In this article, we will take an in-depth look at Alimentum vs Gerber Extensive HA, two popular hypoallergenic formulas on the market today. As a registered dietitian/nutritionist, I want to provide you with all of the information you need to make an informed decision about your child’s nutrition.
| Feature | Similac Alimentum | Gerber Extensive HA |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Hypoallergenic infant formula | Hypoallergenic infant formula |
| Primary Protein Source | Casein hydrolysate | 100% extensively hydrolyzed whey |
| Protein Hydrolysate | Partially hydrolyzed | Extensively hydrolyzed |
| Fat Source | High oleic safflower, soy, and coconut oils | Palm olein, soy, and coconut oils |
| Carbohydrate Source | Corn maltodextrin, sugar | Corn maltodextrin, modified cornstarch, sugar |
| DHA & ARA | Yes | Yes |
| Prebiotics | No | No |
| Probiotics | No | No |
| Lactose-free | Yes | Yes |
| Iron-fortified | Yes | Yes |
| Non-GMO | Yes | Yes |
| Gluten-free | Yes | Yes |
| Suitable for Galactosemia | No | No |
| Price (may vary) | $$ (mid-range) | $$$ (higher range) |
Brands Of Hypoallergenic Formulas
Hypoallergenic formulas are meant to be gentle on a baby’s digestive system.
Two brands consistently stand out when evaluating hypoallergenic formulas: Alimentum and Gerber Good Start Extensive HA. Both offer unique benefits for infants with difficulty digesting cow milk protein or other common allergens found in infant formula.
Which is better will depend on what specific allergy triggers you’re looking to avoid.
What Is Alimentum?
Alimentum is a hypoallergenic formula designed by Abbott Nutrition. It’s specifically tailored to meet the needs of infants with food allergies or sensitivities. It contains extensively hydrolyzed protein, which has been broken down into tiny pieces so it doesn’t cause an allergic reaction in babies.
This formula also includes added probiotics for better digestive health.
Alimentum differs from Gerber Extensive HA in that its proteins are more extensively hydrolyzed than Gerber’s. This makes them easier to digest and less likely to trigger an allergic reaction.
Additionally, Alimentum contains omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins A, C, and E, and other essential nutrients not found in Gerber’s product. These additional ingredients help promote optimal growth and development in babies who need special dietary considerations due to their allergies or sensitivities.
What Is Gerber Extensive Ha?
Gerber Extensive HA is a hypoallergenic infant formula developed to meet the nutritional needs of babies who cannot tolerate cow’s milk-based formulas due to food allergies. It is an extensively hydrolyzed protein, meaning it has been broken down into small pieces for easier digestion and absorption by infants with sensitive digestive systems.
This formula contains only partially hydrolyzed proteins, rather than fully hydrolyzed ones, which are more likely to cause allergic reactions in some infants.
According to recent studies, Gerber Extensive HA can reduce the likelihood of developing eczema or other allergic symptoms in infants up to six months old compared to those fed regular cow’s milk-based formulas.
Gerber Extensive HA contains vegetable oils, corn syrup solids, prebiotic fibers (oligosaccharides), vitamins A, C, and E, as well as iron and zinc.
Additionally, this product does not contain any artificial flavors or sweeteners. As such, parents can feel confident that their baby is receiving optimal nutrition without added chemicals.
Compared with the Alimentum formula, Gerber Extensive HA offers similar levels of nutrition but may be better suited for mild allergy cases since its proteins are only partially hydrolyzed instead of completely broken down like Alimentum’s proteins.
Benefits Of Hypoallergenic Formulas
Hypoallergenic formulas can benefit babies who suffer from allergies because they use extensively hydrolyzed proteins broken down into smaller particles, making them easier to digest and less likely to cause an allergic reaction. They also contain higher levels of essential nutrients such as calcium, iron, and zinc than regular infant formulas, helping ensure proper growth and development in the early stages of life. Additionally, these formulas can often help reduce colic symptoms due to their more gentle digestion process.
Hypoallergenic formulas should only be used under the supervision of a doctor or registered dietitian/nutritionist. While most brands provide some degree of allergen protection, not all formulations will work equally well in every case; it may require trial and error before finding the right formula choice for your baby’s specific dietary needs.
Ingredients In Alimentum
Alimentum is a hypoallergenic infant formula designed to meet the nutritional needs of infants with food allergies or colic due to protein sensitivities. Its main ingredients are corn syrup solids, vegetable oils (including coconut oil), and extensively hydrolyzed whey proteins.
Additionally, Alimentum contains essential fatty acids such as DHA and ARA for brain development, iron for healthy red blood cells, and vitamins and minerals for overall growth.
These specific ingredients in Alimentum provide complete nutrition for your baby’s first year of life. It also offers all the important nutrients needed during this critical period of rapid physical and mental growth, including carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and probiotics. This balanced combination helps support your baby’s immune system while meeting his/her individual nutritional requirements.
Ingredients In Gerber Extensive Ha
Gerber Extensive HA is a specially formulated formula for infants with cow’s milk allergy. It contains hydrolyzed protein, which has been broken down into smaller pieces to help reduce the likelihood of an allergic reaction.
The following ingredients make up Gerber Extensive HA:
- Hydrolyzed soy protein isolate
- Vegetable oils (palm olein, coconut oil)
- Corn maltodextrin
- Fructooligosaccharides
In addition to these core components, each serving of the hypoallergenic infant formula provides 20 essential vitamins and minerals that are important in promoting healthy growth and development in babies.
