, undergoing rigorous tests to ensure they are safe; each batch must pass 31 quality control tests before they’re sent out of their factory.

They only use high-quality ingredients too, including natural milk fat to introduce healthy fats to your child’s diet. The downside? It’s not organic, which is quite a big factor when it comes to choosing your perfect baby formula. However, Aptamil has the backing of over 250 scientists so it’s a safe bet when it comes to reliable baby formula. You can see what’s available from their range and the pros and cons below.

List of Aptamil Formulas on the market

The following Aptamil Baby Formulas can be found on the market:

Standard Milks range:

Profutura Milks Range:

  • Aptamil Profutura First Infant milk – suitable from birth
  • Aptamil Profutura Follow On milk – from 6-12 months  
  • Aptamil Profutura Growing Up milk – suitable for toddlers from 1-2 year      

Specialist Milks Range:

  • Aptamil Hungry Infant Milk – suitable from birth
  • Aptamil Anti Reflux – 0-12 months
  • Aptamil Comfort- suitable from birth
  • Aptamil Lactose Free – suitable from birth
  • Aptamil Pepti 1 – suitable from birth
  • Aptamil Pepti 2 – 6-12 months

Features:

  • Their specialist range caters to babies that suffer from allergies, intolerances, or feeding problems. There’s a formula designed to help with colic and constipation, as well as reflux and lactose intolerance.
  • Contains a healthy blend of GOS and FOS, which are both found in breast milk and help support your baby’s immune system.
  • Contains iron, which helps support cognitive development.
  • Contains vitamins A, C, and D, which support the immune system.
  • Omega-3 LCPs are also found in their milk range, which supports normal visual development.
  • There are no artificial sweeteners; lactose sweetens the taste.

Pros:

  • Very close to the taste and texture of breast milk.
  • Their milk comes powdered in an EaZypack or tin, and in liquid form in a range of easy-to-pour, different-sized bottles, so you can choose which one is convenient for you.
  • Aptamil is considered really close to breast milk thanks to the natural prebiotics used in the formulas.
  • Can be used right from birth.
  • You’ll find loads of natural nutrients and prebiotics, all designed to support growth and development.

Cons:

  • It’s not a certified brand.
  • It’s not an organic formula.
  • It’s quite expensive compared to other brands.
  • Not all of their formulas are suitable for vegetarians.

Parents’ popular opinion on Aptamil Baby Formula

Aptamil, on the whole, has very good reviews – they consistently rate 4 and 5 stars. Here’s a snapshot of what mom and dads are saying about their experience with Aptamil:

  • Many moms are pleased that their baby took easily to the formula and enjoyed the taste.
  • Many other brands were making their babies feel a bit sick, but when switching to Aptamil this went away and generally reduced gassiness.
  • Another reviewer raved that with Aptamil, their baby is “feeding well, bringing up wind fantastically and also digesting regularly”.
  • Other reviewers mentioned that they tried a few formulas first but they gave their baby colic, wind and reflux. Switching to Aptamil stage one has prevented this; it’s kind on the tummy and easy-to-mix, so there are no lumps in the formula.

Enfamil Baby Formula

enfamil formula

According to their website, 8 out of 10 birthing hospitals use Enfamil. It’s the number 1 brand with pediatricians, who recommend it to most of their patients. Most recently, Enfamil has started to contain MFGM in their baby formula, which is found in breast milk and is a fantastic ingredient for supporting your baby’s development.

Enfamil also contains an expert amount of DHA, which is a fatty acid that helps to foster learning ability. In fact, all the ingredients in Enfamil have been carefully chosen to aid in every child’s growth and development and to also mimic the effects of breast milk. It’s well-loved with parents all over the world and is one of the best-researched brands on the market right now.

The great news is there are absolutely no artificial colors, sweeteners or colors in the range, so it’s a completely safe choice for your child. And there’s loads of choice, too – there are so many different products in their range it can actually be difficult to know where to begin. But their formulas are backed by many years of research, so trust in the science.

List of Enfamil Baby Formulas on the market

The following Enfamil Baby Formulas can be found on the market. We haven’t included them all as there are so many, but these are some of our favorites:

Buy in bulk & save
How to save on Enfamil

Enfamil's flagship products can be ordered in bulk from most major retailers (Amazon, Walmart, Target, Costco, etc.) as well as from their own site. We found Amazon typically had the best selection and prices.

Shop on Amazon
We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you.

