Hands-on Review: Similac 360 Total Care Gentle Comfort

This new gentle formula impressed us with easy preparation, reasonable taste, partially hydrolyzed whey protein, five HMOs, and encouraging improvements in gas, reflux, and stool softness!

We put Similac 360 Total Care Gentle Comfort Infant Formula to the test, evaluating its ingredients, nutrition, protein composition, mixing, taste, packaging, tolerability, sourcing, consumer feedback, and overall value.

We also tested it with two babies, 3 and 5 months old, both of whom regularly experience some combination of gas, constipation, reflux, or fussiness.

Let's see how it performed!

Full disclosure: As always, parents should consult their pediatrician before switching formulas, particularly when allergies, reflux, poor growth, persistent diarrhea or constipation, or other medical concerns are involved.

Similac 360 Total Care Gentle Comfort is designed for babies from birth through 12 months who may have difficulty tolerating conventional milk-based formulas.

It replaces Similac Pro-Total Comfort with an updated formulation that retains partially hydrolyzed whey protein while adding Similac's newer blend of five human milk oligosaccharides, or HMOs.

Importantly, Gentle Comfort is not hypoallergenic and still contains cow's milk protein.

Our Similac 360 Gentle Comfort Formula Review

Nobody wants to read through an entire article to get to conclusions; you've got more important things to do! So here are our findings, right up front.

Here is a summary of what we loved, and a few things that could be improved.

✔️  Complete nutrition 0-12 mo.
✔️  Contains iron.
✔️  100% whey protein.
✔️  No casein protein.
✔️  Partially hydrolyzed whey.
✔️  Very low lactose.
✔️  Five HMO prebiotics.
✔️  Includes DHA + ARA.
✔️  Includes lutein.
✔️  No palm olein oil.
✔️  Non-GMO ingredients.
✔️  No artificial growth hormones.
✔️  Kosher and Halal.
✔️  Gluten-free.
✔️  Easy to prepare and mix.
✔️  Scoop stores securely in lid.
✔️  Reasonable taste.
✔️  Both test babies accepted it.
✔️  Encouraging gas/reflux results.
✔️  Very soft stools in one baby.
❌  Annoying foil seal.
❌  Moderate foam after shaking.
❌  Mild clumping.
❌  Corn maltodextrin is first ingredient.
❌  Contains added sugar.
❌  Contains soy oil.
❌  Nearly eliminates lactose.
❌  Not organic.

Overall, Similac 360 Total Care Gentle Comfort made a very strong impression.

We particularly like its 100% partially hydrolyzed whey protein, five-HMO prebiotic blend, DHA and ARA, and the absence of palm olein oil.

Our hands-on testing was also encouraging.

Both babies ultimately accepted the formula, and the parent of our 5-month-old test baby liked it enough to switch away from HiPP after seeing improvements in gas and reflux.

There are some tradeoffs.

Unlike our favorite Good Start Gentle Pro formula, Gentle Comfort relies heavily on corn maltodextrin rather than keeping lactose as its primary carbohydrate.

We also saw moderate foaming and a little clumping when preparing an 8-ounce bottle, although neither issue was concerning.

Still, for a baby who struggles with conventional intact-protein formulas, we think this is one of the better mainstream gentle options currently available.

It's easily worthy of a spot on our list of the best gentle baby formulas!

Unboxing & Packaging

Similac 360 Total Care Gentle Comfort is available in several powder sizes, including 20.1-, 29.8-, and 40-ounce containers.

It is also available in convenient ready-to-feed versions, which can be especially useful for travel, daycare, newborn feeding, or nighttime bottles.

The packaging is familiar Similac, with preparation instructions, nutrition facts, ingredients, storage information, and feeding guidance clearly printed on the container.

We did have one immediate complaint when opening it: the foil freshness seal underneath the lid was surprisingly annoying to remove.

Most of the seal pulled away normally, but one section tore rather than peeling cleanly, leaving us picking at the remaining foil.