Nutrients in Baby Formula
These nutrients work together to provide complete nutrition for your baby while helping them become less sensitive to allergens like cow’s milk proteins over time.
| Essential Nutrient | Importance in Healthy Growth & Development |
|---|---|
| Calcium | Bone and teeth formation, nerve function |
| Phosphorus | Bone and teeth formation, energy metabolism |
| Vitamin A | Vision, immune function, skin health |
| B-Complex Vitamins | Energy production, nervous system health |
| Zinc | Immune function, growth, wound healing |
| Copper | Iron metabolism, brain function |
| Iron | Hemoglobin production, cognitive development |
| Magnesium | Muscle and nerve function, bone health |
It is important to note that it may still be necessary for the infant to avoid other dairy products as part of their diet even after beginning this formula due to their continued sensitivity or intolerance towards cow’s milk proteins.
With careful monitoring from a healthcare professional, such as a registered dietitian/nutritionist, parents can ensure their child gets all the nutrients they need without exposing them to potential food allergies or sensitivities.
Pros And Cons Of Alimentum
Alimentum contains extensively hydrolyzed proteins to help minimize allergic reactions and provide complete nutrition for infants who cannot tolerate other formulas.
Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of Alimentum:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Hypoallergenic; helps prevent an allergic reaction | More expensive than standard infant formulas |
| Sweetened with corn syrup solids, which may cause gas or stomach discomfort | Not intended as the sole source of nutrition; should be supplemented with fresh foods when possible |
| Nutritionally equivalent to breastmilk in terms of calcium, iron, phosphorus & fatty acids | Sweetened with corn syrup solids which may cause gas or stomach discomfort |
Alimentum can be an effective choice for infants who need specialized nutrition due to food allergies/intolerances.
Its nutrient content closely resembles that of breast milk, so parents don’t have to worry about their child not getting enough vitamins and minerals from this formula alone.
On the flip side, Alimentum does contain sweetener from corn syrup solids that could potentially lead to gastrointestinal problems such as gas or bloating if consumed in excess. Furthermore, it is more costly than most standard infant formulas due to its higher quality ingredients and increased production costs associated with the manufacturing process.
Pros And Cons Of Gerber Extensive Ha
The biggest advantage of this type of formula is its hypoallergenic nature.
The proteins in Gerber Extensive HA are already partially broken down, reducing the risk of triggering an allergic reaction in sensitive infants. Additionally, it’s nutritionally complete, providing all the vitamins and minerals needed by growing babies without supplementing their diet with additional foods.
On the other hand, some parents may find that its low-fat content doesn’t provide enough energy for their child’s needs. In addition, because the proteins have been pre-digested, they aren’t as easily absorbed by some infants as regular cow’s milk-based formulas.
Cost Comparison Between Alimentum And Gerber Extensive Ha
In terms of initial cost, Gerber Extensive HA is typically less expensive than Alimentum. However, Alimentum may be a more affordable option in the long run due to its higher nutritional value since it can provide better nutrition for your child over time.
Moreover, if you have insurance coverage for formula-feeding products, this could help offset the difference in cost between these two brands.
Suitable Age Groups For Different Formulas
Alimentum and Gerber Extensive HA are two infant formulas designed specifically for infants with food sensitivities or allergies who cannot tolerate other types of formula.
Alimentum is suitable for newborns up to 12 months old. It contains extensively hydrolyzed protein, meaning it breaks down proteins into tiny pieces so they’re easier to digest. This makes Alimentum particularly good for babies with cow’s milk sensitivity or allergy as it provides complete nutrition without any proteins that could cause a reaction.
Gerber Extensive HA, on the other hand, can be used from birth until 18 months and offers similar benefits as Alimentum but contains partially hydrolyzed proteins instead of extensively hydrolyzed ones.
Both formulas contain added DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and ARA (arachidonic acid) fatty acids essential for brain development, plus prebiotics to promote healthy gut bacteria growth in your little one.
Common Allergens Found In Infant Formulas
- Soy-based proteins – Both Alimentum and Gerber Extensive HA contain soy protein isolate as one of their primary ingredients.
- Dairy-based proteins – While neither formula includes dairy products as an ingredient, some people can still have allergic reactions due to cross-contamination from other dairy-containing foods or manufacturing processes.
- Tree nuts – Neither formula contains tree nut-based ingredients; however, both could potentially be exposed to cross-contamination during production.
- Fish-based oils: Alimentum does not include any ingredients derived from fish oil, while Gerber Extensive HA does include some omega-3 fatty acids sourced from tuna oil.
Alternatives To Hypoallergenic Formulas
Alimentum and Gerber Extensive HA are two of the most popular hypoallergenic infant formulas.
Healthcare professionals may recommend both formulas in cases where infants have reported allergies or sensitivities to cow’s milk proteins. However, non-dairy alternative formulas, such as soy-based formulas, amino acid–based formulas (AAP), and elemental diets, can help provide nutrition while reducing potential allergic reactions due to dietary sources.
Additionally, many babies sensitive to dairy products do not experience adverse reactions when given lactose-free formula made with cow’s milk proteins that have been altered to reduce allergenicity.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much protein does my child need?
Protein plays an essential role in growth and development for children, so understanding how much they need according to age is important.
Are there any other nutrients that I should be aware of when using this type of product?
Hypoallergenic formulas tend to have different nutrient levels than traditional infant formulas, so getting information about those specific nutrient differences is key.
What are the potential side effects associated with this kind of formula?
It’s always wise to ask if there could be any adverse reactions when introducing new foods into your baby’s diet.
Is Alimentum or Gerber Extensive HA right for my baby?
Ultimately, Alimentum and Gerber Extensive HA provide safe nutrition for sensitive infants and babies. Still, the choice will depend on your baby’s specific needs and allergies and the recommendation of a healthcare professional.
