Key Differences Between Enfamil Gentlease and Similac Total Comfort
| Aspect | Enfamil Gentlease | Similac Total Comfort |
|---|---|---|
| Protein | 2.3g per serving, partially hydrolyzed nonfat milk and whey protein concentrate solids | 2.32g per serving, whey protein hydrolysate |
| Carbohydrates | 10.8g per serving, from corn syrup solids | 10.7g per serving, from corn maltodextrin and added sugar |
| Fats | 5.3g per serving, from a blend of vegetable oils including palm olein, soy, coconut, and high oleic sunflower oils | 5.4g per serving, from high oleic safflower oil, soy oil, and coconut oil |
| Prebiotics or Probiotics | None | Includes short-chain fructooligosaccharides (a prebiotic) |
| Notable Benefits | Designed to alleviate common infant discomforts such as fussiness, gas, and spit-up within 24 hours | Designed for easy digestion and softer stools for sensitive tummies |
| Controversial Ingredients | Uses palm olein oil | Includes added sugar |
| Suggested Alternatives | Hipp HA, Hipp Comfort, Anti-Reflux, Kabrita, Jovie | Hipp HA, Hipp Comfort, Anti-Reflux, Kabrita, Jovie |
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This article aims to compare two popular sensitive formulas: Enfamil Gentlease vs Similac Total Comfort.
We will analyze their ingredients and nutritional compositions to give you the information you need to make an informed decision.
Let’s get after it!
*Related reads: Enfamil Gentlease vs Similac Pro-Total Comfort | Enfamil Neuropro Gentlease vs Similac Total Comfort
Our Short Answer
If we had to choose between Enfamil Gentlease and Similac Total Comfort, we would choose the latter.
Although we don’t like the fact that it adds a small amount of simple sugars, the fact that it doesn’t use palm olein and adds short-chain fructooligosaccharides (a prebiotic that helps the baby’s microbiota) makes it the winner of the two.
Enfamil Gentlease is also a good formula, but it would be our second choice.
As always, we recommend you read more about the alternatives below in the article for our personal formula recommendations.
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Overview of the Two Formulas
Enfamil Gentlease is a scientifically formulated formula to alleviate infant discomforts. It supports brain development, provides essential nutrients, and has a Triple Health Guard blend.
Similac Total Comfort offers nutrition for sensitive tummies, easy digestion, and OptiGRO for brain development.
Enfamil Gentlease
Trusted by pediatricians and parents in the US, Enfamil Gentlease is a scientifically formulated baby milk powder designed to alleviate common infant discomforts such as fussiness, gas, and spit-up within 24 hours.
It contains expert-recommended brain-building DHA and essential nutrients found in breast milk that support cognitive brain development during a child’s first 12 months.
Enfamil Gentlease leverages its unique Triple Health Guard blend of 30 nutrients for growth, and DHA for potential learning maximization
The formula is made gluten-free with no added table sugar (sucrose), artificial growth hormones, antibiotics, or GMOs.
Similac Total Comfort
Similac Total Comfort is designed to offer complete nutrition for infants with delicate tummies – especially those who can’t tolerate other milk-based formulas.
This nutritionally-balanced alternative has partially broken-down proteins for easy digestion and prebiotics, resulting in softer stools.
It alleviates discomfort stemming from lactose sensitivity prevalent in some infants.
Like Enfamil Gentlease, Similac Total Comfort also spotlights OptiGRO – an exclusive blend of DHA, Lutein, and Vitamin E.
Nutritional Composition
Enfamil Gentlease and Similac Total Comfort both use partially hydrolyzed proteins for easier digestion.
Enfamil Gentlease contains carbohydrates from corn syrup solids, while Similac Total Comfort uses corn maltodextrin and added sugar.
Both formulas have similar fat content, but Gentlease includes palm olein oil, which may have drawbacks.
Protein Content
Enfamil Gentlease:
Each serving (5.0 fl oz) of Enfamil Gentlease delivers 2.3g of protein. The protein in this formula is derived from partially hydrolyzed nonfat milk and whey protein concentrate solids.
Similac Total Comfort:
Comparatively, Similac Total Comfort provides 2.32grm of protein per serving (5.0 fl oz). Its principal ingredient is whey protein hydrolysate, also a partially hydrolyzed like Gentlease.
