Main Differences Table: Holle Pre vs Stage 1
| Category | Holle Pre | Holle Stage 1 |
|---|---|---|
| Age Range | 0-6 months | 0-6 months |
| Main Difference | No maltodextrin, only organic lactose | Contains maltodextrin |
| Maltodextrin | Absent | Present |
| Organic | Yes, meets strict EU standards | Yes, meets strict EU standards |
| Lactose | Organic lactose for nourishment | Uses maltodextrin and lactose for nourishment |
| Best For | Infants with sensitive tummies during the first 6 months | Infants who can tolerate maltodextrin |
| Where to Buy | OrganicBabyFood24, Organicbabyfood.shop, The Milky Box, Organicformulashop | OrganicBabyFood24, Organicbabyfood.shop, The Milky Box, Organicformulashop |
| FDA Approval | Not applicable (produced in Germany, follows EU standards) | Not applicable (produced in Germany, follows EU standards) |
You are probably not the only parent looking for the difference between Holle Pre and Holle Stage 1.
In this guide focused on “Holle pre vs Stage 1,” we will provide you with the essential information you need to make an informed choice.
In this article, you will find:
- An overview of Holle PRE and Holle Stage 1 formulas and their key differences
- An explanation of maltodextrin, the primary distinguishing ingredient between the two stages
- Insights on the safety and benefits of maltodextrin for babies
- Tips on where to buy high-quality Holle formulas
- Information on FDA approval for Holle formulas and EU standards
- Reasons why Holle Formula is considered the best choice for your baby
- Guidance on how to prepare Holle Formula and which stage to choose
By the end of this article, you’ll better understand the Holle pre vs Stage 1 debate and be equipped to choose the right formula for your baby’s needs.
Let’s get after it!
*Read: Holle Stage 1 vs Stage 2
Key Takeaways
- The primary difference between Holle PRE and Holle Stage 1 formulas is the presence of maltodextrin in Stage 1.
- Maltodextrin is a complex carbohydrate used to thicken, stabilize, or sweeten products, and is considered safe for babies.
- Both Holle PRE and Stage 1 are high-quality, organic formulas that meet strict EU standards.
- Holle PRE is more suitable for infants with sensitive tummies during the first 6 months.
- Recommended retailers for purchasing Holle formulas include OrganicBabyFood24 and Organicbabyfood.shop.
Most popular Holle Formulas:
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1. What is the Difference between Holle Pre and Stage 1?
The main distinguishing factor between Holle PRE and Holle Stage One formulas is maltodextrin.
- The Holle PRE stage formula omits maltodextrin and uses organic lactose to provide additional nourishment.
- In contrast, Holle Stage One formula does incorporate maltodextrin. To better understand maltodextrin, let’s explore its application to the formula for babies.
What is Maltodextrin?
Maltodextrin, a carbohydrate additive made from starch, is commonly used in foods and drinks for thickening, stabilizing, and sweetening purposes, and is easy to digest and cost-effective.
Maltodextrin is a polysaccharide, a type of carbohydrate, that is added to many foods and drinks to thicken, stabilize, or sweeten them.
It is made from starch and is easy to digest, meaning it is broken down and absorbed quickly by the body.
Products such as cereal bars, chips, crackers, dressings, protein powders, sports drinks, and baby formulas often contain maltodextrin.
This additive has a mild, sweet taste and is not typically listed on food labels.
Maltodextrin is a cost-effective substitute for sugar and can help to increase the shelf life of certain items. It also adds bulk and texture to food and drinks, making them more appetizing.
The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) deems maltodextrin as safe; however, some people may experience digestive issues if they consume a large quantity of it.
Does all this mean it is bad for our baby?
Of course not, in fact it is a much safer ingredient for the health of our babies than sugar, or corn syrup (used in many other formulas as we will see below).
Maltodextrin is a complex carbohydrate that gives low glycemic index energy (which makes insulin release from the pancreas more sustained and over a longer period of time) and easy to digest.
The Maltodextrin used by Holle in its formula comes from organically grown plants.
2. What is the Best Place to Buy Holle Pre or Stage 1 Formula?
If you’re looking to buy Holle Pre or Holle Stage 1 formula, there are plenty of online stores that offer high-quality products, excellent customer service, and speedy delivery.
To help you narrow down your options, we have listed our top four recommended retailers below:
- Organicbabyfood24: This store is our top pick for purchasing HiPP formula online. They have a wide range of organic baby food products, including HiPP Pre and Stage 1 formulas. Their professional customer service and quick delivery make them a highly recommended option.
- Organicbabyfoodshop: Another trustworthy store that stocks HiPP Pre and Stage 1 formulas. They offer excellent customer service, fast shipping, and even wholesale options.
