Enfamil Gentlease vs Gerber Good Start SoothePro (2026): Which Formula Is Better?
General fussiness formula vs colic-specific formula — both gentle, but SoothePro is engineered for more severe symptoms. Here's when each one makes sense.
By TeachToddler Editorial Team · Updated April 11, 2026 · Formula Comparison
Fussiness vs Colic: Understanding the Spectrum
Before comparing these formulas, it helps to understand what they're each designed for. "Fussy baby" and "colicky baby" are not the same thing — they're different points on a severity spectrum, and these formulas target different points.
- General fussiness — Baby is gassy, uncomfortable, or cries more than you'd expect after feedings. Common in the first 2–3 months. Usually responds to burping, position changes, or a gentler formula. This is Gentlease territory.
- Colic (Wessel criteria) — Crying for 3+ hours per day, 3+ days per week, for 3+ weeks in an otherwise healthy infant. Peaks at 6 weeks, usually resolves by 3–4 months. Intense, inconsolable crying often in the evening. Doesn't fully respond to standard comfort measures. This is SoothePro territory.
- Key distinction: Gentlease is formulated for the 40–50% of babies who experience everyday fussiness. SoothePro is formulated for the 10–25% who cross into colic territory. Using SoothePro for mild fussiness means paying more for a formula that's more aggressive than needed.
How Each Formula Works
Both formulas make digestion easier, but SoothePro takes a more aggressive multi-pronged approach.
- Enfamil Gentlease (~$30/12.4 oz): Partially hydrolyzed nonfat milk and whey protein concentrate. Reduces lactose to 20% (replacing the rest with corn syrup solids). A straightforward "make it gentler" approach — smaller proteins, less lactose, less gas.
- Gerber SoothePro (~$32/12.2 oz): 100% whey protein with a higher degree of hydrolysis than standard gentle formulas (though still not classified as hypoallergenic). Completely lactose-free (uses corn maltodextrin). Adds L. reuteri probiotic (clinically studied for colic) and 2'-FL HMO (human milk oligosaccharide for immune support).
- SoothePro attacks colic from three angles: (1) more hydrolyzed protein for easier digestion, (2) zero lactose to eliminate any lactose-related gas, and (3) probiotic L. reuteri to address gut microbiome imbalance that some research links to colic.
Gentlease first, SoothePro if needed. If your baby is fussy but you haven't crossed into colic territory (the rule of 3s), start with Gentlease. It's cheaper, retains some lactose (nutritionally preferable), and resolves most cases of formula-related fussiness. Step up to SoothePro if Gentlease doesn't cut it after 1–2 weeks, or if your pediatrician diagnoses colic.
Ingredient-by-Ingredient Comparison
Here's exactly what's different between the two formulas at the ingredient level:
- Protein: Gentlease — partially hydrolyzed nonfat milk + whey (60:40 whey-casein blend). SoothePro — 100% whey protein, hydrolyzed to a greater degree. Both are cow's milk-derived, but SoothePro's proteins are smaller and all-whey (no casein), which means faster gastric emptying.
- Carbohydrate: Gentlease — 80% corn syrup solids + 20% lactose. SoothePro — 100% corn maltodextrin, zero lactose. Gentlease's retained lactose is a nutritional plus (galactose for brain development, better calcium absorption) but can contribute to gas in lactose-sensitive babies.
- Probiotic: SoothePro includes L. reuteri DSM 17938. This strain has the strongest evidence base for colic: a 2018 meta-analysis of 4 RCTs found it reduced crying by an average of 49 minutes/day. Gentlease contains no probiotic.
- HMO: SoothePro includes 2'-fucosyllactose (2'-FL HMO), a prebiotic found in human breast milk that supports immune function and gut health. Gentlease does not include any HMOs.
- DHA/ARA: Both include DHA and ARA from single-cell oil sources at comparable levels.
When to Choose Gentlease
Gentlease is the better starting formula for most babies experiencing digestive discomfort that falls short of clinical colic.
