Holle vs SMA: Which Baby Formula Is Better?

Key Differences Between Holle and SMA

Key Differences	Holle	SMA
Origin	European (Germany)	United Kingdom
Farming Practices	Demeter-certified organic farms, biodynamic farming practices	Standard non-organic farming
Brand Reputation	High organic standards, clean approach to baby nutrition, choice of health-conscious parents	Over 100 years of industry-leading research, commitment to reducing environmental impact, trusted brand
Milk Source	Organic skimmed milk	Partially hydrolyzed whey protein from milk
Protein Content	1.3g per 100ml	1.27g per 100ml
Unique Protein Feature	Complete profile of essential amino acids, similar to that found in breast milk	Partially hydrolyzed proteins, easier to digest for some babies
Carbohydrate Content	Organic lactose, 7.8g per 100ml	Lactose, 7.6g per 100ml
Carbohydrate Benefits	Supports healthy digestion and provides energy, organic source	Supports healthy digestion and provides energy
Fats and Oils	Blend of vegetable oils (palm oil, sunflower oil, and rapeseed oil) and fats from Demeter-quality milk, DHA and ARA included	Blend of vegetable oils (sunflower and rapeseed) and fish oil, DHA, ARA, and Mortierella alpina oil for AA
Omega Fatty Acids	DHA and ARA	DHA and ARA
Prebiotics and Probiotics	Organic lactose acts as a natural prebiotic	Includes prebiotics (2’FL, DFL, LNT)

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As a parent, choosing the right baby formula is quite confusing and difficult.

With so many brands and options on the market, making an informed decision is essential to ensure your little one gets the best nutrition possible.

In this article, we’ll be comparing two popular baby formula brands: Holle and SMA.

Although we will be focusing on comparing Holle Pre and SMA Advanced (their best formula), this comparison can still be applied to follow-on formulas as they share similar characteristics.

So, let’s dive into the world of Holle vs SMA and see which one comes out on top!

Our Short Answer

For our quick and concise insight, our verdict between Holle and SMA is clear: we recommend Holle.

Its dedication to organic, responsibly sourced ingredients outweighs other factors. We actually used Holle for our son Pablo two years ago, and everything went perfectly.

However, we stress the importance of pediatric advice.

If your baby needs a formula without palm oil or added prebiotics due to a medical condition, SMA Advanced or an appropriate alternative should be your go-to.

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Brand Reputation

Before we get into the specifics of each formula, it’s crucial to understand the reputations and philosophies behind these two well-established brands.

This will give you a clearer understanding of their approach to baby nutrition, which we feel is a fundamental part of choosing the best option.

Holle: European brand with high organic standards, Demeter-certified milk, biodynamic farming practices, clean approach to baby nutrition, favorite choice of health-conscious parents worldwide.

SMA: over 100 years of industry-leading research, support for parents and their choices, commitment to reducing environmental impact, trusted brand in baby nutrition.

Holle Reputation

Holle is a brand that prides itself on maintaining the highest organic standards in Europe.

Their baby formulas are made with milk from Demeter-certified organic farms, ensuring their products are free of artificial sweeteners, GMOs, and questionable ingredients.

Holle’s commitment to biodynamic farming practices means that their products are made with respect for animal welfare and environmental sustainability.

With Holle’s range of staged formulas, parents can trust that their baby’s nutritional needs are met at every developmental milestone.

Holle’s reputation for premium quality, organic ingredients, and a clean, simple approach to baby nutrition has made it a favorite choice for health-conscious parents worldwide.

SMA Reputation

SMA Nutrition has been in the infant formula industry for over 100 years, and during that time, they have used their industry-leading research to bring ever better products to families.

As part of the world’s largest food and nutrition research network, SMA is backed by some of the best minds in the industry, from chemists to nutritionists.

Their philosophy is centered around supporting parents and their choices, providing them with the information and tips they need at each stage of their baby’s development through their SMA Baby website and club.

Additionally, SMA is committed to protecting the planet for future generations by reducing their environmental impact through recyclable packaging and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.

