Below is an email I recently sent to a private client of mine. Since the number one question I receive is “What is the safest infant formula?,” I thought some of you might be interested in my analysis of the two safest brands of baby formula, HiPP vs. Holle (both from Europe). Note that whichever formula you choose, you should always use a water filter to remove chlorine (carcinogenic) and fluoride (linked with lowered IQ). (Here’s more on why you should get a filter and which ones I like.)
Dear E.:
So the bottom line is I would recommend Holle formula as the best option, but it’s not without some problems, unfortunately (yet again it becomes clear that nothing can compare with breastmilk). HiPP is superior in a few ways, but I’ll explain why ultimately I would go with Holle below.
Here’s what I considered when researching HiPP vs. Holle:
- Palm oil. Palm oil is an ingredient that a lot of people worry about (suspected to affect bone density), and both HiPP and Holle contain it. However, because they each contain a blend of other oils (like coconut and sunflower), I don’t think the amount is as concerning. They do both also contain rapeseed oil, otherwise known as canola oil, which is also somewhat controversial. It’s worth noting that Baby’s Only doesn’t contain palm oil–but it does contain soybean oil, which I don’t like, so not really a huge win.
- Aluminum issue. The HiPP ready-made formula is preferable to the HiPP powder because the latter has strangely high aluminum levels, although even the ready-man has borderline levels. (I can’t figure out why–possibly because it comes in aluminum pouches (within a cardboard box)). However, in general I actually DON’T like ready-made formulas because they contain soy lecithin (sometimes extracted with hexane…and soy is problematic anyway because of its estrogenic properties). On the other hand, the amount of lecithin is relatively small, and probably worth the trade-off. Note that the HiPP Growing Up milk in powder form actually has much lower levels of aluminum (but you can’t use that until after 12 months, and it does contain soy lecithin. Sigh). Bottom line here is go for ready-made or Growing Up milk if you do get HiPP, but with Holle you don’t have to worry about this.
- LCP oils. The addition of omega 3 and 6 oils in U.S. formulas is controversial because of the extraction methods (super complicated issue so I’ll spare you all the details). HiPP has these added oils, but I suspect the extraction methods are probably required to be cleaner in Europe. Unfortunately, I’ve been unable to get to the bottom of this, so it’s a question mark and potentially another negative for HiPP. And studies show that the addition of the oils doesn’t improve the nutrition for babies anyway, so their absence isn’t really a negative for Holle.
- Organic practices. Both of these companies have been around for more than 50 years, and the dairy products from both come from grass-fed, organic cattle, certainly of a higher quality that anything you get here. Holle farms are certified organic and biodynamic–which I’ll simplify by saying is like organic-plus, with very strict standards from the processing all the way to the packaging. Another point in the Holle column.
- Sugars. All formula has a lot of sugar (breastmilk is naturally quite sweet), and HiPP wins in this category, as it uses lactose as a sweetener, which is the best option (and also the most expensive). Holle uses maltodextrin (a plant-based sweetener), although it seems to use less of it than most American formula brands. And here’s an update from July 2015: Lebenswert is a newish formula under the Holle umbrella. The Stage 1 Lebenswert formula contains lactose instead of maltodextrin, and Lebenswert is now available at here!
- Prebiotics. This is another win for HiPP. Holle doesn’t contain these, and it’s one of the big things found in breastmilk but missing from formula.
Bottom line: Both HiPP and Holle are superior to American formulas, in my opinion. They lack many of the concerning ingredients found in most formula you get here, don’t have white sugar or corn syrup in them, and also skip some preservatives and the carrageenan found even in other organic formulas. If it were my baby, I would probably choose Holle because of the aluminum issues with HiPP–which to me is more concerning than the maltodextrin (the only major downside to Holle). The lecithin, biodynamic farming, and LCP oil issues further put Holle in the lead. And if you choose Stage 1 Lebenswert, you skip the maltodextrin as well.
Stay sane,
200 comments
Shab
Third time is a charm.. (or sign of habitual postpartum forgetfulness) but Cassie, yes, 0,6=0.6.
Maia 6) w regards to the DHA, if the research says that the omegas added to formula have not shown any difference for babies but that it is more of a marketing ploy, should this factor play a role in our decision on which brand to purchase or to search for a supplement?Shab
Casse, iron is Eisen and there is 0.7mg in 100ml in Lebenswert 1.
