Hipp vs Earth’s Best: Which Formula Should Your Baby Have?

Key Differences Between Hipp and Earth’s Best

Features/Aspect	HiPP	Earth’s Best
Protein Source	Organic skimmed milk and whey protein, 60:40 whey-to-casein ratio	Organic nonfat milk and whey protein concentrate, 70:30 whey-to-casein ratio
Carbohydrate Source	Lactose only	Lactose only
Fat Blend	Palm oil, rapeseed oil, sunflower oil, includes fish oil for DHA	Palm olein, soy oil, coconut oil, high-oleic safflower or sunflower oil, plant-based DHA
Organic Certification	EU organic, stricter regulations	USDA-Certified Organic, meets US standards
Special Nutritional Additions	Probiotic lactic acid cultures from breast milk, prebiotics (GOS)	Fructooligosaccharide (prebiotic)

In this article, we will compare two popular organic formulas: Hipp and Earth’s Best.

We will analyze their ingredients and nutritional compositions to help you make the best decision for your little one.

Let’s get after it!

Our Short Answer

After analyzing both formulas, it is clear that there are two quality formulas, and whichever one you choose, you will be making a good decision.

That said, if we had to choose one for our baby, it would be Hipp for the following reasons:

• Their fat blend is better as it has Palm oil instead of palm olein (less nutritious), and does not contain soy or high-oleic oils.
• It contains a probiotic sourced from real breast milk that has proven to be very beneficial for the microbiota of babies, which translates into better gastrointestinal health and better immune system.
• Its organic certification is stricter, as it is from Europe. This is a fact.

Earth’s Best is still one of the best U.S.-sourced options, but it fails to beat European purity and quality.

Overview of the Two Formulas

HiPP closely mimics breast milk with lactose as the main carb, probiotics for gut health, and essential nutrients like DHA, without artificial sweeteners or GMOs.

Earth’s Best offers an organic, iron-fortified formula, rich in omega fatty acids, and prebiotic fiber, ensuring healthy development.

Hipp Dutch

HiPP is a formula that stands out because it comes close to what natural breast milk offers.

Its main carbohydrate is lactose, like in breast milk, with zero starch in its products.

It also includes natural probiotic lactic acid cultures taken straight from breast milk. This means it’s great for your baby’s tummy and can help their immune system.

The EU organic label on HiPP formulas isn’t just for show. The milk comes from farms that don’t use chemicals and care about animals and the planet.

This formula does not contain artificial sweeteners, GMOs, gluten, soy, peanuts, or eggs.

What’s in it, then?

Plenty of good stuff: prebiotics (GOS), essential fats like DHA and ARA (great for brain development), minerals, and vitamins A, D, and C to support your baby’s growth and health.

Earth’s Best

Earth’s Best takes pride in its organic infant formula, which includes iron for healthy development.

It’s made from cows’ milk, which has mostly been fed organic food—no synthetic pesticides or weird fertilizers. This means the milk is clean and safe.

But what makes Earth’s Best stand out? There’s no corn syrup like in many US-based formulas, it’s packed with brain-boosting omega fatty acids (DHA and ARA), lutein for sharp eyesight, and prebiotic fiber to strengthen your baby’s immune system.

There are no artificial growth hormones (keeping things as natural as possible), satisfying all FDA nutrition standards for babies, USDA-Certified Organic status, and being a product with non-GMO ingredients.

By focusing on feeding and nourishing babies, Earth’s Best formula supports brain development eye health, and builds immunity while staying true to organic principles.

Nutritional Composition

HiPP and Earth’s Best both utilize organic skimmed milk and whey protein, differing mainly in their whey-to-casein ratios, with HiPP closer to breast milk’s composition.

Both formulas exclusively use lactose for carbs, ensuring natural energy.

HiPP excels in fats with a blend of organic oils and animal-based DHA, avoiding soy, unlike Earth’s Best, which uses palm olein and plant-based DHA.

Protein Content

HiPP: This formula uses organic skimmed milk and whey protein as primary sources. Both are derived from cows treated according to biodynamic farming practices. It has a 60:40 whey-to-casein ratio.

Earth’s Best: The main protein sources in Earth’s Best formula are organic nonfat milk and organic whey protein concentrate. Like HiPP, these choices closely replicate the protein balance of breast milk, but it has a slightly different whey-to-casein ratio: 70:30.

Both formulas use the same types of protein: skimmed milk and whey protein. The only difference is their whey-to-casein ratio. Hipp’s is closer to breast milk, but the extra whey from Earth’s Best can make it easier for babies to process. There is no clear winner in protein content.

Carbohydrate Content

HiPP: HiPP has chosen lactose as its sole carbohydrate source, just like natural breast milk. It provides energy for your baby’s growth while being easy on their digestive system. Lactose also supports the absorption of calcium for strong bones.