This commitment to continuous improvement and support for parents makes SMA a trusted brand in baby nutrition.

Nutritional Composition

In this section, we will delve deeper into the nutritional composition of both Holle PRE and SMA Advanced First Infant Milk, comparing their protein, carbohydrate, and fat content, as well as the sources of these nutrients.

Holle PRE: organic skimmed milk protein, organic lactose, vegetable oil and fats from Demeter-quality milk, DHA and ARA for brain and eye development.

SMA Advanced: partially hydrolyzed whey protein, lactose, blend of vegetable oils and fish oil, Mortierella alpina oil for AA. Both lactose sources free of extra sugars.

Holle uses organically grown palm oil.

Protein Content

Protein is essential for your baby’s growth and development, and the protein sources used in infant formulas play a crucial role in determining their quality.

Holle PRE: Holle PRE’s primary protein source is organic skimmed milk, which provides a complete profile of essential amino acids, similar to that found in breast milk. The formula contains 1.3 grams of protein per 100 ml, which is within the recommended range for infants.

SMA Advanced: SMA Advanced uses partially hydrolyzed whey protein from milk as its main protein source. Partially hydrolyzed proteins are easier to digest, which may be beneficial for some babies. The formula contains 1.27 grams of protein per 100 ml, which is also within the recommended range for infants.

The main difference here is the source of their milk. Holle uses organic cow’s and goat’s milk, which we think is an extremely important factor when discussing baby formulas.

SMA, even though is not organic, uses partially hydrolyzed whey, which may add some unnecessary chemical processes on the way. Still, it can be beneficial for some babies who need extra help digesting cow’s milk protein.

Carbohydrate Content

Carbohydrates are an essential source of energy for your baby, and the types of carbohydrates used in infant formulas can impact their digestibility and nutritional value.

Holle PRE: Holle PRE uses organic lactose as its primary carbohydrate source, which is similar to the carbohydrates found in breast milk. Lactose is a natural sugar that helps support healthy digestion and provides energy for your baby. The formula contains 7.8 grams of carbohydrates per 100 ml.

SMA Advanced: SMA Advanced also uses lactose as its main carbohydrate source, providing the same benefits as Holle PRE. The formula contains 7.6 grams of carbohydrates per 100 ml.

Both brands use lactose without adding any extra sugars like maltodextrin, starch or corn syrup solids, which is what we want to see.

However, Holle stays on top again for being lactose coming from organic milk.

Fats and Oils

Fats are crucial for your baby’s brain development and overall growth. The types of fats and oils used in infant formulas can have a significant impact on their nutritional value.

Holle PRE: Holle PRE uses a blend of vegetable oils (palm oil, sunflower oil, and rapeseed oil) and fats from Demeter-quality milk to provide essential fatty acids, including Omega 3 (DHA) and Omega 6 (ARA). These fatty acids support brain and eye development in your baby.

SMA Advanced: SMA Advanced uses a blend of vegetable oils (sunflower and rapeseed) and fish oil to provide essential fatty acids, including Omega 3 (DHA) and Omega 6 (ARA). The formula also contains Mortierella alpina oil, which is a source of Arachidonic Acid (AA).

Holle uses organically grown palm oil, which many might not find ideal.

However, palm oil has something called palmitic acid, a unique fat that resembles breastmilk fat profile. Knowing this, some may argue that adding palmitic acid is actually beneficial, but there are ways to do that without using palm oil.

Our take here is that if the palm oil used is organic, then we don’t think is a real issue that will make us change our minds.

