Similac vs Gerber: Which Baby Formula Is Better for Your Baby? (2026 Guide)

If you have stood in the formula aisle looking at a can of Similac next to a can of Gerber Good Start, you are not alone. These two brands are among the most widely sold infant formulas in the United States, they sit on almost every shelf, and they are often the first names new parents hear. But they are built around slightly different ideas about protein, carbohydrates, and digestion, and those differences are worth understanding before you commit to feeding one for months.

This guide walks through how Similac and Gerber Good Start actually compare in 2026 — who makes them, what is inside the flagship products, how their "gentle" and sensitive versions differ, and who each one tends to suit. Because parents shopping these mainstream brands are often also curious about European organic options, we will also show how formulas like HiPP, Holle, and Kendamil fit into the picture. As always, this is general information to help you shop with confidence, not medical advice — your pediatrician is the right person to help you choose and change your baby's formula.

Similac vs Gerber at a Glance

Both Similac and Gerber Good Start are cow's-milk-based, iron-fortified US formulas that meet the Food and Drug Administration's nutrient requirements for infant formula. The clearest differences show up in how each one handles protein and carbohydrates. The table below compares the two brands' most popular everyday products — Similac 360 Total Care and Gerber Good Start GentlePro — based on their current published ingredient lists. Specific formulations can change, so always confirm details on the label of the can you actually buy.

One thing that surprises a lot of parents: on DHA, the two are essentially the same. Both use an algal (vegetarian) source of DHA, so that is not a real point of difference. The meaningful contrasts are protein form, the carbohydrate mix, and the prebiotic and probiotic approach. Learning to read those parts of the label is a skill that pays off with any brand — our guide on how to read baby formula ingredient labels breaks down exactly what to look for.

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Who Makes Similac and Gerber?

Similac is made by Abbott, one of the largest formula manufacturers in the United States. It is a familiar hospital brand and comes in a broad lineup that ranges from its flagship 360 Total Care to sensitive, gentle, and organic versions.

Gerber is a name most parents associate with baby food, but the Gerber Good Start formula line is now manufactured by Perrigo, and in the US market it is increasingly co-branded as "Good Start | Dr. Brown's." The Gerber name is still on many packages, so if you search "Gerber Good Start" you will land on the same products. The formulas themselves are produced by Perrigo in the United States. This matters mainly when you are comparing labels online, because you may see the same product under slightly different branding.

Both brands are made in the US and regulated by the FDA, which is a point of reassurance for many families. If you are weighing US mainstream brands against imported European options, our overview of European organic formulas versus US brands explains how the two systems differ.

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Protein: Intact Milk vs Partially Hydrolyzed Whey

This is the single biggest difference between the two flagship products.

Similac 360 Total Care uses intact (whole, unbroken) milk protein — a blend of nonfat milk and whey protein concentrate. This is the standard approach for most everyday formulas and works well for the majority of babies.

Gerber Good Start GentlePro is built around 100% partially hydrolyzed whey, meaning the whey protein has been enzymatically broken into smaller pieces. Gerber markets this as "easy to digest," and some parents choose it hoping for a gentler feed. It is important to be clear about what partial hydrolysis is and is not: a partially hydrolyzed formula is a standard infant formula with smaller protein fragments. It is not a hypoallergenic formula and is not intended for babies with a diagnosed cow's milk protein allergy, which typically calls for an extensively hydrolyzed or amino-acid formula chosen with a pediatrician. If allergy is a concern, our guides on partially vs. extensively hydrolyzed formula and hypoallergenic formula explain the differences in detail.

So which protein is "better"? For a typical, healthy baby, both are complete and safe. Partially hydrolyzed whey may feel gentler for some babies, but many babies do perfectly well on intact-protein formula. There is no universal winner here — it depends on your individual baby, which is exactly the kind of thing to discuss with your pediatrician.

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Carbohydrates: Lactose, Corn Maltodextrin & Corn Syrup

Carbohydrates are the second major difference — and one that a lot of label-conscious parents care about.

