Hipp Comfort vs Hipp Anti-Reflux: Which Formula Is Better For Your Baby?

Key Differences Between Hipp Comfort and Hipp Anti-Reflux

Features/Aspect	HiPP Comfort	HiPP AR
Primary Need	Digestive issues such as colic and constipation	Reflux and regurgitation
Protein Source	Hydrolyzed whey protein	Skimmed milk and whey
Carbohydrate Source	Reduced lactose, organic maltodextrin	Lactose only
Fats and Oils	Palm oil, rapeseed oil, sunflower oil	Palm oil, rapeseed oil, sunflower oil
Specialty	Easier digestion, low allergen	Natural thickener (carob) for better retention
Dietary Features	Reduced lactose for sensitivity, hydrolyzed protein	Lactose as main carb, enriched with prebiotics, DHA, ARA
Organic Certification	Yes	Yes
Prebiotics and Probiotics	Lactobacillus fermentum CECT5716, GOS	Lactobacillus fermentum CECT5716, GOS
Ease of Digestion	Designed for babies with lactose sensitivity and/or cow’s milk protein sensitivity	Designed for babies with reflux issues
Main Benefit	Aids in reducing crying and discomfort from tummy troubles	Promotes better retention and bowel movements

This article will compare two popular Hipp formulas for babies with digestive issues, Hipp AR vs Hipp Comfort.

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

Let’s get after it!

Our Short Answer

The choice between Hipp Comfort and Hipp AR should depend on your baby’s needs. Having said that, here’s our take:

Hipp AR is a more natural formula overall, because it uses lactose and organic skimmed milk without hydrolyzing. These two factors make it our first choice.

Hipp Comfort has reduced lactose with organic maltodextrin (for lactose sensitivities) and hydrolyzed proteins (for babies with cow’s milk protein sensitivities).

If you don’t know what your baby’s needs are, we recommend trying Hipp AR first, and if after a week, your baby suffers from constipation or colic, make the switch to Hipp Comfort (you can do this directly, without mixing them).

Overview of the Two Formulas

HiPP Comfort addresses digestive issues with hydrolyzed whey protein for easier digestion and reduced lactose to prevent upset stomachs, focusing on comfort with natural, organic ingredients.

HiPP AR combats reflux by using carob fruit to thicken the formula, promoting better retention and bowel movements, with lactose as the main carb, enriched with prebiotics, DHA, and ARA for development and immune support.

Hipp Comfort

HiPP Comfort is designed for babies who struggle with digestive issues such as colic and constipation. This formula is unique because it uses hydrolyzed whey protein.

Simply put, the milk protein has been broken down into smaller pieces that are easier for tiny tummies to digest. It also has less lactose – the sugar found in milk – which can sometimes cause upset stomachs in babies.

The main goal of HiPP Comfort is to make digestion as easy as possible for your baby. By being more digestible and low in allergens, it aims to reduce crying and discomfort due to tummy troubles.

HiPP Comfort prides itself on using natural ingredients, including organic palm oil from sustainable sources. It even contains special probiotics similar to those found in breast milk, making it a gentle option for your baby’s first year of life.

Hipp AR

HiPP Anti-Reflux (AR) focuses on helping babies who often spit up their food due to reflux or regurgitation. This formula uses a natural ingredient derived from carob fruit as a thickener, making each feed denser so that it’s more likely to stay in your baby’s stomach.

Besides tackling reflux issues, HiPP AR also supports normal bowel movements thanks to its fiber-rich composition.

Like HiPP Comfort, this formula includes probiotics derived from breast milk for a natural approach to health and digestion.

The key carbohydrate is lactose, avoiding the use of artificial sweeteners or harmful ingredients such as GMOs. To further support your baby’s development and immune system, it contains vital nutrients like prebiotics, DHA (Omega-3), and ARA (Omega-6).

Nutritional Composition

HiPP Comfort uses hydrolyzed whey protein for easier digestion and sensitivity, while HiPP AR uses skimmed milk and whey, offering essential amino acids for growth.

Comfort has reduced lactose and maltodextrin for gentler digestion, while AR sticks to natural lactose.

Both share similar fat profiles with organic oils and DHA/ARA for development, choosing ingredients close to breast milk’s composition.

Protein Content

HiPP Comfort: This formula’s protein comes mainly from hydrolyzed whey protein. The process of hydrolyzation breaks down proteins into smaller parts, making it easier for babies to digest. This method is particularly helpful for infants with sensitive tummies, reducing the chances of allergic reactions.

HiPP AR: The protein in HiPP AR is derived from skimmed milk and whey products. While not hydrolyzed like in HiPP Comfort, it still provides essential amino acids necessary for your baby’s growth.

