Key Differences Table Between Enfamil Gentlease and Parent’s Choice Gentle
| Features/Aspect | Enfamil Gentlease | Parent’s Choice Gentle |
|---|---|---|
| Ideal For | Babies with fussiness, gas, and mild spit-up | Babies with sensitivities, offering a budget-friendly alternative |
| Type | Milk-based formula with partially hydrolyzed proteins | Milk-based formula with partially hydrolyzed proteins |
| Primary Protein Source | Partially hydrolyzed nonfat milk and whey protein concentrate solids (includes some soy protein) | Partially hydrolyzed whey protein |
| Carbohydrate Source | Corn syrup solids | Corn syrup solids |
| Fats and Oils | Vegetable oil (palm olein, soy, coconut, high oleic sunflower oils), including ARA and DHA | Similar vegetable oil blend with ARA and DHA |
| Nutritional Support | Triple Health Guard blend for growth, brain development, immune health | Essential fatty acids, non-GMO ingredients, DHA for cognitive support |
| Ease of Digestion | Partially hydrolyzed proteins for easier digestion | Partially hydrolyzed proteins for gentle digestion |
| Prebiotics/Probiotics | None | 2′-Fucosyllactose (HMO) prebiotic |
| Specific Benefits | Mitigates fussiness, gas, and crying within 24 hours | Gentle formula comparable to Gentlease, budget-friendly, Kosher certified |
This article will compare two popular formulas for babies with sensitivities in the US: Enfamil Gentlease vs Parent’s Choice Gentle.
We will analyze their ingredients and nutritional composition to help you choose the best option for your baby.
Related read: Gerber Soothe vs Enfamil Gentlease
Our Short Answer
The winning formula in this comparison is Parent’s Choice Gentle for one simple reason: the inclusion of 2′-Fucosyllactose, a very beneficial prebiotic for babies found in breast milk.
Other than that, the differences are minimal between the two formulas.
If we were to compare the Neuropro version of Gentlease with Parent’s Choice Gentle, we would opt for Neuropro Gentlease, thanks to the inclusion of MFGM (Milk Fat Globule Membrane). Read: Enfamil Gentlease vs Neuropro Gentlease
That said, we recommend you explore the alternatives mentioned below in the article.
With over 100,000 orders delivered globally since 2019, Organic's Best offers clean, safe, and nutritionally rich formulas and snacks.
Free shipping over $100, commitment to freshness and authenticity.
- Express delivery in 2 to 5 business days
- Sourcing from European manufacturers
- Minimum shelf life of 6 months
- Climate-Controlled Warehouse
Give your little one the best start.
CODE 'BLW' for a 5% discount in all orders
Overview of the Two Formulas
Enfamil Gentlease, known for easing fussiness and gas with partially hydrolyzed proteins, also supports growth, brain development, and immune health with its Triple Health Guard blend.
Parent’s Choice Gentle, a budget-friendly alternative, mirrors Gentlease’s approach with partially hydrolyzed proteins, essential fatty acids, non-GMO ingredients, and is Kosher certified.
Enfamil Gentlease
Enfamil Gentlease is a popular option trusted by parents for years. The formula prides itself on having partially hydrolyzed nonfat milk and whey protein concentrate solids, making proteins easier to digest for little ones.
With its claim of mitigating fussiness, gas, and crying within 24 hours, it’s clear why Enfamil Gentlease has become a go-to option for many families.
What truly sets Enfamil apart is its commitment to not just easing digestion but also supporting overall growth, brain development, and immune health through its Triple Health Guard blend. This includes 30 essential nutrients for growth, DHA aimed at maximizing learning potential, and a unique blend of prebiotics clinically proven to bolster your baby’s immune system.
Parent’s Choice Gentle
Meanwhile, Parent’s Choice Gentle positions itself as a comparable and budget-friendly alternative “to the nutrition of Enfamil Gentlease.” Targeting the same challenges of fussiness, gas, and crying due to sensitive tummies, this formula is designed with ease of digestion in mind. Its list of ingredients mirrors many found in Enfamil Gentlease including partially hydrolyzed whey protein as well as essential fatty acids like ARA and DHA which are crucial for eye and brain development.
Parent’s Choice Gentle reassures parents with its provision of expert-recommended nutrients such as DHA for cognitive support and vitamins and minerals essential for immune function. It also emphasizes its use of non-GMO ingredients—a significant consideration for many modern families. Furthermore, it stands out with its Kosher certification and accessibility through programs like SNAP.
Nutritional Composition
Enfamil Gentlease and Parent’s Choice Gentle both use partially hydrolyzed proteins for easier digestion, with Gentlease incorporating some soy protein, beneficial for cow’s milk protein sensitivities.
Both formulas use corn syrup solids as their primary carbohydrate source, suitable for sensitive tummies but higher in sugars.
Their fat blends, including a variety of oils and essential fatty acids like ARA and DHA, are virtually identical, supporting brain development and overall health.
