Key Differences Between Enfamil Gentlease and Similac Sensitive
| Enfamil Gentlease | Similac Sensitive | |
|---|---|---|
| Protein | Partly broken down (easier to digest) ✔️ | Not broken down (harder to digest) ❌ |
| Carbohydrates | Corn Syrup Solids (No added sugars) ✔️ | Corn Syrup and Sugar blend (added sugar) ❌ |
| Fats & Oils | Uses palm olein but has a better DHA source ✔️ | Does not use palm olein but DHA source is not as good ❌ |
| Probiotics & Prebiotics | None ❌ | None ❌ |
| Digestibility | Easier for babies with cow’s milk digestion issues ✔️ | May be harder for some babies ❌ |
| Palm Olein | Uses Palm Olein ❌ | Does not use Palm Olein ✔️ |
| Best Alternatives | Hipp HA, Hipp Comfort, Hipp Anti-Reflux, Kabrita Goat Milk Formula | Hipp HA, Hipp Comfort, Hipp Anti-Reflux, Kabrita Goat Milk Formula |
| ⭐ Overall | Preferred due to better protein, no added sugars, better DHA source ✔️ | Good, but not as preferred due to harder to digest protein, added sugar, less ideal DHA source ❌ |
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This post aims to compare two popular sensitive formulas: Enfamil Gentlease vs Similac Sensitive.
We will analyze their ingredients and nutritional composition to help you make an informed decision.
Let’s get after it!
*Related read: Enfamil Neuropro Gentlease vs Similac Sensitive
Our Short Answer
After analyzing both formulas’ ingredients and nutritional composition, Enfamil Gentlease is the winner in our eyes.
Although it adds palm olein (its only weak point compared to Similac Sensitive), it outperforms its competitor in other vital aspects:
– It has partially hydrolyzed protein (essential for a formula for babies with problems digesting cow’s milk protein).
– It has a whey-to-casein ratio closer to that of breast milk.
– Does not add added sugars as Similac Sensitive does
– Has a better source of DHAThe only aspect in which Similac Sensitive is ahead is that it does not add palm olein.
Having said all that, we recommend you look at our recommendations further down in the article.
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Overview of the Two Formulas
Enfamil Gentlease is designed for sensitive tummies, providing relief from fussiness and gas. It uses partially hydrolyzed proteins and soybean oil-based ingredients.
Similac Sensitive targets lactose sensitivity, utilizing Milk Protein Isolate and various oils for digestive support.
Enfamil Gentlease
Enfamil Gentlease is a prominent choice amongst parents dealing with infants that exhibit signs of fussiness, gas, and spit-up. Designed to bring relief in 24 hours, it’s a gentle formula created for sensitive tummies and has been scientifically formulated for easy digestion.
Enfamil is one of the first trusted brands recommended by pediatricians in the US.
The key ingredients in Enfamil Gentlease are soybean oil-based Palm Olein, Soy oil, coconut oil, and high oleic sunflower oils.
It also contains lactose-free proteins from milk – partially hydrolyzed nonfat milk and whey protein concentrate solids (soy), which are far easier to digest than intact proteins found in other formulas.
Similac Sensitive
Similac Sensitive is another popular choice in infant formula for sensitive tummies. Aimed explicitly at babies struggling with fussiness and gas due to lactose sensitivity, this formula offers a tailored approach to meet their unique needs.
The key ingredients in Similac Sensitive include high oleic safflower oil, soy oil, coconut oil, Cohnii Oil (source of DHA), M Alpina Oil (source of ARA). This formula uses Milk Protein Isolate instead of partially hydrolyzed proteins.
Nutritional Composition
Enfamil Gentlease uses partially hydrolyzed proteins with a whey-to-casein ratio of 40:60. It contains corn syrup solids as its carbohydrate source and a blend of vegetable oils.
Similac Sensitive uses Milk Protein Isolate with a whey-to-casein ratio of 18:82 and a blend of oils, including C.Cohnii Oil.
Gentlease has an advantage in protein and carbohydrate content, while both formulas have different approaches to fats and oils.
Protein Content
Enfamil Gentlease uses partially hydrolyzed nonfat milk and whey protein concentrate solids (soy) as its primary source of protein. Its whey-to-casein ratio is 40:60.
