Holle vs Byheart: Which Baby Formula Is Better?

Key Differences Table Between Holle and Byheart

Features/Aspect	Holle	Byheart
Organic Certification	Demeter (Europe’s highest for organic farming)	USDA Organic
Protein Source	Skimmed milk and whey	Whole milk, alpha-lactalbumin, lactoferrin
Carbohydrate Source	Lactose	Lactose
Fats and Oils	Organic palm, sunflower, rapeseed oils	Coconut oil, high oleic sunflower oil, rapeseed oil, milk fats
Key Nutritional Additives	High levels of DHA and ARA	DHA, ARA, alpha-lactalbumin, lactoferrin
Prebiotics/Probiotics	None	Organic galactooligosaccharides (GOS)
Targeted Benefits	Purity, digestibility, high organic standard	Complete formula, mimics breast milk closely
Environmental Certification	Demeter-certified farming	Clean Label

This article will compare two popular organic formulas: Holle and Byheart.

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

Let’s get after it!

Our Short Answer

After analyzing both formulas, this is one of the most difficult comparisons we have written. Both formulas have strengths.

Holle:

• It has the Demeter Certification, the highest level of organic farming in Europe.
• Its ingredient list is straightforward, with no additives or unnecessary stuff.
• It has high levels of DHA, perfect for proper brain development.

Byheart:

• It uses whole milk, which is an advantage because it does not rely that heavily in vegetable oils.
• It uses coconut oil, the best vegetable oil.
• It adds alpha-lactalbumin and lactoferrin, two ingredients found in breast milk that are great for babies.

As nutritionists, Byheart offers more benefits on paper, and it is a more complete formula. However, Holle’s purity and digestibility is one of the best in the world.

Having said that, if we compared Holle’s Goat version versus Byheart, then we would go for Holle 100%, because it uses whole milk and it has the rest of the benefits.

We also recommend you to read about the alternatives below before you make a purchasing decision.

Overview of the Two Formulas

Holle offers organic baby formula from Demeter-certified farms, free of artificial sweeteners and GMOs, enriched with vitamins and essential fatty acids.

Byheart, the first U.S. brand using organic grass-fed whole milk, features a patented protein blend for easy digestion, avoiding corn syrup, gluten, soy, and artificial hormones.

Holle

Holle is a brand that truly believes in the purity and quality of its ingredients. Their baby formula is made from milk produced on Demeter-certified organic farms.

This is a big deal because Demeter certification is Europe’s highest level of organic farming certification.

It means the farms follow strict guidelines that are good for the environment, animals, and the crops they grow. The Holle formula contains no artificial sweeteners or genetically modified organisms (GMOs).

Instead, it’s rich in vitamins like A, D, E and essential fatty acids (DHA and ARA), which are important for your baby’s development.

Byheart

Byheart takes infant nutrition to the next level with its innovative approach.

It is the first U.S. infant formula that uses organic grass-fed whole milk as its base.

Unlike many other formulas using skim milk, Byheart opts for whole milk to mimic breast milk’s nutrient profile closely.

Their patented protein blend includes alpha-lactalbumin and lactoferrin, two key proteins found in breast milk, making their formula easy for babies to digest.

Byheart has also made strides in clinical testing, claiming its formula reduces common feeding issues compared to leading brands.

This brand stands out for being free from corn syrup, gluten, soy, maltodextrin, hexane-extracted DHA, artificial growth hormones, and palm oil.

Moreover, Byheart emphasizes clean ingredient sourcing and manufactures its products in its facilities across the United States.

Nutritional Composition

Holle uses skimmed milk and whey for protein, focusing on natural ingredients for easy digestion and growth. Byheart innovates with alpha-lactalbumin and lactoferrin, mimicking breast milk proteins.

Both use lactose as the main carbohydrate, with Holle and Byheart emphasizing essential fatty acids through a mix of vegetable oils, but Byheart adds milk fats for improved quality.

Protein Content

Holle: The protein in Holle formula is primarily derived from skimmed milk and whey product, ensuring a balance that mirrors natural breast milk. This balance is crucial for easy digestion and supporting rapid infant growth without stressing their developing digestive system.