It's a minor issue that only matters once per container, but we've opened plenty of infant formula tubs and thought this one was more frustrating than necessary.

On the other hand, we absolutely love the scoop storage.

The measuring scoop clips securely into the underside of the lid instead of sitting loose in the powder.

That means you don't need to dig through the formula looking for a buried scoop, and it keeps powder off the handle between feedings.

It's a simple design feature, but one we wish every formula container used.

The included scoop holds approximately 8.8 grams, with one unpacked level scoop used for every 2 fluid ounces of water.

The powder itself is light in color and has a somewhat more noticeable aroma than a conventional intact-protein milk formula.

That's not surprising because hydrolyzed proteins tend to smell and taste somewhat different after the proteins have been broken into smaller peptides.

Fortunately, we didn't find the smell particularly unpleasant.

Ingredients

The ingredient list is where Similac 360 Total Care Gentle Comfort becomes especially interesting.

The primary carbohydrate is corn maltodextrin, followed by partially hydrolyzed whey protein.

Unlike most conventional cow's milk formulas, Gentle Comfort uses 100% whey protein rather than a combination of whey and casein.

That whey is partially hydrolyzed, breaking large intact proteins into smaller peptides that may be easier for some babies to digest.

Full ingredients list:

Corn maltodextrin, whey protein hydrolysate, high oleic safflower oil, sugar, soy oil, coconut oil, human milk oligosaccharides (2'-fucosyllactose, lacto-N-tetraose, 3-fucosyllactose, 6'-sialyllactose, 3'-sialyllactose); less than 2% of: Schizochytrium sp. oil, M. alpina oil, beta-carotene, lutein, calcium citrate, potassium phosphate, calcium phosphate, salt, magnesium chloride, ascorbic acid, choline chloride, inositol, potassium chloride, sodium citrate, calcium hydroxide, potassium citrate, choline bitartrate, ferrous sulfate, taurine, zinc sulfate, ascorbyl palmitate, L-carnitine, niacinamide, mixed tocopherols, d-alpha-tocopheryl acetate, calcium pantothenate, copper sulfate, vitamin A palmitate, thiamine hydrochloride, riboflavin, pyridoxine hydrochloride, folic acid, manganese sulfate, potassium iodide, phylloquinone, biotin, sodium selenate, vitamin D3, vitamin B12, potassium hydroxide, and nucleotides.

Contains milk ingredients.

Some noteworthy formulation highlights include:

• 100% partially hydrolyzed whey protein, with no casein protein.
• Five HMO prebiotics: 2'-FL, LNT, 3-FL, 6'-SL, and 3'-SL.
• DHA and ARA to support brain and eye development.
• Lutein and beta-carotene.
• Nucleotides, choline, taurine, inositol, and L-carnitine.
• No palm olein oil.

The carbohydrate profile is the biggest difference between Gentle Comfort and some of our other favorite gentle formulas.

Rather than using lactose as its main carbohydrate, Gentle Comfort uses corn maltodextrin and sugar while reducing lactose to only about 0.1 gram per 100 calories.

For comparison, regular Similac 360 Total Care contains about 11 grams of lactose per 100 calories.

That extremely low-lactose formulation may be helpful for some babies, particularly when temporary lactose malabsorption or sensitivity is suspected.

However, true primary lactose intolerance is uncommon during infancy, and most healthy babies are quite capable of digesting lactose.

Lactose is also the predominant carbohydrate naturally found in breast milk.

For those reasons, we generally prefer the carbohydrate profile of Good Start Gentle Pro, which retains substantially more lactose.

That doesn't make corn maltodextrin or sugar unsafe, but it is a meaningful formulation difference parents may want to consider.

On the positive side, Gentle Comfort contains no palm olein oil.

Palm olein can influence stool characteristics and calcium-fat soap formation, and Similac specifically emphasizes its palm-olein-free formulation as helping support softer stools.

