Editor’s Note
As of May 2022, many formulas have become increasingly difficult to find. Please read our article, What To Do If You Can’t Find Baby Formula, for more information regarding the formula shortage.
Are you trying to figure out which formula will be gentle enough for your fussy baby?
Deciding which is the best formula for your infant can be such a daunting task. The options seem endless, and it can be a struggle to choose one brand over another, especially when unsure of how your baby will tolerate it. And, what formula should you give a fussy, gassy, colicky baby? Suddenly, your choices are limited. It’s so hard to know which formula to try. If considering Enfamil Gentlease or Gerber Soothe, I recommend the Gerber formula as a more gentle option for your baby. Want to know more? Read on to discover why Gerber Soothe is a great choice for your fussy infant.
Gerber Soothe
Gerber Soothe is for infants, meaning it is appropriate for newborns and babies up to 12 months old. Gerber has a reputation for quality and value in their baby products, and this formula is no exception. If your baby seems fussy, gassy, or colicky, you are probably on the hunt for a formula that will ease these symptoms. This formula is marketed as a gentle, good-tasting option that can help reduce gastric distress or discomfort. If your infant shows signs of illness, however, consult a doctor before changing infant formulas.
GMO-Free
This baby formula is GMO-free. GMO stands for genetically modified organisms. Despite research studies demonstrating the safety of some GMO products, many people believe that they aren’t great for human consumption. Because non-breastfed infants receive all of their initial nutrition from formula, it is probably best to avoid GMOs. This Gerber formula is certified non-GMO which is my preference for a healthy baby formula.
Colic Fighting Probiotic
Colic occurs in up to 20% of babies (source). It can be overwhelming and frustrating to hear your baby cry for what seems to be absolutely no reason. Gerber Soothe has a special probiotic in the formula called L. reuteri. This probiotic is proven to reduce crying from colic by up to 50%. Probiotics, in general, are great for gut health, and the addition of L. reuteri can promote proper gut balance in babies who are formula fed. By including this strain of probiotic, Gerber Soothe really has a leg up on the competition.
Recommended DHA and ARA Intake
Docosahexaenoic acid and arachidonic acid are important fatty acids that naturally occur in breastmilk. They are major building blocks of the brain and are needed for eye health as well. Many people lack sufficient DHA and ARA in their diets, but a baby should not be one of them. Gerber Soothe includes the expert recommended about of DHA to ensure that your baby is getting exactly what they need for brain and eye health.
Comfort Proteins
Fully intact cow’s milk or soy proteins may cause infants to experience stomach discomfort. Instead, Gerber Soothe has partially hydrolyzed milk proteins. The proteins have been broken down into smaller pieces that are easier for your baby to digest. Smaller proteins generally mean less gas and colic.
Good Taste
Many baby formulas don’t taste that great. In fact, it may be hard to convince your baby to drink formula at all. The flavor of “alternative formulas” such as gentle or colic versions can be even harder for your little one to accept! Luckily, Gerber Soothe has a mild taste that most babies seem to tolerate and enjoy. I like that the company has made palatability a priority. It’s one of the reasons I think Gerber Soothe is a better choice.
Possible Drawbacks:
Cost
Gerber Soothe is not the cheapest formula on the market. However, the price is equivalent to that of Enfamil Gentlease. Because this product is a specialty formula for fussy babies, it makes sense that it would cost a bit more. Unfortunately, this may make it unaffordable for parents on a strict budget. Deals can be found online to save you money, so be on the lookout for them! You may also be able to obtain samples at your pediatrician’s office.
Constipation
Some parents have complained that their baby developed constipation while taking this formula. This may be a sign that Gerber Soothe isn’t the right option, and another infant formula may be better. However, constipation can occur no matter which formula is given, especially if a baby isn’t feeding well. I only mention the constipation issue here in case it develops.
Water Temperature
Gerber Soothe is fortified with probiotics for gut health. To maintain their integrity, warm water is better to use than hot water for powdered formula preparation. However, some recent research studies show that even heat-exposed probiotics may provide some benefit to the immune system (source). That said, it is probably best not to use water that is too hot which could also cause a burn (source).
Gerber Soothe Formula Features:
- 22.2 Ounce container makes 40 bottles (4 ounces each)
- This is an infant formula from birth through one year
- Supports digestive health
- Supports immune health
- Reduces colic and gas
- Easy to digest
Enfamil Gentlease
Enfamil is another top baby formula contender. The company has a reputation for a wide variety of easy to find formulas. When babies don’t tolerate their original formula version, many people choose Enfamil Gentlease. This product is designed to help calm a colicky baby, and be extra gentle on their developing digestive systems. Although Enfamil Gentlease is a good infant formula choice, I believe that Gerber Soothe has more advantages.
Inositol and DHA
I have explained the cognitive benefits of DHA in the Gerber Soothe discussion. Inositol is important for proper functioning of cells throughout the body. Enfamil Gentlease is one of the only infant formulas that contains this ingredient. Inositol naturally occurs in breastmilk, and is present at high levels in colostrum, the pre-milk produced just after giving birth. Both it and DHA promote brain health, although some studies show limited benefit of the synthetic inositol used in infant formulas (source).
Non-GMO
Like Gerber Soothe infant formula, Gentlease is also GMO-free. There is no need to worry about genetically modified ingredients in either of these choices.
Triple Health Guard Blend
The Triple Health Guard Blend is Enfamil’s proprietary nutrient composition. It includes over 30 ingredients to help your baby grow. Gentlease also has more DHA than other formulas on the market. Some parents may prefer this higher DHA content, but I feel that the amount in the Gerber Soothe is sufficient.
Improved Formula is Closer to Breastmilk
No formula can fully mimic breastmilk. Enfamil, however, has reformulated this product to be as close to breastmilk as possible. The ratio of whey to casein and amount of DHA are similar to that of breastmilk. This is beneficial if using this formula to supplement breastfeeding, or solely formula feed your baby.
Possible Drawbacks
New Formulation Affects Palatability
This formula was recently revamped, and your baby may notice the difference if already accustomed to the old version! It has a slightly new taste, and a bit thinner consistency. In trying to approximate breastmilk, some aspects of Gentlease were changed. If this is your baby’s first try of Gentlease, there probably won’t be an issue. Babies who have been fed the previous version may dislike this newer one!
Enfamil Gentlease Formula Features:
- 21.5 Ounce container
- Stage One Formula for 0-12 months old
- Helps with Fussiness, gas, crying
- Has DHA and Inositol
- Premium Formula
Enfamil vs Similac
There are other good infant formula choices available. Specifically, Similac is another best seller which we compare in our Enfamil vs Similac guide.
Bottom Line
If it is just a question of whether Enfamil Gentlease or Gerber Soothe reduces fussiness, gassiness, and colic best, there is not one right answer. Every formula is tolerated differently by each baby. It may take several tries, or you may find the perfect formula on day one. Since both are considered “specialty” formulas, parents usually have tried “regular” infant formula first. Speaking with a doctor can help to determine the best formula option to ease your baby’s symptoms.
However, because of the features mentioned above, I recommend Gerber Soothe as the superior option for fussy, gassy, or colicky babies. The addition of colic-reducing probiotics really helps. Enfamil Gentlease has no probiotics. If you have a fussy baby, I would definitely start with Gerber Soothe formula, and see if it works for your baby! Overall, you can’t go wrong with a baby formula that supports brain and eye health, and includes probiotics for a strong immune system.
