Key Differences Between Hipp and Cow & Gate
| Features/Aspect | HiPP Dutch | Cow & Gate |
|---|---|---|
| Organic Certification | Yes, EU organic certified | None |
| Primary Protein Source | Organic skimmed milk and whey | Skimmed milk and demineralized whey |
| Whey-to-Casein Ratio | Closer to breast milk (60:40) | 40:60 ratio |
| Carbohydrate Source | Lactose only | Lactose only |
| Fats and Oils | Organic vegetable oils: palm, rapeseed, sunflower | Non-organic vegetable oils: high-oleic sunflower, coconut, rapeseed, sunflower |
| Prebiotics and Probiotics | Both GOS and natural probiotics from breast milk | GOS and FOS, no probiotics |
Looking for the best formula for your baby? We’ve been where you are! Looking at comparisons, tables, nutritional information…
Here, at Blwstore, we try to give you professional advice in the simplest way possible.
In this article, we will compare two popular formulas: HiPP and Cow & Gate. We have chosen Hipp Dutch as our contender, but the comparison can also be applied to Hipp German and Hipp UK because their differences are very small.
With a close look at their reputations, nutritional composition, and more, you will have what you need to make an informed decision.
Let’s get after it!
Our Short Answer
After analyzing both formulas, we’ve decided on Hipp without hesitation for the following reasons:
- It uses organic ingredients, which are very important in infant nutrition, especially in the long run to avoid potential health issues that may arise later.
- It has a whey-to-casein ratio closer to breast milk (60:40).
- Its combination of prebiotics (GOS) and probiotics (probiotic lactic acid cultures from real breast milk) enhances the health of the gut flora, which aids in digestion and the immune system.
We see no reason to choose Cow & Gate, except for the price (and that depends on where you buy it).
Hipp formula is the best to provide your baby with a wholesome and easily digestible formula.
- Breastmilk-Like Composition: Natural probiotic lactic acid cultures from real breast milk and lactose as the main carbohydrate.
- EU Organic Certified: Sourced from biodynamic farms.
- Nutrient-Enriched: Contains prebiotics (GOS) and essential fatty acids (DHA & ARA)
- Allergen-Free: Free from artificial sweeteners, GMOs, gluten, soy, peanuts, and eggs.
Overview of the Two Formulas
HiPP Dutch formula mimics breast milk with organic ingredients, probiotics for digestion, and is EU organic certified, free from GMOs and allergens.
Cow & Gate offers complete nutrition with a blend of oils, GOS, FOS, and DHA for infants up to 12 months.
Hipp Dutch
HiPP Dutch is a baby formula that stands out because it’s designed to be as close to breast milk as possible.
It includes ingredients like skimmed milk and various organic oils such as palm oil, rapeseed oil, and sunflower oil.
A key feature is its natural probiotic lactic acid cultures, derived from real breast milk. These cultures aim to support your baby’s development, digestion, and immune system.
The formula’s main sugar is lactose, identical to breastmilk, ensuring no starch is present.
It’s important to note that HiPP formulas are EU organic certified, meaning they come from farms that focus on animal welfare and environmental sustainability without using harmful chemicals.
Additionally, HiPP Dutch formula is free from artificial sweeteners, GMOs, and common allergens like gluten, soy, peanuts, and eggs.
It is enriched with prebiotics (GOS), essential fatty acids (DHA and ARA), minerals, and vitamins A, D, and C.
Cow & Gate First Infant Milk
Cow & Gate First Infant milk offers a nutritionally complete option suitable from birth up to 12 months.
It includes both lactose from milk and a blend of vegetable oils alongside skimmed milk, demineralized whey, cow’s milk protein, fish oil, and a mix of both galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) and fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS).
This combination aims to ensure it meets all the nutritional needs of infants in their first year.
Cow & Gate contains DHA (Omega-3), crucial for brain development, without artificial preservatives – aligning with efforts towards sustainability and health-conscious formulation.
With over 100 years of experience rooted in Britain, Cow & Gate focuses on delivering a breastmilk substitute that supports growth and development with carefully selected ingredients.
Nutritional Composition
HiPP formula boasts a balanced 60:40 whey-to-casein ratio with organic ingredients, mirroring breast milk closely. Cow & Gate offers a 40:60 ratio, prioritizing high-quality protein.
Both use lactose for carbs, but HiPP’s EU Organic certification stands out.