The choice between these two would depend on your baby’s specific needs and tolerance towards milk proteins. Hipp Comfort is designed for babies who have sensitivity to lactose and/or cow’s milk protein. There is no winner in protein content, it depends on your baby’s needs.

Carbohydrate Content

HiPP Comfort: In HiPP Comfort, lactose is reduced compared to regular formulas to ease digestion problems like colic and constipation. It also contains maltodextrin, a carbohydrate that provides energy but is easy on the stomach.

HiPP AR: The primary carbohydrate here is lactose, which mirrors the carbohydrate content found in breast milk, making it an excellent option for maintaining natural feeding patterns. Unlike HiPP Comfort, HiPP AR relies solely on lactose without additional carbohydrates like maltodextrin.

On paper, Hipp AR has a more natural approach to carbs, thanks to using lactose exclusively. However, if your baby has lactose sensitivity, Hipp Comfort is a much better option, because it replaces some of it with organic maltodextrin, another source of energy, much better than corn syrup solids, a cheap carb source, which is what some formulas from the US use to replace lactose.

Fats and Oils

Both HiPP Comfort and HiPP AR share a similar blend of organic fats and oils, including palm oil, rapeseed oil, and sunflower oil. These oils are chosen for their nutritional profile that’s akin to breast milk’s natural fat composition.

• Palm Oil: Used in both formulas, it’s a significant source of palmitic acid, which is present in breast milk and aids in energy production and bone health.
• Rapeseed Oil: Provides essential omega-3 fatty acids, contributing to brain development.
• Sunflower Oil: High in essential fatty acids that support the health of cell membranes.

Moreover, both formulas include Fish oil for DHA (omega-3), essential for eye and brain development; M.alpina oil provides ARA (omega-6), another fat critical for brain health.

There are no differences in fat content between both formulas.

Probiotics and Prebiotics

Both HiPP Comfort and HiPP AR include beneficial probiotics and prebiotics that mimic those found in breast milk, promoting a healthy gut and immune system in infants.

Probiotics:

• Both formulas contain Lactobacillus fermentum CECT5716, a natural lactic acid culture originally extracted from breast milk. This probiotic helps in maintaining a healthy balance of good bacteria in your baby’s digestive tract, aiding in digestion and boosting the immune system.

Prebiotics:

• Galactooligosaccharides (GOS), derived from lactose, serve as prebiotics in these formulas. GOS is a dietary fiber that feeds the beneficial gut bacteria, helping to maintain a healthy digestive system.

Incorporating both prebiotics and probiotics promotes a favorable environment for your baby’s gut health, which is crucial for their overall wellness and development.

Cost and availability

HiPP Comfort and HiPP Anti-Reflux may be more expensive and less readily available than some US-based brands, but their high-quality organic ingredients and stringent European regulations justify the cost.

These formulas are not FDA-approved but adhere to strict European guidelines for infant nutrition.

Both formulas are generally more expensive than some US-based brands, but their organic and high-quality ingredients often justify the price.

European baby formulas, including HiPP, are governed by the European Commission, which has stringent standards for infant nutrition.

Best Places to Buy Hipp Comfort and Anti-Reflux

There are many European Formula retailers. Some examples are: Mommy Formula, My Organic Company, Organic Baby Food Shop, among others.

We usually recommend Organic’s Best as our top choice, the most trustworthy in our opinion.

Our number 2 is The Milky Box.

What are The Best alternatives to Hipp Comfort and Anti-Reflux?

While HiPP Comfort and HiPP AR are excellent options for babies with special dietary needs, there are other impressive alternatives available:

• HiPP HA: This hypoallergenic formula is another option from HiPP designed for babies prone to allergies. It features hydrolyzed proteins, which are broken down into simpler forms that are easier for babies to digest and less likely to trigger allergic reactions. It’s a great choice if you’re looking for something within the HiPP family but tailored towards allergy-prone babies.

• Bobbie Gentle: As a US-based formula tailored for sensitive tummies, Bobbie Gentle offers an option that focuses on easy digestion. It is crafted to be gentle on your baby’s digestive system while still providing all the necessary nutrients for growth and development.

• Holle Goat: Some babies may have sensitivities to lactose or cow’s milk protein. Holle Goat is an excellent alternative with its Demeter Certification, ensuring the highest organic standards. Goat milk naturally has a gentler composition which can be easier on your baby’s stomach.

• Nannycare: Although not organic, Nannycare provides incredible digestibility and comes highly recommended by parents worldwide. Its formula is based on goat milk, which many find to be an excellent alternative for infants sensitive to cow’s milk proteins or lactose.

Last Words

We hope this comparison between Hipp Comfort and Hipp AR has helped you make the best decision for your little one.

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

Happy feeding!