KEY DIFFERENCES TABLE BETWEEN ENFAMIL AND GERBER
| Aspect | Enfamil Neuropro | Gerber GentlePro |
|---|---|---|
| Suitable for Babies Who | – Have no lactose sensitivities – Can digest cow’s milk protein easily | – Have minor lactose sensitivitie – Have difficulty digesting cow’s milk protein |
| Unique Selling Points | – Contains MFGM for cognitive development and a triple prebiotic blend | – Contains comfort proteins for easy digestion – Enhanced with prebiotics and probiotics for gut health |
| Pediatrician Recommendation | #1 recommended for infants aged 0-12 months | Not specified |
| Protein Content (per 5 fl oz) | 2g (from nonfat milk and whey protein concentrate) | 2.2g (from hydrolyzed whey protein concentrate) |
| Carbohydrate Content (per 5 fl oz) | 11.3g (from lactose) | 11.2g (from lactose and corn maltodextrin) |
| Fat Content (per 5 fl oz) | 5.3g (from vegetable oils and MFGM) | 5.1g (from vegetable oils) |
| Prebiotics | – Contains MFGM for cognitive development – Mirrors breast milk closely with the addition of MFGM and Omega-3 DHA | – 2′-FL HMO |
| Probiotics | Not specified | – B. Lactis cultures |
| Packaging | Standard | Eco-conscious with recyclable packaging |
| Certifications | – Non-GMO – Gluten-free | – Non-GMO – No artificial growth hormones |
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This article will compare two popular infant formulas in the market: Enfamil vs Gerber. We will analyze their most popular formulas’ nutritional compositions and ingredients: Enfamil Neuropro and Gerber Good Start Gentlepro. After reading this post, you will have the information you need to make an informed decision.
Let’s get after it!
Related read: Similac vs Gerber
OUR SHORT ANSWER
It is not possible to choose a winning infant formula in this comparison, as your decision will depend on your baby’s needs.
Choose Enfamil Neuropro if your baby:
- Has no problems digesting cow’s milk protein.
- Does not have lactose sensitivities
Choose Gerber Gentlepro if your baby:
- Has difficulty digesting cow’s milk protein.
- Has minor lactose sensitivities
On paper, Enfamil Neuropro is a better formula thanks to the addition of MFGM (Milk Fat Globule Membrane), but Gerber is a better choice for babies with minor digestive problems thanks to its probiotics and hydrolyzed protein.
That said, we recommend you explore the alternatives mentioned below in the article.
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OVERVIEW OF THE TWO FORMULAS
Enfamil NeuroPro:
- #1 pediatrician-recommended formula for infants aged 0-12 months.
- Mirrors breast milk with MFGM and Omega-3 DHA for cognitive development.
- Contains prebiotics for gut health.
- Certified non-GMO and gluten-free.
- HSA/FSA eligible.
Gerber Good Start GentlePro:
- Supports baby’s digestive health with comfort proteins, DHA, prebiotics, and probiotics.
- Aims to replicate breast milk composition.
- Emphasizes brain and eye development.
- Non-GMO ingredients, no artificial growth hormones.
- Eco-conscious with recyclable packaging.
Enfamil Neuropro
Enfamil NeuroPro is a creation from the #1 pediatrician-recommended formula brand. Aimed to nourish infants in their first year, this milk-based, iron-fortified baby formula is designed for full-term babies aged 0-12 months.
One of its unique selling points comes from its makeup closely mirroring breast milk. It contains MFGM (milk fat globule membrane), and Omega-3 DHA, previously found only in breast milk. Studies indicate that baby formulas fortified with these ingredients can boost cognitive development and provide adequate nutrition.
This Enfamil formula is also enriched with prebiotics for gut health, plus it’s certified non-GMO and gluten-free – catered towards parents’ growing cognizance towards holistic wellness. Plus, it’s HSA/FSA eligible—essential for parents keen on optimizing their health insurance provisions.
Gerber Good Start GentlePro
Next is Gerber GentlePro, a formula specifically aimed at supporting your baby’s digestive health and comfort. This formula is tailored to replicate breast milk’s composition closely. It includes comfort proteins – smaller and easy-to-digest proteins – along with DHA, prebiotics, and probiotics supplements that mimic the constituents found in breast milk.
Besides promoting healthy gut flora, this Gerber formula focuses on brain and eye development. It comprises non-GMO ingredients and refrains from using artificial growth hormones—ensuring your baby gets as close to natural nutrition as possible.
Designed for babies between 0-12 months, Gerber Good Start GentlePro also seeks to minimize its environmental impact with recyclable packaging—a neat bonus for eco-conscious parents.
NUTRITIONAL COMPOSITION
Protein Content:
- Enfamil Neuropro: 2g protein (per 5 fl oz) from nonfat milk and whey protein concentrate.
- Gerber GentlePro: 2.2g protein (per 5 fl oz) from enzymatically hydrolyzed whey protein concentrate.
Carbohydrate Content:
- Enfamil Neuropro: 11.3g carbs (per 5 fl oz) sourced from lactose.
- Gerber GentlePro: Approximately 11.2g carbs (per 5 fl oz) from lactose and corn maltodextrin.
Fats and Oils:
- Enfamil Neuropro: 5.3g fat (per 5 fl oz) from a blend of vegetable oils, whey protein-lipid concentrate, and MFGM.
- Gerber GentlePro: Approximately 5.1g fat (per 5 fl oz) from a similar vegetable oil blend, with no MFGM. Neuropro includes MFGM, a beneficial component found in breast milk.
