Holle vs. Hipp: Which Formula King Is Better?

In this article, we will compare Holle and Hipp, two of the top baby formula brands in the European Market.

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

Let’s get after it!

If you prefer to listen, here’s a YouTube video with our main take:

Holle vs. Hipp Formulas: Quick Ingredient Comparison Chart

FORMULA	RATING	LACTOSE	CORN SYRUP	MALTODEXTRIN	PALM OIL	SOY OIL	PREBIOTICS	MFGM	HMOs	HYPOALLERGENIC
HOLLE BIO	9/10	✅	❌	❌	✅	❌	❌	❌	❌	❌
HOLLE A2	9/10	✅	❌	❌	✅	❌	❌	❌	❌	❌
HOLLE GOAT	9/10	✅	❌	❌	✅	❌	❌	❌	❌	❌
HIPP DUTCH	9/10	✅	❌	❌	✅	❌	✅	❌	❌	❌
HIPP COMFORT	9/10	✅	❌	✅	✅	❌	✅	❌	❌	❌
HIPP AR	9/10	✅	❌	❌	✅	❌	✅	❌	❌	❌
HIPP HA	9/10	✅	❌	❌	✅	❌	✅	❌	❌	✅
HIPP GERMAN	8/10	✅	❌	❌	✅	❌	✅	❌	❌	❌

Our Short Answer

If you want the short version, here it is:

• Choose Holle if you want an organic formula of the highest quality and your baby does not seem to have digestion problems. Holle focuses on using only the best ingredients thanks to its Demeter Certification.
• Choose Hipp if your baby seems to have digestion problems, reflux, constipation, or generic stomach problems, as it is a brand that specializes in that. It has powerful prebiotics and probiotics and offers formulas like Hipp Comfort and Hipp HA (hypoallergenic)

Overview of Both Brands

Holle specializes in organic and biodynamic baby formulas, adhering to strict European standards and offering stages for ages 0 to toddlers with Demeter certified milk.

HiPP, a pioneer in organic baby nutrition since 1899, emphasizes gut health with prebiotics and probiotics in its formulas, maintaining a commitment to chemical-free farming.

Holle

Holle is a brand with over 85 years of experience specializing in organic and biodynamic baby formulas. They are highly respected for their commitment to sustainability and providing high-quality ingredients.

Their strict adherence to European organic standards, more stringent than those in the United States, sets them apart.

The brand offers different stages of formula designed to cater to babies’ evolving nutritional needs from birth until they’re toddlers.

Key points about Holle include:

• Stages: Their product line includes Stage 1 (suitable for ages 0-6 months), Stage 2 (for ages 6-10 months), and Stage 3 (for babies aged 10 months and up).
• Quality: Holle’s formulas boast Demeter quality milk from grass-fed cows, free from artificial chemicals, flavoring, added sugar, GMOs, hormones, and steroids.
• Certification: They take pride in having Demeter certification—an exceptional standard for biodynamic agriculture.

Hipp

HiPP is celebrated as an innovator within the organic baby food market with roots going back to 1899 thanks to founder Joseph Hipp. It’s a family-owned enterprise that transitioned into organic farming back in 1956 under Georg Hipp’s stewardship—a move way ahead of its time.

Today HiPP stands as a global leader processing organic materials perfect for young ones.

What you need to know about HiPP:

• Innovative History: Originating from Joseph Hipp’s homemade solution for his twins’ nutrition problems, today, it embraces comprehensive infant nutrition, including cereals and jarred meals, along with formulas that fit right from birth.
• Prebiotics and probiotics: All Hipp formulas contain prebiotics and probiotics, aiming to help babies have amazing gut health.
• Organic Focus: HiPP has been relentless since Georg Hipp initiated chemical-free farming over six decades ago; demonstrating its early commitment towards healthier food production.

Why are Holle and Hipp formulas not FDA-approved?

The short answer is that the FDA only regulates items made in the U.S., and Holle and Hipp’s formulas are manufactured in Germany.

In this case, European rules apply, which are managed by the European Commission.

Since its origin in 1906, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has been in charge of protecting the public health in the U.S. by overseeing any ingested items, for instance, food, supplements, medications, etc. It makes sense, therefore, that baby formula is also included in the FDA’s domain.