Earth’s Best: Organic lactose is also the primary carb in Earth’s Best formula. Using lactose, Earth’s Best ensures a natural energy source for babies, mirroring the carbs in breast milk for balanced nutrition and digestibility.

No differences whatsoever in carb content, with both formulas using lactose exclusively. This is what we want to see from conventional formulas. It’s a draw.

Fats and Oils

HiPP: The fats in HiPP come from a blend of organic vegetable oils (palm oil, rapeseed oil, sunflower oil), providing a well-rounded source of essential fatty acids necessary for brain development, eyesight improvement, and energy production. It also includes fish oil for DHA (an omega-3) and Mortierella Alpina oil for ARA (an omega-6), both critical for cognitive development.

Earth’s Best: This formula incorporates a mix of organic oils, including palm olein, soy, coconut, and high-oleic safflower or sunflower oil. DHA and ARA from Mortierella Alpina oil and Crypthecodinium Cohnii Oil are added to support brain health and vision.

Hipp wins the fat content battle. It uses palm oil instead of olein, which is more nutritive. It also avoids soy, which is the vegetable oil we recommend avoiding. Another difference is that Hipp’s DHA is animal-based, and Earth’s Best’s is plant-based. On paper, animal-based fats are more bioavailable, but the difference is minimal.

Nutritional Facts Comparison Table

Nutrient	HiPP (per 66kcal)	Earth’s Best (per 66kcal)
Protein (g)	1.28	1.32
Fat (g)	3.6	3.3
Carbohydrates (g)	7.0	6.6
Sodium (mg)	20	17.82
Potassium (mg)	66	72.6
Calcium (mg)	51	51.48
Iron (mg)	0.5	1.188
Vitamin D (IU)	60	39.6
Vitamin E (IU)	1.045	1.32
Biotin (µg)	1.5	3.036
Chloride (mg)	51	44.88
Copper (µg)	53	46.86
Iodine (µg)	15	9.9
Magnesium (mg)	4.5	5.28
Manganese (µg)	5	9.9
Selenium (µg)	3.8	1.848
Vitamin B12 (µg)	0.12	0.198
Vitamin C (mg)	8.9	7.92
Choline (mg)	25	10.56
Vitamin K (µg)	5.1	5.28

Take into account that Hipp has lower iron content because we are using Stage 1 (0-6 months), and Earth’s Best is designed from 0-12 months.

Probiotics and Prebiotics

Probiotics and prebiotics play vital roles in a baby’s diet. Probiotics are good bacteria that help keep the gut healthy, while prebiotics feed these beneficial bacteria. Together, they support a robust digestive system and a strong immune system.

HiPP: HiPP formula is enriched with natural probiotic lactic acid cultures sourced from real breast milk. These cultures help promote a healthy balance of gut bacteria, which is crucial for digestion and helps enhance the immune response. In addition to probiotics, HiPP includes galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS), a form of prebiotics derived from lactose. GOS acts as food for the good bacteria in the gut, fostering an environment where they can thrive and support your baby’s health.

Earth’s Best: This formula includes fructooligosaccharide as its primary prebiotic source. Like GOS in HiPP, fructooligosaccharide supports healthy digestion by feeding the beneficial bacteria in the baby’s intestine. Earth’s Best doesn’t specifically mention adding separate strains of probiotics like HiPP does.

This is where Hipp shines thanks to their probiotics sourced from real breast milk. These type of probiotics are highly beneficial for babies and have been proven to improve digestion and immune system.

Best Online Places to Buy Hipp and Earth’s Best

Hipp

If you want to buy Hipp in the US, we recommend Organic’s Best and The Milky Box as the two most trustworthy retailers to purchase European Formulas.

Earth’s Best

If you want to purchase Earth’s Best online, we recommend Target or Walmart, which usually have the best prices.

What are the best alternatives to Hipp and Earth’s Best?

If you’re looking for alternatives to Hipp and Earth’s Best, consider the following options:

Holle: A German brand with organic certification, Holle also complies with EU regulations. Made with organic milk from grass-fed cows, it offers a high-quality option for your baby’s nutritional needs. *Read: Holle vs Hipp and Holle vs Earth’s Best

Kendamil: This UK-based brand uses whole milk as its base, providing a more natural and wholesome formula. Kendamil contains prebiotics for gut health and DHA, an essential fatty acid that supports brain and eye development. *Read: Kendamil vs Hipp and Kendamil vs Earth’s Best

Bobbie: A US-based brand inspired by European formulas, Bobbie uses organic ingredients and avoids corn syrup solids, added sugars, and palm oil. It aims to provide a cleaner and more natural option for parents seeking a quality infant formula. *Read: Bobbie vs Hipp and Bobbie vs Earth’s Best

Last Words

We hope this comparison has helped you choose the best formula for your baby.

If you have further questions, leave a comment or contact us at [email protected].

Happy feeding!