Holle Baby Formula

Breast milk is the most healthy food for a baby beginning from birth. This is why Holle recommends breastfeeding. If a mother is unable to breastfeed, the company’s formula will provide complete organic nutrients that can fully substitute breast milk.

Holle organic formula contains only raw ingredients and does not allow any chemicals or preservatives, flavoring, coloring, added salt, or refined sugar.

Holle's organic formula range is made with essential nutrients to support your baby's development. Holle baby formulas are developed to be as close as possible to breast milk. In each of their formulas, you'll find a blend of powdered organic milk, organic vegetable oils, and important vitamins and minerals such as folic acid, vitamin K, vitamin C, and essential fatty acids.

Holle is known for producing clean, simple, gently processed organic formula for a natural and balanced diet while remaining committed to environmental sustainability. Holle cares about protecting children's futures which is why they offset the CO2e emissions that occur during formula production. In fact, what sets Holle apart from other European baby formulas on the market is that all of their formulas are either climate-neutral or climate positive!

It's also important to mention that while all of Holle's formulas are organic, some of them even hold one of the strictest private organic certifications in Europe, the Demeter seal!

Holle has a wide range of baby formulas available. They have formulas based on regular cow milk, A2 cow milk, and goat milk. Holle offers infant formula for newborns, follow-on formulas for babies that are 6 months or older, and toddler formula for kiddos 12 months and up!

 

Holle Brand History

Holle is an established and respected baby food manufacturer with over 85 years of experience behind them. Their company was founded in 1933 in Arlesheim Switzerland. Holle was one of the first companies to manufacture organic baby food in Europe and they are a pioneer in the field of biodynamic food; they were also one of the first companies to obtain the Demeter organic seal on their products!

Today, Holle is one of the leading Demeter certified organic baby formula manufacturers. When producing baby food and formula, Holle takes a holistic approach that respects the well-being of both people, animals, and nature. They guarantee the highest possible safety measures to achieve high-quality taste and nutrition in their products which helps set Holle formula apart from other European baby formula on the market.

 

Holle Formula: European Organic & Demeter Certification

All of Holle's formulas hold the EU organic certification. What makes EU organic formula some of the absolute best formula available is that it's free of GMOs, artificial colors and preservatives, and aromas or flavor enhancers.

Rest assured that products with the EU organic logo are made with at least 95% organic ingredients and strict conditions are laid out for the remaining 5% of non-organic ingredients.

In terms of organic baby food, the non-organic ingredients are typically fortified vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids that are necessary to include to support your child's health.

You've probably noticed the bright orange Demeter label that some Holle formula carries, but have you ever wondered what exactly Demeter stands for?

The Demeter organic certification system is used to verify that products are grown using biodynamic methods which help to ensure that more is given back to the environment than taken out.

 

When you purchase any of Holle's baby formulas you can feel good that:

- While growing raw ingredients, pesticides and chemical fertilizers are prohibited

- The milk contains organic and/or biodynamically grown ingredients

- Holle sustains a long-lasting supply of premium raw ingredients by working closely with Demeter certified farmers

- Raw ingredients are gently processed and cooked while undergoing continual quality control checks

- Their products meet strict safety, legal, and nutritional requirements

 

Holle Formula Production

The Demeter certification requires that ingredients are sourced from biodynamic farms located in Germany, as such, Holle formulas are produced on the border between Germany and Switzerland, and the formula milk powder is packaged in Austria.

Milk collection takes place at regional and supraregional farms where the milk is then swiftly collected and prepared for transport and processing. Holle ensures that the quality of their milk is strictly controlled and tested beginning from the farm all the way up to delivery!