In fats, HiPP includes beneficial organic oils and fish oil, emphasizing brain health, while Cow & Gate opts for a diverse oil blend with nutritional benefits. HiPP edges out with its organic approach and balanced protein content.
Protein Content
HiPP formula uses organic skimmed milk and whey products as primary protein sources. These ingredients balance casein and whey proteins, similar to breast milk. It has a 60:40 whey to casein ratio.
Cow & Gate also relies on skimmed milk, demineralized whey, and whey concentrate for its protein content, ensuring the formula is rich in high-quality protein. It has a 40:60 whey: casein ratio.
Hipp has a better and more balanced protein content than Cow & Gate thanks to having a whey-to-casein ratio (60:40) closer to breast milk and using organic milk (this has its benefits in the long run). Cow & Gate uses demineralized whey, which is easy to digest, but does not reach the quality Hipp provides.
Carbohydrate Content
The main carbohydrate in HiPP‘s formula is lactose, which is derived from milk. This choice reflects an effort to match the carbohydrate content found in breast milk closely.
Cow & Gate also uses lactose as its primary carbohydrate source, staying true to the pattern seen in breast milk.
No difference in carbohydrate content, with both formulas using lactose exclusively. The only difference would be the source of the milk, which in this case, Hipp wins thanks to being EU Organic Certified.
Fats and Oils
In terms of fats and oils, HiPP includes a blend of organic vegetable oils (palm oil, rapeseed oil, sunflower oil) along with fish oil to provide essential fatty acids. Fish oil offers DHA (Docosahexaenoic Acid) and ARA (Arachidonic Acid), which are important for brain development and immune function.
Cow & Gate uses high oleic sunflower, coconut, rapeseed, and sunflower oil. It similarly incorporates fish oil for its DHA content.
Palm oil gets a bad rap for environmental reasons, but when it’s organic and unrefined, it’s actually a great choice nutritionally. It has palmitic acid, similar to a fat found in breast milk. Cow & Gate uses high-oleic sunflower oil, which isn’t the best, but it does include coconut oil, which is super nutritious. We think Hipp comes out on top because it uses organic oils, but they’re pretty similar nutrition-wise.
Nutritional Information Comparison
| Nutrient | Cow & Gate | Hipp Dutch |
|---|---|---|
| Energy | 276kJ/66kcal | 276kJ/66kcal |
| Fat | 3.4g | 3.6g |
| Saturates | 1.1g | 1.5g |
| Mono-unsaturates | 1.7g | 1.6g |
| Polyunsaturates | 0.6g | 0.5g |
| LCPs (DHA + AA) | 38 mg | 26.4mg (DHA 13.2mg + AA not specified) |
| Carbohydrate | 7.5g | 7.0g |
| Sugars | 7.4g | 7.0g |
| Lactose | 7.3g | 6.9g |
| Inositol | 8 mg | 4.2mg |
| Fibre | 0.3g | 0.3g |
| Protein | 1.3g | 1.28g |
| Sodium | 21.4mg | 20mg |
| Potassium | 74mg | 66mg |
| Chloride | 52mg | 51mg |
| Calcium | 53mg | 51mg |
| Phosphorus | 39mg | 30mg |
| Magnesium | 6.6mg | 45mg |
| Iron | 0.53mg | 0.5mg |
| Zinc | 0.48mg | 0.5mg |
| Copper | 0.050mg | 0.053mg |
| Manganese | 0.003mg | 0.0050mg |
| Fluoride | ≤0.006mg | < 0.005mg |
| Selenium | 2.5µg | 3.8µg |
| Iodine | 13µg | 15µg |
| Vitamin A | 58µg | 54µg |
| Vitamin D | 1.45µg | 1.5µg |
| Vitamin E | 1.2mg | 0.70mg |
| Vitamin K | 4.2µg | 5.1µg |
| Vitamin C | 8.3mg | 8.9mg |
| Thiamin (B1) | 0.07mg | 0.036mg |
| Riboflavin (B2) | 0.14mg | 0.14mg |
| Niacin (B3) | 0.43mg | 0.34mg |
| Vitamin B6 | 0.05mg | 0.023mg |
| Folate | 17µg | 10µg |
| Vitamin B12 | 0.15µg | 0.12µg |
| Biotin | 2.1µg | 1.5µg |
| Pantothenic acid | 0.61mg | 0.34mg |
| L-Carnitine | 2.0mg | 1.8mg |
| Choline | 22mg | 25mg |
Probiotics and Prebiotics
HiPP uses natural probiotics from breast milk and prebiotics (GOS) to support digestion and immunity.
