Lebenswert vs HiPP: Choose The Best One For Your Baby

Key Differences Between Lebenswert and Hipp

Features/Aspect	HiPP (Dutch Stage 1)	Lebenswert Stage 1
Probiotics/Prebiotics	Contains prebiotics (GOS) and probiotics	Does not contain prebiotics or probiotics
Certification	EU Organic Certified	Bioland-certified organic
Protein Source	Skimmed milk and whey product	Skimmed milk and whey powder (demineralized)
Carbohydrate Source	Lactose	Lactose
Fats and Oils	Blend of vegetable oils, fish oil, Mortierella alpina oil	Palm oil, sunflower oil, rapeseed oil, oils from microalgae and Mortierella Alpina
Specialty Options	Offers formulas for lactose sensitivities, reflux, and cow’s milk protein allergies	Simple formula, less variety for specific needs
Price Point	Generally higher due to added nutrients and specialty options	More affordable, focusing on simplicity and quality
Target Audience	Parents looking for a formula with digestive health support and specific dietary needs	Parents seeking an organic, straightforward, and affordable formula

In this article, we will compare two popular European formulas: Hipp vs Lebenswert.

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

For this comparison to make sense, we will focus on the Stage 1 of each formula; however, it can be applied to all Stages as they vary little.

Let’s get after it!

A note on Hipp Formulas: Hipp is a brand with many types of formulas. They have UK, Dutch, and German versions and specialty formulas such as Hipp Comfort, Hipp AR, and Hipp HA (hypoallergenic). In this comparison, we will use Hipp Dutch Stage 1, but the comparison can also apply to Hipp UK and German.

Our Short Answer

HiPP and Lebenswert are two of the top formulas you’re going to find on the market. Although they’re fantastic, there are two differentiating factors to consider:

• HiPP contains prebiotics and probiotics that boost your baby’s digestive health. Additionally, HiPP offers specialized formulas for many types of digestive needs, so if your little one has lactose sensitivities (HiPP Comfort), reflux (HiPP AR), or allergies to cow’s milk protein (HiPP HA), HiPP is your brand.
• Lebenswert is an organic and nutritionally complete formula. It doesn’t contain prebiotics or probiotics because its ingredient list is very short, aiming to be simple and natural. It’s also more affordable than HiPP. So, if you want a European organic formula that won’t cost an arm and a leg, Lebenswert is a fantastic option.

Overview of the Two Formulas

HiPP offers a formula close to breast milk with natural probiotics, organic lactose as the main carb, and is EU organic certified, supporting digestive health and immune systems without artificial additives.

Lebenswert sticks to Bioland-certified organic ingredients, focusing on simplicity and nutrition with essential fats and no artificial sweeteners or allergens, making it ideal for reducing allergies and sensitivities.

Hipp

HiPP is a Dutch formula known for its closeness to real breast milk. This is largely due to its natural probiotic lactic acid cultures, extracted from real breast milk, aiming to support your baby’s digestive health and immune system.

HiPP’s main source of carbohydrates is lactose, similar to breastmilk, ensuring there’s no starch in its composition. The formula prides itself on being EU organic certified, meaning it comes from farms that respect animal welfare and environmental sustainability.

It’s designed to be gentle on your baby’s digestive system while being nourishing, as it’s free from artificial sweeteners, GMOs, gluten, soy, peanuts, and eggs.

HiPP includes essential nutrients like prebiotics (GOS), DHA (from fish oil), ARA, vitamins (A, D, C), and minerals.

Lebenswert

Lebenswert offers a simple yet nourishing formula.

This formula adheres strictly to Bioland-certification requirements for quality and sustainability.

It aims for composition close to breast milk by using lactose as its primary carbohydrate and including LCPs (long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids) for energy.

The brand emphasizes a minimal number of organic ingredients for easier digestion and reducing the risk of allergies or sensitivities in babies.

Lebenswert is committed to clean labeling, excluding starch or maltodextrin from its formula.

This organic formula is also free from artificial sweeteners, flavors or preservatives, GMOs, gluten, and soy while including vital nutrients like DHA (Omega-3) & AA (Omega-6) — making it an excellent choice for parents looking for a straightforward and effective nutritional option for their babies.

Nutritional Composition

HiPP and Lebenswert baby formulas use skimmed milk and whey for protein, and lactose as the main carbohydrate, closely mirroring breast milk to support digestion and energy needs without artificial sugars.

