Neocate Splash vs EleCare Jr: Amino Acid-Based Drinks Compared

These are medical foods. Use them only under the guidance of your child's doctor or dietitian, and don't switch formulas without checking with them first.

If your child already drinks an amino acid-based formula, you've probably wondered if the carton or the can makes life easier. Below is a plain side-by-side of Neocate Splash and EleCare Jr, a quick look at Neocate Junior and PurAmino Jr, what other parents say, and how to buy by the case.

Side-by-side comparison

Numbers come from each manufacturer's product page in October 2026. Powder numbers are for the standard mix of 30 calories per fl oz. Formulas change, so always check the label on what you have.

A few things stand out:

• Format is the big one. Splash needs no water, no scoop and no shaker bottle. The powders need all three, but one can makes a lot more formula and takes up less space.
• Flavor choice is wider with Splash. Five flavors, three of them fruity. EleCare Jr and PurAmino Jr come in unflavored and vanilla only.
• Per cup, the nutrition is close. At standard mixing, all four sit near 1 calorie per mL with about 7 g of protein per 8 oz. Your child's care team may mix powders stronger or weaker, which changes those numbers.

Neocate Splash Junior

Neocate Splash is Nutricia's ready-to-drink amino acid-based formula. Nutricia renamed it Neocate Splash Junior to line it up with Neocate Junior powder. The age range didn't change, so if your box looks different, that's likely why.

Each 8 fl oz (237 mL) carton has 237 calories, 7.1 g of protein equivalent, 12.1 g of fat and 24.9 g of carbohydrate. It's made for ages 1 and up and works by mouth or through a feeding tube. Nutricia sells it 27 cartons to a case.

Flavors: Unflavored, Grape, Orange-Pineapple, Tropical Fruit and Vanilla.

Storage: Unopened cartons can sit at room temperature in a cool, dry place. Once opened, Nutricia says to refrigerate and use within 24 hours. If your child drinks straight from the carton, use it within 1 hour. For tube feeding, Nutricia says hang time shouldn't go past 4 hours.

Good to know: Nutricia says Neocate Splash Junior and Neocate Junior powder can be used interchangeably. Your care team decides which fits best. Many families keep Splash for school, daycare and car rides, and use powder at home.

Shop Neocate Splash Junior Tropical Fruit | Shop Neocate Splash Junior Unflavored, case of 27

EleCare Jr

EleCare Jr from Abbott is an amino acid-based powder in a 14.1 oz (400 g) can. Abbott lists 493 calories and 14.4 g of protein equivalent per 100 g of powder, which works out to roughly 1,970 calories per can. It's made for ages 1 and up and can be used by mouth or by tube.

Flavors: Unflavored and Vanilla.

Mixing: At the standard 30 calories per fl oz, Abbott's guide uses 4 level scoops in 5 fl oz of water, or 6 scoops in 7.5 fl oz. Abbott suggests weighing the powder for the most accurate results. Always follow the recipe your child's care team gave you.

Label notes: Abbott says EleCare Jr doesn't contain milk protein, soy protein, lactose or gluten. The ingredient list does include soy oil.

Storage: Keep cans at room temperature. Once mixed, refrigerate and use within 24 hours. Once a feeding starts, use it within 1 hour.

Good to know: SaveMedical doesn't carry EleCare Jr right now. If your child uses it, talk to your care team before trying anything else.

Neocate Junior and PurAmino Jr: two other powders

Neocate Junior is Nutricia's powder version. It comes in Unflavored, Vanilla, Strawberry and Chocolate. The flavored ones have added prebiotic fiber, and the unflavored one doesn't. You mix 1 level scoop per 1 fl oz of water, and one can makes about 64 fl oz. Nutricia says it's dairy free, made in a milk protein-free facility and has no added soy oil. It suggests serving it chilled when kids drink it.

PurAmino Jr from Mead Johnson comes in Unflavored and Vanilla. Each can makes about 65 fl oz, or 1,950 calories, at 30 calories per fl oz. It's lactose free, contains soy oil and includes DHA. Mead Johnson says an opened can should be used within 1 month.

We also carry Alfamino Junior from Nestle, another amino acid-based powder for kids that works by mouth or by tube.

What parents say

We read through parent discussions on Reddit (r/FormulaFeeders, r/Parenting, r/MSPI and others) and retailer reviews. Here's what came up most. These are personal experiences, not advice, and every child is different.

