Enfamil Gentlease vs Similac Total Comfort
Looking for an infant formula for easing stomach problems quickly? Enfamil Gentlease and Similac Total Comfort both claim fast relief, but which is better?
Let us help you decide, with our in-depth Enfamil Gentlease vs Similac Total Comfort review!
Fussiness at feeding time can put a huge amount of stress on parents and babies. It’s hard when every feed is followed by fussiness, and taking a bottle seems to be causing your little one distress.
Infant formulas such as Enfamil Gentlease and Similac Total Comfort offer a potential solution. These formulas are designed to be gentle on the stomach, as they use smaller proteins which are easier to digest. But how well do they actually work?
In this guide, we’ve taken a close look at Enfamil Gentlease and Similac Total Comfort, to see how the popular infant formulas compare. If sensitive stomachs are causing feeding time issues, we think these formulas can help!
And if you love this Similac Total Comfort vs Enfamil Gentlease review, make sure to check out our guides on best formula that tastes like breast milk, Similac Pro Total Comfort Vs Pro Sensitive, Similac Sensitive Vs Total Comfort, and Enfamil Gentlease Vs Similac Sensitive! You may even like our review on Enfamil NeuroPro vs Similac Pro Advance!
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Enfamil Gentlease Vs Similac Total Comfort
In this section, we’ll see what Enfamil Gentlease and Similac Total Comfort both claim to do.
All About Enfamil Gentlease
Easy on the stomach, Enfamil Gentlease has been created to help babies with sensitive stomachs enjoy a complete feed. For babies struggling with spit up, fussiness, and crying, Enfamil Gentlease can aid digestion, and quickly reduce stress at feeding times.
Enfamil Gentlease uses proteins that have already been partly broken down. These partially hydrolyzed nonfat milk and whey proteins pass easily through the digestive system, causing less pain and aches for your baby. If you’ve found standard formulas lead to crying and fussing, Enfamil Gentlease can be an effective solution.
And you don’t have to wait long to see the result! Because of those smaller proteins, you can see the benefits of switching to Gentlease in just 24 hours!
A brain building formula, Enfamil Gentlease contains a special blend of choline and expert-recommended DHA. Gentlease can provide your little one with the best start in life!
Pros
- Enfamil Gentlease uses partially hydrolyzed proteins, which are smaller, and easier for the body to digest.
- Can reduce spit up, and ease crying and fussiness in babies.
- Quick working, you can see the results of Gentlease in just 24 hours.
- Contains choline and DHA, which help support healthy brain development.
- Easy to mix, and with a mild and pleasant taste.
Cons
- Enfamil Gentlease is more expensive than similar easy digestion formulas.
You may also like our guides on Enfamil AR Vs Gentlease, Enfamil Gentlease alternatives and best formula for spit up and gas!
All About Similac Total Comfort
Similac Total Comfort is an infant formula designed for easy digestion in sensitive stomachs. A complete feed, Total Comfort uses the prebiotic 2’-FL HMO to closely mimic the composition of breast milk.
Similac Total Comfort uses hydrolyzed proteins to create a formula that’s easier for growing digestive systems to handle. This is great for babies that struggle with tummy troubles, and may find feeding time distressful. Because the proteins are partly digested already, they put a lot less strain on the body.
A complete feed, Similac Total Comfort offers your little one what they need for healthy growth. Containing nutrients such as DHA and lutein, for brain and eye development, this feed provides a good start for young babies.
Total Comfort might not seem familiar to even consistent Similac uses — American moms are much more likely to recognize Similac Pro-Total Comfort! These are essentially the same formula, only Total Comfort is manufactured in Spain (and sold with FDA approval).
While Similac Total Comfort is good for the stomach, some parents have found it has a strong smell, and is prone to clumping.
Pros
- Made with partially hydrolyzed whey proteins, which are easier for growing digestive systems.
- Contains 2’-FL HMO, a prebiotic that supports the immune system.
- Contains DHA and lutein, for healthy brain and eye development.
- Total Comfort contains no palm olein oil, which can limit calcium absorption.
- An affordable formula for sensitive stomachs.
Cons
- Parents have found that Total Comfort has a tendency to clump, and needs a thorough mixing.
- As an imported formula, it might be hard to purchase from time to time, requiring you to make a formula switch.
Similarities And Differences Between Enfamil Gentlease And Similac Total Comfort
Designed for easier digestion, there are many similarities between Enfamil Gentlease and Similac Total Comfort. Here, we’ll explore these similarities — and the important differences — in more detail.
A Complete Feed For Fussy Babies
Enfamil Gentlease and Similac Total Comfort are formulas designed to ease fussy tummies, and soothe digestive issues. They’re recommended for babies who are fussy after eating, or suffer from gas and other stomach complaints.