Given what we saw during testing, that claim was particularly interesting.

Nutrition Facts

When prepared according to the label, approximately 5 fluid ounces of Similac 360 Total Care Gentle Comfort provides 100 calories, or the standard 20 calories per fluid ounce.

Here are the major nutrients per 100 calories:

Nutrient	Amount	Notes
Protein	2.32 g	100% partially hydrolyzed whey protein
Fat	5.4 g	Palm-olein-free vegetable oil blend
Carbohydrate	10.7 g	Primarily corn maltodextrin and sugar
Linoleic Acid	1,000 mg	Essential omega-6 fatty acid
Vitamin A	300 IU	Supports vision, growth, and immune function
Vitamin D	60 IU	Supports calcium absorption and bone development
Vitamin E	1.5 IU	Antioxidant vitamin important for cell protection
Vitamin K	8 mcg	Supports normal blood clotting
Vitamin C	9 mg	Supports immune function and iron absorption
Choline	24 mg	Important for brain development and cell membranes
Inositol	24 mg	Supports cellular signaling and development
Calcium	105 mg	Important for bone development
Phosphorus	75 mg	Works with calcium to support bones and metabolism
Magnesium	6 mg	Supports muscle, nerve, and enzyme function
Iron	1.8 mg	Supports red blood cells and cognitive development
Zinc	0.75 mg	Supports growth and immune function
Copper	90 mcg	Supports iron metabolism and connective tissue
Iodine	15 mcg	Important for thyroid and brain development
Selenium	2 mcg	Antioxidant trace mineral
Sodium	44 mg	Electrolyte important for fluid balance
Potassium	118 mg	Supports nerve, muscle, and heart function
Chloride	65 mg	Helps maintain fluid and acid-base balance

Beyond the standard vitamins and minerals, there are several additions we particularly like: DHA, ARA, lutein, and the five-HMO prebiotic blend.

The five HMOs are particularly unusual among gentle formulas and are one of the primary upgrades from the older Similac Pro-Total Comfort formulation.

These HMOs are structurally identical to specific oligosaccharides found naturally in breast milk, but they are not obtained from human milk.

Abbott has clinical research suggesting that its five-HMO blend can help support growth of beneficial infant-associated bacteria.

Importantly, however, those specific clinical findings were obtained with Similac 360 Total Care rather than Gentle Comfort itself.

We therefore consider the five-HMO blend a compelling feature, but we would not overstate what has been clinically demonstrated specifically for this formula.

FDA Nutrition Comparison

One of the things we like to do when reviewing infant formula is compare the label values with standard U.S. infant formula nutrition requirements.

Gentle Comfort provides complete infant nutrition and its nutrient profile sits comfortably within the standard ranges used for U.S. infant formulas.

Nutrient	Gentle Comfort	U.S. Standard	Our Take
Protein	2.32 g	1.8-4.5 g	Within range
Fat	5.4 g	3.3-6.0 g	Within range
Linoleic Acid	1,000 mg	≥300 mg	Comfortably above minimum
Vitamin A	300 IU	250-750 IU	Within range
Vitamin D	60 IU	40-100 IU	Within range
Iron	1.8 mg	0.15-3.0 mg	Within range
Iodine	15 mcg	5-75 mcg	Within range
Selenium	2 mcg	2-7 mcg	At lower end of range
Sodium	44 mg	20-60 mg	Within range
Potassium	118 mg	80-200 mg	Within range
Chloride	65 mg	55-150 mg	Within range
Calcium:Phosphorus ratio	1.4:1	1.1:1 to 2.0:1	Within range

There were no obvious nutritional shortcomings in our review of the label.

As with other gentle formulas, what makes Gentle Comfort distinctive isn't an unusual amount of protein; it's the form of that protein and the broader digestive formulation.

Preparation & Mixing

The preparation instructions are straightforward and will be familiar to anyone who has prepared a conventional powdered infant formula.

