GUIDE
Similac vs. Parent's Choice
Parent's Choice meets the same FDA nutritional standards as Similac and costs 40–50% less. The price difference is marketing and proprietary ingredients — not safety.
Walmart's Parent's Choice infant formula is made by Perrigo, the largest store-brand formula manufacturer in the U.S. It is available at every Walmart location and on Walmart.com, making it one of the most accessible budget formulas in the country.
The Honest Starting Point
If you are comparing Similac and Parent's Choice at Walmart, here is the essential fact: both formulas meet the same FDA nutritional standards. The FDA regulates all infant formula under 21 CFR 107, requiring minimum and maximum levels for 29 nutrients. Parent's Choice must pass the same testing as Similac before it reaches the shelf.
Parent's Choice is manufactured by Perrigo, the largest store-brand formula producer in the United States. Perrigo makes formula in FDA-inspected facilities and supplies store brands to Walmart, Costco, Target, and Sam's Club. These are not unregulated generics — they are well-manufactured products held to the same federal standards as name brands.
The $15-per-can difference between Similac and Parent's Choice reflects marketing, hospital distribution contracts, and proprietary ingredient additions — not a difference in safety or base nutritional quality.
For a broader look at feeding schedules, see our baby feeding chart.
| Feature | Similac 360 Total Care | Parent's Choice | What It Means |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Abbott Laboratories | Perrigo (for Walmart) | Both are established manufacturers with FDA-inspected facilities |
| Protein source | Nonfat milk, whey protein concentrate | Nonfat milk, whey protein concentrate | Same base proteins |
| Fat source | High oleic safflower, soy, coconut oils (no palm olein) | Palm olein, soy, coconut, high oleic safflower oils | Similac is palm-olein-free. Parent's Choice uses palm olein. |
| Carbohydrate source | Lactose | Lactose | Same primary carbohydrate |
| Signature ingredient | 2'-FL HMO (human milk oligosaccharide) | None | Similac's HMO is a prebiotic with promising but limited evidence of benefit in formula |
| DHA/ARA | Yes, from algal oil | Yes, from algal and fungal oils | Both include DHA and ARA |
| FDA approved | Yes | Yes | Both meet all FDA requirements under 21 CFR 107 |
| Price per oz (powder) | ~$1.10–$1.30/oz prepared | ~$0.70–$0.85/oz prepared | Parent's Choice costs roughly 40–50% less |
| Available at | Grocery stores, pharmacies, Amazon, Walmart, Target | Walmart stores and Walmart.com | Both are widely available. Parent's Choice at every Walmart location. |
| WIC eligible | Yes (varies by state) | Yes (varies by state) | Check your state's WIC-approved formula list |
The Ingredient Differences That Actually Matter
Two real differences are worth understanding: the proprietary additions and the fat source.
2'-FL HMO: Similac's marketing headline
Similac 360 Total Care includes 2'-FL HMO, a human milk oligosaccharide that functions as a prebiotic. This is a real compound found in breast milk, and early research suggests it may support gut health and immune development. However, the evidence that adding isolated HMO to formula produces measurable long-term benefits in healthy babies is still limited.
Parent's Choice does not include HMO. This does not make it nutritionally incomplete — it means it lacks one specific bioactive addition above the FDA baseline.
Fat source: the palm olein difference
Parent's Choice uses palm olein oil in its fat blend. Similac does not, and markets this distinction. Some research links palm olein to slightly firmer stools and modestly reduced calcium absorption. For most babies, this will not be noticeable. If your baby tends toward constipation, the fat source difference may be worth considering.
The nutrition that matters most
The protein, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, and caloric density — the components that actually feed and grow your baby — are equivalent between the two formulas. Both provide the same nutritional foundation that supports healthy development.
What the Marketing Doesn't Tell You
Every infant formula sold in the United States must meet the same FDA nutritional standards. The $15-per-can difference between Similac and Parent's Choice is not buying better nutrition — it is buying branding, hospital sample contracts, and proprietary ingredient additions with limited proven benefit.
Abbott (Similac's parent company) spends heavily on hospital distribution agreements. The formula sample in your discharge bag was a marketing decision, not a medical recommendation. Parent's Choice does not have hospital contracts or national advertising campaigns. Those costs stay out of the can.
Walmart's Parent's Choice line is available at more than 4,700 Walmart locations across the U.S., plus Walmart.com with delivery options. For many families, especially in rural areas, Walmart is the most accessible retailer — making Parent's Choice not just cheaper but also more convenient than specialty or premium formulas.