Similac 360 Total Care uses lactose as its carbohydrate and does not contain corn syrup or corn maltodextrin. Lactose is the natural sugar found in breast milk, which is why many parents look for it.

Gerber Good Start GentlePro uses a combination of lactose and corn maltodextrin. It is worth being precise here: GentlePro is not a "no-lactose" formula — it contains both lactose and corn maltodextrin. Maltodextrin is a common, FDA-permitted carbohydrate used in many US formulas, and it is different from corn syrup solids, though both are corn-derived. Some parents prefer to minimize added corn-based carbohydrates and lean toward lactose-forward formulas; others find the difference makes no practical impact for their baby.

Keep in mind that the carbohydrate picture changes within each brand's lineup. Many "sensitive" formulas — from both brands — reduce lactose and lean more heavily on corn-based carbohydrates, which we cover in the sensitive-versions section below.

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Prebiotics, HMOs & Probiotics

Both brands add human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs), which are prebiotics structurally similar to those naturally found in breast milk. This is one area where they take different routes.

Similac 360 Total Care features a blend of 5 HMOs, which Abbott markets as its most breast-milk-inspired prebiotic blend. It does not add probiotic cultures to the standard 360 Total Care.

Gerber Good Start GentlePro includes a single HMO (2'-FL) plus added B. lactis probiotic cultures. So Gerber's differentiator is the added probiotic, while Similac's is the larger variety of HMO prebiotics.

Is more HMO variety automatically better? Research on HMOs is still developing, and both approaches are within the range of modern US formulas. If you want to understand what probiotic strains actually do in formula, see our explainer on probiotics for babies. Many European formulas take a "combiotic" approach that combines prebiotics and probiotics, which we touch on below.

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Fats & DHA: The Palm Oil Question

Fat blends are a quieter difference that some parents watch closely.

Similac 360 Total Care is formulated without palm olein oil, using a blend that includes high-oleic safflower, soy, and coconut oils. Parents who worry about palm oil's effect on stool consistency or calcium absorption sometimes prefer palm-free blends, though the evidence here is mixed and both types are safe.

Gerber Good Start GentlePro does contain palm olein as part of its vegetable oil blend.

On DHA — the omega-3 fatty acid tied to brain and eye development — both brands use an algal (Schizochytrium) source, so there is no meaningful difference between them there. If DHA and palm-free blends matter to you, that is a point worth comparing across brands rather than assuming one US brand always wins.

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Sensitive & Specialty Versions

Both brands go well beyond a single product. If your baby is gassy, fussy, or spitting up, you will likely be looking at the "sensitive" tiers, not the flagship products.

Similac's lineup includes sensitive and gentle options (such as 360 Total Care Sensitive and Total Comfort / Gentle Comfort), which typically reduce lactose and may use corn-based carbohydrates; Total Comfort also uses partially hydrolyzed protein. Abbott also makes a separate Similac Organic line.

Gerber's lineup includes SoothePro (a sensitive, reduced-lactose option with an L. reuteri probiotic that is often marketed for fussiness and gas) and Extensive HA (an extensively hydrolyzed formula for cow's milk protein allergy, used under medical guidance).

A key reminder: "sensitive," "gentle," and "comfort" are marketing tiers, not medical diagnoses. If your baby seems uncomfortable after feeds, it is worth understanding what is normal first — our guides on gas and constipation and what a comfort formula is and who it is for can help you sort out the options with your pediatrician before switching.

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Similac vs Gerber: Which Should You Choose?

There is no single "best" formula — the right one is the one your baby tolerates well and that fits your priorities and budget. That said, here is a simple way to think about it:

• Lean toward Similac 360 Total Care if you prefer a lactose-based, palm-olein-free formula with a wider variety of HMO prebiotics and don't need hydrolyzed protein.
• Lean toward Gerber Good Start GentlePro if you want a partially hydrolyzed (smaller-protein) formula with an added probiotic and don't mind corn maltodextrin or palm olein.
• Look at each brand's sensitive tier (Similac Total Comfort / Sensitive, Gerber SoothePro) if your baby is specifically gassy or fussy — and talk to your pediatrician first.