Holle and HiPP have been providing baby formula for a long period, with HiPP commencing in Germany in 1899 and Holle beginning in Switzerland in the 1930s. As the years have gone by, both of these companies have learned from their experiences and have been able to craft safe, easy-to-use, and highly nutritious formulas.

The European Commission (the European equivalent of the US Food and Drug Administration) has given both HiPP and Holle the seal of approval for being certified organic.

The European Commission has stricter regulations than the FDA. Every single HiPP and Holle formula follows these exacting standards, but each type of formula has a unique combination of ingredients.

Is it safe for my baby to consume formulas of European origin?

Question	Answer
Is it safe to use European-made baby formula?	Absolutely!
Who enforces regulations for baby formula production in the EU?	The European Commission
What rules and regulations exist for baby formula production in the EU?	Sterile manufacturing and packaging, and strict labeling requirements (including disallowing the use of sucrose in production)
What is Demeter biodynamic criteria?	A certification awarded to companies that follow biodynamic farming, which involves protecting the environment and prohibiting the use of chemical-synthetic fertilizers, spraying agents, and GMOs on the entire farm where elements are being cultivated

FDA vs European Commission

Holle and Hipp: Formula Options

Holle Formulas:

Cow’s Milk Formula

• Holle Cow Formula: Demeter-certified organic, no artificial sweeteners or GMOs, with vitamins A, D, and E, minerals, and essential fatty acids (DHA and ARA).
• Holle A2 Cow Formula: Made with A2 milk, easier to digest for some babies, Demeter-certified organic, no artificial sweeteners or GMOs.

Goat Milk Formula

• Holle Goat Formula: Organic goat milk-based, good for babies with cow’s milk sensitivity, Demeter-certified organic, no artificial sweeteners or GMOs.

Hipp Formulas:

Cow’s Milk Formula

• HiPP Comfort Formula: Gentle on sensitive tummies, with prebiotics and probiotics.
• HiPP Dutch Formula: Starch-free, suitable for babies with starch intolerance.
• HiPP Anti-Reflux Formula: Thickened formula for reflux, 100% whey protein.
• HiPP Hypoallergenic Formula: For cow’s milk allergies, extensively hydrolyzed protein.
• HiPP Bio Combiotik Formula: Conventional with probiotics and prebiotics.

Goat Milk Formula

• HiPP Goat Milk Formula: Suitable for babies from birth, easier to digest, organic goat milk formula, no palm oil.

A Comparison Between Holle and Hipp Stage 1 Cow’s Milk Formulas

For this comparison, we’ve taken the Stage 1 cow’s milk formulas of both brands, so the comparison makes sense.

By breaking down the differences in protein, carbohydrate, and fat content, we aim to provide you with a clearer understanding of these two formulas to make an informed decision.

Protein content

Protein is a key nutrient for growing babies that supports overall growth and development.

• Holle formulas provide protein primarily from high-quality skimmed milk and whey powder, partially demineralized to suit the delicate digestive systems of infants. The proteins in Holle are designed to mimic those found in breastmilk as closely as possible, making it gentle and easy to digest for babies.
• HiPP, on the other hand, uses a blend of skimmed milk and whey product as well, aiming for a balance that closely resembles mother’s milk. Adding essential amino acids like L-phenylalanine ensures that HiPP formulas support healthy infant growth and protein synthesis.

Both formulas use high-quality protein from organic cow’s milk. The only difference is that Holle has a better organic certification, and Hipp adds extra non-essential amino acids. It’s a draw in protein content.

Carbohydrate content

Carbohydrates are crucial for providing energy to fuel your baby’s rapid growth and activity levels.

• Holle uses lactose as the main carbohydrate source in their Stage 1 formula, which is the same carbohydrate found in breastmilk. This choice supports energy needs while also being natural and easy for babies to digest.
• HiPP also opts for lactose as its primary carbohydrate, reinforcing its commitment to mimicking the composition of breastmilk as closely as possible.

There is no difference in carbohydrate content between Holle and Hipp. There are some Holle and Hipp formulas with reduced lactose that use organic maltodextrin, designed to be easier to digest for babies with lactose sensitivity.

Fats and Oils

Fats are essential for brain development, energy provision, and the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins.