Similac instructs parents to wash their hands, surfaces, and utensils, measure water into the bottle first, then add the appropriate number of unpacked level scoops.

Mixing chart:

To Make	Water	Powder
2 fl oz bottle	2 fl oz water	1 unpacked level scoop (8.8 g)
4 fl oz bottle	4 fl oz water	2 unpacked level scoops
6 fl oz bottle	6 fl oz water	3 unpacked level scoops
8 fl oz bottle	8 fl oz water	4 unpacked level scoops

If formula will not be fed immediately, prepared bottles should be refrigerated and used within 24 hours.

Once feeding begins, remaining formula should be discarded after 1 hour.

The powder should be used within one month of opening.

As with other powdered infant formulas, Gentle Comfort is not sterile, so parents of premature or immunocompromised infants should discuss appropriate preparation procedures with their pediatrician.

For our hands-on mixing test, we prepared a full 8-ounce bottle using a Comotomo bottle.

Preparation itself was very easy.

The powder incorporated into the water quickly with normal shaking, although we did notice a couple of minor mixing quirks.

First, the formula produced a moderate amount of foam after shaking.

It wasn't excessive, but there was a clearly visible layer of bubbles across the top of the bottle immediately after mixing.

Foaming isn't necessarily a problem, and much of it settles if the bottle is allowed to sit briefly before feeding.

Still, parents whose babies tend to swallow a lot of air may prefer to swirl the bottle when practical or simply give the foam a moment to settle.

We also noticed mild clumping.

A few small particles remained visible after shaking, but the amount was minor and nothing we found concerning.

Overall, we would still describe Gentle Comfort as easy to prepare and mix.

The moderate foam and small amount of clumping were noticeable, but neither interfered with feeding or changed our generally positive impression of preparation.

We also sampled the prepared formula ourselves.

Hydrolyzed proteins can sometimes create a noticeably bitter flavor because protein hydrolysis produces smaller peptides that may taste different from intact milk proteins.

Gentle Comfort did have a slight bitterness, but we thought the flavor was still completely reasonable.

It certainly wasn't as unpleasant as some extensively hydrolyzed hypoallergenic formulas we've sampled.

That mild bitterness did seem relevant when we moved on to testing it with babies.

Our Hands-On Testing

For our real-world testing, we tried Similac 360 Total Care Gentle Comfort with two babies: 3 months and 5 months old.

Both babies already tended toward some combination of gas, constipation, reflux, or fussiness, making them especially useful testers for a formula specifically marketed toward sensitive tummies.

Our 3-month-old was initially somewhat hesitant.

She didn't seem to love the flavor during her first exposure, which didn't surprise us given the slight bitterness we noticed ourselves.

Fortunately, she gradually accepted it and ultimately drank the formula without a problem.

Her parent thought that her usual digestive issues might have improved slightly, although the difference wasn't dramatic enough during our initial testing period to confidently attribute it to the formula.

One change was very obvious, however: her poop became considerably smellier than usual.

Interestingly, unusually strong-smelling stool and gas also appear in parent discussions of Similac's Comfort formulas.

That isn't necessarily a sign that something is wrong.

Changing protein structure, carbohydrate sources, and prebiotics can all alter the gut microbiome and the compounds produced during intestinal fermentation.

But it is certainly something parents may notice after switching.

Our 5-month-old had an even more interesting experience.

He accepted Gentle Comfort immediately and continued drinking it without resistance.

His parent initially thought his gas, reflux, and fussiness might be somewhat improved but wasn't certain whether the formula deserved the credit.

That changed with continued use.

His parent ultimately decided to switch him from HiPP to Similac 360 Total Care Gentle Comfort and reported that he seemed to be doing noticeably better with both gas and reflux.

She believed the formula was at least partly responsible for the improvement.

His stool also became very soft.

We wouldn't quite describe it as diarrhea or truly loose stool, but it was clearly softer than before.

For a baby who tends toward constipation, that may be a desirable effect.

