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Excess gas and symptoms of colic are a nightmare for parents and babies. All we want to do is provide the best possible nutrition with safe, regular feeds. We don’t want our kids feeling distressed or ill after their bottle. That is where a product like Gerber Good Start Soothe can help.
The best solution for gassy babies is to find a specialist formula that is low in lactose with other helpful ingredients. Many parents swear by this as the answer to gas, colic, and other related problems. However, others were dissatisfied after trying it. So, is it a good choice?
Why is Gerber Soothe one of the most popular formulas for babies?
The success of this formula comes down to a few important factors. First of all, there is a range of ingredients and nutrients for the health and development of your child. Gerber made some great choices here that can make a difference to gastric health and the contentment of your child. Then there is the fact that Gerber Soothe provides a nice alternative option to other formulas for kids with lactose intolerance issues. Then there is the fact that you get consistency and value from this company.
With that said, we can’t overlook some of the potential issues in choosing this product. That is why I have created this review with all of the pros and cons. I think it is important to look at all the benefits on offer here because I do feel that this can work for a lot of parents. But, I also appreciate that there are drawbacks too.
Below, I have created a more detailed Gerber Good Start Soothe review that goes over some of the ingredients, effects, risks, and other considerations. You can see a more concise list of pros and cons at the end. I have also added a couple of recommendations for similar products. This should help if your child requires the benefits of this but doesn’t like the taste – or if there are other problems.
Is Gerber Good Start a good formula?
The appeal of these formula lies in the ingredients used. Not only are there elements found in breast milk and key vitamins and minerals, but you also get additional nutrients and probiotics. One of the leading ingredients in this formula is a probiotic called L.reuteri. This is a great choice for baby formula because we find it in breast milk. Therefore, you know that your kids get a lot of the same benefits if you are unable to express milk yourself. The same is true for the levels of DHA, which are great for the brain and eye development.
Additional benefits in this formula include the levels of iron and the fact that there is only 30% lactose. This is where the Soothe element comes into play. Kids that have sensitivities to lactose can get a great formula that is a lot kinder on their digestive system. This soothing nature continues with the use of comfort proteins, which are a lot easier to digest than regular proteins. The formula should pass through the digestive system without aggravating their stomachs, causing irregular bowel movements, or any reflux.
Is Gerber Soothe good for gassy babies?
The impact of this complex formula is pretty good for the majority of babies. There are some great claims from the company about the reason for choosing this formula. Parental Gerber Good Start Soothe reviews back a lot of this up.
The use of probiotics should help to reduce any distress from build-up gas. This is vital for the comfort of our kids, which should allow them to sleep more easily. But it is also great for our own peace of mind as we know that our kids aren’t in pain. Gerber promises a reduction of up to 50% in some cases. While we can’t get any accurate percentages from anecdotal evidence from parents, there is a clear trend for improvements in this area.
Then there is the reduction in lactose and the use of smaller proteins. This should have an even greater impact on digestive health. Reports about improved regularity and less reflux support this.
How long does it take for Gerber soothe to work?
In addition to this effectiveness, there is a sense of efficiency too. Many parents are happy with the speed in which the formula gets to work. You probably shouldn’t expect any overnight miracles. But, there are parents that are impressed at how quickly they can see results. In some cases, this can result in a reduction in gassiness, improved regularity of bowel movements, and fewer spit-ups, all in a matter of a few days. Just be aware that not all kids react the same. So, if it takes a little longer for your kids, don’t get too discouraged.
Some of the other benefits of choosing Gerber Soothe.
One issue that I know a lot of parents struggle with in regard to a formula is cost and overall value for money. To be honest, comments are a little bit mixed here, as there are still people that find Gerber Soothe to be a little expensive. However, others feel that you do get value here. One tub of Gerber Gentle contains 19.4 ounces, which should allow you to make approximately 16 4-ounce bottles.
Additional value comes from the fact that you can stick with this one type of formula for a long time. A lot of brands offer products that are for Newborns or older babies. This means switching over at the right time and hoping for the same consistency and taste. Here, this formula works from birth up to 1 year old. So, if your child is happy with this option, it can be their primary formula for a long time to come.
Another factor that I want to point out here is the companies approach to environmental matters. Here this goes beyond the fact that there is a fully non-GMO formula. I know that this sort of green-minded mentality is important to many parents now. It is nice to see that they have paired up with TerraCycle to make sure that all of their formula packaging is 100% recyclable. That means that you can recycle your tin and know that it will have another life, rather than end up in landfills with so many others.
