Infant formula, Similac Sensitive, powder, made with bottled water
Common food
Photo: Wikipedia
A specialized infant formula powder designed for babies with sensitive tummies, typically mixed with bottled water. It has a mild, slightly sweet, milky taste with a fine, easily dissolvable powder texture. Its key nutritional feature is a reduced-lactose, partially hydrolyzed whey protein base, providing 65 kcal and 3.53g of fat per 100g of prepared formula.
Calorie split: 9% protein · 43% carbs · 49% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
Parents love it for bringing peace to fussy, gassy babies and for the noticeable reduction in digestive discomfort. It's trusted as a reliable, science-backed solution that allows sensitive infants to feed comfortably.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
It is not suitable for infants with confirmed cow's milk protein allergy (requires an amino-acid-based formula) and is a premium-priced product. The partially hydrolyzed proteins can have a slightly bitter aftertaste that some babies may initially reject; mixing with a small amount of familiar formula and gradually increasing can help with the transition.
Key benefits
- Partially hydrolyzed whey protein for easier digestion
- Reduced lactose content to ease fussiness and gas
- Fortified with DHA and ARA for brain and eye development
- Provides complete nutrition for infants with sensitivities
- Designed to reduce common feeding issues like spit-up
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The 'sensitive' designation primarily refers to the reduced lactose content, not the protein structure, though the protein is also partially broken down for easier digestion.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 87.7 g |
| Energy | 65.0 kcal |
| Protein | 1.4 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 3.5 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 7.0 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 0.00 g |
| Total Sugars | 7.0 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 63.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 1.2 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 6.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 37.0 mg |
| Potassium, K | 70.0 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 22.0 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.49 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.06 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 1.1 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 5.7 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.07 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.10 mg |
| Niacin | 0.69 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.04 mg |
| Folate, total | 9.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 9.0 ug |
| Folate, food | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 16.0 ug |
| Choline, total | 15.1 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.16 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.16 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 59.0 ug |
| Retinol | 59.0 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.89 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.89 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 1.2 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 5.2 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 2.3 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.98 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.54 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.31 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.14 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 0.22 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.10 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 0.36 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 0.36 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 0.79 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 0.69 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.08 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.02 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.01 g |
| Cholesterol | 2.0 mg |
FAQ
How is this different from regular Similac?
Similac Sensitive uses a different carbohydrate blend (corn syrup solids instead of lactose) and partially hydrolyzed whey protein, making it easier to digest for babies with fussiness, gas, or spit-up related to lactose sensitivity or protein digestion.
Can I use this for a baby with a diagnosed milk allergy?
No. This formula is for lactose sensitivity or general fussiness. For a confirmed cow's milk protein allergy, a doctor must prescribe an extensively hydrolyzed or amino-acid-based formula.
Why use bottled water instead of tap?
Using bottled water is a parental choice, often for taste consistency or concerns about local tap water quality. It's not a requirement of the formula; boiled and cooled tap water is generally safe if it meets local drinking standards.
Nutrient density (calculated · NRF9.3)
Nutrient Rich Foods index: beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals) minus saturated fat, added sugar & sodium, per 100 kcal.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 0.65 kcal/g · 9% calories from protein · 0.0 g fiber · 7.0 g sugar per 100 g.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Dietary load (calculated from USDA values)
Potential renal acid load. Positive = acid-forming, negative = alkaline-forming.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 0.31 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.