Of course, two babies are a tiny sample, and gas and reflux can change naturally with age, feeding technique, bottle choice, feeding volume, and many other factors.

We therefore wouldn't claim that Gentle Comfort caused these improvements.

Still, the fact that one family liked the results enough to make a lasting formula switch was probably the strongest endorsement we could have gotten from our hands-on testing.

Overall, our testing experience was encouraging:

• Both babies ultimately accepted the formula.
• The 3-month-old needed a little time to adjust to the taste.
• Neither baby developed any major new feeding problems.
• Both parents thought digestive symptoms may have improved somewhat.
• The 5-month-old showed a more convincing improvement in gas and reflux with continued use.
• Stools became very soft in our 5-month-old tester.
• Stool odor became notably stronger in our 3-month-old tester.
• Our 8-ounce Comotomo mixing test produced moderate foam and only mild clumping.

Claims & What Makes It Gentle

Similac describes this as its most gentle 360 Total Care formula.

Unlike some "sensitive" formulas whose main change is simply reducing lactose, there are several meaningful formulation choices behind that claim.

1. 100% Whey Protein

Most conventional cow's milk formulas contain both whey and casein proteins.

Gentle Comfort uses whey protein hydrolysate without an intact casein fraction.

Whey generally remains more soluble in the stomach than casein, making this a reasonable starting point for a formula designed around digestive comfort.

2. Partially Hydrolyzed Protein

This is probably the most important feature.

The whey protein has been partially hydrolyzed, meaning enzymes have already broken large intact milk proteins into smaller peptide fragments.

In practical terms, some of the digestive work has already happened before the formula reaches the baby's digestive tract.

This does not make Gentle Comfort hypoallergenic.

The proteins remain large enough to provoke reactions in babies with cow's milk protein allergy.

Babies with diagnosed or strongly suspected milk-protein allergy generally require an extensively hydrolyzed or amino acid-based formula under medical guidance.

3. Extremely Low Lactose

Gentle Comfort contains only about 0.1 gram of lactose per 100 calories, versus approximately 11 grams in regular Similac 360 Total Care.

In practical terms, that makes it an extremely low-lactose formula.

That can be useful for some babies, although we don't think low lactose should automatically be considered superior.

Primary lactose intolerance is rare in young infants, and lactose is the predominant carbohydrate in breast milk.

This is one reason we slightly prefer Good Start Gentle Pro's carbohydrate formulation.

4. Five HMO Prebiotics

Gentle Comfort contains five human milk oligosaccharides:

• 2'-FL
• LNT
• 3-FL
• 6'-SL
• 3'-SL

These compounds are structurally identical to five HMOs naturally found in breast milk, although the formula versions are not obtained from human milk.

HMOs act in part as prebiotic substrates that can help shape the developing intestinal microbiome.

The older Similac Pro-Total Comfort contained only 2'-FL HMO, so the five-HMO blend is the most meaningful nutritional upgrade in the new Gentle Comfort formulation.

5. No Palm Olein Oil

Similac Gentle Comfort uses high-oleic safflower, soy, and coconut oils rather than palm olein.

Similac specifically promotes the absence of palm olein as helping support softer stools.

Given the very soft stool we observed in our 5-month-old tester, this aspect caught our attention.

6. DHA, ARA & Lutein

Gentle Comfort includes DHA and ARA, long-chain fatty acids important during infancy, along with lutein and vitamin E.

These additions are increasingly common in premium U.S. formulas, but we're still glad to see them included here.

Taken together, we think the Gentle Comfort name has legitimate substance.

This isn't simply ordinary Similac with a purple label.

Consumer Sentiment

In addition to our own hands-on testing, we looked through current parent reviews and discussions about Gentle Comfort and its closely related predecessor, Pro-Total Comfort.

Overall sentiment is positive, but individual responses vary substantially.

