Key Differences Between Enfamil Gentlease and Similac Pro-Advance
| Enfamil Gentlease | Similac Pro-Advance | |
|---|---|---|
| Intended for | Babies with digestive issues, lactose intolerance | Babies with no or minor digestive issues |
| Main Protein Source | Partially Hydrolyzed nonfat milk and whey protein | Nonfat milk and whey protein |
| Carbohydrate Source | Corn Syrup Solids | Lactose |
| Fat Source | Includes Palm Olein, Soy, Coconut, High Oleic Sunflower Oils | Excludes Palm Olein, includes High Oleic Safflower, Soy, and Coconut Oils |
| Special Ingredients | None | 2′-FL HMO for immune system support |
| Designed For | Eases fussiness, gas, crying within 24 hours | Supports immune system, brain & eye development, bone formation |
| Prebiotics/Probiotics | None specified | Contains 2′-FL HMO and fructooligosaccharides |
| Alternatives Suggested | Hipp HA, Hipp Comfort and Anti-Reflux | Kendamil Organic, Bobbie |
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This article aims to compare two popular formulas: Enfamil Gentlease and Similac Pro-Advance.
We will analyze their ingredients and nutritional compositions to give you the information you need to make an informed decision for your baby.
Let’s get after it!
*Related read: Enfamil Neuropro Gentlease vs Similac Pro Advance
Our Short Answer
Unfortunately, this is one of those comparisons where we can’t decide on a winning formula, as it will largely depend on your baby’s situation.
Choose Enfamil Gentlease if:
– Your baby has problems at the digestive level, either digesting cow’s milk protein, or lactose.
Choose Similac Pro-Advance if:
– Your baby has shown no signs of having digestive problems, or if they have, they can be considered minor or normal.
Whatever you do, you should always consult a pediatrician before making a decision, as the recommendation on the best formula may be more personal.
We also recommend you take a look at the alternatives below in the article.
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Overview of the Two Formulas
Enfamil Gentlease helps with digestive issues and contains DHA, ARA, corn syrup solids, and palm oil.
Similac Pro-Advance includes 2’-FL HMO, DHA, and lutein, and excludes palm olein oil for better calcium absorption.
Both formulas are free from artificial growth hormones and GMOs.
Enfamil Gentlease
Enfamil Gentlease is a well-known baby formula engineered with the comfort of babies as its primary concern.
The formula promises to help ease common digestive issues like gas, spit-up, and fussiness in just 24 hours.
It has DHA, ARA, corn syrup solids, palm oil and partially hydrolyzed protein.
Enfamil Gentlease doesn’t contain any artificial growth hormones, antibiotics, GMOs, or added table sugar.
Similac Pro-Advance
On the other hand, Similac Pro-Advance distinguishes itself with a unique ingredient: 2’-FL HMO, a prebiotic that strengthens the immune system to function similarly to that of a breastfed infant.
This infant formula also includes DHA and lutein elements often found in maternal milk, which support brain and eye development.
Similac Pro-Advance also excludes palm olein oil, known to hinder calcium absorption; hence it promotes excellent calcium absorption for strong bones.
Like Enfamil Gentlease, this formula contains no artificial growth hormones and is non-genetically modified.
Nutritional Composition
Enfamil Gentlease uses partially hydrolyzed proteins and corn syrup solids for carbohydrates, while Similac Pro-Advance has fully intact proteins and exclusively uses lactose.
Enfamil Gentlease contains palm olein in its fat content, while Similac Pro-Advance avoids it.
Both formulas include DHA and ARA for brain and eye development.
Protein Content
Enfamil Gentlease uses partially hydrolyzed nonfat milk and whey protein concentrate solids as its protein sources. The proteins are hydrolyzed, or broken down, making them easier to digest. This can be particularly helpful for babies with gas or general fussiness after meals.
Similac Pro-Advance consists of nonfat milk and whey protein concentrate. It contains fully intact proteins, which may be harder to digest than the partially hydrolyzed ones in Enfamil Gentlease.
Gentlease is designed for babies with tummy issues; that’s the reason why it uses partially hydrolyzed milk. It has a 60:40 whey-to-casein ratio, similar to breast milk.
*Learn more: Hydrolyzed infant formulas
Similac Pro-Advance, however, uses whey protein concentrate, a conventional source of protein for traditional formulas, designed for babies without digestive issues. Pro-Advance has a 48:52 whey-to-casein ratio, with more casein than whey.
