If you are a parent on the hunt for a clean, minimalist, organic baby formula, and you have a preference for European brands, you have probably heard of Holle organic formula before. Holle is a Swiss brand that has perfected its expertise in crafting organic and biodynamic baby nutrition for over 90 years.
While breastfeeding is always the best choice, for some parents, this is not an option. This is why Holle is fashioned to resemble human milk! To suit different babies’ dietary needs and parent’s personal preferences, Holle has over 18 formulas to choose from.
Join us as we explore Holle’s traditional cow’s milk formulas and extra-gentle A2 cow’s milk and goat’s milk formulas in more depth. We’ll uncover their simple ingredients, farming practices, and the benefits Holle baby formula offers little ones!
Holle Organic Standards
Before we jump into the specific formula ranges, let’s discuss the brand’s steadfast commitment to organic excellence. A pillar of Holle formula is clean ingredients designed to support the well-being of babies. Every Holle formula is proudly EU organic certified, but most are also offered in Demeter quality.
Demeter certification requires the world’s most stringent rules for organic farming. A core tenet of Demeter farming is that more is returned to the earth than taken! Demeter farms treat animals humanely, which means that they can graze freely and are fed an organic diet. Also, goats and cows are never dehorned, which results in more nutritious milk. Moreover, to maintain product purity, the use of pesticides, chemical fertilizers, and hormones is prohibited.
Unique Features of Holle Cow Formula
Holle Cow milk formula is offered in two versions: Holle Cow and Holle A2 Cow. If you’re unfamiliar with the differences, here is a quick breakdown. Milk is made of various proteins, with the two most prominent being A1 beta-casein and A2 beta-casein. While the regular Holle cow milk formula has a mix of both, their A2 range contains only the A2 variant. Holle A2 formula is better suited to sensitive stomachs, but for most babies, their standard cow’s milk range is perfectly tolerable.
Parents and babies love Holle cow milk formula for its minimal recipe, high nutritional value, premium quality, and delicious taste. Organic skimmed milk and lactose are the base, which is further enhanced with organic vegetable oils, plant-based DHA and ALA, and essential vitamins and minerals that help babies thrive.
While many infant formulas use fish oil as a source of DHA (omega-3), Holle stands out for always using DHA from algae instead. This is important to parents who wish to avoid the common allergen fish oil, but it also improves the taste of the milk by leaving that fishy flavor behind.
Holle cow milk formulas are offered in age-specific stages to accommodate changing nutritional needs.
- Stages PRE and Stage 1 are infant formulas for newborns up to 6 months old and are designed to be a baby’s complete source of nutrition.
- Stage 2 is a follow-on formula for babies 6-10 months and is meant to be used alongside a weaning diet.
- Stage 3 is a follow-on formula for babies 10-12 months whose diet increasingly relies on solid foods.
- Stage 4 is for toddlers from 12+ months. While not necessary, it can come in handy for picky eaters or to offer more nutrients. Holle Stage 4 is not Demeter-certified but still maintains its EU organic seal.
From Stages 2 and above, all Holle German and Dutch formulas contain starch and maltodextrin to make the milk creamier and more satiating for older babies.
Explore A2 Milk Magic with Holle A2 Formula
Holle A2 formula has the same organic skimmed milk base, vegetable oils, fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals as the regular Holle cow milk formula. However, Holle A2 formulas are a gentler alternative to the standard Holle Cow range and are trusted to help ease digestive issues by omitting A1 beta-casein proteins. Without A1 proteins, less inflammation is produced during digestion, keeping tiny tummies calm and happy.
Additionally, breast milk also contains only A2 proteins, making Holle A2 formula closer to the natural composition of human milk. For this reason, many parents of breastfed babies also note that the transition to Holle A2 was seamless.
As with all Holle formulas, age-appropriate stages are offered. However, this range has a less extensive variety of stages to choose from compared to the standard cow’s milk formulas from Holle. Holle A2 stages include:
- Stage 1 infant formula provides complete nutrition for newborns up to 6 months.
- Stage 2 is a follow-on formula for infants 6-10 months who are beginning to wean.
- Stage 3 is a follow-on formula intended for children 10 months and older who are eating solid foods more consistently.
Discover Goat Milk Magic with Holle Goat Formula
You’ve likely noticed the increased popularity of goat milk-based formulas. Goat milk can be a welcome alternative to cow’s milk as it is closer to human milk and easier for sensitive tummies to digest. Similar to Holle A2, goat milk contains only A2 proteins.
Another intrinsically mild quality of goat milk is its naturally occurring oligosaccharides, which are prebiotic fibers more abundant in goat milk than cow’s milk. Thus, Holle Goat formula supports comfortable digestion, can reduce colic, and improves the quality and ease of passing bowel movements.
Holle Goat milk formula stands apart from the brand’s other offerings as it’s made with whole milk rather than skimmed milk. Whole milk is a naturally rich source of healthy fats like palmitic acid, which allows for the use of fewer vegetable oils in the recipe and the complete exclusion of palm oil. This results in a less processed formula for your little one for natural nutrition.
Holle Goat milk formulas come in several country-specific versions, including Holle Goat German, Dutch, and Global. Here is a quick overview of each range:
- Holle Goat German: This range has 5 stages. Only Stages PRE and 1 are based exclusively on lactose and include ARA (omega-6). The later stages all combine lactose, starch, and maltodextrin and include other sources of omega-6. The formula is packed in 600g boxes and has German labeling. Only stages PRE to 3 are Demeter.
- Holle Goat Dutch: There are 3 stages in total, and Stages 2 and above include lactose, starch, and maltodextrin. Only Stage 1 has ARA, but all stages have other sources of omega-6. All Stages are Demeter certified. This milk is available in 800g cans and has Dutch labeling.
- Holle Goat Global: Lactose is the only source of carbohydrates in all 3 stages, and all stages also include ARA. Only Stage 3 is not Demeter-certified. This formula is offered in 600g boxes and labeled in English.
Shop Holle Formula from Organic’s Best for Your Little One
When you shop at Organic’s Best, you can enjoy authentic formulas sourced directly from Holle! Organic’s Best is a family-run company with a 4.9/5 Trustpilot rating and thousands of glowing reviews. They have all ranges of Holle organic formula that we’ve discussed today at unbeatable prices thanks to their bulk order discounts and regular promotions.
Safely stored products are contained in the company’s own climate-controlled warehouse before making their way to your doorstep in a short 2-5 business days via insured express delivery. For any questions or product recommendations, don’t hesitate to get in touch with their customer care team of medical doctors and customer service specialists. Discover why so many babies and parents choose Holle formulas from Organic’s Best today!
