Holle vs Aptamil: Which Formula Is Better For Your Baby?

Key Differences Between Holle and Aptamil

Features/Aspect	Holle Bio	Aptamil Gold
Certification	Demeter (biodynamic)	Not specified (focus on research and development)
Main Protein Source	Skimmed milk and whey, with added essential amino acids	Milk solids and whey protein, balanced for growth
Carbohydrate Source	Organic Lactose	Lactose
Fats and Oils	Organic vegetable oils (palm, sunflower, rapeseed), DHA and ARA from microalgae and Mortierella alpina	Vegetable oils (corn, canola), fish oil for DHA, uses emulsifiers like soy lecithin
Prebiotics and Probiotics	None	GOS, FOS prebiotics, and B. breve M-16V probiotic
Organic Certification	Yes, highest level (Demeter)	No
Vegetarian-Friendly	Yes	No

This article will compare two popular baby formulas: Holle and Aptamil.

For the comparison to make sense, we have chosen Holle Bio Stage 1 and Aptamil Gold 1 as the two contenders. They are the most popular formulas of both brands and are designed for complete nutrition without specific dietary needs.

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

Let’s get after it!

*Important: if you want to compare Aptamil Organic vs Holle, this comparison still works, since the difference between Aptamil Organic and Aptamil Gold is very small in terms of ingredients (it uses coconut oil instead of corn, which is a big upgrade, but it changes nothing else)

Our Short Answer

After analyzing both formulas, we’ve decided on Holle for the following reasons:

• It boasts the world’s top organic certification: Demeter, indicating its ingredients are of the highest quality.
• Its fat blend is much healthier.

Aptamil is an excellent formula, featuring prebiotics and probiotics. However, in nutrition—and even more so in infant nutrition—the origin of the ingredients and how close they are to their most natural form is the most crucial factor. This can impact many other aspects, such as digestibility and long-term problems (or benefits).

Overview of the Two Formulas

Holle offers organic baby formula from biodynamically farmed cows, with a focus on natural ingredients like skimmed milk, vegetable oils, and essential nutrients.

Aptamil, leading in Europe, blends milk solids, prebiotics, probiotics, and DHA, focusing on digestion and developmental support.

Holle

Holle is a baby formula known for its pure and organic ingredients. The stand-out feature of Holle’s formula is that its milk comes from Demeter-certified farms.

This certification is a big deal in Europe, meaning the cows are raised on farms that follow strict biodynamic farming practices. This approach bans chemicals, supports animal welfare, and cares for the environment.

The ingredients list for Holle includes skimmed milk, various vegetable oils, lactose, and important vitamins and minerals such as vitamin A, D, E, iron, and zinc.

Holle excludes artificial sweeteners or genetically modified organisms (GMOs).

The formula aims to be as natural as possible, mimicking breast milk’s nutritional profile with added benefits of essential fatty acids like DHA (from algae) and ARA for baby’s development.

Aptamil

Aptamil prides itself on being the result of over 50 years of breast milk research.

Recognized as the #1 formula brand in Europe by sales volume, Aptamil Gold offers a blend carefully designed to support an infant’s nutritional needs from 0 to 12 months.

Its ingredients list showcases milk solids, vegetable oils, prebiotics such as GOS (short-chain galactooligosaccharides) and FOS (long-chain fructooligosaccharides), probiotic B. breve M-16V—which is great for gut health—DHA for brain and eye development, and a wide array of vitamins and minerals found in breast milk, including Vitamin D for immune support.

Aptamil also emphasizes dual prebiotics GOS and FOS alongside its probiotic content, which is aimed at supporting digestive health. This can be particularly beneficial for babies’ comfort and well-being.

Similar to Holle in some respects but unique in its focus on digestive health support through prebiotics and probiotics alongside omega-3 fatty acids for developmental support.

Nutritional Composition

Holle and Aptamil formulas both prioritize protein from milk and whey for infant growth, with Holle emphasizing pure milk benefits.

Both use lactose as the main carb, mirroring breast milk.

Holle’s fat blend includes organic oils and essential fatty acids, outperforming Aptamil’s use of vegetable and fish oils.

Protein Content

Holle: The protein in Holle formula comes primarily from skimmed milk and whey products, which are excellent sources for growing infants. Adding essential amino acids like L-tyrosine and L-tryptophan further supports overall health and development.

