Key Differences Between Enfamil Gentlease and Similac Pro-Sensitive
| Enfamil Gentlease | Similac Pro-Sensitive | |
|---|---|---|
| Milk Source | Partly Hydrolyzed Milk | Milk Protein Isolate |
| Carbohydrates | Corn Syrup Solids | Corn Syrup Solids + extra sugar |
| Fat & Oil Content | Contains Palm Olein | No Palm Olein |
| Cognitive Development | Essential nutrients, DHA | DHA, Lutein, Vitamin E |
| Prebiotics/Probiotics | Not Specified | Contains 2′-FL HMO prebiotic |
| ⭐ Overall Recommendation | Choose if baby has trouble digesting cow’s milk protein | First choice due to healthier fat profile and presence of prebiotic |
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In this article, we’ll compare two popular sensitive formulas: Enfamil Gentlease vs Similac Pro-Sensitive.
We will analyze their ingredients and nutritional composition, so you can make an informed decision and choose the best one for your baby.
Let’s get after it!
*Related reads: Enfamil Sensitive vs Similac Sensitive
Enfamil Neuropro Gentlease vs Similac Pro Sensitive
Our Short Answer
Enfamil Gentlease and Similac Pro-Sensitive have their pros and cons.
Both are designed to be easy to digest but have specific features to be aware of.
Here’s our opinion.
If we had to choose one of the two formulas, we would choose Similac Pro-Sensitive for the following reasons:
1. it does not contain palm olein, having a healthier fat profile that will help with calcium absorption.
2. It contains 2′-FL HMO, a prebiotic that breast milk has, highly beneficial for babies’ microbiota.
That said, Enfamil Gentlease should be your choice if your baby has a hard time digesting cow’s milk protein, as it is a partially hydrolyzed formula.
We recommend trying Similac Pro-Sensitive first, and if symptoms do not improve, then try a hydrolyzed formula.
Additionally, we always recommend trying a goat’s milk formula, which can often help during digestion (only if your baby does not have CMPA).
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Overview of the Two Formulas
Enfamil Gentlease eases common feeding issues and supports cognitive development with DHA.
Similac Pro-Sensitive is for lactose sensitivity, strengthens the immune system with 2′-FL HMO, and promotes brain and eye development. It avoids palm olein oil for better calcium absorption.
Enfamil Gentlease
Enfamil Gentlease is a well-known baby formula trusted by parents and pediatricians in the US.
It is scientifically formulated to help ease common feeding issues like fussiness, gas, and spit-up within 24 hours.
Rich in DHA for brain development, this formula comprises essential nutrients found in breast milk engineered to support cognitive development in babies during their first year.
Similac Pro-Sensitive
Similac Pro-Sensitive is designed with tender tummies in mind, particularly babies with fussiness and gas due to lactose sensitivity.
This formula goes beyond just easing digestive comfort; it also includes 2′-FL HMO—an immune-nourishing prebiotic found in breast milk—strengthening your baby’s developing immune system.
To support brain and eye development, Similac Pro-Sensitive features an exclusive blend of DHA, lutein, and vitamin E—all vital ingredients seen in breast milk.
Similac Pro-Sensitive abstains from palm olein oil, ensuring excellent calcium absorption for strong bones.
Nutritional Composition
Enfamil Gentlease has partially hydrolyzed nonfat milk and whey protein concentrate solids, providing 2.3g of protein per serving.
Similac Pro-Sensitive uses milk protein isolate, offering 2.1g of protein. Enfamil Gentlease wins in protein content.
Both formulas use corn syrup solids for carbohydrates, but Similac Pro-Sensitive adds extra sugar.
Enfamil Gentlease includes palm olein in its fat content, while Similac Pro-Sensitive does not. Similac Pro-Sensitive wins in fat content by not using palm olein.
Protein Content
The protein of Enfamil Gentlease is derived from partially hydrolyzed nonfat milk, and whey protein concentrate solids from soy, contributing to 2.3g of protein per serving size of 5.0 fl oz.
On the other hand, Similac Pro-Sensitive sources its protein predominantly from milk protein isolate, bestowing 2.1g of protein per 5.0 fl oz serving size.
There’s a big difference in protein content between the two formulas.
One side is Enfamil Gentlease, which uses partially hydrolyzed protein. This means that it is partially broken down and easier to manage for babies who have difficulty digesting cow’s milk protein; however, it is unsuitable for allergy sufferers. These would need an extensively hydrolyzed formula. *Read: Partially hydrolyzed vs extensively hydrolyzed formulas
On the other hand, we have Similac Pro-Sensitive, which uses milk protein isolate. It is easily digestible but less so than a partially hydrolyzed formula.
