Organic Baby Formula from Europe is renowned for its exceptional quality and adherence to stringent organic standards. European formulas are crafted with the finest organic ingredients, ensuring they are free from harmful chemicals, GMOs, and unnecessary additives. These formulas are designed to provide complete and balanced nutrition, closely mimicking breast milk and catering to the specific needs of infants at various stages of development.
Thanks to their stellar reputation, quality, and safety, European baby formulas are loved by countless parents worldwide. You may have heard of some of the best baby formula brands from Europe like HiPP, Holle, Kendamil, Jovie, Lebenswert Bio, Löwenzahn Organics, and Nannycare. We carry several varieties of formula from these brands, helping parents find a suitable feeding solution for diverse dietary needs and preferences.
Keep reading to learn more about the best formulas from Europe and what they offer your little one!
When choosing the best organic formula or European formula for your little one, it can be daunting to know where to start. Here, we break down key points about each European formula brand to help you find your perfect match!
HiPP is a German formula brand known for its next-level formulations that are carefully crafted to mimic breast milk as closely as possible. Many of the organic baby formula and specialty options from HiPP include prebiotics and probiotics to enhance digestive health and immunity. HiPP's regular formulas are certified organic by the European Union but also hold the HiPP Organic Seal, which offers even stricter organic standards. HiPP also has specialty options, which we discuss more below.
Holle organic baby formula is renowned for its simple recipes made with clean organic and biodynamic ingredients. In addition to being European organic, all of their formulas for infants under 12 months of age hold the Demeter certification, which is the most strict organic certification worldwide. Holle produces goat's milk, cow's milk, A2 cow milk formula.
Lebenswert Bio is a sister company of Holle and an excellent solution if you're looking for a more budget-friendly feeding option. Their organic cow's milk formula range is simply crafted simply, wiht a small numbers of high-quality ingredients an no unnecessary additives.
Löwenzahn Organics is a mom-owned and led organic formula company from Germany. All of their formulas are free from fish oil, using DHA from algae instead, and they contain equal parts of DHA and ARA for an optimal fatty acid spectrum. They nourish babies with skimmed cow's milk, whole cow's milk, and whole goat's milk organic formula options.
Conventional European formulas might not work well for all babies. Thus, specialty baby milk is crafted for the dietary management of different conditions and is intended to be used under the guidance of your pediatrician.
Specialized European formulas can be a real lifesaver for sensitive infants, those with digestive issues, or babies struggling with reflux. HiPP is one of the best formula brands for parents who depend on special formula to feed their babies.
Keep in mind that due to the unique processing that special milk undergoes, it cannot be considered organic, but all HiPP special formulas are non-GMO and boast an impressive European quality composition. These formulas include:
If your baby experiences excessive spit-ups, HiPP AR might be a good solution. This European formula has a thicker consistency than regular baby formulas, thanks to the addition of locust bean gum. Therefore, your baby's stomach contents are less likely to flow back up the esophagus.
The name of this formula says it all! HiPP Comfort was created to reduce digestive discomfort and crying in babies with lactose-related 3-month colic, gas, or constipation. Through the powerful combination of extensively hydrolyzed proteins, reduced lactose, and prebiotics (also probiotics, but only in the German version), HiPP Comfort ensures fuss-free feedings that are gentle on the tummy.
HiPP Hypoallergenic formula, or HiPP HA for short, is designed for babies with sensitivities to cow's milk proteins or a family history of allergies. It features extensively hydrolyzed cow's milk proteins that are less allergenic and easier to digest. It also has pre- and probiotics to strengthen immune health and aid digestion. Please note that HiPP hypoallergenic formulas may not be tolerated by all infants with cow's milk protein allergy (CMPA) so be sure to obtain your pediatrician's approval before introducing this baby formula to your little one.
When searching for the best infant formula, parents often face the dilemma of which milk is better for their baby, cow's or goat's milk?
Now, there's no competition in quality or nutrition, as cow and goat milk formulas support your baby's growth and healthy development and have been the basis of the best European baby formula brands for decades. That said, one formula type might work better than the other for certain babies.