The AAP does not recommend name-brand formula over store-brand formula. Both are considered nutritionally appropriate for healthy infants.
| Product | Typical Price | Cost Per Oz (Prepared) | Monthly Estimate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Similac 360 Total Care (powder, 20.6 oz) | $33–$38 | ~$1.20/oz prepared | ~$150–$175/month |
| Parent's Choice Infant Formula (powder, 22.2 oz) | $16–$22 | ~$0.75/oz prepared | ~$95–$120/month |
| Annual savings switching to Parent's Choice | — | ~$0.45/oz saved | ~$550–$780/year saved |
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Taste, Mixing, and Practical Differences
Beyond the ingredient list, here is what parents notice in daily use.
Taste: Similac and Parent's Choice taste slightly different. Babies who have been on one brand for several weeks may notice the change. Most adjust within a few days.
Mixing: Both dissolve in water without significant difficulty. Some parents report Parent's Choice can be slightly foamier when shaken — using a formula pitcher or letting the bottle settle for a minute helps.
Packaging: Parent's Choice comes in a standard tub. Similac offers more format options (powder, liquid concentrate, ready-to-feed). If you need ready-to-feed formula for convenience, Similac has that option while Parent's Choice primarily offers powder.
Availability: Parent's Choice is available at every Walmart store and on Walmart.com. No membership required. Similac is available virtually everywhere. For day-to-day convenience, both are easy to find.
WIC eligibility: Both Similac and Parent's Choice are WIC-eligible in many states, though approved brands vary by state contract. If you receive WIC benefits, check your state's approved list — this may be the deciding factor.
When to Talk to Your Pediatrician
Switching from Similac to Parent's Choice should not require a doctor's visit for most healthy babies. However, contact your pediatrician if your baby shows signs of formula intolerance after switching.
Signs to Discuss With Your Pediatrician
- Your baby is consistently refusing feeds or eating significantly less than expected
- Persistent vomiting (not just spit-up) after most feedings
- Blood or mucus in stools
- Significant fussiness that does not improve after 1–2 weeks on a new formula
- Poor weight gain or weight loss
- Signs of allergic reaction: hives, facial swelling, wheezing, or difficulty breathing (seek immediate care)
Most formula discomfort (mild gas, occasional spit-up) is normal and does not require a formula change. Give any new formula at least 1–2 weeks before deciding it is not working. If you are tracking symptoms, bring that data to your appointment.
The Bottom Line
Parent's Choice meets the same FDA nutritional standards as Similac and costs 40–50% less. The base nutrition is equivalent. What you give up is Similac's 2'-FL HMO and palm-olein-free fat blend. What you gain is significant monthly savings.
Choose Similac if: you want the HMO prebiotic addition, you prefer a palm-olein-free formula, your baby is thriving on it, or your WIC program specifically covers it.
Choose Parent's Choice if: you want to save $50–65 per month without compromising FDA-regulated nutrition, you shop at Walmart regularly, and your baby has no specific tolerance issues requiring a specialty formula.
Either works well if: your baby is healthy, full-term, and growing normally. The AAP does not recommend one over the other.
If you are switching formulas, tracking feeds and symptoms for 1–2 weeks gives you a clear before-and-after picture. tinylog logs feeds, diapers, and fussiness so you can share real data with your pediatrician.
For more store-brand comparisons, see Enfamil vs. Parent's Choice and cheapest baby formulas. For the name-brand head-to-head, see Enfamil vs. Similac.
Related Guides
- Best Baby Formulas 2026 — An evidence-based guide
- Cheapest Formulas — Options that meet every nutritional standard
Sources
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. "21 CFR Part 107 — Infant Formula." Code of Federal Regulations.
- American Academy of Pediatrics. "Choosing an Infant Formula." HealthyChildren.org, 2024.
- Marriage BJ, et al. "Infants fed a lower calorie formula with 2'-FL show growth and 2'-FL uptake similar to breastfed infants." Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, 2015.
- Alarcon PA, et al. "Effect of individual fatty acids on calcium absorption in infant formulas." Food and Nutrition Research, 2017.
- U.S. FDA. "Infant Formula Guidance Documents and Regulatory Information." fda.gov, 2023.
- Perrigo Company. "Infant Formula Manufacturing." perrigo.com, 2025.
This guide is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Formula recommendations should be discussed with your pediatrician, especially for babies with allergies, reflux, or other medical conditions.