Lebenswert vs Kendamil: Which Formula Is Better For Your Baby?

Key Differences Between Lebenswert and Kendamil

Feature	Lebenswert	Kendamil
Milk Type	Skimmed	Whole
Fats & Oils	Organic plant oils (palm, sunflower, rapeseed)	Organic vegetable oils (sunflower, coconut, rapeseed), milk fat
Prebiotics & Probiotics	None	HMOs, GOS
Certification	Bioland	Red Tractor
Price	Lower	Higher
Key Benefits	Gentle on digestion, affordable	Closer to breast milk composition, better fat profile, immune support
Best for:	Babies with sensitive tummies, budget-conscious parents	Parents prioritizing closest-to-breast-milk nutrition and immune support

In this article, we will compare two popular European formulas, Kendamil and Lebenswert.

We will analyze the ingredients and nutritional compositions of their Stage 1 formulas to help you make the best decision for your little one. This comparison also applies to other Stages since the differences among them are minimal.

Let’s get after it!

Our Short Answer

After analyzing both formulas, if we had to choose one we would go for Kendamil Organic for the following reasons:

• It uses whole milk instead of skimmed, which makes its fat profile much better
• Has coconut oil, the best vegetable oil in baby formula
• It has HMOs, the best prebiotic for babies, found in breast milk
• It contains MFGM (Milk Fat Globule Membrane), also found in breast milk and known to help babies with their cognitive development

If you are wondering about Kendamil Classic, if would also win the comparison against Lebenswert.

The aspect in which Lebenswert wins, is its prize. You will get an amazing organic formula, for an affordable price.

Overview of the Two Formulas

Lebenswert: Organic, skimmed milk, gentle on digestion, ideal for sensitive tummies. Bioland certified for quality and sustainability. Less pricey.

Kendamil: Full cream milk, unique HMOs for immunity, careful processing for quality. Red Tractor certified for responsible farming. Vegetarian-friendly with plant-based DHA.

Lebenswert

Lebenswert formula is a hit among parents for its simple and organic ingredients list.

Made with skimmed milk and whey powder from organically farmed cows, it’s a formula that closely mimics breast milk in its nutritional profile.

This formula includes essential fatty acids like DHA (Omega-3) & AA (Omega-6), critical for your baby’s brain development. It’s designed to be easy on your baby’s digestive system, with no added starch or maltodextrin, making it a great pick for babies with sensitive tummies or allergies.

This brand takes pride in its Bioland certification, ensuring high standards of quality and sustainability in its production process.

Kendamil

Kendamil sets itself apart with its use of full cream milk as the main ingredient. Unique to Kendamil is their inclusion of Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMOs), which play a crucial role in supporting an infant’s immunity—something not found in many other formulas on the market.

Their careful processing method preserves the natural quality of the milk, ensuring your baby gets the best nutritional value possible without any cheap additives.

The British brand prides itself on sourcing ingredients from Red Tractor Farms, known for their commitment to responsible and sustainable farming practices.

Kendamil is rare in being vegetarian-friendly, utilizing plant-based DHA from marine algae and avoiding animal rennet in their production process.

Nutritional Composition Comparison

Lebenswert: Organic plant oils for essential fatty acids, uses palm oil.

Kendamil: Skips palm oil, uses coconut and milk fats for closer breast milk match, higher nutritional value.

Choose Lebenswert for plant-based fats or Kendamil for closer-to-breast-milk fat profile and potentially better nutrition.

Remember, palm oil can be fine if organic and unrefined!

Protein Content

Lebenswert uses organic skimmed milk and demineralized whey powder as its primary sources of protein. These components are carefully chosen to mimic the protein content found in natural breast milk, aiming for easy digestion.

Kendamil, on the other hand, offers a slightly different approach by using whole milk as its main protein source. This choice is based on the belief that full cream milk provides a more natural fat profile, similar to that found in human breast milk. Kendamil also includes demineralized whey protein to ensure a balanced amino acid profile for your infant.

In terms of protein, both formulas use organic milk and demineralized whey protein, which is easier to digest than ordinary whey protein concentrate. Kendamil uses whole milk, but that makes a difference in its fat content, not protein. Both formulas use a whey-to-casein ratio of 60:40.

Carbohydrate Content

Carbohydrates are essential in an infant formula as they provide the primary energy source for your baby.

Lebenswert sticks to lactose as its main carbohydrate source, mirroring the carbohydrate composition of breast milk. This decision supports natural energy supply.

Kendamil, keeping with its commitment to replicate breast milk’s nutritive value as closely as possible, also uses lactose from organic sources as its main carbohydrate.

Both formulas use lactose as their only carbohydrate source. However, bear in mind that Lebenswert Stages 2 and 3 use a bit of maltodextrin, so make sure to check the labels.

Fats and Oils

Fats are crucial for brain development and absorption of fat-soluble vitamins in infants.

Lebenswert incorporates a blend of organic vegetable oils (palm oil, sunflower oil, rapeseed oil*) that provide essential fatty acids vital for brain development and growth. These plant-based oils are chosen for their quality and digestibility.

Kendamil differentiates itself by avoiding palm oil altogether; instead, it uses a mix of organic vegetable oils (sunflower, coconut, rapeseed) along with full cream milk to provide the fat content. This selection is guided by the aim to offer fats that mirror those found in breast milk more closely, including beneficial Milk Fat Globule Membrane (MFGM) contributing to cognitive development.

Kendamil wins the fat content battle, thanks to using coconut and milk fats. This is more nutritious and healthier in the long run. Also know that even though Palm Oil has a bad rep, if it comes from organic sources and it’s not refined (palm olein), its highly nutritious.

Probiotics and Prebiotics

Both probiotics and prebiotics play a vital role in an infant’s diet by supporting a healthy gut, aiding digestion, and enhancing the immune system.

Lebenswert formula, while focused on simplicity and minimal ingredients, does not specifically list the addition of prebiotics or probiotics in its composition. The brand chooses to concentrate on a straightforward, organic ingredient list.

Kendamil, on the other hand, stands out for incorporating Organic Galacto-Oligosaccharides (GOS) and HMOs, naturally occurring prebiotics found in breast milk. These are vital for promoting healthy gut flora and supporting the digestive system’s function, making Kendamil a great option for parents keen on boosting their baby’s immunity and digestive health.

Best Places to Buy Lebenswert and Kendamil

There are many European formula retailers in the US.

Some of them are Mommy Formula, My Organic Company, Organic Baby Formula, etc…

We recommend you Organic’s Best and The Milky Box, based on our experience and the reviews of other parents out there.

What are some alternatives to Lebenswert and Kendamil?

If you still have some doubts whether Lebenswert or Kendamil are good options for your little one, there are other great alternatives out there.

Our favorites are:

Holle: Renowned for its Demeter certification, Holle is a premium brand offering formulas made with ingredients from biodynamic farming. Their commitment to sustainability and holistic agriculture practices makes them a top choice for parents looking for the highest organic quality in their baby’s formula.

Hipp: This brand is well-known for its comprehensive nutritional profile that includes both pre- and probiotics blend aimed at aiding digestion and enhancing gut health. Hipp’s dedication to including important dietary fibers (like GOS) and beneficial bacteria supports babies’ immune systems and makes it a competitive alternative.

Bobbie: Establishing itself as the best US-formula brand following EU guidelines, Bobbie offers an organic formula that parents can trust. Its commitment to high-quality ingredients without corn syrup solids or GMOs positions it as a strong contender alongside European brands. Bobbie is tailored for those parents searching for an option that closely mirrors the European formula standards but is more readily available in the US market.

Last Words

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

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

Happy feeding!