Questions? We Can Help.

HMOs in Similac^® are not derived from human breast milk but are manufactured to be structurally identical to HMOs in breast milk.

Similac^® 360 Total Care^® formulas have 5 of the most abundant HMOs at levels found in breast milk.

In a clinical study, infants were fed an infant formula containing a 5-HMO blend, which was well-tolerated. If you have concerns regarding tolerance, contact your baby's pediatrician.

Research shows that HMOs help support the infant's digestive health by supporting the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut. 

Human milk may have over 150 HMOs, and there is a large range of HMO levels in mothers’ milk. Similac 360 Total Care has 5 of the most abundant HMOs found in human milk.

Similac 360 Total Care formulas contain 2'-FL (2'-fucosyllactose), 3-FL (3-fucosyllactose), LNT (lacto-N-tetraose), 3'-SL (3'-sialyllactose), and 6'-SL (6'-sialyllactose).

Our MySimilac sticker has transitioned to include more Similac resources that may be relevant to you. You can access batch quality and safety information via the QR code on both stickers.

We are working on rolling out this change to our other products. In the meantime, please be assured that each batch of formula has undergone similar quality checks before release. If you have questions specifically about your product, you can call us at 1-800-515-7677 (M–F, 8:30 AM–5 PM ET).

Each powdered infant formula batch is tested for Cronobacter and Salmonella, and it must test negative before the product is released.

Abbott tests nutrients such as fat, protein, and calcium to ensure our products meet Abbott specifications and FDA requirements prior to release.

Abbott conducts testing for attributes such as moisture, aroma, and flavor.

The date that the product is approved to be released from the manufacturer for distribution to customers and consumers is the release date.

No, the release date is the date the formula was approved to be distributed. The expiration date is printed on the bottom of the container and shows the last date the formula could be used.

Some of our Similac products utilize QR codes for other purposes, like savings or other product information. Get more information on our MySimilac QR code here.

Yes, we recently changed the name of our Rewards program from Similac^® Rewards to MySimilac^® Rewards. (You may also have seen it referred to as Similac^® StrongMoms^® Rewards.)

We’ve combined our Rewards program and the new MySimilac quality check, where you can see batch quality and safety information for the Similac product you have.

MySimilac Rewards includes the same great offers and benefits you know and love from Similac Rewards—with new improvements. These include a way to access your coupons and Rewards on your phone; plus, a new way to earn points and coupons by scanning a QR code on select products.

We recently changed the name of our Rewards program from Similac Rewards to MySimilac Rewards, but it’s possible you might see both names and logos for a brief period.

Certain imported Similac formulas are still available at Similac.com and AbbottStore.com.

Each baby is different, so this is very difficult to predict. In general, we have heard from mothers that their babies may take anywhere from several days to several weeks to adjust to a new formula, although some babies adjust right away. It’s always best to consult with your baby’s doctor before making formula changes.

It is always best to prepare according to label instructions. Some countries’ recommendations include boiling water for 2 or 5 minutes. Ask your baby's doctor if you need to use cooled boiled water for mixing and if you need to boil (sterilize) bottles, nipples, and rings before use.

Follow the instructions on the imported formula container for the maximum time allowed to store an open container.

“Stage 1, 0-12 months” means the formula is appropriate for use from birth until 12 months of age.

EyeQ Plus may appear on some labels and references key nutrients for brain development, including DHA and AA (which means arachidonic acid, sometimes abbreviated ARA).

We have expanded the products under the Pure Bliss^® by Similac name to include our organic products. This was done to organize our offerings with unique milk sourcing that differs from our other Similac products. Pure Bliss^® by Similac^® Irish Farms starts with fresh milk from cows in Ireland, Pure Bliss^® by Similac^® Organic is made in the US with USDA -certified organic milk, and Pure Bliss^® by Similac^® Organic with A2 Milk is made in the US with milk that is sourced from select cows that only produce the A2 type of beta-casein protein. All Pure Bliss^® by Similac products are made without genetically modified ingredients, have no corn syrup, no palm olein oil, and the milk comes from cows not given artificial growth hormones.^*

*Milk ingredients are derived from milk of non-rbST-treated cows, which is not different from milk of rbST-treated cows.

No changes were made to the formulation. These products offer the same great nutrition, just with a new name and label.

For a period of time, both labels may be found on shelf depending on retailer and store.

Pure Bliss^® by Similac Irish Farms starts with milk from cows in Ireland.

Imported from Europe, Pure Bliss^® by Similac Irish Farms is a formula that starts with milk from cows in Ireland. Pure Bliss^® by Similac Irish Farms contains milk ingredients without artificial growth hormones,^* has no palm olein oil, and is non-GMO.^†

* Milk ingredients are derived from milk of non-rbST-treated cows, which is not different from milk of rbST-treated cows.

† Ingredients not genetically engineered.

