Hipp vs NAN [Nestle]: Which Formula Is Better for Your Baby?

Key Differences Between Hipp and NAN

Feature	Hipp Dutch	NAN SupremePro
Certification	European organic	Not organic
Protein Source	Skimmed milk and whey product; EU organic	Partially hydrolyzed whey protein
Protein Processing	Standard (non-hydrolyzed) for basic formula; hydrolyzed in specific variants (Hipp HA and Comfort)	Partially hydrolyzed for babies with problems digesting cow’s milk protein
Carbohydrate Source	Lactose	Lactose
Fats and Oils	Organic vegetable oils (palm, sunflower, rapeseed) DHA and ARA	Vegetable oils (sunflower, coconut, rapeseed), DHA and ARA
Prebiotics and Probiotics	Prebiotics (GOS from lactose), probiotics (from real breast milk)	Prebiotics (2′-FL and LNnT), Probiotic (Bifidobacterium lactis)

In this article, we will compare two popular European formulas: Hipp and NAN (Nestle).

We have chosen Hipp Dutch and NAN SupremePro as our two contenders. However, the conclusion to this comparison also apply to their other formulas.

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

Let’s get after it!

Our Short Answer

After analyzing both formulas, it is clear that we are dealing with two high quality products and we would be happy to choose either one for our baby.

Now, getting a little pickier, if we had to choose one, it would be Hipp for the following reasons:

• It has European organic certification, which is very beneficial in the long run and especially in infant nutrition.
• Its probiotics are second to none, having been extracted from real breast milk, helping baby’s microbiota to be strong and healthy, which influences both digestion and the immune system.

NAN SupremePro is one of the best non-organic formulas we’ve seen, so if it suits you better for price or availability, don’t hesitate too long.

Overview of the Two Formulas

HiPP Dutch formula mimics breast milk with probiotics and lactose, offering an EU organic, allergen-free composition enriched with prebiotics, probiotics, DHA, ARA, and vitamins.

NAN SupremePro includes partially hydrolyzed whey, omega fatty acids, and gut-friendly prebiotics and probiotics, emphasizing ease of digestion.

Hipp Dutch

HiPP Dutch formula is acclaimed for its close similarity to real breast milk, which stems from its use of natural probiotic lactic acid cultures originally sourced from breast milk.

This formula’s primary carbohydrate is lactose, mirroring the composition of breast milk and ensuring it contains no starch.

HiPP takes pride in its EU organic certification, guaranteeing that the milk comes from farms that practice chemical-free agriculture, which respects animal welfare and environmental sustainability.

This means HiPP’s formula is free from artificial sweeteners, GMOs, gluten, soy, peanuts, and eggs – catering to babies’ needs for a healthy start. It’s enriched with prebiotics (GOS), probiotics (from natural breast milk), essential fatty acids (DHA and ARA), minerals, and vitamins A, D, and C to support development, digestion, and a robust immune system.

While we focus on HiPP Dutch in this comparison, HiPP also offers formulas like HiPP Comfort and HiPP HA designed for infants who have difficulty digesting cow’s milk protein. These alternatives include hydrolyzed protein to ease digestion.

NAN (Nestle) Reputation

The Nestle NAN SupremePro is a premium starter infant formula suitable from birth.

It features a cow’s milk base with partially hydrolyzed whey protein, making it easier on an infant’s stomach for improved digestion.

One of the key innovations of NAN SupremePro is its packaging design, which includes a separate scoop compartment for convenience and a window to monitor powder levels easily.

It contains omega-3 DHA and omega-6 ARA, crucial for brain and eye development. It also provides babies with prebiotics like 2′-FL and LNnT and probiotics such as Bifidobacterium lactis for healthy gut flora.

Nutritional Composition

HiPP formula features a balanced 60:40 whey-to-casein ratio and essential amino acids, mirroring breast milk’s protein composition. It uses organic vegetable oils and includes DHA and ARA sources.

NAN SupremePro offers partially hydrolyzed whey protein for easier digestion and uses a mix of vegetable oils, including coconut oil, for fatty acids without palm oil.

Protein Content

HiPP: HiPP formula relies on skimmed milk and whey product as its primary protein sources with a 60:40 whey-to-casein ratio, mirroring the protein composition found in breast milk. Including essential amino acids like L-phenylalanine, L-tryptophan, and L-histidine ensures a balanced amino acid profile for a baby’s growth.

