Similac Advance and Similac 360 Total Care are not the same formula. They share the same core protein, fat, and carbohydrate sources, but Similac 360 Total Care is the newer product and includes a blend of five human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) that Similac Advance does not have. In practical terms, 360 Total Care is Abbott’s updated flagship formula, and Similac Advance is the older version it was designed to replace.
What the Two Formulas Have in Common
The base recipe is nearly identical. Both formulas use nonfat milk and whey protein concentrate as their protein sources, lactose as the primary carbohydrate, and the same trio of fats: high oleic safflower oil, soy oil, and coconut oil. Per 100 calories, both deliver roughly the same macronutrient profile, with Similac Advance listing 2.07 grams of protein, 5.6 grams of fat, and 10.7 grams of carbohydrate. Both are milk-based, iron-fortified formulas intended for healthy, full-term infants from birth through 12 months.
If your baby has been doing well on one and you’re wondering whether a switch would cause problems, the shared foundation means the transition is unlikely to be dramatic. The proteins, sugars, and fats your baby’s gut is already processing are the same in both.
The Key Difference: Five HMOs
The biggest distinction is what Similac 360 Total Care adds on top of that shared base. It contains five specific HMOs: 2′-fucosyllactose, lacto-N-tetraose, 3-fucosyllactose, 6′-sialyllactose, and 3′-sialyllactose. These are prebiotics that are structurally identical to oligosaccharides naturally found in breast milk. Similac Advance contains a different type of prebiotic (galactooligosaccharides) but none of these HMOs.
HMOs aren’t digested by the baby directly. Instead, they feed beneficial bacteria in the gut and interact with immune cells in the intestinal lining. Breast milk naturally contains over 150 different HMOs, and they’re considered one of the reasons breastfed babies tend to have distinct gut bacteria profiles compared to formula-fed infants. Adding five of the most abundant HMOs to formula is an attempt to narrow that gap.
Abbott points to a clinical study of 607 infants (fed either Similac 360 Total Care, a formula without HMOs, or breast milk through 12 months) to support claims around five specific benefits: normal growth, feeding tolerance, immune support, brain development in areas like language and social skills, and gut health. It’s worth noting that the presence of HMOs in formula is relatively new, and this is the manufacturer’s own study, but the science behind HMOs as beneficial prebiotics is well established in infant nutrition research.
Which One Is Available Now
Similac 360 Total Care is Abbott’s current primary formula line. Similac Advance has been gradually phased out of many retail shelves as 360 Total Care took its place. You may still find Advance in some stores, through online sellers, or in leftover stock, but it is no longer the actively promoted product. If you’re shopping for a new can and see both on the shelf, 360 Total Care is the one Abbott considers current.
Because Advance is being phased out, availability can be inconsistent. If your baby is currently on Similac Advance and you’re having trouble finding it, switching to 360 Total Care is the closest move you can make within the Similac lineup since the core ingredients are the same.
Does the Difference Matter for Your Baby?
If your baby is thriving on Similac Advance with no digestive issues, the HMOs in 360 Total Care are an upgrade but not an urgent one. Both formulas meet the same federal nutritional standards for infant formula. The added HMOs may offer incremental benefits for gut and immune health, but a baby who is growing well, tolerating feeds, and hitting milestones on Advance is not missing something critical.
On the other hand, if you’re choosing between the two for a newborn or starting formula for the first time, 360 Total Care reflects more current science on what makes breast milk beneficial. The five-HMO blend is the closest any Similac formula gets to mimicking the prebiotic profile of human milk. For parents who want the most updated formulation, it’s the straightforward choice.
Price is a practical consideration. Similac 360 Total Care typically costs a few dollars more per can than Advance did at the same size. The difference adds up over months of feeding, so whether the HMO upgrade is worth the extra cost depends on your budget and priorities.