Protein Content
Proteins are the building blocks of the body and are crucial for an infant’s development. In Enfamil Gentlease, proteins are derived from partially hydrolyzed nonfat milk and whey protein concentrate solids (soy). This means proteins have been broken down into smaller pieces, designed to be easier for a baby’s sensitive system to digest—a plus for infants with gassy bellies or fussiness linked to digestion issues.
Parent’s Choice Gentle also utilizes partially hydrolyzed whey in its recipe, indicating that it similarly emphasizes digestibility for tender stomachs. The nonfat milk base mimics the profile of the mother’s milk, balancing overall nutrition suitability with digestibility in mind.
Both products offer protein from gentle sources considering the ease with which delicate stomachs can absorb them.
The only difference between both formulas is the fact that Enfamil Gentlease uses some soy protein, which can improve digestion for those babies with cow’s protein sensitivities. Take into account that soy protein has less bioavailability, which means that is not used as efficiently as cow’s milk protein. We should always try to provide foods with high availability to our children.
*Learn more: Hydrolyzed formulas
Carbohydrate Content
Carbohydrates provide energy for growing bodies and brains.
In both formulas, carbs primarily come from corn syrup solids which act as a source of glucose – essential for energy.
The use of corn syrup solids as a major carbohydrate source is common in formulas designed for infants with sensitive tummies because it’s less likely to cause discomfort compared to lactose, which is higher in standard baby formulas.
Corn syrup solids are the most common alternative to lactose in US formulas, but they are high in sugars.
Fats and Oils
Fats are critical in a child’s diet—not just for energy but also as aids in absorbing vitamins and providing essential fatty acids that the body doesn’t produce on its own. The Enfamil Gentlease formula includes vegetable oil (palm olein, soy, coconut, and high oleic sunflower oils), providing a varied blend of fat sources. It also contains oils rich in Arachidonic Acid (ARA) and Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA), which are vital for brain development and overall health.
In contrast, Parent’s Choice Gentle has very similar fat sources — palm olein, soy oil, coconut oil, alongside high oleic (safflower or sunflower) oil—all commonly used in infant formulas due to their balanced representation of essential fatty acids mirroring those found in breast milk. Likewise included are ARA and DHA for neural development benefits.
Both fat blends are basically the same, so no important differences in fat content that you should worry about.
Prebiotics and Probiotics
Probiotics and prebiotics are increasingly recognized for their role in supporting a healthy gut, which is particularly vital for infants as they develop their digestive and immune systems. Probiotics are live beneficial bacteria, while prebiotics are dietary fibers that feed these good bacteria.
Having said that, Enfamil does not add prebiotics or probiotics. This usually happens with sensitive formulas, because they are easy to digest, so many brands do not add prebiotics or probiotics to their ingredients list.
Parent’s Choice Gentle, however, adds 2′-Fucosyllactose, an HMO found in breast milk that acts as a very beneficial prebiotic for babies.
Best Places to Buy Gentlease and Parent’s Choice Gentle
Gentlease
Parent’s Choice Gentle
Buy Parent’s Choice Gentle in Walmart
What are the Best Alternatives to Enfamil Gentlease and Parent’s Choice Gentle?
Even though Gentlease and Parent’s Choice Gentle are good formulas, there are much better options in the formula market. Here you have our favorite formulas for sensitive babies:
HiPP Comfort
HiPP Comfort is one such alternative designed specifically for infants who experience digestion-related discomforts like colic, constipation, and gas. This formula features reduced lactose content, hydrolyzed proteins that are even easier to digest than those in standard formulas, and a unique blend of special fats modeled after the composition found naturally in breast milk. Moreover, HiPP Comfort includes both prebiotic oligosaccharides (GOS) as well as natural lactic acid cultures akin to probiotics which can be advantageous for your baby’s gastrointestinal well-being.
HiPP HA
Another notable alternative is HiPP HA, where ‘HA’ stands for hypoallergenic. It’s tailored for babies at risk of allergic reactions due to family history or other factors indicating sensitivities. This formula utilizes entirely hydrolyzed proteins making them virtually non-allergenic because the immune system no longer recognizes them as potential allergens. With added prebiotics like GOS and probiotic cultures similar to those found in breast milk, HiPP HA supports the development of a healthy gut environment that can prevent allergic reactions from occurring. *Read: Hipp HA vs Gentlease
Similac 360 Total Care Sensitive
From Similac comes yet another appreciated option — Similac 360 Total Care Sensitive. Designed with an emphasis on whole-child development, this product touts not only reduced lactose for softer digestion but also five different HMOs (human milk oligosaccharides), which align it closer to mother’s milk compositionally than many other formulas. HMOs are highly beneficial components that reinforce immune functions as well as cognitive development in infants. Its sensitivity label points towards alleviation from discomfort commonly experienced by sensitive infants. *Read: Similac 360 Total Care Sensitive vs Enfamil Neuropro Gentlease
Last Words
We hope this comparison between Enfamil Gentlease and Parent’s Choice Gentle helps you decide the best formula for your baby.
If you have any further questions, don’t hesitate to leave a comment below or contact us and we’ll be happy to help you.
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!