Recurring positive themes include:

• Less gas or apparent abdominal discomfort after switching from standard formula.
• Reduced fussiness after feeds.
• Softer and easier-to-pass stools.
• Improved stool frequency in some babies prone to constipation.
• Less spit-up or reflux for some babies.
• Generally good acceptance despite the partially hydrolyzed protein.
• Easy preparation and convenient ready-to-feed options.

The negative feedback is equally important.

Some parents report:

• Very loose or watery stool.
• Stronger-smelling stool or gas.
• Continued or increased gas.
• Continued reflux or spit-up.
• Constipation.
• Formula refusal or difficulty adjusting to the taste.

That variability matches our own experience remarkably well.

Our 3-month-old was initially less enthusiastic about the taste and developed noticeably smellier stools, while our 5-month-old accepted the formula immediately and ultimately seemed to experience improvements in gas and reflux.

There is simply no gentle formula that works perfectly for every baby.

We also noticed some confusion among parents regarding the difference between Similac Gentle Comfort and Similac 360 Total Care Sensitive.

The distinction is important.

Gentle Comfort uses partially hydrolyzed whey protein, whereas Sensitive retains intact milk proteins.

Both substantially reduce lactose, but Gentle Comfort also changes the protein itself.

For a baby who appears to struggle with digesting intact milk proteins, we think Gentle Comfort generally makes more conceptual sense than Sensitive.

Transparency & Ingredient Sourcing

Similac is manufactured by Abbott Nutrition, one of the largest and longest-established infant nutrition companies in the United States.

Gentle Comfort is the successor to Similac Pro-Total Comfort, retaining the partially hydrolyzed whey foundation while upgrading the prebiotic blend from one HMO to five.

Abbott makes several useful product claims:

• Ingredients are not genetically engineered
• Milk ingredients come from cows not treated with rbST
• No palm olein oil
• Partially hydrolyzed whey protein
• Five HMO prebiotics
• DHA + ARA
• Gluten-free
• Kosher dairy
• Halal

There is an important nuance to the non-GMO claim.

Abbott explains that while the formula ingredients themselves are not genetically engineered, cows supplying milk ingredients may consume feed from genetically engineered crops.

We appreciate that clarification.

Where Similac is less impressive is detailed raw-material sourcing transparency.

We could not find specific public information identifying the farm or country of origin for every major Gentle Comfort ingredient, including the whey, corn maltodextrin, vegetable oils, and individual HMOs.

For that reason, we would not characterize this formula as using exclusively U.S.-sourced ingredients.

The formula is also not USDA certified organic.

One historical safety issue deserves mention.

In 2022, Abbott voluntarily recalled certain powdered infant formulas manufactured at its Sturgis, Michigan facility during a major FDA investigation involving Cronobacter concerns and sanitation problems.

The incident resulted in widespread shortages and was one of the most significant infant-formula recalls in recent U.S. history.

The current 360 Total Care Gentle Comfort product was introduced years later, and we did not identify a current recall involving it during our research.

Value & Comparisons

Similac 360 Total Care Gentle Comfort occupies a useful middle ground between conventional intact-protein formulas and true hypoallergenic formulas.

Its partially hydrolyzed 100% whey protein should generally be easier to digest than intact cow's milk proteins, but it doesn't undergo the extensive hydrolysis required for a hypoallergenic formula.

That makes it most appropriate for ordinary feeding intolerance rather than diagnosed cow's milk protein allergy.

Among the mainstream gentle formulas we've tested, we would currently put it very close to Good Start Dr. Brown's Gentle Pro.

We still give Gentle Pro a slight edge.

Both use 100% partially hydrolyzed whey protein, but Gentle Pro retains lactose as its predominant carbohydrate and adds probiotic B. lactis.

Those are meaningful advantages in our opinion.

On the other hand, Similac Gentle Comfort has several advantages of its own.

It contains five HMOs rather than one, eliminates palm olein, offers an excellent ready-to-feed product lineup, and has one of our favorite scoop-storage designs.

