Comparing the pros and cons of formula milk: Meiji and Aptamil? Which milk is better?

Both Meiji and Aptamil are two powdered milk brands that mothers trust for the health and development of infants. These milks boast notable advantages such as enhancing immunity and supporting intellectual development. However, many mothers still find it challenging to choose between the two. In the following article, we will compare Meiji and Aptamil powdered milk in detail to provide a clearer understanding.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of Meiji and Aptamil powdered milk?

During the first two years of life, breast milk is always the best source of nutrition for the health and comprehensive development of infants. However, in cases where breast milk does not provide the necessary amount of milk for the baby each day or when the mother is taking medication, supplementing with formula milk is the optimal method for the baby's health.

Aptamil and Meiji formula milks are highly regarded for their essential nutrient supplementation for the development of infants.

However, every type of formula milk has its own pros and cons, including Aptamil and Meiji. Aptamil is the number one formula milk brand from Europe, while Meiji is the number one formula milk brand from Asia. Which type of milk is more suitable for the health and development of Vietnamese children?

Is Aptamil good? How many types of Aptamil are there?

In the Vietnamese market, Aptamil formula milk has four types: Aptamil from the UK, Aptamil from Germany, Aptamil from Australia, and Aptamil from New Zealand. Aptamil from the UK and Aptamil from New Zealand are imported directly by exclusive distributors, while Aptamil from Germany and Aptamil from Australia are usually imported as parallel imports.

However, the most popular one currently is Aptamil from New Zealand. This milk is produced with a special formula, applying Done's exclusive Synbiotic formula. It is a perfect combination of Prebiotics GOS:FOS (9:1) and Probiotic Bifidobacterium. It helps restore the gut microbiota of newborns, especially those born by Caesarean section.

So, what are the prominent advantages of Aptamil compared to Meiji milk that mothers should consider? Aptamil has gained the trust of breastfeeding mothers because of the following outstanding advantages:

• Aptamil formula milk is similar to breast milk due to its special feature, IMMUNORTIS - a combination of natural probiotics present in breast milk that stimulates the growth of beneficial bacteria in the baby's gut to protect health and fight against harmful bacteria.
• Aptamil formula milk supplements 13 essential vitamins crucial for body growth.
• Aptamil formula does not contain Gluten: Gluten is a poorly absorbed protein component that can cause allergies in children and may lead to digestive disorders such as diarrhea, slow weight gain, or poor weight gain.
• Good digestive support for babies: The nutritional composition of Aptamil formula milk is balanced, free from hard-to-digest nutrients. Specifically, the formula contains partially hydrolyzed whey protein, which aids quick absorption and reduces the risk of allergies. The large amount of Prebiotics (FOS/GOS) in Aptamil formula milk helps increase gut-friendly bacteria for better digestion. Therefore, babies have softer, more comfortable bowel movements.
• High levels of Vitamin C and Vitamin D, seven times higher than cow's milk: providing a strong foundation to boost immunity and enhance the body's resistance.
• Nucleotides: essential for growth, development, and cellular protection against strong activating factors.
• Provides a complete set of minerals such as calcium, iron, zinc, magnesium,... necessary for the strong growth of babies.

• High levels of calcium and iron, much higher than regular cow's milk, so mothers don't have to worry about their children's height.
• Good DHA supplementation for baby's brain: The Aptamil UK formula milk is more effective in brain development (contains DHA) than Aptamil Germany.
• Pleasant, mild, and easy-to-drink taste that is similar to the taste of breast milk.
• Quickly soluble milk: With the most advanced and modern production technology in Europe, the milk has high solubility, requiring only gentle shaking to dissolve completely.

Disadvantages of Aptamil 

Compared to Meiji milk, Aptamil has some minor drawbacks that mothers need to consider when choosing:

The criterion of weight gain seems to have become a measure of how well mothers take care of their babies. Therefore, the criterion of 'weight gain' always appears in the thoughts of mothers.

Hence, all criteria such as refreshing milk, easy-to-drink milk flavor, easy absorption, nutritional richness, etc., are highly satisfactory to mothers. However, in terms of the weight gain effectiveness of Aptamil, it receives very little satisfaction from mothers because Aptamil does not promote significant weight gain.

Is Meiji milk from Japan good?

Meiji milk is a nutritional product of the renowned Japanese Meiji Corporation - a brand with over 100 years of history in producing high-quality nutritional foods. Compared to Aptamil, Meiji milk also has outstanding advantages trusted by Vietnamese mothers.

Meiji milk, both powder and bar forms

• Meiji milk formula has been researched for 30 years based on the nutrition for babies and the components of breast milk with a well-balanced nutritional content.
• Meiji milk supplements GOS fiber and Nucleotides found in breast milk, helping babies absorb nutrients optimally, excreting excess substances, resulting in good output without overheating or constipation.
• Provides a full range of minerals (Calcium, Iron, Zinc,...), vitamins (A, B, C, D, K, E,...), and DHA for comprehensive physical and intellectual development of babies. The well-balanced formula ensures even physical development (height, weight).
• Nucleotides, Taurine, along with minerals enhance immunity and resistance for babies.
• Well-balanced DHA - ARA content for baby's brain and vision.
• Natural, gentle, and refreshing milk flavor like breast milk, with an equivalent formula to breast milk, making it easy for babies to adapt to and without causing allergies.
• Meiji milk dissolves quickly when mixed.