- The Milky Box: This online store has the highest variety of organic formula brands and an amazing subscription service to save some money.
- Organicformulashop: A reputable online retailer that offers a variety of organic baby formulas. They are known for their professional customer service and fast delivery.
If you want more detailed information on these stores to help you make an informed decision, we suggest reading our in-depth article reviewing each of these four retailers.
3. Why isn’t Holle Formula FDA approved?
We previously discussed this issue here, but in short:
The FDA only oversees items made in the United States, and Holle formulas are created in Germany.
This means that Europe’s regulations are applicable, which are managed by the European Commission.
The European Commission has stricter standards than the US Food and Drug Administration and has approved HiPP and Holle as certified organic.
Every formula from these companies meets the exact standards, with each variety having its own distinct blend of ingredients.
In fact, many US-made formulas contain simple sugars, which are not allowed in infant formulas within the European Union.
4. Why is Holle Formula the best?
Apart from many other factors that we will now name, let’s take a look at the following chart:
Holle Formula is an optimal decision for your infant’s formula prerequisites.
- It has been verified as natural, free from GMOs, pesticides, or herbicides, and made from excellent organic components such as whey protein from cows given only organic food and milk from cows not treated with growth hormones.
- Holle Formula is enriched with vitamins, minerals, and omega-3 unsaturated fats that help bolster your infant’s sound development.
- It is effectively processed and advances a more grounded immune system.
- Its arrangement is intended to be like breast milk, with all the basic supplements and nutrients that babies need to develop and flourish.
- It is likewise delicate on their stomachs and has a delicate taste that won’t disturb their taste buds.
Holle Formula offers the best sustenance for your infant and is the ideal decision to guarantee their sound development and improvement.
5. How to Prepare Holle Formula
You have a more in depth guide on how to prepare formula in our Baby Feeding Guide, but here’s a small table that summarices it briefly:
| Tips for Preparing Baby Formula |
|---|
| Wash your hands before handling formula. |
| Use low mineral content bottled water. |
| Heat water to 36°C, test on wrist. |
| Follow instructions closely for milk quantity. |
| Avoid keeping leftover milk. |
| Observe baby’s needs and adjust milk quantity. |
| Start with newborn-specific nipples. |
| Wash hands before handling bottles, air dry. |
| Sterilizing not necessary, but wash hands before feeding. |
6. Which Holle Formula should you buy?
PRE and Holle Stage 1 are both excellent products, with the only difference being that the Stage 1 formula includes maltodextrin (starch).
Between 0 and 6 months, the PRE formula is for infants with more sensitive tummies. You have the freedom to choose. Regardless of your decision, you’ll receive the highest quality, safest, and most natural infant formula in the world.
Thanks to precise standards and the world’s strictest organic farming practices, it’s better than anything you would find on your local supermarket shelves.Â
7. Our Experience with Holle Formula
Maria has always breastfed, but we have always liked to have several packets of baby formula at home to supplement breast milk.
During her first few months of life, Pablo’s main food has been breast milk, however, when Maria was especially sore or tired, using a quality formula has worked great for us. Pablo has had no problems with colic, gas or other gastrointestinal issues. This may have been luck, but we also believe that the use of a bottle and quality formula has had something to do with it.
Our recommendation is to have this formula at home, and use it as a supplement to breast milk if needed or as a main food.
In fact, it is not necessary to change the formula at Stage 2, 3 or 4 as your child grows.
Conclusion
If you want a higher quality organic origin formula, Holle is the brand you should consider. It has been producing baby formula that has met the highest EU standards for decades.
The question about Holle Pre vs Holle Stage 1 answers easily: The only difference is that stage 1 has maltrodexin.
As we said before, Stage 2 and follow-on formulas are not really necessary for your baby if you start complementary feeding or Baby led Weaning from 6 months of age.
To buy Holle Pre or Stage 1, we recommend OrganicBabyFood24 and Organicbabyfood.shop as the best stores with the best customer service and better deals.
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!
I don’t think the title of your article matches the content lol. Just kidding, mainly because I had some doubts after reading the article.
Thanks for sharing. I read many of your blog posts, cool, your blog is very good.
Thank you so much Jannette, glad we’ve been of help ^^. Organic Formulas are indeed the best kind for your baby’s development
I was told by a friend to look up Holle organic baby formula, as it might be a better alternative. My firstborn had to switch formula a couple of times because it was not the best-suited formula for my baby girl. Organic baby formula is the best way to go to avoid our sweet babies being uncomfortable, sick, and irritable, As mothers, we have to be our babies’ voicess as they can’t talk yet. I am going to share this review on social media, so very well written.