Our real-world tolerance results were also arguably stronger with Similac, particularly for the 5-month-old who ultimately switched away from HiPP.

We also prefer Gentle Comfort slightly over Enfamil NeuroPro Gentlease.

Both are legitimate gentle formulas, but we like Similac's combination of 100% whey hydrolysate, five HMOs, and no palm olein oil.

Gentlease does retain some lactose, however, which may appeal to parents who want to avoid an almost completely lactose-reduced formula.

Our overall ranking among these three would therefore be:

1. Good Start Dr. Brown's Gentle Pro
2. Similac 360 Total Care Gentle Comfort
3. Enfamil NeuroPro Gentlease

The differences aren't enormous, and infant tolerance should ultimately matter more than our ingredient preferences.

A formula that looks perfect on paper isn't very useful if your baby refuses it or doesn't tolerate it well.

Our Conclusions

Who This Formula Is Best For

• Babies who may have difficulty tolerating intact cow's milk proteins
• Babies who regularly experience gas or digestive discomfort
• Babies who tend toward firmer stools or constipation
• Parents looking for a 100% partially hydrolyzed whey formula
• Families who want a gentle formula containing five HMO prebiotics
• Parents who want DHA, ARA, and lutein
• Parents who prefer to avoid palm olein oil
• Families who appreciate having both powder and ready-to-feed options
• Babies who do not require an extensively hydrolyzed or amino acid-based hypoallergenic formula

Similac 360 Total Care Gentle Comfort is one of the best mainstream gentle infant formulas we've tested.

Its 100% partially hydrolyzed whey protein, five-HMO blend, DHA and ARA, very low lactose, and palm-olein-free fat blend give it a legitimately gentle formulation rather than simply a clever marketing name.

The packaging has both a high point and a low point.

We found the foil freshness seal unnecessarily annoying to remove because part of it tore instead of peeling away cleanly.

But we absolutely love that the measuring scoop clips into the lid, preventing it from disappearing into the powder and keeping the handle clean.

Preparation was also very easy overall.

Using an 8-ounce Comotomo bottle, the powder mixed readily with normal shaking.

We did notice moderate foaming and mild clumping, but neither was concerning or interfered with feeding.

We thought the taste was reasonable for a hydrolyzed formula.

There was a slight bitter note when we sampled it ourselves, and our 3-month-old tester seemed to notice that initially, but she eventually accepted the formula.

Our 5-month-old accepted it immediately.

The tolerance results were encouraging.

Both babies normally have at least some problems with gas, constipation, reflux, or fussiness, and both parents thought those issues may have improved somewhat.

Most notably, the parent of our 5-month-old tester ultimately switched from HiPP to Gentle Comfort and reported that her baby seemed to be doing better with both gas and reflux.

His stool also became very soft without quite becoming loose or watery.

Our 3-month-old's parent noticed a different change: her daughter's poop became unusually smelly after starting Gentle Comfort.

That same complaint appears often enough in consumer feedback that parents shouldn't be surprised if stool or gas odor changes during the transition.

Our biggest reservation is the carbohydrate blend.

Corn maltodextrin is the first ingredient, added sugar is also prominent, and lactose has been reduced to almost nothing.

We would personally prefer to see more lactose retained, particularly because most infants digest lactose normally and it is the primary carbohydrate in breast milk.

That's why Good Start Gentle Pro still gets our slight overall preference.

But Similac 360 Total Care Gentle Comfort comes extremely close, and we think its five-HMO blend, palm-olein-free formulation, convenient packaging, easy preparation, ready-to-feed options, and encouraging real-world tolerance make it a little more compelling than Enfamil NeuroPro Gentlease.

Overall, this is an excellent gentle formula and a particularly strong option for babies who struggle with ordinary intact-protein formulas but do not require a true hypoallergenic formula.

We give Similac 360 Total Care Gentle Comfort Infant Formula a 4.5 out of 5.0!