The Best Formula for a Gassy Newborn

For most gassy newborns, start with the bottle before you change the formula: slow the nipple flow, burp often, and let mixed powder settle before you serve it. At New Parent Picks, we read published manufacturer specifications, the FDA’s marketed-formula list, and owner reports. If gas continues after making those mechanical adjustments, the usual next step to raise with your pediatrician is a partially hydrolyzed gentle or comfort formula like Enfamil NeuroPro Gentlease or Similac Pro-Total Comfort.

Swapping cans immediately rarely solves the issue. Before spending money on specialty cans, rule out bottle habits and flow rates that introduce unneeded bubbles during feeds.

The Best Formula for a Gassy Newborn (and What to Try First)

Start with how your baby feeds. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) keeps a page on burping, hiccups and spit-up. It lists two points: a baby who fusses during a feed swallows more air, and burping often and changing positions helps reduce the air swallowed.

If bottle changes do not help, a partially hydrolyzed formula is the usual next step to raise with your pediatrician. Enfamil describes these as formulas with proteins that are “partially broken down.”

1. Slow the Nipple Flow

The AAP’s gas page lists slowing the flow of liquid from the bottle as one way to cut the air a bottle-fed baby swallows. Our guide on how to choose bottle nipple flow covers how to pick a slower nipple.

2. Burp at Regular Intervals

The AAP keeps a page on burping with a specific interval for bottle-fed babies, so check it for how often to stop and burp during a feed. The same page lists keeping your baby upright for ten to fifteen minutes after feeding.

3. Let Mixed Powder Settle

The AAP’s gas page lists two options here: let freshly mixed powdered formula settle before serving, or use concentrated or ready-to-feed formula.

4. Use Vented Bottle Designs

The AAP’s gas page also lists vented, angled or collapsible bottles designed to reduce swallowed air. Our best baby bottles roundup is the place to compare bottles before you change formula.

Formula Name	Formula Type	Maker Claims	Best Suited For
Enfamil NeuroPro Gentlease	Partially hydrolyzed milk-based	Enfamil: “designed to ease fussiness, crying, gas and spit-up within 24 hours of use”	A gentle formula to raise with your pediatrician for gas and fussiness
Similac Pro-Total Comfort	Partially hydrolyzed milk-based	Gentle formula with partially hydrolyzed protein and 2’-FL HMO	A Similac gentle formula to raise with your pediatrician
Similac Sensitive	Milk-based, for lactose sensitivity (Similac’s claim)	Specially designed for fussiness and gas due to lactose sensitivity	Infants whose pediatrician suspects lactose sensitivity
Good Start Dr. Brown’s Gentle Pro	Milk-based powder with iron	Listed on the FDA marketed-formula directory	Maker details not published on our sources
Similac 360 Total Care Gentle Comfort	Gentle comfort formula	Listed on the FDA marketed-formula directory	Maker details not published on our sources

Gentle and Comfort Formulas to Ask About

If bottle changes do not help, these are the gentle and comfort formulas to raise with your pediatrician.

Enfamil NeuroPro Gentlease

Enfamil NeuroPro Gentlease features partially hydrolyzed milk proteins. Enfamil defines partially hydrolyzed formula as having “easy-to-digest proteins that are partially broken down,” designed to ease fussiness, gas and crying. Enfamil says Gentlease is “designed to ease fussiness, crying, gas and spit-up within 24 hours of use.”

The primary limitation is that Gentlease is not an extensively hydrolyzed hypoallergenic formula. Enfamil classifies extensively hydrolyzed formulas such as Nutramigen as the ones for cow’s milk protein allergy. Skip Gentlease if your healthcare provider suspects a true milk protein allergy, and seek their clinical guidance instead.

Similac Pro-Total Comfort

Similac Pro-Total Comfort is Similac’s partially hydrolyzed option. Similac describes it as “a gentle formula that has partially hydrolyzed protein and 2’-FL HMO.”

Skip Pro-Total Comfort if your pediatrician suspects a cow’s milk protein allergy or points you to an extensively hydrolyzed formula instead.

Review our detailed Similac vs Enfamil comparison to see how these two manufacturers organize their wider baby formula portfolios.

Similac Sensitive

Similac Sensitive is aimed at a different cause. Similac says it is “specially designed for fussiness and gas due to lactose sensitivity.”

Skip Similac Sensitive unless your pediatrician suspects lactose sensitivity. If the gas comes from swallowed air, the bottle fixes above are the place to start.

Before you buy a case, buy one container and see how your baby does on it.

Good Start Dr. Brown’s Gentle Pro

Good Start Dr. Brown’s Gentle Pro Infant Formula Milk-Based Powder with Iron appears on the FDA’s marketed-formula list. A listing means the formula is marketed in the U.S. It is not an FDA approval, since the FDA does not approve formulas before sale.