Protein Content
The basic building blocks for growth, proteins are vital to any baby formula.
Enfamil Neuropro‘s protein content per serving (5 fl oz) stands at 2g. This formula employs nonfat milk and whey protein concentrate for its protein sourcing.
Gerber GentlePro, on the other hand, offers a slightly higher protein content per serving—2.2g—and relies on enzymatically hydrolyzed whey protein concentrate derived from milk.
Both formulas use different kinds of protein. Neuropro uses the usual ingredients in most formulas: skimmed milk and whey protein concentrate.
On the other hand, Gerber uses hydrolyzed protein, which is easier to digest for babies who have trouble with cow’s milk protein. However, for babies without this issue, there’s no added benefit.
Carbohydrate Content
Carbs are the primary energy source for your baby’s growth and activity.
Per serving (5 fl oz), Enfamil Neuropro provides 11.3g of carbohydrates sourced from lactose.
Gerber GentlePro delivers roughly equivalent carbs at 11.2g per serving. This formula acquires its carbohydrates from lactose and corn maltodextrin—a sugar derived from starchy foods.
Neuropro uses lactose exclusively, which is what we like to see in ordinary formulas.
Gerber has reduced lactose content and adds corn maltodextrin, an easy-to-digest alternative that can benefit babies with mild lactose sensitivities.
Learn more: Maltodextrin in Baby Formulas
Fats and Oils
Fats fulfill numerous roles, from nurturing brain development to supporting growth.
In the case of Enfamil Neuropro, each serving delivers 5.3g of fat derived from a blend of vegetable oils (palm olein, coconut, soy, high oleic sunflower oils), whey protein-lipid concentrate, and MFGM (Milk Fat Globule Membrane)
Gerber GentlePro provides slightly less fat—5.1g per serving—but with a similar concoction of vegetable oils (palm olein, soy, coconut, high oleic safflower or high oleic sunflower).
Both formulas use the same vegetable blend, but Neuropro adds a special ingredient called MFGM. This ingredient has lots of essential benefits for babies, and it is found in breast milk.
PREBIOTICS AND PROBIOTICS
Enfamil Neuropro:
- Prebiotics: Galactooligosaccharides, 2′-FL HMO, PDX.
- 2′-FL HMO found in breast milk, acts as a prebiotic, supports brain development, and reduces the risk of necrotizing enterocolitis.
- PDX beneficial for gut health and promotes beneficial bacteria.
- GOS derived from plant sugars, promotes growth of beneficial gut bacteria.
Gerber GentlePro:
- Prebiotics: 2′-FL HMO.
- Probiotics: B. Lactis cultures, promoting gut health and immune response.
While prebiotics and probiotics might sound scientific, they’re primarily about keeping your little one’s tummy happy. Prebiotics feed the good bacteria in the gut, while probiotics are beneficial live bacteria themselves.
The Enfamil Neuropro formula utilizes a compound called Galactooligosaccharides as its prebiotic element and 2′-FL HMO and PDX.
- 2′-FL HMO
- Found in breast milk
- Acts as a prebiotic
- Protects against infections and inflammation
- Modulates the immune system
- Supports brain development
- Reduces risk of necrotizing enterocolitis
- PDX (Polydextrose)
- Beneficial for gut health
- Increases beneficial bacteria and short-chain fatty acids in the gut
- Often used with other prebiotics like GOS
- GOS (Galacto-oligosaccharides)
- Derived from plant sugars and found in dairy products, beans, and certain root vegetables
- Promotes growth of beneficial gut bacteria
- Unique origin from lactose in cow’s milk
As for Gerber GentlePro, this formula uses 2′-O-Fucosyllactose (2′-FL HMO) exclusively.
Regarding probiotics, Gerber GentlePro incorporates B. Lactis cultures—a good bacteria that can positively influence gut health by warding off harmful organisms and strengthening the immune response.
Enfamil Neuropro doesn’t explicitly mention a particular probiotic incorporated into the formulation, suggesting that this formula might focus more on prebiotic supplementation than probiotic inclusion.
BEST PLACES TO BUY ENFAMIL AND GERBER
Enfamil
Gerber
WHAT ARE THE BEST ALTERNATIVES TO ENFAMIL AND GERBER?
Enfamil Neuropro and Gerber are high-quality formulas, but other brands offer better products. Here are our favorites:
- Kendamil Organic – Our top pick for alternatives to considered formulas, Kendamil Organic, uses whole milk as its primary ingredient. This unique approach and real HMOs (Human Milk Oligosaccharides) from breast milk make it a stellar option. *Read: Kendamil vs Enfamil | Kendamil vs Gerber
- Bobbie – Our favorite US brand, Bobbie, prides itself on simplicity. A pure ingredients list that’s easy to understand makes it perfect for parents who appreciate transparency in their baby’s nutrition. *Read: Bobbie vs Neuropro | Bobbie vs Gerber
- Holle – Gaining the third place in our list is Holle. Being Demeter certified implies Holle’s ingredients meet exceptionally high standards of natural farming. If organics is what you’re after, look no further. *Read: Holle vs Enfamil
- Hipp – Last but not least, Hipp makes our list for its range of easy-to-digest formulas. Known for including a potent blend of prebiotics and probiotics, Hipp helps maintain a balanced digestive system for your baby. *Read: Hipp vs Enfamil
LAST WORDS
We hope this comparison between Enfamil and Gerber has helped you make an informed decision.
We recommend you learn more about the alternatives above before you make your final decision.
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!
