Holle vs Bobbie: Which Formula Is Better For Your Baby?

Key Differences Between Holle and Bobbie

Feature/Aspect	Holle	Bobbie
Origin and Trust	Established brand with a long history in organic baby nutrition.	Relatively new but rapidly gaining trust among parents.
Organic Certification	Demeter-certified, among the strictest organic certifications worldwide.	Partners with Organic Valley® for organic, non-GMO milk; follows both U.S. and European standards.
Milk Source	Organic skimmed milk from Demeter-certified biodynamic farms.	Organic nonfat milk from grass-fed cows on Organic Valley® farms.
Carbohydrate Source	Organic lactose.	Organic lactose.
Fats and Oils	A blend of organic vegetable oils, including palm, sunflower, and rapeseed oils. Also includes DHA and ARA from algae and Mortierella Alpina oil.	A mix of organic high oleic (safflower or sunflower), canola, and coconut oils, with DHA from Schizochytrium sp. oil and ARA from Mortierella Alpina oil.
Probiotics and Prebiotics	None	None
Sensitive Stomachs	Offers a goat milk version for babies with sensitive stomachs.	No specific goat milk version but offers a “Gentle” version for minor digestive issues.

Choosing the right baby formula is not easy, especially when faced with numerous options in the market.

In this article, we’ll compare two popular baby formulas: Holle and Bobbie.

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

We have chosen Holle Bio Stage 1 for this comparison, as it is the most similar to Bobbie.

Let’s get after it!

Our Short Answer

After analyzing both formulas, we find ourselves between two of the world’s best formulas. In fact, both are among those we typically recommend by default to all parents.

So, whichever you choose, you’re making a sound decision right off the bat. Just remember that every baby is unique and will react differently to the same formula.

That being said, if it were up to us, we’d choose Holle for two simple reasons:

1. Holle has been in the infant nutrition sector longer and is a more established brand with a higher trust level than Bobbie.
2. Its organic certification is among the strictest in the world.

We insist that Bobbie remains a fantastic option.

Also, consider that if your baby has a delicate stomach, Holle offers a goat milk version, which in our opinion is better than cow’s milk since it uses whole milk instead of skimmed. And also note that Bobbie has a “Gentle” version for babies with minor digestive issues.

Overview of the Two Formulas

Holle emphasizes clean, Demeter-certified milk free from artificial sweeteners and GMOs, focusing on organic farming for a nutritious blend of vitamins and fatty acids.

Bobbie partners with Organic Valley® for non-GMO, organic milk, avoiding over 400 contaminants and aligning with safety standards.

Holle

Holle takes pride in giving your baby a great start with its nutritious formula.

Their milk comes from Demeter-certified farms. These farms are super special because they don’t use nasty chemicals and ensure the well-being of their animals and the Earth.

This means the milk in Holle’s formula is one of the cleanest and healthiest in the planet.

What makes Holle unique? It’s its commitment to organic and biodynamic farming. Nothing artificial sneaks into this formula—it’s free from artificial sweeteners and GMOs (genetically modified organisms).

Babies drinking Holle get a good mix of vitamins like A, D, and E, minerals, essential fatty acids (these are the good fats), DHA, and ARA. This helps with brain development and keeps your baby’s body healthy.

Bobbie

Bobbie’s formula starts with high-quality, organic ingredients that are always non-GMO, meaning they haven’t been messed with in a lab to be something they’re not.

They team up with Organic Valley® for their milk, which comes from happy cows munching on grass in open pastures across the U.S.

Bobbie’s difference lies in its standards for purity and environmental respect. As tested by the Clean Label Project, this formula avoids over 400 scary contaminants and chemicals.

Plus, it’s friendly for our planet—the oils used are pressed without freaky chemicals or extreme heat.

Another cool part is Bobbie’s recipe always stays up to date with both U.S. and European safety rules.

They include important nutrients like DHA but steer clear of things like corn syrup, making it a wholesome choice for little tummies.

Nutritional Composition

Both Holle and Bobbie formulas use organic nonfat milk and whey protein from high-quality sources, offering an optimal whey to casein ratio for digestion and growth.

They similarly use organic lactose for energy, avoiding added sugars.

Bobbie uses a mix of organic high-oleic oils and coconut oil, while Holle opts for a blend of organic oils including palm oil for fats, aiming for a less allergenic and potentially less inflammatory profile.

