Is Neocate and Elecare the same?

Milk protein allergy is common among two to four percent of infants and young children. This allergy occurs when the body’s immune system reacts to the protein found in some food substance which makes the baby exhibit some allergic symptoms. These symptoms could be rash, itchy skin, diarrhea, vomiting, reflux, coughing, noisy breathing, constipation, etc.

This allergy is hereditary; therefore, when a family member already has this allergy, there is a high possibility that a baby born into the family will develop the allergy too. Meanwhile, in a family where one of the parents has a milk protein allergy, it is easier to identify if the baby or the young child has it too.

Once a baby is diagnosed with milk protein allergy, feeding the baby and managing the symptoms becomes more manageable and smoother. This allergy is not a lifetime condition; it can be outgrown by more than half of the babies after their first year, whereas some might last up to their 6^th year. However, during the period which your baby or younger child has this allergy, you need to feed him/her with some other substances in other to ensure that your child grows well and adequately.

There are some products that you can feed to your baby or young child in place of cow milk, multiple food proteins, and other ingredients. Two out of these products are Neocate and Elecare, this product may look similar, but they are not.

Neocate

Neocate is a unique hypoallergenic formula made for babies and children allergic to cow milk, multiple food protein, soy, and other ingredients. The Neocate formula is an elemental formula which means that the protein in this formula has been broken down into amino acids.

Pediatricians recommend elemental formulas for babies and young children with milk protein allergies. Neocate is also recommended for short bowel syndrome, gastroesophageal reflux, enteral nutrition, parenteral nutrition, and many other conditions that require an amino acid diet.

Pros of Using Neocate

• Hypoallergenic

Neocate is less likely to cause your baby any allergic response, unlike other formulas; therefore, making this formula is soothing for your baby’s consumption.  

• Elemental

The ingredients used in making the Neocate formula are in their simplest form; hence, they are faster and easier to be processed and digested by your baby.

• Presence of Nucleotide

Neocate contains nucleotides that are suitable for a healthy and strong immune system.

• Amino Acid-based

Neocate contains amino acids, which are the end product of protein, and they are non-allergenic

• Nutritional Complete

Neocate contains all the crucial nutrients needed for the growth and development of your baby.

• Easy to Mix

Neocate formula is prepared in a simple 1:1 ratio which makes it easy and nice to make in a bottle. Neocate can also be used for tube feeding.

• GMO-free Certified

Neocate is certified to be 100% free of genetically modified organisms.

Cons of Using Neocate

• Very Expensive

Neocate is very expensive, and it can be difficult to continue paying for it if no one offers you help.

• Less Time Between Feed

Neocate is a little bit thinner than other formulas, therefore, making the time interval between each feed shorter than usual.

• Difficult to Clean the Bottle

Neocate is more oily therefore making the bottle surface difficult to clean

• Neocate also has a strong smell and taste.

Elecare

Elecare is an amino acid-based formula for babies that are intact or hydrolyzed protein intolerant. This formula is specially made for babies and younger children that are intolerant to cow milk, soy protein, and some other feed ingredients. Elecare is nutritionally complete, and it is purely amino acid-based; therefore, cow milk and soy intolerant babies can consume them.

Elecare formula contains ARAs and DHAs, which are very vital for the mental and visual development of the baby. Elecare does not contain gluten, so it is suitable for babies that have celiac disease.  This formula is hypoallergenic and has been clinically proven to support the growth of exclusively formula feed babies. Elecare also helps in managing systems that are constant with different food allergies and GI conditions.

Pros of Using Elecare

• Support Growth

Elecare is specially formulated to help the growth and development of babies who need it.

• Contains DHA and ARA

Elecare formula contains DHAs and ARAs for brain and eye development

• Amino acid-based Formula

 Elecare is not made from intact protein but 100% free amino acid for hydrolyzed protein intolerant babies.

• Nutritional Complete

Elecare contains all the vitamins and minerals needed for the healthy growth of the mind and body.

• Hypoallergenic

Elecare is not likely to cause any allergy attack; therefore, it is safe for your baby with the hydrolyzed syndrome.

• High Calories

Elecare is higher in calories, thereby making your baby’s tummies full for a long time.

• Elecare has other flavors to add few varieties to the tastes

Cons of Using Elecare

• Difficult to find

Elecare is a little bit harder to find, and during the holiday period, delivery is slow.

• Presence of corn

Although Elecare is based on protein, it contains corn which could be harmful if your baby is intolerant to corn.

• Elecare is very expensive
• Elecare has a strong smell and taste.
• The formula of Elecare is not simple to mix.

Differences

Neocate and Elecare may seem similar, but certain things differentiate them. The following are some of their differences under some categories

• GMO Organism

Neocate is entirely free of GMO organism, whereas Elecare is not

• Smell

Elecare does not exude any smell, whereas Neocate emits a strong smell

• Taste

Elecare tastes excellent, while Neocate does not taste that good.

• Bowel Movement

During the digestion of Neocate, they are changes in the body’s bowel movements, whereas, for Elecare, there are no changes.

• Color of Stool

For Neocate, there are changes in the color of stool, whereas, for Elecare, there are no changes. Neocate contains all the nutrients needed for your baby’s development, whereas Elecare contains some nutrients found in Neocate.

• Price

Elecare is cheaper than Neocate.

Conclusion

Neocate and Elecare may not be the same; but they have one common objective, which is to supplement for babies and young children with milk protein allergies. Also, Neocate and Elecare may have slight differences, but they both meet up to the legal requirement.