After writing hundreds of articles about formulas and comparing many others, we have decided to write this post about the best formulas offered by Enfamil.
If you are looking for alternatives, or you are going to start offering formula to your baby, and you are interested in buying Enfamil, this article is for you.
Let’s get after it!
*We have not included any “buy here or purchase links” since we want this information to be as transparent and wholesome as possible. We are not trying to sell you anything. We want to help, for real.
Related read: Best Infant Formulas of 2024 | Best Similac Formulas
Our Enfamil Formula Podium: The Three Best
If you are in a hurry, here are our top three Enfamil formulas. Based on our criteria, these are the three best Enfamil formulas for every digestive need, excluding Galactosemia.
Our Top Pick: Enfamil Enspire
Enspire is the closest formula to breast milk. It has lactose-only, a great whey-to-casein ratio, lactoferrin, and MFGM (Milk Fat Globule Membrane), making it an amazing and complete baby formula.
Best for Lactose Sensitivities: Neuropro Gentlease
A complete package for lactose or cow’s milk protein sensitivities. Works for lots of different digestive symptoms. Includes MFGM.
Best for Allergies: Nutramigen
The only Enfamil formula for severe cow’s milk protein allergies. Includes DHA, ARA and LGG, a probiotic that helps the digestive system absorb nutrients.
Quick Comparison Table between Enfamil Formulas
| FORMULA | SPECIALTY | PREBIOTICS | PROBIOTICS | LACTOSE | CORN SYRUP | PALM OIL | RATING |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENFAMIL ENSPIRE | Standard | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | 7/10 |
| ENFAMIL INFANT | Standard | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | 6/10 |
| ENFAMIL NEUROPRO | Standard | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | 7/10 |
| ENFAMIL GENTLEASE | For Lactose Sensitivity, Hypoallergenic | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | 5/10 |
| ENFAMIL NEUROPRO GENTLEASE | For Lactose Sensitivity, Hypoallergenic | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | 6/10 |
| ENFAMIL AR | Reduces Spit-up | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | 6/10 |
| ENFAMIL REGULINE | For Occasional Constipation | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | 5/10 |
| ENFAMIL NUTRAMIGEN | Hypoallergenic, Lactose-Free, Suitable for CMPA | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | 7/10 |
How We Chose the Best Enfamil Formulas
These are the factors we look at before selecting the best formulas:
- Purity of Ingredients: High-quality, pure ingredients. This ensures your baby is getting the best nutrition without unnecessary additives.
- Lactose in Conventional Formulas: For most babies, a lactose-based formula is preferred. Lactose is the natural sugar found in breast milk and is generally well-tolerated.
- Lactose-Free Options for Sensitivities: A lactose-free formula is essential if your baby has lactose intolerance or sensitivity. These formulas use alternative carbohydrates that are easier to digest, being maltodextrin the best alternative to lactose, and not corn syrup solids.
- Partially Hydrolyzed Protein for Sensitivities: Babies with mild protein sensitivities may benefit from formulas with partially hydrolyzed proteins broken down into smaller, easier-to-digest components.
- Extensively Hydrolyzed Protein for Allergies: Extensively hydrolyzed formulas are recommended for babies with severe protein allergies. These contain proteins broken down into very small pieces, significantly reducing the risk of allergic reactions.
- Prebiotics and HMOs: Prebiotics like Galactooligosaccharides (GOS) or Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMOs) benefit gut health, mimicking the protective qualities of breast milk.
- DHA and ARA Inclusion: These essential fatty acids in breast milk are critical for brain and eye development. Ensure your chosen formula includes these.
- Healthy Additional Ingredients: Ingredients like Milk Fat Globule Membrane (MFGM), Lactoferrin, and Bifidobacterium (often called probiotics) can provide additional benefits, supporting immune health and digestion.
- Organic and Whole Milk Formulas: Organic formulas avoid pesticides and other chemicals. Some parents prefer formulas made with whole milk for its nutritional profile, as opposed to those made with skimmed milk.
- Avoiding Certain Ingredients: Be cautious of corn syrup solids, palm oil, or soy oil formulas. These ingredients are often cheaper alternatives but might not provide the best nutrition.