*Learn more: Whey-to-casein ratio in formula
Carbohydrate Content
Enfamil Gentlease primarily uses corn syrup solids as its chief source of carbohydrates. Corn syrup solids are often used in infant formulas because they are easy to digest.
Similac Pro-Advance uses lactose exclusively, derived from nonfat milk. Lactose is the carbohydrate found naturally in breast milk.
Again, very different approaches to carbs.
Enfamil uses corn syrup solids instead of lactose since it is designed for babies with lactose intolerance.
*Learn more: Corn Syrup in baby formula
Similac Pro-Advance uses only lactose, which is what we want to see in a conventional formula.
Fats and Oils
Enfamil Gentlease contains vegetable oils such as palm olein, soy, coconut, high oleic sunflower oils, Mortierella Alpina Oil, and Schizochytrium Sp. Oil serve as the primary sources of fat.
Similac Pro-Advance relies on high oleic safflower oil, soy oil, coconut oil alongside sources of DHA and ARA (types of Omega-3 fatty acids) from Schizochytrium Sp. Oil and M. Alpina Oil, respectively, for its fat content.
Regarding fat content, Similac Pro-Advance has the advantage, just because it does not use palm olein (a more processed version of palm oil), and Enfamil does.
Both formulas also incorporate additional oils rich in specific fatty acids like DHA (Docosahexaenoic Acid) and ARA (Arachidonic Acid), crucial for brain development and eye health.
*Learn more: DHA and ARA in Baby Formula
Probiotics and Prebiotics
Enfamil Gentlease does not include prebiotics or probiotics.
Similac Pro-Advance contains 2′-FL HMO, a prebiotic in breast milk, and fructooligosaccharides for immune support and promoting good bacteria growth.
Prebiotics and probiotics in infant formula are not essential ingredients, but they may prove really useful for some babies.
Enfamil Gentlease does not explicitly specify the inclusion of specific prebiotics or probiotics in its ingredient list but claims to have an exclusive blend that supports the immune system.
Similac Pro-Advance on the other hand contains 2′-FL HMO – a prebiotic found in breast milk known to foster good bacteria growth in the digestive tract, thereby boosting immunity. It also includes fructooligosaccharides as another prebiotic ingredient.
Best Places to Buy Enfamil Gentlease and Similac Pro-Advance
Enfamil Gentlease
Buy Enfamil Gentlease at Target
Buy Enfamil Gentlease at Walmart
Similac Pro-Advance
What are the best alternatives to Enfamil Gentlease and Similac Pro-Advance?
Enfamil Gentlease Alternatives
Hipp HA is our top pick as a hypoallergenic formula. It’s particularly well-suited for babies with a higher risk of allergies or who already show signs of one. It’s formulated to break proteins into smaller parts, which can lower the chances of an allergic reaction. *Read: Hipp HA vs Enfamil Gentlease
Hipp Comfort and Anti-Reflux are excellent choices for babies with lactose sensitivity or those prone to reflux. These formulas contain modified whey protein and reduced lactose content, easing digestion and reducing symptoms such as gas, constipation, or reflux. *Read: Hipp Comfort vs Anti-Reflux
Similac Pro-Advance Alternatives
Kendamil Organic is our choice for those seeking an organic formula with high-quality ingredients. It uniquely uses whole milk in its formulation, imitating the natural nutritional properties present in breast milk more closely. Moreover, Kendamil also features real HMOs (Human Milk Oligosaccharides) known to foster healthy gut flora. *Read: Kendamil vs Enfamil | Kendamil vs Similac
Lastly, the American brand Bobbie is an excellent pick for parents wanting a straightforward organic option. Bobbie upholds strict European standards and focuses on natural ingredients without any unnecessary additives, which makes it easily digestible for most infants. *Read: Bobbie vs Enfamil | Bobbie vs Similac Pro Advance
Last Words
We hope this comparison between Enfamil Gentlease and Similac Pro-Advance has helped you solve any doubts.
Remember, both formulas are designed for different types of babies.
Before you take your pick, however, we recommend you read about the alternatives, since we sincerely think there are better options in the market.
If you have any further questions, please leave a comment, and we will get back to you in less than a day.
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!