Meiji milk, both powder and bar forms

Drawbacks of Meiji milk

Similar to Aptamil milk, Japanese milk also evenly distributes nutrients for comprehensive body development, so it doesn't focus too much on the baby's weight gain. Therefore, monitoring the baby's monthly weight chart shows a generally upward trend but with not much fluctuation. Hence, mothers often complain that babies drinking Meiji milk don't gain much weight.

Moreover, the method of preparing Meiji milk is different from that of Europe and Vietnam. Therefore, mothers need to pay attention to the milk preparation method to ensure the nutritional content in the milk and the safety of the baby's digestive system. Mothers should carefully read the instructions before preparing Meiji milk in powder or bar form.

Detailed comparison of Meiji and Aptamil milk 

What similarities do Meiji and Aptamil milk share?

Both Aptamil and Meiji milk share the common feature of supporting comprehensive development for babies rather than focusing solely on weight or height gain.

Additionally, both Meiji and Aptamil milk have similar price ranges, relatively suitable for the financial conditions of many parents. Moreover, both Aptamil and Meiji milk have a long-standing development history, suitable for the physiological characteristics of Vietnamese children, so they are trusted choices for many parents.

Speaking of the nutritional content in Aptamil and Meiji milk, both products contain significantly superior nutrients compared to other milk brands, including Nucleotides, DHA, minerals, vitamins, fats, and more.

Differentiating Features of Aptamil and Meiji milk 

Origin

Meiji milk exclusively carries the Meiji brand from Japan, whereas Aptamil milk comes in four different types: Aptamil NewZealand, Aptamil Australia, Aptamil Germany, and Aptamil UK.

Canned Milk Form 

• Aptamil milk available in the market is in powdered form packed in iron cans weighing 380g and 900g.
• Compared to Aptamil, Meiji milk is available in both bar and powdered forms, providing convenience for mothers and babies. Meiji milk cans come in 800g weight. Meiji bars weigh 28g each, packed in paper boxes weighing 432g, 448g, 648g, 672g.

Identification Features

Aptamil NewZealand, Germany, and UK have packaging in white-blue, while Aptamil Australia comes in white-silver packaging. Additionally, Aptamil offers Aptamil Essensis with green packaging. On the other hand, Meiji milk is packaged in pink and yellow with a prominent red brand logo. Meiji bars are packed in pink and green paper boxes.

Functions of Aptamil and Meiji Milk

Due to the different functions of Australian Aptamil and New Zealand Aptamil, when choosing between Australian Aptamil, New Zealand Aptamil, or Meiji milk, mothers should refer to the following comparisons:

Comparison between Meiji and Australian Aptamil 

Meiji milk supports comprehensive development in terms of height, weight, and brain function. However, it stands out with the additional function of providing DHA and ARA to support children's brain development, making them smarter and more active.

Australian Aptamil provides various essential minerals and vitamins for the baby's development. Like Meiji milk, Australian Aptamil is highly regarded for its function in supporting brain development and vision.

Both Meiji and Australian Aptamil share the common feature of containing high levels of DHA and ARA, which help children become smarter and more agile. However, they do not effectively support weight gain in children.

Comparison between Meiji and Aptamil New Zealand

Both Meiji and Aptamil New Zealand share the common feature of having high fiber content and a mild taste similar to breast milk.

Both types of milk contain high levels of nucleotides, especially the GOS/FOS fiber system, which supports healthy digestion in infants. This fiber system also helps infants absorb nutrients more effectively to foster a healthy body and boost immunity.

Compared to Meiji milk, Aptamil New Zealand has a more prominent function as it is specifically designed for cesarean-born babies. Aptamil New Zealand is suitable for the delicate and weak intestinal system of cesarean-born babies, restoring gut microbiota and reducing allergy symptoms in infants.

Aptamil New Zealand provides a complete supply of Probiotics and Prebiotics in its composition, promoting better development of the baby's digestive system.

Choosing between Meiji and Aptamil for your baby

Every baby is different, so Aptamil may suit one but not the other, and the same goes for Meiji. Both Aptamil and Meiji have their own pros and cons according to the needs of Vietnamese children.

Furthermore, both Meiji and Aptamil have formulas that support comprehensive development for babies, but neither can compare to breast milk. Therefore, mothers should prioritize exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months and only consider using formula when the baby starts complementary feeding at 6 months old.

However, each type of formula has its own outstanding feature that mothers should consider when choosing. If mothers want to improve their baby's weight, they may prioritize choosing Meiji. Conversely, Aptamil does not focus on weight gain but effectively increases height for babies. Therefore, Meiji and Aptamil are always the 'brain' choices for mothers when choosing formula for their babies.

Aptamil and Meiji – which formula is more affordable?

In addition to functionality, the price of formula is also a factor that many mothers care about when choosing between these two formulas for their babies. Compared to the general market, Meiji Japan formula is more budget-friendly, suitable for many mothers. Moreover, Meiji Japan formula is packaged in bar form, bringing more convenience for mothers and babies when going out. Currently, Meiji Japan formula is priced from 300,000 to 550,000 VND on the market.

Regarding Aptamil formula, Aptamil Newzealand formula is currently widely available and popular in the Vietnamese market. The price of the product ranges from 285,000 to 640,000 VND.

Where to buy genuine formula for your baby?

To purchase genuine Meiji and Aptamil formula for your baby, mothers can choose to buy Meiji and Aptamil formula at Mytour mother and baby stores. Aptamil and Meiji formulas are carefully quality-checked and sourced before being supplied to the market.