Our sources carry no maker details for this formula beyond its name and FDA listing. Skip it if your pediatrician has pointed you to an extensively hydrolyzed formula.

Similac 360 Total Care Gentle Comfort

Similac 360 Total Care Gentle Comfort is also on the FDA’s marketed-formula list.

Our sources carry no Similac details for this formula beyond its name and FDA listing. Skip it if your pediatrician has pointed you to a different type of formula.

When Gas Is Not the Whole Story

Sometimes persistent infant fussiness involves issues beyond simple trapped air bubbles. The AAP’s page on abdominal pains in infants defines colic as fussiness or crying that lasts three hours at least three times a week. It puts colic at about one in five infants. No formula on this page cures or treats colic, and colic questions belong with your pediatrician.

Bowel patterns vary from baby to baby, and any stool change that worries you belongs with your pediatrician rather than a new can of formula. Our guide on how much formula a newborn needs covers how much a newborn drinks.

If your baby is exclusively breastfed, these formula picks do not apply. Gas questions for nursing babies should be discussed directly with your pediatrician or lactation consultant.

Who Should Skip This Category Entirely

If your baby passes gas, settles and feeds well, you do not need a gentle or comfort formula. A standard formula from our best formula for newborns picks will do.

If your baby has a diagnosed cow’s milk protein allergy, skip gentle and comfort formulas too. Enfamil classifies extensively hydrolyzed formulas such as Nutramigen as the ones for that allergy, and the choice belongs with your pediatrician.

What Would Change Our Recommendations

Our guidance would shift if the AAP’s feeding pages began to describe switching formula brands as reliable relief for infant gas. Today the AAP’s symptom checker puts it this way: “Switching formulas for frequent crying, spitting up or gas is rarely helpful.” If clinical pediatric data proves that specific protein ratios consistently outperform bottle pacing, we will re-evaluate our prioritization of mechanical fixes.

Manufacturer formulation updates would also change our standings. If brands alter their protein hydrolysis methods, adjust carbohydrate sources, or discontinue specific product lines, we will modify our suggested options.

Talk with your pediatrician about your baby’s feeding patterns before making changes to their daily diet.

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of formula milk is best for gassy babies?

A partially hydrolyzed milk-based formula is the usual type to raise with your pediatrician if bottle fixes have not helped. Enfamil describes these formulas as having “easy-to-digest proteins that are partially broken down.” Slower nipple flow, frequent burping and settled formula come first.

What is the best formula milk for gassy babies?

Enfamil NeuroPro Gentlease and Similac Pro-Total Comfort are the two partially hydrolyzed formulas on this page. Enfamil says Gentlease is “designed to ease fussiness, crying, gas and spit-up within 24 hours of use.” Meanwhile, Similac highlights the partially hydrolyzed protein and 2’-FL HMO in Pro-Total Comfort. Your pediatrician can help you decide between them.

Should you switch formula if your baby is gassy?

Switching formulas is rarely the most effective solution for simple newborn gas. The AAP’s bottle-feeding symptom checker puts it this way: “Switching formulas for frequent crying, spitting up or gas is rarely helpful.” Most newborn gas comes from swallowed air during feeds. Talk with your pediatrician before switching brands.

How to help an extremely gassy newborn?

To help an extremely gassy newborn, slow the flow of liquid from the bottle and burp frequently during feedings. The AAP’s gas page lists vented, angled or collapsible bottles, and letting freshly mixed powdered formula settle before serving. Its burping page lists keeping your baby upright for ten to fifteen minutes after feeding. If your infant exhibits concerning symptoms, contact your pediatrician for guidance.

When does gassiness peak in newborns?

The AAP’s abdominal pain page puts it this way: “Gas pain typically peaks at 6-8 weeks of life and improves drastically by 3 months of life.” The same page says gas causes discomfort but is not dangerous. If the gas is bothering your baby, the bottle fixes above are the place to start.

Verify the current product labels, ingredient lists, and pricing directly on the Enfamil and Similac websites.

Sources

1. Good Start Dr. Brown's Gentle Pro (fda.gov)
2. Enfamil NeuroPro Gentlease (enfamil.com)
3. Similac Pro-Total Comfort (similac.com)
4. American Academy of Pediatrics (healthychildren.org)
5. gas page (healthychildren.org)
6. Similac Sensitive (similac.com)
7. Similac 360 Total Care Gentle Comfort (similac.com)
8. Enfamil (enfamil.com)
9. abdominal pains in infants (healthychildren.org)
10. symptom checker (healthychildren.org)