All Holle formula is made from organically and biodynamically grown ingredients, which means:

- Natural cultivation without violence and exploitation of animals & the environment

- Preference is always given to quality over quantity and biodiversity over monocultures

- Animals are kept in their natural environment and growth stimulants are prohibited

- Organic compost is used as a natural fertilizer

 

What you won't find in Holle formula:

- GMOs

- Chemical pesticides

- Artificial preservatives, colors, & flavors

- Refined sugars

 

More Information on Ingredients in Holle formula

Carefully selected and grown ingredients are a must-have and fortunately, you can count on the premium ingredients in Holle formula to meet your baby's nutritional needs!

Organic Lactose

Lactose is the main carbohydrate found in breast milk. It's broken down by the small intestine into glucose and galactose and acts as the main supply of energy for your baby. It's also involved in brain tissue formation. Lactose in infant formula (Holle stage 1 or PRE) serves as the main carbohydrate source. Compared to some other complex carbohydrates, it's thought to be gentler on digestion.

Organic Maltodextrin

Maltodextrin is added to formula often as a thickener. It can help food stay in your baby's stomach better which may work to prevent regurgitation. Maltodextrin is more slowly broken down during digestion compared to some other carbohydrates which may contribute to a feeling of fullness in your baby.

Organic Starch

It is the main carbohydrate-polysaccharide of plants and it can be found in cereals, legumes, vegetables, and fruits. When added to formula, it helps make the consistency more creamy which many babies prefer. Further, it is more slowly broken down during digestion compared to some other carbohydrates which may contribute to a feeling of fullness in your baby.

 

Holle Formula Stages

Holle stages their formula according to the age of the baby. This is done to reflect thenutritional complexity of breast milk which is a dynamic fluid that changes to meet babies' needs at different ages. Quantities of certain vitamins and minerals become more or less important during certain periods of development. Furthermore, your little one's energy demands change with age. 

Holle makes infant, follow-on, and toddler formula to support your child every step of the way throughout their first years of life:

Infant Formulas

Infant formulas come in two stages, both are suitable from birth and have a similar composition of infant formula powder.

Stage PRE Infant Formula

Stage PRE is intended to be used by infants as either their sole source of nutrition or as supplementary feeding for a breastfed baby. The only carbohydrate in this formula stage is lactose (milk sugar) which again is the main carbohydrate source in breast milk!

Stage 1 Infant Formula

Stage 1is intended to be used by infants as their sole source of nutrition, as supplementary feeding, or while weaning onto solid foods as part of a mixed diet. Unlike stage PRE, this formula stage includes a complementary carbohydrate in addition to lactose which in Holle's case is usually maltodextrin (except for their A2 milk stage 1 which is only lactose based). Maltodextrin can help make the formula more creamy and filling, which can be beneficial to hungrier babies!

 

Follow-On Formula

Follow-on formulas are intended to be given as part of a balanced weaning diet of bottle feeds, and complementary foods like porridge or purées. This formula is not intended to be given as your child's only source of food. These formulas tend to have higher iron levels, which becomes especially important for little ones beginning around 6 months.

Depending on which version of Holle formula you choose, their follow-on formula stages will differ. For their regular cow and goat's milk formula, stages 2 and 3 are both follow-on formulas but for their A2 cow milk formula only stages 2 and 3 are follow-on milks.

 

Toddler Formula

Toddler formula is designed for children between the ages of 12 to 36 months and can help to meet the increased nutritional needs of older babies. They are different from infant formula in that they are intended to complement the transition to a family diet, as such, they are not suitable for babies under 12 months of age or as your child’s only source of nutrition.

Holle offers toddlers formula as part of their regular cow's milk and goat's milk formula range which is designated by stage 4. 

 

Different Kinds of Holle Baby Formulas

Holle offers 3 main types of formula, standard cow milk formula, A2 cow milk formula, and goat milk formula. Common ingredients that can be found in Holle's formula include a blend of vegetable oils such as organic sunflower oil, organic palm oil (sustainably sourced), and organic rapeseed oil. Carbohydrate sources include organic lactose, starch, or maltodextrin.