NAN SupremePro: The protein source in NAN SupremePro is enzymatically hydrolyzed whey protein from cow’s milk, designed to be gentle on the baby’s digestive system. This hydrolysis process breaks down the proteins into smaller units, making it easier for babies to digest than regular cow’s milk-based formulas. It also features additional amino acids like L-phenylalanine, L-histidine, L-tyrosine, and L-valine supporting infant growth.

Hipp has a better source of milk than NAN, thanks to being EU organic certified. Leaving that aside, the fact that NAN uses partially hydrolyzed protein is useful for babies who have problems digesting cow’s milk protein, but it does not offer any other benefit. Hipp Comfort and Hipp HA also use hydrolyzed protein.

Carbohydrate Content

HiPP: The main carbohydrate in HiPP Dutch formula is lactose, derived from milk. By sticking to lactose as the sole carbohydrate source, HiPP provides an energy source close to what is naturally found in breast milk.

NAN SupremePro: Like HiPP, NAN SupremePro uses lactose as its primary carbohydrate source.

No differences in carb content, with both formulas using lactose exclusively. This is exactly what we expect to see from conventional formulas.

Fats and Oils

HiPP: The fats in HiPP are derived from a blend of organic vegetable oils (palm oil, rapeseed oil, sunflower oil) designed to closely mimic the fatty acid profile of breast milk. It also includes fish oil as a DHA (Docosahexaenoic Acid) source and Mortierella Alpina oil for ARA (Arachidonic Acid), essential fatty acids for brain development and visual acuity.

NAN SupremePro: NAN SupremePro also contains a mix of vegetable oils (sunflower, coconut, rapeseed) and omegas 3 and 6 (DHA from fish oil and AA), similar to HiPP. These fatty acids play a crucial role in cognitive development and eye health.

Hipp uses organic vegetable oils, including palm oil. Now, palm oil might not sound great at first, but when it’s organic and unprocessed, it’s actually pretty good for you and closely matches the fats found in breast milk. Then there’s NAN, which skips palm oil altogether and uses coconut oil instead, which is top-notch for nutrition. So, if we’re judging just on the quality of fats, Hipp takes the lead because of its organic ingredients. Without that organic label, though, NAN would be in the lead.

Probiotics and Prebiotics

Both HiPP and NAN SupremePro understand the importance of feeding a baby and supporting their gut health. This is where probiotics and prebiotics come into play.

HiPP: In its formulation, HiPP includes galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) sourced from lactose, which acts as prebiotics. These prebiotics serve as food for the beneficial gut bacteria, promoting a healthy digestive system. Furthermore, HiPP incorporates natural lactic acid cultures extracted from breast milk, enhancing its probiotic profile to support the baby’s immune system.

NAN SupremePro: This formula takes gut health seriously by including a mix of prebiotic oligosaccharides such as 2′-fucosyllactose (2′-FL) and lacto-N-neotetraose (LNnT). These components mimic the function of prebiotics found in breast milk, fostering a supportive environment for healthy gut flora. Plus, it contains Bifidobacterium lactis – a probiotic strain that assists in maintaining a balanced intestinal microbiota for optimal digestion and immunity.

This is where Hipp always wins. Even though NAN SupremePro has one of the best pre and probiotic blends we have seen in a formula, Hipp takes the lead thanks to its natural lactic acid cultures from real breast milk. This blend has proven time and time again to be great for babies’ guts, and the reviews from other parents say it all.

Best Online Places to Buy Hipp and NAN

If you live in Europe, you won’t find many problems to purchase Hipp and NAN from your local stores. However, if you want to buy them online, things change.

Hipp

We always recommend Organic’s Best and The Milky Box if you want to purchase formula in a safe and trustworthy way.

NAN

For NAN SupremePro, we recommend trying at Walmart, as it is the store that usually has no problems of stock if you live in the US. You can also try the official Nestle shop. They ship internationally if you spend more than $99.

What are the best alternatives to Hipp and NAN?

If you’re interested in exploring other infant formula options, consider these alternatives:

Holle: Holle is a European brand offering organic, biodynamic infant formulas made from high-quality ingredients, including goat’s milk-based options for babies with cow’s milk sensitivities. *Read: Hipp vs Holle and Nan vs Holle

Kendamil: Kendamil is a UK-based brand offering organic and non-organic infant formulas made from whole milk, providing a more natural and nutrient-rich option for your baby. *Read: Kendamil vs Hipp and Kendamil vs NAN

Bobbie: Bobbie is a US-based brand that offers a European-inspired organic infant formula, made with high-quality ingredients, and closely mimicking breast milk’s composition. *Read: Bobbie vs Hipp

Last WOrds

We hope this comparison between Hipp and NAN has helped you make an informed decision for your little one.

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

Happy feeding!