Pure Bliss^® by Similac Irish Farms is not an organic baby formula. If you’re interested in formulas with organic ingredients, check out Pure Bliss^® by Similac Organic with A2 Milk and Pure Bliss^® by Similac Organic.

Pure Bliss^® by Similac Irish Farms infant formula starts with fresh milk from cows in Ireland, but it is not sold in Europe. Our Pure Bliss^® by Similac Irish Farms products are manufactured in Abbott’s Ireland plant that follows both FDA and EU (European Union) manufacturing regulations.

No, the ingredients are not better because they are from Europe. All ingredients in Pure Bliss^® by Similac Irish Farms must meet both FDA and EU ingredient requirements.

Infant: For baby’s first 12 months of life. 
Toddler: For children ages 12-36 months.

It is not recommended that children under the age of 12 months drink Pure Bliss^® by Similac Irish Farms Toddler Drink. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children under the age of 12 months consume breast milk or infant formula.

Yes, both the infant formula and toddler drink have DHA.

Products labeled “organic” must contain at least 95% organic ingredients, excluding water and salt. Similac Organic infant formulas contain at least 95% organic ingredients by weight (excluding water and salt) and therefore are classified as organic. Organic food and ingredients are produced without using most conventional pesticides or fertilizers made with synthetic ingredients.

Yes, Similac Organic formulas provide complete nutrition for a baby’s first year. Similac^® Organic uses similar ingredients to other Similac formulas, but the ingredients meet USDA organic standards.

We create organic formula options to give parents a choice. All our formulas provide complete nutrition for a baby’s first year. No clinical evidence is available to conclude that organic products are better or healthier than non-organic products.

Always check with your baby’s doctor when choosing a formula. All Similac brand infant formulas, including Pure Bliss^® by Similac Organic, are formulated to be easily digested.

All infant formulas sold in the US are regulated by the FDA. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) oversees the organic program.

No changes were made to the formulation. These products offer the same great nutrition, just with a new name and label.

A2 milk is milk sourced from select cows that only produce the A2 beta-casein protein type. A2 beta-casein is similar to a form of protein found in breast milk. Beta-casein is one of the predominant proteins in milk.

Consumers are increasingly interested in A2 milk. As with other milk proteins used in infant formulas, A2 milk protein is naturally easy to digest. Similac Organic with A2 milk is certified USDA organic formula that is inspired by breast milk and has lactose.

Pure Bliss^® by Similac Organic with A2 Milk is the first certified organic infant formula to be made with A2 milk.

Similac Organic with A2 Milk is made with milk from select cows that naturally produce only the A2 beta-casein protein type. A2 beta-casein protein is naturally easy to digest, like all beta-casein proteins.

The primary carbohydrate is lactose. The formulation also contains a prebiotic (fructooligosaccharide).

Similac Sensitive and Similac 360 Total Care Sensitive are milk-based formulas for infants with fussiness and gas due to lactose sensitivity. Additionally, Similac 360 Total Care Sensitive has 5 HMO prebiotics structurally identical to those in breast milk.

Pure Bliss^® by Similac Organic with A2 Milk is a milk-based formulation with A2 milk as the protein source. A2 milk comes from select cows that produce milk with only the A2 type of beta-casein protein. It is certified USDA organic and like all Similac infant formulas, it is easy to digest. It is not intended for infants with lactose sensitivity.

Similac Total Comfort and Pro-Total Comfort have partially hydrolyzed whey protein for easy digestion and are for infants with fussiness and gas due to lactose sensitivity. Additionally, Similac Pro-Total Comfort has 2’-FL HMO for immune support.
 

Pure Bliss^® by Similac Organic with A2 Milk is a USDA certified organic milk-based infant formula. Our A2 milk comes from select cows that produce milk with only the A2 beta-casein protein type. Like all other milk proteins used in infant formulas, A2 milk protein is easy to digest. It is not intended for infants with lactose sensitivity, nor does it contain a partially hydrolyzed protein or any HMO prebiotics.

In simple terms, genetic engineering is the science of making changes to the genes of plants or animals. One of the first genetically engineered foods in the US was the tomato. Food experts altered the plant to help a tomato stay fresh longer after being picked.

In the US, unless it’s organic, the milk is likely from cows that have consumed feed from genetically engineered sources. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), milk from cows fed feed from genetically engineered sources is not considered to be genetically engineered. Think of it this way—the food the cows eat may be from genetically engineered sources, but the milk they produce is not.

Our non-GMO and other formulas have the same ingredients; they just have different sources for the ingredients.

Many crops in the US are genetically engineered. Our US formulas not labeled non-GMO may contain ingredients from genetically engineered crops.

Our non-GMO and other formulas have the same ingredients; they just have different sources for the ingredients. These formulas provide the same nutrition—it’s really just a matter of what a parent prefers.

Yes. We work with our vendors to verify that all the ingredients in our products labeled non-GMO are not genetically engineered in accordance with US standards.