Both include a blend of vegetable oils plus DHA and ARA sources for essential fatty acids, essential for brain and vision development, with no significant differences in composition.

Protein Content

HiPP: The protein in HiPP formula comes from skimmed milk and whey product. These proteins are similar to those found in breast milk, aiming to be easily digestible for babies. Whey protein is a gentle option for tiny tummies, helping to prevent discomfort.

Lebenswert: Lebenswert also uses skimmed milk and whey powder (demineralized) as its primary protein sources. The formula’s design reflects an effort to mimic breast milk’s protein composition, supporting healthy growth without overwhelming a baby’s digestive system.

Both formulas use the same type of protein sources. No differences whatsoever.

Carbohydrate Content

HiPP: Lactose is the main carbohydrate in HiPP formula, mirroring the natural sugar found in breast milk. This choice supports energy needs without artificial or processed sugars, promoting a balanced diet from an early age.

Lebenswert: Like HiPP, Lebenswert relies on lactose as its sole carbohydrate source. By avoiding starches or maltodextrin, Lebenswert ensures that the baby receives energy in a form that’s close to what they would get from breastfeeding.

As with protein, there are no differences in carb content. Both formulas use lactose as their carbohydrate source. Note that some Hipp formulas use starch or maltodextrin and reduced lactose content for babies with sensitivities, so make sure to check the labels.

Fats and Oils

HiPP: The fats in HiPP come from a blend of vegetable oils (palm oil, rapeseed oil, sunflower oil) plus fish oil and Mortierella alpina oil. These sources provide essential fatty acids like DHA (from fish oil) and ARA, crucial for brain development and vision enhancement in infants.

Lebenswert: For fats, Lebenswert utilizes palm oil, sunflower oil, and rapeseed oil, along with oils from microalgae (Schizochytrium sp.) and Mortierella Alpina. This combination also aims to supply essential fatty acids such as DHA (Omega-3) & AA (Omega-6), supporting cell growth and cognitive development.

Again, there are no real differences in fat content, with both formulas using the same type of oils. Palm oil has a bad rep because of it’s environmental concerns, however, the one they use in these two formulas is organically grown and not refined, which make it, along with coconut, one of the best types of oils for baby formulas.

Probiotics and Prebiotics

Probiotics and prebiotics play a significant role in a baby’s nutrition by supporting the development of a healthy gut microbiome, which is crucial for digestion and the immune system.

HiPP: In its formula, HiPP includes galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS), a prebiotic derived from lactose. Prebiotics like GOS are food for the beneficial bacteria in the gut, encouraging a healthy digestive system. HiPP also contains natural lactic acid cultures similar to those found in breast milk, specifically Limosilactobacillus fermentum hereditum®, selected for its probiotic properties to support a baby’s gut health and immunity.

Lebenswert: Lebenswert focuses on simplicity and mimicking breast milk through its minimal ingredients list; it doesn’t specify the inclusion of prebiotics or probiotics.

Best Places to Buy Lebenswert and Hipp

If you live in the US, there are many retailers that sell European formulas. Some examples are Mommy Formula, Organic Baby Food 24, My Organic Company, etc…

We recommend Organic’s Best, the best-reviewed, followed by The Milky Box.

What are the Best alternatives to Lebenswert and Hipp?

Even though Hipp and Lebenswert formulas are among the best in the world, there are others that you should check out before purchasing.

Here are some of our favorites:

Holle: Known as one of the best brands for organic certification, Holle prides itself on adhering to rigorous European organic standards. Holle offers various stages of infant formula made with biodynamic milk, focusing on natural ingredients without synthetic preservatives or additives. *Read: Holle vs Hipp | Holle vs Lebenswert

Kendamil: Distinguished by its use of whole milk rather than skimmed milk powder, Kendamil provides a unique formulation closer to breast milk’s natural composition. Kendamil is celebrated for its taste and nutrient-rich profile, using locally sourced ingredients. *Read: Kendamil vs Hipp | Kendamil vs Lebenswert

Bobbie: As the best US-based option, Bobbie offers an organic infant formula designed by moms for modern families seeking high-quality nutrition similar to European brands. Bobbie’s formula is modeled after breast milk and adheres to FDA requirements and EU nutritional guidelines. *Read: Bobbie vs Hipp

Last Words

We hope this comparison between Hipp and Lebenswert helps you choose the best formula for your little one.

If you have any other questions, feel free to comment below or contact us at [email protected]; we’ll be happy to help.

Happy feeding!