Aptamil: Aptamil also utilizes milk solids and whey protein from cow’s milk as its main protein sources. This ensures a balance of essential amino acids for growth, brain development, and immune function.

The difference between milk solids and skimmed milk is the fact that milk solids can include some of the fat found in milk. This can be a good thing because some fat comes from the milk, which has a higher bioavailability than vegetable oils. However, Holle uses one of the purest milks on the planet, which will certainly have some benefits in the long run.

Carbohydrate Content

Holle: The primary carbohydrate source in Holle formula is lactose, derived from milk.

Aptamil: Aptamil also uses lactose as the main carbohydrate source.

Both formulas mirror the natural carbohydrate content of breast milk, gently nourishing babies’ tummies with energy. The only difference is the source of the milk; Holle uses higher-quality milk thanks to its Demeter certification.

Fats and Oils

Holle: Holle’s formula sources fats from a blend of organic vegetable oils, including palm oil, sunflower oil, and rapeseed oil. It also contains oils from microalgae (Schizochytrium sp.), which is rich in DHA, and oil from Mortierella alpina for ARA, essential fatty acids important for brain development and eye health.

Aptamil: The fat composition in Aptamil involves vegetable oils (corn and canola) alongside fish oil for a direct source of DHA (Omega-3 fatty acid), which is crucial for neurological development. It uses emulsifiers like soy lecithin to help maintain the stability of these fats within the formula.

Holle has a better fat blend than Aptamil. Aptamil uses corn and canola oils, which are not as nutritious and healthy as palm (yes, if it’s organically grown, it’s amongst the best, right below coconut oil), sunflower, and rapeseed oils. Aptamil uses soy lecithin as emulsifier, which is another artificial and cheap practice, and not good.

Probiotics and Prebiotics

Holle avoids added probiotics and prebiotics, aiming for a natural, breast milk-like formula.

Aptamil includes GOS, FOS prebiotics, and B. breve M-16V probiotic to enhance digestive health, support the immune system, and improve nutrient absorption in babies.

In baby nutrition, probiotics and prebiotics can help promote a healthy gut in some babies, leading to better digestion and overall health.

Holle opts not to include added probiotics or prebiotics in its formula. This choice is due to Holle’s commitment to keeping its formula as clean and natural as possible. Holle focuses on providing nutrition closely mimicking breast milk without relying on bioengineered ingredients. This approach ensures that babies are exposed only to essential nutrients without additional bacterial strains that would not naturally occur in breast milk.

Aptamil, on the other hand, incorporates specific prebiotics and probiotics to support digestive health and strengthen the immune system. It contains dual prebiotics GOS and FOS, which are known to foster healthy gut flora, aiding digestion and nutrient absorption. Additionally, it includes the probiotic B. breve M-16V, chosen for its benefits in promoting gut health and potentially reducing the occurrence of minor digestive upset in infants.

Best Online Places to Buy Holle and Aptamil

Holle

If you live in the US, you must get Holle through any available European Formula retailers.

The two we recommend wholeheartedly are Organic’s Best and The Milky Box.

Aptamil

You may find Aptamil in different retailers across the US. If you want to purchase it online, the best option right now is Walmart.

What are some alternatives to Holle and Aptamil?

While Holle and Aptamil are among the best formulas in the world, we always recommend reading about other high-quality brands.

Here you have our top alternatives:

Bobbie: Marketed as the best US-based organic formula, Bobbie stands out for its focus on organic composition and simplicity. Its formula aims to provide essential nutrients without overcomplication, mirroring the straightforwardness valued by many parents. Bobbie is a top choice for those who feed their baby with organically sourced ingredients. *Read: Bobbie vs Holle | Bobbie vs Aptamil

Hipp: A renowned name in baby nutrition, Hipp offers formulas with a natural blend of prebiotics (like GOS) and probiotics matched with high digestibility. Ideal for parents looking for a formula that supports gut health while being gentle on baby’s stomach, Hipp is celebrated for its balanced approach toward infant nutrition. *Read: Hipp vs Aptamil | Hipp vs Holle

Kendamil: Unique for its use of whole milk rather than skimmed milk powder, which many competitors use, Kendamil provides a rich, creamy texture alongside real human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs). Its composition supports immunity and brain development while offering a formula closer to nature, with British organic milk as its cornerstone ingredient. *Read: Kendamil vs Aptamil | Kendamil vs Holle

Last Words

We hope this comparison between Holle and Aptamil has helped you make an informed decision for your baby.

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

Happy feeding!