Both Enfamil Gentlease and Similac Total Comfort are packed with the nutrition that your little one needs for healthy growth and development. But because of the gentle formulation, they can deliver these nutrients in a way less likely to upset sensitive stomachs.
Whether you choose Enfamil Gentlease or Similac Total Comfort, both brands are industry leaders, and have been trusted by parents for decades. Enfamil is the number one pediatrician recommended brand, and Similac is the number one infant brand fed in hospitals. So, you know your baby’s diet is in competent hands!
Easy To Digest Proteins
What makes Enfamil Gentlease and Similac Total Comfort so good for babies with digestive issues? The key to the easy digestion of both brands is their use of partially hydrolyzed proteins.
Hydrolysis is essentially the process of breaking down a chemical. In infant formula, hydrolysis is used on proteins. This makes the proteins smaller, so they don’t strain a still-developing digestive system.
These partially hydrolyzed proteins also make the formulas slightly closer to breast milk than non-hydrolyzed formulas, as the molecules in milk are smaller.
Enfamil Gentlease uses a mixture of partially hydrolyzed nonfat milk and whey protein concentrate solids, and Similac Total Comfort uses partially hydrolyzed whey protein.
Gentlease and Total Comfort both use partial hydrolysis, rather than extensive hydrolysis. They aren’t hypoallergenic, so might not be suitable for severe allergic reactions. They also both contain (very) low levels of lactose.
Immune Support
Similac have added 2’-FL HMO to the Total Comfort formula, to offer additional immune support to growing bodies. 2’-FL HMO is a human milk oligosaccharide aka a prebiotic that occurs naturally in breast milk. This directly helps nourish the immune response in the gut. Including 2’-FL HMO makes the formula closer to breast milk, for a more complete feed.
That’s not to say that Enfamil Gentlease won’t support a growing immune system — it contains the nutrition your baby will need to get out and face the world! But Gentlease doesn’t have the extra supportive boost provided by 2’-FL HMO.
Brain Nourishing Nutrients
Both Enfamil Gentlease and Similac Total Comfort contain nutrients to nourish healthy brain development. Enfamil Gentlease boasts a blend of DHA and choline for brain support, while Similac Total Comfort uses DHA and lutein for brain and eye development.
Quick Action
When your baby is having trouble feeding, you want to deal with it as quickly as possible. Both Enfamil Gentlease and Similac Total Comfort claim to get to work in just 24 hours, easing fussiness within one day of use.
This is thanks to those broken down proteins, which the body can quickly adjust to.
Where Is It Made?
Both Similac and Enfamil are American brands, and the majority of their formulas are manufactured in America. However, Similac Total Comfort is an imported formula, and is manufactured in Spain. Similac started importing Total Comfort to the US to fill supply chain demands!
Similac Total Comfort might be an imported formula, but it has been approved for sale in the US by the FDA. It can be surprising to see imported formulas, but Similac Total Comfort has had to undergo the same stringent security checks as Enfamil Gentlease.
Taste And Texture
You can never quite tell how a baby is going to react to formula, so don’t let taste dictate your choice. However, if you’re really struggling to choose between the two, parents have found Enfamil Gentlease has the more pleasant smell and taste.
Similarly, while both formulas are easy to mix, parents have found Similac Total Comfort is more prone to clumping than Enfamil Gentlease. Gentlease dissolves better, and is less likely to need a good shake midway through feeding.
Price
For parents keeping to a budget, Similac Total Comfort is typically the more affordable choice. Enfamil Gentlease is only slightly more expensive, but these small differences can add up for repeat purchases.
It’s often best to bulk buy formula (once you know it works for your baby). Bulk buying both prevents regular trips to the store, and can often net you a saving. Parents might find it easier to bulk buy Enfamil Gentlease (which is manufactured in the US) over Similac Total Comfort (which is imported from Spain).
Final Thoughts On Similac Total Comfort vs Enfamil Gentlease
Enfamil Gentlease and Similac Total Comfort are both formulas that use partially hydrolyzed proteins to ease digestion for sensitive stomachs.
Overall, we prefer the performance of Similac Total Comfort. It contains all the necessary nutrients for a complete feed, plus 2’-FL HMO, which can support the developing immune system. It’s also typically cheaper than Enfamil Gentlease, and contains no palm olein oil.
However, Enfamil Gentlease does have its benefits. It’s easier to mix than Total Comfort, and babies typically prefer the taste.
Sensitive stomachs can be a nightmare to deal with, and both Similac Total Care and Enfamil Gentlease offer potential solutions. We hope this guide can help you through feeding time.
And if you want to check out any more of our guides, we recommend checking out these guides on does baby formula expire?, how to keep baby bottle warm at night and how to warm bottles on the go. Or even our guides for the best bottles for tongue tie, and best baby bottles for reflux.