Byheart: Byheart takes an innovative approach to protein content by including alpha-lactalbumin and lactoferrin in their formula—two of the most abundant proteins in breast milk. This aligns with the protein quality and composition found in natural breast milk.

Holle aims to have a simpler formula using the purest and most natural ingredients from Demeter-certified farms. Byheart adds two bioengineered components: alpha-lactalbumin and lactoferrin, which are breast milk proteins highly beneficial for babies.

We usually prefer the most natural option over extra ingredients, but Byheart’s protein blend is really good on paper.

Carbohydrate Content

Holle: The primary carbohydrate source in Holle formula is lactose, which closely mimics the carbohydrate content of breast milk. Lactose is essential for energy and supports healthy bacterial flora in the digestive tract, contributing to a strong immune system.

Byheart: Similarly, Byheart formula utilizes lactose as its sole carbohydrate source, mirroring the natural composition of breast milk.

No differences in carb content, with both formulas using lactose as their main carbohydrate source, which is exactly what we expect to see in conventional formulas.

Fats and Oils

Holle: Holle includes a blend of organic vegetable oils (palm oil, sunflower oil, rapeseed oil) to provide essential fatty acids crucial for brain development, eye health, and overall growth. It also contains DHA from algal oil, cementing its commitment to mimic the fat composition found in breast milk as closely as possible.

Byheart: In contrast, Byheart’s includes a mix of organic vegetable oils (high oleic sunflower oil, low erucic rapeseed oil, coconut oil), along with algal DHA and Mortierella Alpina oil for omega-6 fatty acids.

Palm oil is often criticized for its environmental impact, but Holle uses organic palm oil, mitigating these concerns. Nutritionally, palm oil is considered beneficial because it is not a seed oil.

Byheart incorporates coconut oil, the top choice for nutrition, followed by organic palm oil. However, Byheart includes high oleic sunflower oil, which is less preferred.

Byheart also incorporates milk fats, superior to vegetable oils, giving it an advantage in fat content quality.

Prebiotics and Probiotics

Probiotics and prebiotics are crucial in a baby’s nutrition, especially when developing and supporting a healthy gut flora.

Holle: While Holle focuses on organic, high-quality ingredients, their formula remains more traditional, with an emphasis on the natural nutritional composition of milk. It does not specifically list probiotics or prebiotics among its primary ingredients, focusing instead on having a simple and natural formula.

Byheart: Byheart integrates organic galactooligosaccharides (GOS), a prebiotic fiber derived from lactose. These prebiotics are essential for promoting the growth of healthy bacteria in the digestive system, aiding digestion, and supporting overall gut health.

Best Places to Buy Holle and Byheart

Holle

Byheart

Buy it at Target

Buy it at Byheart.com

What are the Best Alternatives to Holle and Byheart?

Holle and Byheart are two amazing formulas compared to Similac or Enfamil.

However, there are other brands you should consider that share the same quality.

Here are our favorites:

Kendamil: Kendamil stands out for its use of whole milk—a rarity among baby formulas—and the inclusion of both Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMOs) and Milk Fat Globule Membrane (MFGM), which are pivotal for immune health and cognitive development. This UK brand emphasizes natural ingredients without palm or fish oil, making it a great alternative for those seeking an option close to breast milk. *Read: Kendamil vs Byheart | Kendamil vs Holle

HiPP: Recognized for addressing specific dietary needs, HiPP offers specialty formulas that can help with digestive problems like colic or reflux. They’re also known for their fantastic blends of prebiotics and probiotics to foster a healthy gut microbiome. HiPP is a great choice for parents looking for an organic formula with extra digestive support. *Read: Hipp vs Byheart | Hipp vs Kendamil

Bobbie: As our pick for the best U.S.-based formula, Bobbie keeps things simple yet effective. Inspired by European standards, Bobbie uses organic ingredients and mimics breast milk’s composition as closely as possible. While minimalist in approach, Bobbie’s formula is designed to meet all nutritional needs without overwhelming your baby’s system. *Read: Bobbie vs Byheart | Bobbie vs Holle

Last Words

We hope this comparison between Holle and Byheart has helped you make the best decision for your baby.

If you have any questions, we’ll be happy to answer them, leave a comment below or contact us at [email protected]

Happy feeding!