• Holle‘s formula features a blend of organic vegetable oils (palm oil, sunflower oil, rapeseed oil) providing essential fatty acids crucial for brain development and overall health. Holle also adds plant-based DHA and ARA.
• HiPP similarly includes a mix of organic vegetable oils (palm oil, rapeseed oil, sunflower oil) alongside fish oil to supply DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), an omega-3 fatty acid essential for brain development. The inclusion of fish oil distinguishes HiPP by providing direct sources of DHA and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid), further supporting cognitive development alongside general health benefits from its vegetable oil base.

A note on palm oil. Palm oil has a bad rep because of its environmental impact. However, Holle and Hipp use organically grown palm oil, with the least amount of processing possible, which means it’s not refined. This differs completely from formulas like Enfamil, that use non-organic palm olein, the refined version of palm oil.

Again, there is a draw in fat content. Both formulas use the same vegetable oils. The only difference is the DHA source. Holle’s is plant-based and Hipp’s is animal-based. On paper, animal-based DHA has slightly better bioavailability, however this small difference is not enough to choose a winner.

Prebiotics and Probiotics

Probiotics and prebiotics play vital roles in supporting a healthy digestive system in infants, leading to better overall health.

• HiPP is particularly noted for incorporating both prebiotics and probiotics in its formulas. Including galacto-oligosaccharides from lactose acts as prebiotics, fostering healthy gut bacteria. Additionally, HiPP formulas contain natural lactic acid cultures like those found in breast milk (specifically Limosilactobacillus fermentum hereditum®), directly supporting the baby’s immune system by promoting a balanced gut flora.
• Holle, while focusing on simple, organic ingredients, does not feature probiotics or prebiotics in the product descriptions available. However, their emphasis on high-quality organic ingredients supports overall health and well-being, providing a supportive environment for natural gut health.

Price and Availability

If you compare the price of both brands in the US, you’ll find the following:

HiPP Dutch Stage 1: Priced at $46.99 for an 800g can, it works out to about $5.87 per 100g. Buying in bulk can bring the price down to as low as $4.62 per 100g.

Holle Stage PRE: A 400g box costs $25.99, which calculates to roughly $6.50 per 100g. Bulk purchases can reduce the price to $4.99 per 100g.

Availability

In the US: Neither HiPP nor Holle are available off-the-shelf. You’ll need to turn to trustworthy online retailers like the two we recommend below to stock up on these European formulas.

In Europe: They are much more accessible, typically found in local stores without the need for online ordering.

What are the best places to buy Hipp and Holle formulas?

There are many stores online, like Mommy Formula, Organic Life Start, My Organic Company and others.

While most of them are trustworthy, the two best reviewed and trustworthy in terms of deliverability, price and formula options are:

What are the Best Alternatives to Holle and Hipp?

Even though Holle and Hipp are amongst the best of the best in terms of formula, there are other candidates out there. The three below are the top alternatives to Holle and Hipp:

1. Kendamil

Our top choice for an alternative is Kendamil. Made in the UK, Kendamil distinguishes itself by using whole milk as a base for its formula rather than skimmed milk, which they claim more closely mirrors the fat profile of human milk. Free from palm oil, Kendamil prides itself on including full cream nutrients, Omega-3s sourced from plant-based sources like algae (avoiding fish oil), and prebiotics for gut health.

2. Nannycare

An amazing option for those considering goat milk formulas is Nannycare. Goat milk naturally forms softer curds during digestion—a characteristic that can be gentler on an infant’s stomach. Nannycare focuses on providing nutrition that closely mimics human milk’s qualities with easy digestibility and high-quality goat milk as its foundation.

3. Bobbie

As the best US-based formula option, Bobbie offers an organic cow’s milk-based formula designed to meet European nutritional standards which are considered stricter compared to local U.S standards. It aims to provide a soy-free option with lactose as the main carbohydrate source—not corn syrup solids or other sweeteners commonly found in some US formulas—making it a healthier choice that focuses on both nutrition and palatability.

What about Similac and Enfamil?

While Similac or Enfamil are widely recognized, they don’t meet the same high standards set by Holle, Hipp, Kendamil, Nannycare, or Bobbie when it comes to organic ingredients and absence of unnecessary additives like table sugar, corn syrup, soy oil and palm olein.

Last WOrds

We hope this comparison between Holle and Hipp helps you decide which formula is best for your little one.

If you have any questions, feel free to comment below or contact us at [email protected] and we’ll be happy to help you.

Happy feeding!