Both formulas use partially hydrolyzed milk, meaning it is already broken down to be easier to digest.
This type of protein is perfect for babies who have problems digesting cow’s milk protein, but not for those with diagnosed CMPA or cow’s milk protein allergy.
If that’s your baby’s case, you’ll need an extensively hydrolyzed formula.
*Learn more: Partially vs Extensively Hydrolyzed Formulas
Carbohydrate Content
Enfamil Gentlease:
Enfamil Gentlease consists of 10.8g of carbohydrates per serving, derived primarily from corn syrup solids. Although using corn syrup as opposed to sugar helps avoid sudden blood sugar spikes, some parents might have reservations due to associations with high fructose corn syrup.
Similac Total Comfort:
Similac Total Comfort incorporates a slightly lesser count with 10.7g of carbohydrates per serving from corn maltodextrin, a processed grain starch often used in baby formulas for its quick absorption rate. It also adds extra sugar.
In theory, corn maltodextrin is a superior choice over corn syrup solids as an alternative to lactose due to its lower sugar content. This means that Similac Total Comfort would provide a better source of carbohydrates.
However, Total Comfort also includes added sugar alongside maltodextrin to enhance the taste. This is not advised since a more neutral taste is preferable for the formula.
Consequently, regarding carbohydrates, both formulas would be considered equal from a technical standpoint.
Fats and Oils
Enfamil Gentlease:
The fat content in a serving size of Enfamil Gentlease is 5.3g sourced from vegetable oil comprising Palm Olein, Soy, Coconut, and High Oleic Sunflower Oils.
Similac Total Comfort:
Similac provides 5.4grm of fats per serving derived from High Oleic Safflower Oil, Soy Oil, and Coconut Oil on par with its contender.
Similac Total Comfort comes on top in fat content because it does not use palm olein like Gentlease.
Palm Olein is a controversial ingredient. It is a more processed version of palm oil that has been linked with low calcium absorption, apart from environmental damage.
While it has its pros for sharing some fatty acids with breast milk, we do not consider it a good fat source, and we would only recommend it if it comes from organic farming.
*Learn more: Palm Oil in Baby Formula
Probiotics and Prebiotics
Similac Total Comfort includes prebiotics (short-chain fructooligosaccharides) for promoting healthy gut microbiota.
Enfamil Gentlease does not contain probiotics or prebiotics.
Probiotics and prebiotics can play vital roles in developing a healthy gut microbiota, essential for your baby’s overall health.
Only Similac Total Comfort includes prebiotics in its formula, specifically short-chain fructooligosaccharides.
Enfamil Gentlease does not provide any probiotics or prebiotics.
Best Places to Buy Enfamil Gentlease and Similac Total Comfort
Enfamil Gentlease
Buy Enfamil Gentlease at Target
Buy Enfamil Gentlease at Walmart
Similac Total Comfort
Buy Similac Total Comfort at Target
Buy Similac Total Comfort at Walmart
What are the best alternatives to Gentlease and Total Comfort?
Hipp HA: Our top hypoallergenic formula choice, Hipp HA is excellent for babies prone to developing allergies as it contains hydrolyzed proteins that minimize allergy risks. *Read: Hipp HA vs Gentlease
Hipp Comfort and Anti-Reflux: Specially designed for babies with lactose sensitivity problems, these two options can be particularly beneficial in reducing gas, reflux, and general discomfort that might arise from lactose intolerance. *Read: Hipp Comfort vs Anti-Reflux
Kabrita: This high-quality formula is a goat-milk-based alternative best suited for babies having trouble digesting cow’s milk protein without being diagnosed with Cow’s Milk Protein Allergy (CMPA). Goat milk proteins have proven easier to digest than cow’s milk proteins.
Jovie: A fantastic premium European infant formula from France, Jovie is a blend of high nutritional values with no GMOs or added sugar. *Read: Jovie vs Kabrita
Last Words
We hope this comparison between Similac Total Comfort and Enfamil Gentlease has helped you make an informed decision.
We encourage you to read more about the alternatives above before purchasing any infant formula.
If you have further questions, leave a comment, and we’ll get back to you in less than 24 hours.
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!