• Taste is personal. Some people describe Splash as a slightly milky juice. Grape gets named as a favorite a lot, with Orange-Pineapple close behind. Unflavored Splash gets the most "no thanks."
• Splash can win over kids who refuse the milky taste. One parent suggested trying Splash for a child who wouldn't drink Neocate Junior powder because it tasted too much like milk.
• Some kids lean one way or the other. A few parents said their child took to EleCare better. Others said Neocate went down easier. There's no clear winner.
• Parents try a lot of flavor tricks. Syrups, flavor drops and chilling all come up. Anything you add changes what your child is getting, so check with your dietitian first.
• Convenience is the top reason families pick Splash. No measuring, no water and easy to pack. Cost is the top complaint.
• Shortages made backup plans common. During the 2022 formula shortage, EleCare was very hard to find. One parent shared a list their dietitian gave them that included Neocate Junior, Neocate Splash, PurAmino Jr and Alfamino Junior. Many families now keep a little extra on hand.
• Insurance is all over the map. Parents describe getting coverage through a prescription and an in-network medical supplier, often after a prior authorization or a letter of medical necessity. Others were denied, got partial coverage or appealed. WIC rules vary by state. Several parents asked their GI office for samples while they waited.

Switching or buying: questions for your care team

If you're thinking about moving between a carton and a powder, or between brands, bring these to your child's doctor or dietitian:

1. Is my child's formula mixed at standard strength, or a different concentration?
2. If we use Splash, how many cartons a day match what my child gets now?
3. Can we use cartons for school and powder at home, or should we stick to one?
4. Are there ingredients we need to watch, like soy oil?
5. Is it okay to add flavoring, and if so, what kind?
6. For tube feeding, does this work with our pump, tube size and hang time?
7. Will you write a prescription or a Letter of Medical Necessity for insurance or FSA/HSA?

Write down the exact product name. Neocate Splash Junior, Neocate Junior and Neocate Syneo Junior are three different products, and the names are easy to mix up.

Buying by the case and Autoship

Most families go through these formulas quickly, so a case usually makes sense.

• Neocate Splash Junior: case of 27 cartons
• Alfamino Junior: case of 6 cans

A few tips from what parents share:

• Order before you're down to your last few. A little extra on hand makes a late delivery less stressful.
• Check dates when the case arrives. Move older cartons to the front.
• Keep a few cartons in the car or school bag. Unopened Splash doesn't need the fridge.

Autoship, our automatic delivery program, lets you get eligible items every 1, 2 or 3 months and save 5%. You can skip, change or cancel anytime. Both Neocate Splash Junior listings and Alfamino Junior are Autoship eligible.

Free shipping on orders $75+. Applied automatically at checkout.

Use your FSA or HSA. Many medical foods qualify. Some require a Letter of Medical Necessity from your provider.

You can browse all of our nutrition and feeding products, plus tubes, bags and other enteral feeding supplies. Questions? Call us at 866-420-6997.

FAQ

Is Neocate Splash the same as EleCare Jr? No. They're made by different companies. Neocate Splash Junior is a ready-to-drink carton from Nutricia. EleCare Jr is a powder from Abbott that you mix with water. Per 8 oz at standard mixing, calories and protein are close. Talk to your child's care team before switching.

What's the difference between Neocate Splash and Neocate Splash Junior? It's the same product line with a new name. Nutricia added "Junior" to match Neocate Junior powder. It's still for ages 1 and up.

Does EleCare Jr come in a ready-to-drink carton? Not that we could find. Abbott lists EleCare Jr as a powder in Unflavored and Vanilla. If your family wants a carton, ask your care team whether Neocate Splash Junior is an option.

How many calories are in a carton of Neocate Splash? Each 8 fl oz (237 mL) carton has 237 calories and 7.1 g of protein equivalent.

Can Neocate Splash be used for tube feeding? Yes. Nutricia labels it for drinking or tube feeding. It says hang time shouldn't go past 4 hours. Follow your care team's feeding plan.

Will insurance cover Neocate Splash or EleCare Jr? Sometimes. It depends on your plan, your state's Medicaid or WIC rules and the paperwork from your child's provider. Many families go through a medical supplier when it's covered and pay out of pocket when it isn't.

Product details come from the manufacturers' websites as of October 2026: Nutricia (Neocate Splash Junior), Abbott Nutrition (EleCare Jr) and Mead Johnson (PurAmino Jr). Always check the label on your product for the most current information.