Similac Sensitive opts for Milk Protein Isolate as its protein source. Its whey-to-casein ratio is 18:82.
Both formulas have a different approach to protein content.
On the one hand, Enfamil Gentlease uses partially hydrolyzed milk, meaning it is already partially broken down, so it is easier to digest. *Learn more: Hydrolyzed infant formulas
On the other hand, Similac Sensitive uses Milk Protein Isolate, meaning the protein has been separated from other ingredients but is not broken down.
Gentlease wins in protein, especially considering that we are comparing two sensitive formulas, so we want to choose the one that is the easiest to digest.
Carbohydrate Content
The prime carbohydrate source for Enfamil Gentlease is Corn Syrup Solids.
For Similac Sensitive, carbohydrates come from a Corn Syrup and Sugar blend.
Both formulas use corn syrup solids, a suitable (but not perfect) alternative to lactose for lactose-sensitive babies.
We would prefer another type of carbohydrate like maltodextrin or other starches because they are less sweet, have less sugar, and have a more neutral flavor.
Having said this, Enfamil Gentlease comes on top regarding carbohydrate content because it does not add additional sugar like Similac Sensitive does. This is not necessary, and it only adds a sweet flavor, which honestly, is best avoided.
Fats and Oils
Enfamil Gentlease utilizes a blend of Palm Olein, Soy Oil, Coconut Oil, and High Oleic Sunflower Oils. These vegetable oils provide essential fatty acids necessary for your child’s healthy growth and muscular strong development. It also adds Mortierella Alpina Oil (ARA) and Schizochytrium Sp. Oil (DHA)
Similac Sensitive combines High Oleic Safflower Oil, Soy Oil, Coconut Oil, and C.Cohnii Oil (Source of DHA) & M.Alpina Oil (Source of ARA). This particular blend stands out since C.Cohnii & M.Alpina Oils offer DHA & ARA, respectively – elements known to aid eye & brain developments like cognitive brain functions.
Even though Enfamil Gentlease uses palm olein (which has its benefits, but in our opinion, it is better to avoid; learn more here), it comes on top of Similac Sensitive, because its source of DHA, Schizochytrium Sp. Oil has a higher DHA content, comes from a sustainable source, and it’s more pure than C.Cohnii Oil.
Probiotics and Prebiotics
No pre or probiotics in either formula.
Prebiotics and probiotics in infant formula are not essential ingredients in infant formulas, but they may prove beneficial for some babies.
Neither of the two formulas has prebiotics nor probiotics, meaning that if you are looking for a formula with these ingredients, we recommend you read about the alternatives below.
Best Places to Buy Enfamil Gentlease and Similac Sensitive
Enfamil Gentlease
Buy Enfamil Gentlease at Target
Buy Enfamil Gentlease at Walmart
Similac Sensitive
Buy Similac Sensitive at Target
Buy Similac Sensitive at Walmart
What are the best alternatives to Enfamil Gentlease and Similac Sensitive?
While Enfamil Gentlease and Similac Sensitive are good sensitive formulas, we think there are better alternatives out there.
Here are our personal recommendations:
Hipp HA: This hypoallergenic formula tops our list due to its organic ingredients. Its unique blend of prebiotics and probiotics helps maintain excellent gut health while easing digestion for sensitive little ones. *Read: Hipp HA vs Gentlease
Hipp Comfort: This option stands out for lactose-sensitive babies due to its reduced lactose content. Additionally, the proteins are adapted similarly to those found in breast milk, making them easily digestible.
Hipp Anti-Reflux: This unique milk formula has been created to alleviate infant reflux and regurgitation issues. Its locust bean gum makes the milk creamier, hence staying in the baby’s stomach better. *Read: Hipp Comfort vs Anti-Reflux
Kabrita Goat Milk Formula: This non-GMO goat milk formula is excellent for babies without CMPA (Cow’s Milk Protein Allergy) but still struggle to digest cow’s milk protein. *Read: Kabrita vs Enfamil
Last Words
We hope this comparison between Enfamil Gentlease and Similac Sensitive has helped you make an informed decision.
We still advise you to learn more about the alternatives above before you purchase any formula.
If you have further questions, please don’t hesitate to comment below.
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!