- Baby is gassy and fussy but the crying doesn't hit the 3-hours/3-days/3-weeks threshold of colic
- Fussiness is mainly tied to feeding times — baby is uncomfortable during or shortly after bottles
- You're stepping up from standard formula and want the least aggressive change
- You prefer to keep some lactose in the diet for its nutritional benefits
- Budget is a priority — Gentlease is ~$2 less per can and has more store-brand equivalents (~$18–22 for generics)
When to Choose SoothePro
SoothePro is built for the harder cases — when standard gentle approaches aren't enough.
- Baby meets the clinical definition of colic: crying 3+ hours/day, 3+ days/week, for 3+ weeks
- Gentlease was tried for 1–2 weeks and didn't meaningfully reduce fussiness
- Your pediatrician suspects lactose is contributing to symptoms and recommends zero-lactose formula
- You want to try a probiotic approach alongside formula changes — SoothePro bundles L. reuteri in rather than requiring a separate supplement
- Evening crying episodes are intense, prolonged, and resistant to standard soothing techniques
- You've already tried gas drops (simethicone) and gripe water without meaningful improvement
Price and Value Comparison
The price difference is modest, but there are hidden cost considerations worth noting.
- Gentlease: ~$30 for 12.4 oz powder. Many store-brand equivalents at $18–22. Well-established in subscription programs (5–15% off through Amazon, Enfamil Family Beginnings, etc.).
- SoothePro: ~$32 for 12.2 oz powder. Fewer store-brand equivalents — most generic "gentle" or "sensitive" formulas mimic Gentlease's approach, not SoothePro's more aggressive hydrolysis + probiotic combination.
- Hidden value in SoothePro: If you'd otherwise buy Gentlease ($30) plus a separate L. reuteri probiotic supplement like BioGaia ($25–30/month), SoothePro at $32 actually saves money by bundling both.
- Monthly cost: At 3–4 cans/month, Gentlease runs ~$90–120 vs SoothePro at ~$96–128. The difference is $6–8/month — modest enough that the better formula for your baby's symptoms should drive the decision, not price.
The Colic Timeline and When Formula Stops Being the Answer
Colic is almost always temporary, and it's important to keep that perspective even while searching for the right formula.
- Peak at 6 weeks: Colic symptoms are typically worst around 6 weeks of age, regardless of formula choice. Even the best formula won't eliminate colic entirely during this peak.
- Resolution by 3–4 months: The vast majority of colic resolves by 12–16 weeks. If you start SoothePro during the peak and symptoms improve at 3 months, it may be the formula working or it may be natural resolution — or both.
- When to look beyond formula: If your baby doesn't improve on SoothePro after 2 weeks, the crying may not be formula-related. Other causes to investigate with your pediatrician: GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), cow's milk protein allergy requiring true hypoallergenic formula, or non-GI causes of distress.
- Stepping up from SoothePro: If SoothePro isn't enough, the next level is Gerber Extensive HA or Enfamil Nutramigen — true hypoallergenic, extensively hydrolyzed formulas for confirmed CMPA.
Switching Between Gentlease and SoothePro
Transitioning between these formulas is relatively smooth since they're both designed for sensitive babies.
- Gentlease to SoothePro: A 2–3 day gradual mix is recommended. SoothePro tastes different due to zero lactose and higher hydrolysis, so some babies resist a cold-turkey switch. Start with 75% Gentlease / 25% SoothePro and work up over 3–4 days.
- SoothePro to Gentlease (stepping down): If colic resolves and you want to return to a less specialized formula, the transition is usually smoother going this direction. Most babies accept the milder-tasting Gentlease without issue.
- Stool changes: Switching from Gentlease (some lactose) to SoothePro (zero lactose) may change stool color and consistency. Slightly greenish, looser stools are normal on lactose-free formula.
- Probiotic adjustment: When starting SoothePro, the L. reuteri probiotic may cause a brief period of increased gas as the gut microbiome adjusts. This usually resolves within 3–5 days.