Other nutrients come from ingredients such as vitamin D, vitamin K, vitamin C, Vitamin E,

fish oil, folic acid, sodium chloride, calcium carbonate, potassium chloride, organic lactose, and organic starch. Like many European formulas, whenever possible, Holle sources ingredients from organic or biodynamic farming. If you're curious about the specific ingredients of a particular formula you can find this information on the formula product page on our website!

 

Holle's Goat Milk Formula

Goat milk formulas are all the rage right now and for good reason! Infant formulas based on goat milk rather than cow milk, come out ahead in terms of digestibility. That's because babies digest goat milk roughly two times faster than cow milk. Happy tummies have goat milk's unique protein structure to thank for this outstanding result.

The milk proteins in goat milk formulas form curds or milk clumps in the stomach that are smaller, softer, and looser than those formed by cow's milk. This means small stomachs usually have an easier time breaking these goat milk curds down. Plus, the milk proteins in goat milk are naturally A2 and tend to be better suited to sensitive tummies whereas most cow's milk protein is A1 and can cause inflammation in the body.

Goat's milk formula can be a great alternative to the usual cow's milk formula but it is not suitable for babies with an established or suspected cow's milk protein allergy (CMPA). Due to the similar protein structure of both kinds of milk, there is a risk of cross-over reaction. Because of this, goat milk baby formula is not any less likely to bring about allergies in babies than cow infant milk formula is. It's also not appropriate for babies with severe lactose intolerance.

Formula stages include:

- Holle Goat Milk Stage PRE (0 to 6 months)

- Holle Goat Milk Stage 1 (0 to 6 months)

- Holle Goat Milk Stage 2 (6+ months)

- Holle Goat Milk Stage 3 (10+ months)

- Holle Goat Milk Stage 4 (12+ months)

 

Holle Cow's Milk Formulas

Holle makes two different formula lines based on cow's milk. They offer a standard organic cow's milk formula and an A2 cow's milk formula. The standard range of cow's milk-based formula comes in four stages, stage 1 and 2 in this line hold the Demeter certification. These Demeter formulas are made from 99% organically grown ingredients and the other 1% is vitamins and minerals! The milk used in these formulas comes from cows cared for by Demeter farms where cows graze happily on lush fields and pastures and dehorning practices are strictly prohibited.

Formula stages include:

- Holle Cow's Milk Stage PRE (0 to 6 months)

- Holle Cow's Milk Stage 1 (0 to 6 months)

- Holle Cow's Milk Stage 2 (6+ months)

- Holle Cow's Milk Stage 3 (10+ months)

- Holle Cow's Milk Stage 4 (12+ months)

 

Holle also offers a line of A2 cow's milk formula which is more similar to the natural composition of breast milk and is a perfect choice for little ones with sensitive tummies. A2 milk is also sometimes more easily digested by babies with mild lactose intolerance, but speak with your pediatrician first to find out what's suitable for your baby! The A2 milk used in Holle’s formula is EU organic certified and comes from specially selected cows that naturally produce A2 milk.

Formula stages include:

- Holle A2 Cow's Milk Stage 1 (0 to 6 months)

- Holle A2 Cow's Milk Stage 2 (6+ months)

- Holle A2 Cow's Milk Stage 3 (10+ months)

 

Why We Love Holle Formula!

Holle organic infant formula is one of the few options on the market if you're looking for a Demeter-certified formula, this is a seal that their regular cow’s milk infant formula stage 1 proudly holds. Holle organic formula also caters to sensitive stomachs with their goat milk and A2 cow milk formula range. All of their formulas are designed to reflect the nutrients of breast milk.

They are one of our favorite European formulas because no matter which Holle organic formula you opt for, you will find clean nutritious ingredients like vitamin D, vitamin K, vitamin C, vitamin E, fish oil, organic vegetable oils, folic acid, and calcium carbonate.

We appreciate their commitment to sourcing ingredients from biodynamic farming which respects the planet, people, and animals! They have 3 different lines of baby formula powder to choose from, be sure to reach out to your pediatrician to find out which one is best for your baby!