Enfamil Newborn Formulas

Features:

  • The number 1 brand that pediatricians recommend to their patients.
  • All formulas contain DHA – a type of Omega 3 fat that nourishes the brain and helps it develop.
  • The first brand to launch a baby formula containing MFGM – a key ingredient found in breast milk.
  • Clinically proven results from the ingredients used in their baby formulas.
  • No artificial flavors, sweeteners or colors

Pros:

  • Their range is suitable for newborns.
  • One of the closest brand on the market to breast milk – probably even more so than Aptamil.
  • They have plenty of products designed for sensitive tummies, allergies, intolerances and even fussiness, so there really is something for everyone.
  • There are a range of GMO and non-GMO products, so again a wide range of choice depending on your preferences.
  • No-mess tubs to make life easier!

Cons:

  • Very expensive
  • They cannot guarantee that there are no genetically engineered ingredients in their product range.
  • Reportedly has a stronger smell than most brands – this might not be for everyone.

Parents’ popular opinion on Enfamil Baby Formula

Enfamil has a pretty solid 4-star rating across the board on all their products. This is what real-life moms and dads are loving about the range so far:

  • Parents love Enfamil Premium Gentlease if their baby suffers from gas problems or constipation. After switching to this baby formula, these problems started to ease and they started to see regular bowel movements.
  • Other parents noticed that with other brands their children seemed to get gassy with sore bottoms, but they were able to tolerate Enfamil much better.
  • Another reviewer called it “liquid gold” and loved that it is really easy to carry around.
  • However, other reviewers noted that their babies preferred the liquid formula over the powder.
  • The verdict: Aptamil or Enfamil?

Overall, both brands have a ton of benefits compared to their cons. They’re both tried and tested, well-loved baby formulas, who have gained a huge fan base with moms and dads from all over the world.

The fact that they’ve begun to use MFGM is a great thing – it really helps the taste, consistency, and nutritional benefits of their formula mimic breastfeeding much more closely.

Aptamil is still a great brand, though. Their list of ingredients is impressive and they’ve got so much science behind their research. The reality is they have a bit less choice than Enfamil, and Enfamil’s range of specialist products is vastly superior. Both have great reviews though, so our best advice is to trust your gut instinct and choose which one you think sounds best for your baby. If it doesn’t work out, it’s more than safe to switch.

Final Thoughts on Aptamil vs Enfamil

As you’ve hopefully learned from our Aptamil vs Enfamil guide, Enfamil is our top choice… just! But really, this guide isn’t designed to tell you what to do. Instead, it’s here to offer some helpful tips and advice based on our own research on which one we rate best.

Every baby is different – some may have intolerances, some might be a bit gassier than others and others may simply be fussy. If you’re finding it a bit tricky to find the perfect formula for your child, don’t panic!

It’s perfectly safe to try more than one brand and we’d absolutely recommend doing so. We’ve got plenty more guides on our website so make sure you check them out. But if you are worried about anything – no matter how small, always check with your pediatrician.

We hope this guide has helped you learn a bit more about these baby formulas. If you have any questions then feel free to pop them in the comment section below – our expert moms and dads are more than happy to help! And if you have anything else you’d like us to review, let us know and we’ll see what we can do.

Buy in bulk & save
How to save on Enfamil

Enfamil's flagship products can be ordered in bulk from most major retailers (Amazon, Walmart, Target, Costco, etc.) as well as from their own site. We found Amazon typically had the best selection and prices.

Shop on Amazon
We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you.

FAQ’s About Aptamil vs Enfamil Formula

Question: Can I store baby milk in the fridge?

Answer: Most nutritionists advise not to prepare milk and store it in the fridge. This is because the Department of Health have provided guidelines that suggest bottles should be made fresh as and when your baby needs them, and used within two hours. Storing your bottle in the fridge makes it more susceptible to bacteria growth, which can potentially lead to illness.

Question: How do I choose between liquid and powder formula?

Answer: It really comes down to personal preference as both liquid and powder formulas offer the same amount of nutrition when prepared according to their guidelines. In fact, you can use both interchangeably so it’s perfectly safe to switch. If you’re not sure which one you’d prefer to use, try both and see which one works for you.

Question: What does GMO and non-GMO mean?

Answer: GMO stands for Genetically Modified Organisms and is generally not seen as the best thing when it comes to nutrition.

Baby formulas marked as non-GMO means that they contain absolutely no genetically engineered ingredients; ingredients that have had their DNA altered by adding in genes from something else to increase nutritional value or speed up the growth of crops or animals. Our recommendation would be to go for non-GMO baby formula every time.

Question: What exactly is MFGM, the new ingredient found in some Enfamil products?

Answer: MFGM (Milk Fat Globule Membrane) is an ingredient that’s found in breast milk. It’s been thoroughly researched and has been found to help develop brain structure and function. When it comes to baby formula, it helps bring it closer to breast milk, packing in the key nutrients your baby needs for its growth and development.

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