Learn more by reading the following articles on infant formulas:
How Should You Choose the Best Formula for Your Little One?
Best Standard Enfamil Formulas
1. Closest to Breastmilk: Enfamil Enspire
$2.29/ounce on average
A premium baby formula designed to closely imitate breast milk, infused with MFGM and Lactoferrin for immunity and mental development.
Why we chose it.
Enfamil Enspire was chosen for its dedication to mimicking the nutritional profile of breast milk, which is incredibly important for infant development. It is the only formula that includes Lactoferrin, a key protein for immune health, and also incorporates the Milk Fat Globule Membrane (MFGM) for cognitive development.
Pediatricians often recommend Enspire for these reasons, and the formula’s non-GMO status assures parents of its quality and safety.
It presents an optimal whey-to-casein ratio of 65:35, which is closer to the ratio found in breast milk, aiding digestion and nutrition.
Pros
- First formula with Lactoferrin, emulating an element of colostrum and breast milk
- Presence of MFGM supports brain development, modeling the high-quality fats found in natural breast milk
- Non-GMO ingredients, ensuring natural and safe nutrition
- Fortified with prebiotics, probiotics, and a favorable whey-to-casein ratio for digestive health
- Recommended by pediatricians as a comprehensive source of nutrition for the first year
Cons
- Contains palm olein oil, which may affect some infants’ fat and calcium absorption
Similac Alternative: Similac Pure Bliss. | Similac Pure Bliss vs Enfamil Enspire
2. Everyday Nutrition: Neuropro
$1.66/ounce on average
A brain-building infant formula, Enfamil NeuroPro fosters cognitive development with added MFGM and serves as a complete nutrition source.
Why we chose it.
We selected Enfamil NeuroPro because of its unique inclusion of Milk Fat Globule Membrane (MFGM), a component known to encourage cognitive development and closely resembling elements found in breast milk.
Alongside MFGM, its whey-to-casein ratio of 60:40 is also designed to mirror breast milk’s properties, promoting easier digestion and absorption.
These features, paired with non-GMO credentials and the absence of artificial growth hormones, make NeuroPro a distinct choice for parents seeking a formula supporting mental and physical wellness in their infants.
Pros
- MFGM component for brain development
- Ideal whey-to-casein ratio for digestion
- No artificial growth hormones or GMO ingredients
- Lactose as the sole carbohydrate source – ideal for energy
- Contains vital Omega-3 DHA and ARA
Cons
- Contains palm olein which may impact calcium absorption
- Does not contain additional nucleotides found in other formulas
- Lacks a variety of HMOs compared to some competitors
Similac Alternative: Similac Pro-Advance | Similac Pro-Advance vs Enfamil Neuropro
Enfamil Neuropro Gentlease: Best for Lactose and Cow’s Milk Protein Sensitivities
Neuropro Gentlease
$1.95/ounce on average
Eases fussiness, gas, and crying in just 24 hours, with Omega-3 DHA for brain development.
Why we chose it.
Enfamil NeuroPro Gentlease is chosen for its specialized formula that provides significant relief for babies experiencing gas, fussiness, and digestive discomfort, often within a single day.
By using partially hydrolyzed milk proteins, Gentlease offers a more digestible option for sensitive tummies, while the inclusion of MFGM, an ingredient found in breast milk, supports cognitive development.
With 2.3g of protein per 100 calories from these proteins, it supplies essential nutrition and does so gently. The non-lactose carbohydrates source makes it suitable for babies with lactose sensitivity.
Pros
- Formulated for ease of digestion with partially hydrolyzed proteins
- Includes MFGM, which supports brain development and the immune system
- Designed to reduce gas, fussiness, and crying quickly
- Contains Omega-3 DHA for healthy brain growth
- Available in various sizes and forms for convenience
Cons
- Higher sugar content from corn syrup solids
- Does not contain prebiotics or probiotics
- Contains palm olein, a more processed oil
Similac Alternatives: Similac Pro-Total Comfort and Similac 360 Total Care Sensitive
Similac Pro Total Comfort vs Neuropro Gentlease
Similac 360 Total Care Sensitive vs Neuropro Gentlease
Nutramigen: Best for Cow’s Milk Allergies (CMPA)
Nutramigen
$2.78/ounce on average
Nutramigen is designed as a hypoallergenic formula with extensively hydrolyzed casein, especially for babies with cow’s milk allergy.