Goat milk formulas tend to be gentler on the stomach, making them well-suited for sensitive babies. Compared to cow's milk, goat's milk forms softer milk curds in the stomach, which are easier for tiny tummies to break down. It has A2 proteins like breast milk and contains more medium-chain fatty acids for faster digestion. For these reasons, goat milk formula can help manage gas, colic, or constipation.
This does not mean that goat milk formulas are superior. It simply indicates that this baby formula type can be a good choice if your little one has a sensitive tummy and experiences digestive discomfort. However, infant formulas based on cow or goat milk are unsuitable if your baby has lactose intolerance or a cow's milk protein allergy.
Organic formulas offer peace of mind to parents seeking the highest-quality nutrition with clean ingredients for their little ones.
What makes organic infant formula stand out is the additional standards it must meet. According to European organic baby formula regulations, a formula must...
Be made with a minimum of 95% organic ingredients
Not contain genetically modified ingredients (GMOs)
Be free of artificial flavors, preservatives, and sweeteners
Have ingredients farmed without the use of chemical pesticides and herbicide sprays
Use milk from animals that are not given growth hormones and only allow antibiotics when strictly necessary for animal health
All conventional and organic formula is intended to mimic breast milk, but there are a few key features to look for that offer a closer match:
Organic baby formula brands that use lactose as the main carbohydrate without the addition of complementary carbohydrates such as starch or maltodextrin
Formula with natural milk fats and reduced vegetable oils
Organic formula with A2 milk proteins
Brands of baby formula that offer a whey-casein ratio similar to human milk
European formula brands with staged formula ranges to evolve with your baby's nutritional needs
Infant milk enriched with prebiotics and probiotics
Here are a couple of examples of formulas with a breast milk-like composition:
HiPP Dutch is offered in four stages to meet your baby's nutrition needs from the newborn phase into toddlerhood. All HiPP Dutch formulas are fully based on lactose and have a whey-to-casein ratio that changes across Stages to reflect the natural changes in human milk over time. The recipe is also enhanced with prebiotics from lactose and probiotics once extracted from human milk. However, it is made with skimmed milk and thus lacks natural fats.
Holle Goat German is another excellent option. It's made with a base of whole goat's milk that is naturally A2, which is gentler on digestion than A1 milk. Whole milk includes fat, ensuring this formula has reduced vegetable oils and is palm oil-free! It is offered in four stages that follow your baby from birth to their first birthday with a whey-to-casein ratio that matches the changes in human milk. Because Holle values simplicity in their recipes, the formula is made without the addition of prebiotics and probiotics.
As your baby grows, their nutritional needs change, too. Luckily, European manufacturers design stage-specific organic formula to satisfy your child's nutritional needs every step of the way. Here is the breakdown of the different formula stages:
Stage PRE and 1 are infant formulas that can be used from birth until 6 months. Different brands of infant formula may begin with Stage PRE or 1. Still, both formulas provide complete nutrition designed to mimic early breast milk, giving your newborn all the needed nutrients they need even if breastfeeding is not an option. Infant formula brands typically make the composition for these stages whey-dominant and use lactose as the main or only carbohydrate.
Stage 2 follow-on formulas are for babies from 6 or 10 months, depending on the product. Follow-on formula is crafted to support your baby's diet once they've started to eat solid organic baby food. Stage 2 formulas typically contain more casein proteins than whey and higher amounts of iron.
Stage 3 formula can either be a follow-on formula for babies from 10 months or a toddler formula suitable from 12 months. Stage 3 follow-on formula is similar to Stage 2 in that it is designed to be used alongside weaning and has more iron, but specific micronutrient quantities may vary. Stage 3 toddler formula, on the other hand, no longer represents your little one's main source of nourishment but rather is a complement to the family diet.
Stage 4 formula is toddler formula suitable from 12 or 24 months, depending on the formula. Toddler formula can help ensure a well-rounded diet for little ones who may be experiencing nutritional gaps.