Nutritional Facts Comparison Table

Nutrient	Holle Formula	SMA Formula
?Energy	277 kJ – 66 kcal	280 kJ – 67 kcal
Fat	3.3 g	3.5 g
Saturated fat	0.9 g	0.3 g
Monounsaturated fat	1.8 g	2.8 g
Carbohydrates	7.8 g	7.6 g
Protein	1.3 g	1.27 g
Vitamin A	53.6 µg RE	58 µg
Vitamin D	1.5 µg	1.5 µg
Vitamin E	0.79 mg	1.6 mg
Vitamin K	5.3 µg	4.8 µg
Vitamin C	5.9 mg	9.2 mg
Vitamin B1	0.034 mg	0.07 mg
Vitamin B2	0.17 mg	0.14 mg
Niacin	0.34 mg	0.64 mg
Vitamin B6	0.029 mg	0.047 mg
Folic acid	9.88 µg	20.6 µg
Vitamin B12	0.12 µg	0.18 µg
Biotin	1.5 µg	1.6 µg
Pantothenic acid	0.34 mg	0.7 mg
Potassium	80.4 mg	74 mg
Chloride	49.8 mg	66 mg
Calcium	58.6 mg	44 mg
Phosphorus	35.1 mg	24 mg
Magnesium	5.28 mg	6.6 mg
Iron	0.53 mg	0.33 mg
Zinc	0.44 mg	0.45 mg

Probiotics and Prebiotics

Holle PRE: no added prebiotics or probiotics, but organic lactose acts as a natural prebiotic to promote beneficial gut bacteria growth.

SMA Advanced: includes prebiotics (2’FL, DFL, LNT, 3’SL, and 6’SL) to promote healthy gut bacteria growth, but no added probiotics.

Prebiotics and probiotics are not essential in infant formulas, but they can provide additional benefits for some babies, particularly those with digestive issues or sensitivities.

Holle PRE: Holle PRE does not contain added prebiotics or probiotics. However, the organic lactose in the formula acts as a natural prebiotic, promoting the growth of beneficial gut bacteria.

SMA Advanced: SMA Advanced includes 2′-Fucosyllactose (2’FL), Difucosyllactose (DFL), Lacto-N-Tetraose (LNT), 3′-Sialyllactose (3’SL), and 6′-Sialyllactose (6’SL) as prebiotics, which promote the growth of healthy gut bacteria and support digestion. However, the formula does not contain added probiotics.

Cost and availability

Holle PRE: Holle PRE is available through various online retailers and select stores in the US. It’s imported from Europe, so it can be slightly more expensive than local brands. The cost is around $30-$35 per box, which lasts roughly a week for a newborn. (see below the best online retailers to buy Holle Formula)

SMA Advanced: SMA Advanced is widely available in supermarkets and online stores in the US. The cost for a can of SMA Advanced ranges from $25 to $30, depending on the retailer.

Best Places to Buy Holle and SMA

What are the best alternatives to Holle and SMA?

While Holle PRE and SMA Advanced are high-quality infant formulas, some parents may prefer other brands due to dietary restrictions, availability, or personal preference. Here are some of the best alternatives:

• Hipp: Known for its organic ingredients and specialty formulas, Hipp offers a range of products to cater to various dietary needs, including formulas for digestive problems. *Read: Hipp vs Holle and Hipp vs SMA

• Kendamil: This British brand offers a vegetarian formula, touted as one of the purest on the market. Kendamil does not use palm oil, fish oil, or GMOs in their formulas. *Holle vs Kendamil and SMA vs Kendamil

• Lebenswert: A brand owned by Holle, Lebenswert is known for its high-quality, organic ingredients and commitment to sustainable farming practices. *Read: Holle vs Lebenswert

• Loulouka: A Swiss brand that produces organic infant formulas, Loulouka uses high-quality ingredients, including organic coconut oil instead of palm oil. *Read: Loulouka vs Holle

Conclusion

Holle and SMA are top-tier baby formulas that adhere to high quality and nutrition standards.

Each formula has unique strengths, and both can suit your baby.

However, when considering baby nutrition, we prioritize the quality of the ingredients above all else.

Holle stands out with its commitment to organic, sustainably-sourced ingredients, making it our top pick in this comparison.

While it’s true that Holle does use palm oil, it’s important to note that it’s sourced organically. Considering these factors, we firmly believe that Holle is the superior choice of baby formula.

That being said, if your pediatrician has suggested a formula with prebiotics or without palm oil for specific medical reasons, then it would be best to choose SMA Advanced or any other suitable alternative.