Absolutely. We’re a science-based company, so we always start with what science says. The science is clear—GMOs are safe. The FDA has stated that ingredients from genetically engineered crops are safe to use in foods.

* Ingredients not genetically engineered.

For women who are breastfeeding, an ideal diet includes a well-balanced variety of healthy foods, including dairy products, fruits, vegetables, grains, and proteins. Most women can maintain a healthy milk supply by taking in about 500 calories more per day than before becoming pregnant. It’s helpful to minimize the amount of empty-calorie foods and eat more nutrient-rich foods. It’s also important to talk with your doctor about their recommendation for a vitamin/mineral supplement. If you notice that your baby becomes upset after some feedings, talk with your baby's pediatrician. No one food or food group should be eliminated from your diet unless your baby has a clear reaction to a specific food.

You can continue giving your baby breast milk while you are away by expressing (pumping) breast milk to be bottle-fed. Many women pump during the day while at work and breastfeed when they are at home. 

When you return to work, you will need a breast pump, an appropriate location to pump, a place to store your breast milk (an insulated cooler with ice packs or a refrigerator/freezer), and breast milk storage bags/bottles. 

Before returning to work, talk with your employer about your need to pump and the things that will support you and your baby: break times to express your breast milk and a clean, private room (not a bathroom), where you can express milk and clean your pump parts. Your employer may already have an established lactation program to get you started. There are protections for pumping at work under the Fair Labor Standards Act, referred to as the Nursing Mothers Act, that may apply to your place of work. For more information, visit US Department of Labor.

Hospital-grade, double-sided electric breast pumps are available and provide the best way to express breast milk. Retailers also offer double electric pumps. Both are great options if you will be pumping on a regular basis. Some insurance programs offer reimbursement for breast pumps.

If you’re only going to be separated from your baby occasionally, you may consider purchasing a hand pump and/or consider learning how to express breast milk by hand.

For more information on breastfeeding, check out our Breastfeeding Basics.

Let them know they play an important role in feeding time. Studies show that with a partner’s support, breastfeeding is more successful and continues for a longer period of time. To start, they can help position you and baby for breastfeeding, provide you with a drink or snack while breastfeeding, and, if you’re expressing milk, they can take a turn and bottle-feed, which will allow them more time to bond with baby.

That depends on how much and how often. Many babies spit up a small amount after they’ve been fed. If you are concerned, talk with your baby’s pediatrician about your concerns. If your baby repeatedly spits up or vomits most of a feeding, or if you notice blood in the spit-up or vomit, call your baby’s pediatrician immediately.

Whether you’re feeding your baby with formula only or are breastfeeding and supplementing with formula, it’s important to know the basics of formula preparation and storage. Check out our Baby Bottle Basics to learn more about preparing formula.

Ideally, your baby’s stool should be soft. The stools of breastfed babies are usually yellow, soft/loose, and sometimes seedy. Interestingly, it’s been shown that infant formulas containing prebiotics may help soften stools of formula-fed infants to be more like breastfed infants’. For more information, check out our Diaper Decoder.

It's always best to consult with your baby's pediatrician before making formula changes. Switching between different brands of formula may be difficult for your baby to tolerate. Within one brand, you’ll often find a variety of infant formulas are available for different babies’ needs. Switching within one brand’s formulas may provide your baby with an easier adjustment.

If your baby experiences occasional fussiness or gas, ask your baby’s pediatrician about Similac^® 360 Total Care^® Sensitive or Similac^® Soy Isomil^®. 

Similac 360 Total Care Sensitive can help reduce fussiness and gas due to lactose sensitivity. Similac Soy Isomil is plant protein-based and lactose-free and may help alleviate some of these common feeding problems. In general, babies can take anywhere from 2 days to 2 weeks to adjust to a new formula, although some babies adjust right away. 

Some babies will grunt and strain when they have a bowel movement. This, by itself, doesn’t mean they are constipated. If your baby’s bowel movements look like formed, hard balls, try changing to a different form of the same brand of formula (for example, from powder to liquid). Check with your baby’s pediatrician if your baby’s stools continue to be hard after a few days, or if they cry or are extremely distressed with bowel movements.

Yes. Once or twice during a feeding, and after a feeding (usually for the first 6 months), you can help your baby remove swallowed air by burping them. Hold your baby upright against your shoulder, face down across your lap, or upright on your lap while you support their head and chest with your hand. (You will want to place a towel on your shoulder or across your lap or hand, in case more than air comes up.) Then gently pat or rub their back for a minute or so until they burp. Babies don’t always need to actually burp after a feeding, but they should have the opportunity to do so.

It is up to each state to determine which products they will offer through their WIC program. You should check with your local WIC agency to understand which formulas are available in your area.

* WIC is a service mark of the US Department of Agriculture, and an abbreviation for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children. Requires WIC state medical documentation form. WIC state approval is subject to change. No endorsement of any brand or product by the USDA is implied or intended.