Carbohydrate Content
The carbohydrates in Enfamil Gentlease come from corn syrup solids, delivering a total carbohydrate content of 10.8g per each 5 fl oz serving.
Similac Pro-Sensitive’s main carbohydrate source is also corn syrup, with an addition of sugar that cumulatively offers a total carbohydrate content of 10.9g for every 5 fl oz serving.
Both formulas follow the same approach to carbs: corn syrup solids, a suitable alternative to lactose for babies with lactose intolerance or who have problems digesting it.
There is a slight difference, however, that gives Enfamil Gentlease the victory: Similac adds extra sugar, which we think is entirely unnecessary since corn syrup solids are already quite sweet.
There are better alternatives to lactose, like maltodextrin or other starches, found in other sensitive formulas (see the alternatives below)
Fats and Oils
Enfamil Gentlease houses an array of vegetable oils – including palm olein, soy, coconut, and high oleic sunflower oils – which amass a total fat content of 5.3g served in each 5 fl oz serving.
On the flip side, Similac Pro-Sensitive incorporates high oleic safflower oil, soy oil, coconut oil into its formula.
Both formulas add Schizochytrium sp. oil (a source of DHA) and M. Alpina oil (a source of ARA).
Similac Pro-Sensitive wins the fat content battle because it does not have palm olein.
Palm olein, while considered safe, is a controversial ingredient, along with palm oil.
Learn more here.
Probiotics and Prebiotics
Enfamil Gentlease does not include specific prebiotics or probiotics in its formula but emphasizes an easy-to-digest blend for sensitive tummies.
Similac Pro-Sensitive features 2′-FL HMO prebiotic to support the infant’s developing immune system but does not contain probiotic ingredients.
Probiotics and Prebiotics can play an important role in promoting gut health, which affects overall health, considering that a large portion of the immune system resides within the gut. *Keep learning: Prebiotics and probiotics in infant formula
Enfamil Gentlease formula does not highlight specific prebiotics or probiotics in its ingredients. Instead, it focuses on an easy-to-digest blend for sensitive tummies.
Similac Pro-Sensitive stands out with its 2’-FL HMO—a human milk oligosaccharide prebiotic, not from human milk—that supports the infant’s developing immune system. However, there are not probiotic ingredients either.
Best Places to Buy Enfamil Gentlease and Similac Pro-Sensitive
Enfamil Gentlease
Buy Enfamil Gentlease at Target
Buy Enfamil Gentlease at Warlmart
Similac Pro-Sensitive
Buy Similac Pro-Sensitive at Target
Buy Similac Pro-Sensitive at Walmart
What are the best alternatives to Enfamil Gentlease and Similac Pro-Sensitive?
There are other sensitive formulas that are more natural and healthier. Here are our recommendations:
Hipp Comfort and Anti-Reflux: These formulas can be ideal alternatives for babies with sensitivities or digestive issues as they sport ingredient lists formulated explicitly in response to such needs. *Read: Hipp Anti Reflux vs Comfort
Hipp HA: For those who desire hypoallergenic baby formula with organic and unadulterated ingredients, Hipp HA secures a distinctive place amongst competitors. *Read: Hipp HA vs Gentlease
Goat Milk Formulas – Kabrita and Kendamil Goat: If cow’s milk formulas prove problematic for your baby to digest, but they do not exhibit Cow’s Milk Protein Allergy (CMPA), high-quality goat milk formulas like Kabrita and Kendamil Goat could be beneficial alternatives. *Read: Kabrita vs Kendamil Goat
Conclusion
We hope this comparison between Enfamil Gentlease and Similac Pro-Sensitive helps you decide the best option for your baby.
As always, we recommend you look at the alternatives above since more natural and organic formulas are available.
If you have any further questions, comment below, and we’ll get back to you in less than 24 hours.
See you around!
We’re Maria and Alberto, a married couple and educators who are nutrition enthusiasts. Even before we had kids, we were already crazy about nutrition.
We’d read scientific articles, watch videos from nutritionists, and spend hours listening to nutrition podcasts.
Today, we continue doing this, but in a different way, as we’ve learned to sift through the noise and trends. Nutrition, like any other field of knowledge, the more you read and learn, the more you develop a comprehensive understanding of reality, and that’s what has happened to us.
Before having our first child, we focused on learning everything we could about child nutrition, using the same techniques we had already employed, backed by our extensive knowledge in nutrition.
Our mission is to help other parents with their children’s nutrition, to help them become the best versions of themselves.
If we are what we eat and drink, which is absolutely true, let’s do it right!