Whatever you choose, stage matters too. A Stage 1 or "0–12 months" formula is a complete food for the entire first year, and moving to a follow-on product is optional rather than required. If you do plan to change brands or stages, do it gradually and watch how your baby responds — our guide on whether it is bad to switch formula often and our stage-switching guide both cover this.

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How European Formulas Compare

Many parents comparing Similac and Gerber are really asking a bigger question: what are the cleanest-label, most breast-milk-inspired options out there? That curiosity is what leads a lot of US families to European organic formulas like HiPP, Holle, Kendamil, and Aptamil.

Compared with typical US mainstream formulas, European organic formulas often differ in a few ways: many are certified organic to EU standards, several use whole milk or added milk fat rather than only vegetable oils, and brands like Kendamil are made without palm oil. HiPP and Holle use a "combiotic" approach that pairs prebiotics with probiotic cultures. None of this makes European formula automatically "better" — it is a different set of trade-offs, and formulations vary by brand and market, so labels should always be checked.

One point of context on regulation: European formulas are made to EU standards and are not reviewed by the FDA in the same way US-made brands are; families in the US typically import them for personal use. If you are curious how that works legally and practically, see our clear explainer on whether European baby formula is legal in the USA. For a side-by-side of the major brands, our pillar guide comparing HiPP vs Holle vs Kendamil vs Aptamil is a good next stop, and if you are still early in the process, how to choose baby formula walks through the whole decision.

At EuromallUSA, one thing we hear from parents is that they want to try a European option without committing to a full case. That is why we sell single cans as well as multi-packs, offer a wide selection of specialty and hard-to-find formulas, and provide Subscribe & Save for families who settle on a favorite — with fast, tracked US shipping so you are not left waiting.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Similac or Gerber FDA approved?
The FDA does not "approve" any infant formula — not US brands and not European ones. Instead, formulas sold in the US must meet the FDA's nutrient and safety requirements, and both Similac and Gerber Good Start are made in the United States under those regulations. European formulas are made to EU standards and are not FDA-reviewed in the same way; families import them for personal use.

Is Gerber Good Start gentler than Similac?
Gerber Good Start GentlePro uses partially hydrolyzed whey, which some parents feel is gentler, but partial hydrolysis is not the same as hypoallergenic, and many babies tolerate Similac's intact-protein formula just as well. "Gentler" is very individual — your pediatrician can help if your baby seems uncomfortable.

Which one is closer to breast milk?
Both aim to be breast-milk-inspired. Similac 360 Total Care emphasizes a 5-HMO prebiotic blend and lactose; Gerber GentlePro emphasizes partially hydrolyzed whey plus a probiotic. No formula is identical to breast milk. For a broader look, see our guide on what formula is most similar to breast milk.

Do the ingredients ever change?
Yes. Manufacturers periodically update recipes, and ingredients can vary by product version and market. Always check the current label on the can you buy for the exact formulation, allergens, and preparation instructions.

Can I switch between Similac and Gerber?
Many families do switch brands at some point. When you do, transition gradually if possible and watch how your baby responds. Talk to your pediatrician about your baby's feeding and health before making a change.

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Recommended European Formulas

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Related Articles

Sources

Product and ingredient details in this article were drawn from official manufacturer and regulatory sources. Formulations can change — always confirm on the current product label.

• Abbott — Similac 360 Total Care (ingredients & features)
• Good Start / Dr. Brown's — Gentle Pro Infant Formula (ingredients)
• Gerber Medical — Good Start GentlePro
• U.S. Food & Drug Administration — Infant Formula Q&A

This article is general information for parents and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always talk to your pediatrician about your baby's feeding and health, and check the current product label for the most accurate ingredient and preparation information.

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