What are the downsides of choosing Gerber Good Start Soothe?
There is clearly a lot to like here when all the ingredients work as planned. However, I need to highlight some of the potential issues that parents face. The biggest concern is that this won’t work. There are babies that don’t respond so well to the formula and that develop constipation. Unfortunately, this is a risk with a lot of these Soothing formulas, so it is probably best to speak to your pediatrician for the best advice.
Another possible issue here comes in the way you make up the formula. I know that one of the easiest options as a busy parent is to boil the kettle, mix up the formula, and let it reach the right temperature. It is effective and safe. However, this approach doesn’t work here. That is because boiling water can kill the probiotics in the formula, rendering them useless. So, what you need to do is boil the water, let it cool to the right temperature, and then mix up the formula. It takes a bit of getting used to, but it works.
An additional problem here is that the finished formula isn’t quite as you might expect. This is partly due to the process and also a lot to do with the protein make-up and ingredients. Firstly, many parents find that the formula clumps up too easily and is harder to mix. Some take a sterile spoon and take out their frustrations on the clumps. Secondly, there are those that say that this mix doesn’t smell too great. Again, this isn’t that uncommon a complaint about this sort of product.
How does this product compare to other Gerber products?
If you are unsure about getting this version of Gerber’s formula, but like the company, I have a couple of alternative options. The first is Gerber Gentle. This formula is very similar in its attempts to minimize distress and gastric issues. The main difference is that it is for infants with protein sensitivity rather than lactose sensitivity. Therefore, you don’t get the same reduction in lactose. It also contains a different form of probiotic called B. lactis.
Also, don’t forget that some parents that struggle with these reduced lactose formulas sometimes use Gerber Soothe Probiotic drops instead. These drops mean that you can add the effective probiotic ingredient into a different formula. That way, you can have the same taste and consistency as normal but a greater chance of improving gut health. I must point out that you shouldn’t use these drops with the Gerber Soothe product. There is no need for the extra dose and it won’t do any good.
What are some of the alternative options to choosing a Gerber formula?
If you decide that Gerber isn’t for you at all, you might be interested in one of the following options. These formulas are similar when it comes to their aims, but may have different ingredients, tastes, or other properties.
1: Enfamil Gentlease
The first option from Enfamil is, according to the brand, the #1 pediatrician recommended option. This means that you can get a great formula with similar health-giving properties. There are 30 nutrients in this Triple Health Guard Blend, which means vitamins, minerals, DHA, probiotics, and other helpful things. Be aware that there are different options, one for newborns and one for older babies. You can also get it either as a powder or premixed.
2: Similac Pro Sensitive.
Similac Pro Sensitive is a little different from other soothing formulas out there because there is a focus on 2’ –FL Human Milk Oligosaccharide or HMO. This means that the mixed formula should have a decent resemblance to breast milk, with many of the same top ingredients. So, if your baby doesn’t like the taste or consistency of Gerber Soothe, this could be a good option to try.
The pros and cons of Gerber Good Start Soothe.
Let’s go over those pros and cons one last time so you can see whether or not this is a good choice for your child.
[i2pc pros_icon=”icon icon-thumbs-up” cons_icon=”icon icon-thumbs-down” show_title=”false” title=”Pros & Cons” show_button=”false” pros_title=”Pros” cons_title=”Cons” ][i2pros]There is less lactose, which is great for those with an intolerance
There are lots of nutrients for healthy growth and development
None of the ingredients are GMO products
There is value for money in these tubs
This option is suitable from birth up to 12 months old
The formula gets results pretty quickly when suitable
The company has increased its commitment to the environment[/i2pros][i2cons]You have to be careful mixing the formula for the best results
There are cases of constipation and gastric distress
Some parents hate the smell of this formula[/i2cons][/i2pc]
Is Gerber Good Start Soothe the best choice for your child?
As you can see, this product isn’t going to work for everyone and there is the risk that your child will develop additional problems. But, if you find that it is effective, it is worthwhile getting over any issues with the smell or preparation process. The speed of the results and the complexity of the formula ensure that this is a great choice for many babies in need of a more soothing option.
The best thing to do is to give it a try and monitor the effects. You might find that it is precisely what you were looking for and that it soothes your child pretty quickly. Or, you might find that it does nothing or leads to other problems. If you experience the latter, stop using the formula and switch to one of the other recommendations. If it is the former, you can enjoy using it for the first year of their life and look forward to some calmer nights.