Protein Content

Holle: Holle’s formula uses organic skimmed milk and whey protein as its main protein sources. The milk comes from cows raised in biodynamic farms that follow strict organic practices, ensuring the protein is pure and wholesome.

Bobbie: The primary protein source in Bobbie’s formula is organic nonfat milk, complemented by organic whey protein concentrate. These proteins come from grass-fed cows living on Organic Valley® farms.

There are virtually no differences in protein. Both formulas use nonfat milk + whey protein to reach the perfect whey to casein ratio, 60:40. The only difference is the source of the milk. Holle’s certification is harder to achieve and stricter, but the difference in practical terms is not much.

Carbohydrate Content

Holle: Holle uses lactose from organic sources as its carbohydrate. Lactose is a natural sugar found in milk, making it an ideal energy source for babies. It’s easily digestible and helps to fuel their rapidly growing bodies.

Bobbie: Like Holle, Bobbie uses organic lactose as its carbohydrate source. This choice reflects a commitment to providing energy in a form that’s gentle on baby tummies and closest to what they would get from breast milk.

No differences in carbohydrate content, with both formulas using lactose exclusively, which is what we like to see. No corn syrups or added sugars like in some Similac or Enfamil formulas.

Fats and Oils

Holle: The fats in Holle formula come from a blend of organic vegetable oils including palm oil, sunflower oil, and rapeseed oil. Plus, it includes DHA and ARA from algae oil and Mortierella Alpina oil. These fats are chosen for their ability to supply essential fatty acids comparable to those found in breast milk, promoting brain development and absorbing vitamins.

Bobbie: Bobbie uses a mix of organic high oleic (safflower or sunflower) oil, organic canola oil, organic coconut oil, and linoleic (sunflower or safflower) oil for its fat content. It also contains DHA from Schizochytrium sp. oil and ARA from Mortierella Alpina oil. This plant-based blend of oils is designed to match the fatty acid profile needed for healthy infant growth without using chemical solvents or high heat in processing.

For starters, both formulas use organic vegetable oils, but there are some differences worth noting. On one side, we’ve got Holle, which uses palm oil. This choice may seem like a bad one, however, organically grown palm oil is a pretty good option when you compare it to other vegetable oils. It has a similar fat profile as breast milk thanks to the palmitic acid.

On the other hand, Bobbie uses high-oleic oils and canola oil, which are not ideal, but adds coconut oil, the most nutritious vegetable oil available.

If we had to choose a winner in fat content, we would probably go for Holle, simply because it contains fewer types of vegetable oils, which means it is less allergenic and probably less inflammatory.

Probiotics and Prebiotics

Both probiotics and prebiotics can play a crucial role in some babies. However, not every baby benefits from these extra ingredients.

Holle: Holle does not specifically add any pre- or probiotics. However, given its focus on organic and wholesome ingredients, its formula is considered very easy to digest.

Bobbie: Like Holle, Bobbie does not explicitly list specific strains of probiotics or prebiotics. Their formula, with its high-quality, organic ingredients, is designed to support healthy digestion and absorption of nutrients.

Best Online Places to Buy Holle and Bobbie

Holle

If you live in the US, you must buy Holle online, though a trustworthy European Formula retailer.

We always recommend Organic’s Best and The Milky Box. We have used both in the past, and they have the best reviews, with Organic’s Best in first place.

Bobbie

For Bobbie, your best bet is to buy it directly at their website and use their subscription service.

What are The Best alternatives to Holle and Bobbie?

While Holle and Bobbie are amongst the best formulas in the entire world, we always recommend reading about the alternatives until you find the best one for your little one.

Here are the top alternatives we usually recommend:

Hipp: This formula is well-loved for its easy digestibility and natural blends of prebiotics and probiotics which support healthy gut flora in babies. Hipp prioritizes organic ingredients and aims to be as close to breastmilk as possible. *Read: Hipp vs Holle | Hipp vs Bobbie

Kendamil: Kendamil stands out because it uses whole milk instead of skimmed milk powder, along with real human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs), which are important for immune health. It’s also free from palm oil, making it a unique option among baby formulas. *Read: Kendamil vs Holle | Kendamil vs Bobbie

Nannycare: This is an excellent goat milk-based formula known for its amazing nutrition profile and incredible digestibility. Goat milk naturally forms softer curds during digestion which can be easier for some babies to handle. Plus, Nannycare is rich in key nutrients vital for growth and development. *Read: Nannycare vs Holle

Last Words

We hope this comparison between Holle and Bobbie has helped you make the best decision for your little one.

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

Happy feeding!