Why we chose it.
Enfamil Nutramigen is ideal if your baby exhibits signs of a severe milk protein allergy or digestive discomfort. Extensively hydrolyzed protein forms the foundation of this hypoallergenic formula, diminishing the risk of allergic reactions and aiding digestibility.
Nutramigen contains the probiotic LGG, designed to nurture a healthy gut environment and balance the immune system, which can be a concern for babies sensitive to cow’s milk proteins.
Added additions of DHA and ARA foster further development akin to what breast milk provides, making Nutramigen a comprehensive nutritional choice.
Pros
- Designed to manage cow’s milk allergy and potential future allergies
- Extensively hydrolyzed casein protein lessens the chance of an allergic reaction
- Probiotic LGG aids in healthy digestion and immune function
- Can show improvement for colicky babies typically within 48 hours
- Enhanced with additional DHA for brain and eye development
Cons
- Contains palm olein which may interfere with fat and calcium absorption
- Carbohydrate source is from corn syrup solids
- May be more expensive than standard formulas due to its specialized ingredients
Similac Alternative: Similac Alimentum | Similac Alimentum vs Nutramigen
Other Enfamil Formulas to Consider
For Spit Up: Enfamil A.R.
$1.87/ounce on average
Ideal for reducing episodes of spit-up in infants, Enfamil A.R. is clinically proven to do so while promoting immune health with a dual prebiotic blend.
Why we chose it.
Enfamil A.R. is an excellent choice for parents dealing with the common issue of spit-up. Containing a blend of whey, casein, and nonfat milk, it delivers proteins that closely mimic breast milk.
With rice starch to make the formula thicker and therefore easier to keep down, this formula helps manage reflux symptoms effectively.
The presence of lactose makes it a more natural choice for carbohydrate sourcing than corn syrup formulas.
Furthermore, the dual prebiotic blend plays a critical role in supporting a baby’s immune health and constructing a healthy gut environment, essential for both digestion and overall well-being.
Pros
- Proven to reduce spit-up by over 50% within a week
- Uses naturally occurring lactose for a more similar profile to breast milk
- Enhanced with DHA, an important fatty acid found in breast milk, for brain and eye development
- SNAP benefits eligible for those who need financial assistance
- Dual prebiotic blend for added immune and digestive health benefits
Cons
- Contains palm olein, which could impact calcium absorption
- The use of rice starch may create a thicker consistency, which might require a variable flow nipple
- Not suitable for infants with lactose sensitivity due to its lactose content
Similac Alternative: Similac for Spit-Up | Similac for Spit-Up vs Enfamil AR
For Constipation: Enfamil Reguline
$1.93/ounce on average
Enfamil Reguline is specially formulated to help babies with occasional constipation, supported by partially hydrolyzed proteins and prebiotics for digestive health.
Why we chose it.
Chosen for its focus on aiding digestion and promoting soft stools, Enfamil Reguline stands out due to its partially hydrolyzed proteins, which are gentler on a baby’s digestive system.
This formula works efficiently for babies experiencing digestive issues by fostering a more comfortable digestive process and helping them achieve softer, more frequent stools.
The additional benefit of dual prebiotic support further encourages a healthy gut environment, essential for babies’ developing immune systems.
Pros
- Designed to assist with occasional constipation
- Complete nutrition for the first 12 months of a baby’s life
- Features brain-building nutrients DHA, Omega-3, and Choline
- Dual prebiotic blend aids in overall digestive health
Cons
- Contains corn syrup solids
- Not ideal for lactose-intolerant infants due to lactose content
- Uses palm olein oil
Last Words
We hope this article with the best Enfamil formulas helps you choose the best option for your baby.
Our recommendation, if you are going to start offering formula now, is to start with Enfamil Enspire.
If you notice any symptoms of discomfort, the first thing to do would be to consult a pediatrician, but if that is not possible, we recommend you try Neuropro Gentlease. If that does not work either, Nutramigen would be your next option.
If you have any further questions, we’ll be happy to help; just leave a comment or contact us.
Happy feeding!
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!