Cow & Gate includes GOS and FOS prebiotics for gut health and immune support, but does not add probiotics.
Keeping your baby’s digestive system healthy is a top priority. That’s where probiotics and prebiotics come in – they can help keep the gut filled with good bacteria and support overall health.
HiPP deeply values the importance of a healthy gut, which is why they incorporate natural probiotic lactic acid cultures directly extracted from real breast milk in their formula. These probiotics provide beneficial bacteria that can help strengthen your baby’s immune system and aid digestion. Furthermore, HiPP adds prebiotics known as galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) from lactose.
Cow & Gate, similarly, include galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) sourced from milk as prebiotics to promote the growth of healthy gut bacteria. In addition to GOS, Cow & Gate formula also contains fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS), another prebiotic that aids in digestion and supports the development of a strong immune system. It does not add any probiotics.
Best Places to Buy Hipp and Cow & Gate Formulas
Hipp
If you live in the US, we always recommend Organic’s Best or The Milky Box to purchase European formulas safely.
Hipp formula is the best to provide your baby with a wholesome and easily digestible formula.
- Breastmilk-Like Composition: Natural probiotic lactic acid cultures from real breast milk and lactose as the main carbohydrate.
- EU Organic Certified: Sourced from biodynamic farms.
- Nutrient-Enriched: Contains prebiotics (GOS) and essential fatty acids (DHA & ARA)
- Allergen-Free: Free from artificial sweeteners, GMOs, gluten, soy, peanuts, and eggs.
Cow & Gate
For Cow & Gate, you have two options: Britsuperstore or British Essentials.
What are the best alternatives to Hipp and Cow & Gate?
Before you make your final decision, we always recommend parents to keep learning about other formula brands in order to make an even more informed decision. It is also very useful if your baby does not agree with the formula you choose and you need to find an alternative quickly.
Here are the formulas we recommend for most babies:
Holle: A popular European organic brand known for its high-quality ingredients and goat milk-based formula. *Read: Holle vs Hipp
Holle stands out for its organic and natural ingredients.
- Demeter Certified: The highest organic standard in Europe, ensuring biodynamic, chemical-free farming.
- Nutrient-rich: Packed with essential vitamins (A, D, E), minerals, and fatty acids (DHA & ARA).
- Pure & Simple: Free from artificial sweeteners, GMOs, chemicals, hormones, gluten, and soy.
- Organic Lactose & Milk Fats: Mimics natural breast milk carbohydrates.
Kendamil: A British brand offering whole milk-based formulas without palm oil and committed to using locally sourced ingredients. *Read: Kendamil vs Hipp and Kendamil vs Cow & Gate
Kendamil Classic uses a premium blend that mirrors breast milk.
- Whole Milk Base
- DHA & ARA from Marine Algae
- Prebiotic Blend
- UK Red Tractor-certified farms
- No palm oil, corn syrups or maltodextrin
- Vegetarian Friendly
Bobbie: A US-based brand offering European-style formulas made with organic ingredients and without artificial sweeteners or preservatives. *Read: Bobbie vs Hipp
Less is more. That is the saying of Bobbie.
Crafted with care, focussed on essential, high-quality ingredients.
Bobbie is your go-to if you want a US-based product with an Organic European Formula quality.
- Organic American Grass-Fed Milk: Sourced from Organic Valley cows
- Iron meets FDA and EU standards
- Perfect Whey:Casein Ratio
- Organic Expeller-Pressed Fat Blend
- Organic Lactose
Last Words
We hope this comparison between Hipp and Cow & Gate has helped you make an informed decision for your little one.
If you have further questions, leave a comment below or contact us at [email protected] and we’ll answer in less than 24 hours.
Happy feeding!
We’re Maria and Alberto, a married couple and educators who are nutrition enthusiasts. Even before we had kids, we were already crazy about nutrition.
We’d read scientific articles, watch videos from nutritionists, and spend hours listening to nutrition podcasts.
Today, we continue doing this, but in a different way, as we’ve learned to sift through the noise and trends. Nutrition, like any other field of knowledge, the more you read and learn, the more you develop a comprehensive understanding of reality, and that’s what has happened to us.
Before having our first child, we focused on learning everything we could about child nutrition, using the same techniques we had already employed, backed by our extensive knowledge in nutrition.
Our mission is to help other parents with their children’s nutrition, to help them become the best versions of themselves.
If we are what we eat and drink, which is absolutely true, let’s do it right!