Shab
Hi. I have a few questions.
4)the Holle formula also comes in aluminium packets, so I imagine their alum content will be similar to Hipp’s but has anyone got new info on that? 5) we order ours from Organicbabyfood24.com and they have good n fast service and give coupons too.1) in thethe comments above, it has been said that Holle does not contain Lactose vs. Hipp which does. However, the box of Lebenswert 1 that I have DOES contain Lactose. Are we looking at different packaging?
2) The fat content difference in 100ml is:
Lebenswert : sat fat 1.1, unsat 1.4, polysat 0.6, total 3.1g
Holle : sat fat 1.2, unsat 1.3, polysat 0.8, total 3.3g
Hipp: sat fat 1.2, unsat 0.6, polysat 0.7g, total 3.5
So for a baby drinking 1L a day, that’s a 4g total difference between the highest n lowest. Is that considered a big difference for babies below 6 months nutritionally?
3) someone above had said the goat’s formula (which sadly contains maltodex but Lactose too) resulted in constipation. We had the same experience. My question is, can we mix the cow n goat formula to get a better balance? Or is that not good for baby? My pedi said we shouldn’tshouldn’t give goat’s formula period! I am confused abt that bec I had read goat’s milk is closest to mothers milk, so why the fuss abt the formula?
Maia James
You should have your pediatrician check the label and make sure the nutrition is appropriate for your baby.
Cassie
How come iron is not listed in the Lebenswert nutrition facts? Is it listed as something else/has a different name?
Maia James
I would recommend you ask your pediatrician. Unfortunately I’m not qualified to give direct advice about your child’s health. Your pediatrician would be able to provide the best direction.
candi burkhart
HI,
Thank you so much for the amount of time you put into reseacrhing these formulas for us, I have read endless blogs and I keep coming back to you!!!
I have a question, my little one os 7 weeks old, I just transitioned her from enfamil to Holle 1, she was so gassy and uncomfortable on enfamil, the first three days while chaning the formula she took to Holle like a dream, burping pooping and sleeping. then day 4 came and massive constipation!!! after inserting a thermometer in her poor tiny bum, she released her BM, it was wasn’t a pellet but it was more dense and intestinal shaped than she’s had before, after the first part came out the rest was soft. I’m wondering if this has something to do with there not being prebiotics in the Holle.
If something like this was happening with your child, would you think switching to Hipp would be beneficial or would you think that she needed a few more days for her body to get adjusted? thank you in advance
candi burkhart
hi,
i hoe you ca answer a question for me, I recently started using Holle 1 with my 7 week old, she had horrible acid reflux as well as gas, a lot of that does seem better but she is spitting up more than usual, do you know if the Holle formula is considered a thinner formula? any suggestions?
Cassie
Hi, what does the comma in the nutrition facts on Holle mean? Is it equal to the “point” in US formula? i.e. per 100 ml prepared bottle it states there is iron 0,6 mg. Does this equal to 0.6 mg?
Also, since DHA is not in Holle Stage 1 – are there DHA supplements that can be given to a 6 month old? Thank you!Cornel
Hi All. After reading all these articles on gimmethegoodstuff, I went ahead and purchased a variety of the formulas from my country (Romania). My daughter just started on formula and it seems she took to HIPP. But I purchased a bunch of other formula. I’m in South Florida area, and I have extra boxes of formula if anyone is interested.
I have 2-500gr boxes of Anfangs-Milch 1 Lebenswert bio. Exp Feb 2017
I have 4-400gr boxes of Holle 1. Exp Dec 2016
I have 2-800gr boxes of Aptamil Pronutra 1. Exp June 2017
I’m not here to make money off of it, just need to sell it to someone that will use it. I cannot use it, as my little one took to HIPP more than the others. All boxes are sealed. I purchased them for $30 each, and $40 for the Aptamil. I will ship it to anyone in the US if anyone is interested for $25 plus shipping. If you buy them all, ill discount it even more.
Again, I just need to sell them because my little one took to HIPP, and instead of just sitting around, might as well have another baby use it. Please email me at cornelp at Hotmail dot com.
cornelp@hotmail.com
Only serious people folks. Thanks…