Cow and Goat: Holle Formulas for Every Baby
It's every parent's wish to provide their baby with the tools they need to survive and thrive. Part of this quest is providing your baby with the proper nutrition, but figuring out how to properly feed your baby can be a difficult task. In my own journey to find a baby formula that was chock-full of nutrients and utterly devoid of all the bad stuff, I came across a European brand called Holle. Unlike the case with American formulas, the European Union holds Holle's formulas to strict ingredient guidelines to ensure that there are no traces present of dangerous artificial ingredients or GMOs. Holle makes two different types of formula, and I'll introduce you to both of them in detail.
What Types of Holle Formula Are There?
Holle makes both cow milk and goat milk baby formula. Both of these formulas are organic, and they are both free of the potentially harmful ingredients that American formula manufacturers use. These formulas come in a number of different stages, which means that you can stick with one brand all throughout your child's infancy and toddlerhood. These formulas are dry, which means that you must mix them with water before you feed them to your baby. Holle manufactures their formulas in Germany, and Holle baby formulas have received the Demeter seal of approval. Demeter is one of the oldest and most prestigious organic food groups on the planet, and when Demeter has given your company a nod, it means that your products are the very best when it comes to biodynamic and healthy food.
Major Differences and Ingredients
While all Holle formula products are Demeter-approved and EU-compliant, there are a number of differences between this company's goat and cow milk formulas. The major difference between these two types of formulas is, of course, the main ingredient, but that's not the only way in which these two formulas aren't the same. For instance, goat formula has more probiotics, but cow formula is better tolerated by newborns. As we break down the various differences between these two types of formulas, it will be important to have a grasp of the ingredients that Holle has included in each product.
Holle Cow Ingredients
The ingredients that Holle uses in their cow formulas are as follows:
- Biodynamic skim milk: Skim milk is the main ingredient in all of Holle's cow milk formulas. This ingredient is packed full of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients that your baby needs to grow.
- Partly demineralized organic whey powder: Whey is a part of milk, and it is a significant source of protein. Holle includes whey powder in its cow milk formulas to supplement the nutritional value of cow's milk.
- Starch: Starch is only included in Holle Cow Stage 2, Holle Cow Stage 3, and Holle Cow Stage 4. It is a rich source of complex carbohydrates, which are essential nutrients that your baby needs to grow. Unlike simple carbs, like sugars, complex carbohydrates take a long time to digest, and they make your baby feel full.
- Organic palm oil: Unlike conventional palm oil, which manufacturers harvest unsustainably, the organic palm oil in Holle formulas is only derived with eco-friendly processes.
- Organic rapeseed oil: Rapeseed oil is a great source of omega fatty acids.
- Organic sunflower oil: Sunflower oil is full of potent antioxidants.
- Organic maltodextrin: Contrary to popular belief, maltodextrin is not a sweetener. It is a starch derivative, and it is rich in vital carbohydrates.
- Organic lactose: Lactose is naturally present in milk, and it is a sweetener. Unlike sucrose, which American formula manufacturers use frequently, lactose isn't bad for your baby.
- Organic milk powder: Holle also includes powdered milk in its whole form in its cow milk formulas. They include this ingredient in far lower concentrations than skim milk.
- Calcium carbonate: Calcium carbonate is a form of dietary calcium.
- Potassium chloride: This ingredient is a flavor enhancer, and it also increases shelf life.
- Sodium chloride: Sodium chloride is the scientific name for salt.
- Vitamin C: Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant, and it is an essential vitamin, which means that human beings of any age must ingest it to survive.
- Vitamin E: Vitamin E is an antioxidant.
- Ferrous lactate: Ferrous lactate is a source of iron.
- Zinc sulphate: Zinc sulfate is a common dietary supplement.
- Niacin: Niacin is also known as vitamin B3, and it reduces cholesterol, improves brain function, and promotes healthy skin.
- D calcium pantothenate: D calcium pantothenate is the scientific name of vitamin B5, which is an essential vitamin.
- Copper sulphate: Copper sulphate is a copper supplement.
- Sodium citrate: Holle only uses this ingredient in Stage 2 of its cow formula. It is an antioxidant.
- Vitamin A: Vitamin A improves eye health, promotes immune health, and supports bone growth.
- Vitamin B1: Also known as thiamine, vitamin B1 is an essential B vitamin.
- Vitamin B6: Ingesting vitamin B6 prevents pyridoxine deficiency.
- Manganese sulphate: Manganese sulphate is a manganese supplement
- Potassium iodate: Potassium iodate is a source of dietary iodine.
- Folic acid: Also known as vitamin B9, folic acid serves a number of key roles in the body.
- Vitamin K: Vitamin K is essential for newborn and infant health.
- Sodium selenate: Sodium selenate is the scientific term for dietary selenium.
- Vitamin D: Vitamin D promotes bone growth.
Holle Goat Ingredients
Holle uses the following ingredients in their goat formulas (any ingredients that Holle Cow also includes are presented without further comment):
- Organic goat milk powder: Like cow's milk, goat's milk also has tons of powerful nutrients that your baby needs.
- Organic maltodextrin
- Organic lactose
- Organic palm oil
- Organic rapeseed oil
- Organic sunflower oil
- Calcium carbonate
- L-tryptophan: Tryptophan may increase serotonin levels, which might improve your baby's sleep.
- Sodium citrate: Sodium citrate is known as sour salt, and it is sour like citric acid and salty like table salt.
- Choline bitartrate: Choline is a precursor of acetylcholine, which helps in various metabolic processes.
- Vitamin C
- L-cystine: L-cystine, which is sometimes called E920, is a natural preservative.
- L-methionine: Methionine is an essential amino acid.
- L-isoleucine: Isoleucine is an essential amino acid.
- Vitamin E
- Iron sulfate: Iron sulfate is also called ferrous sulfate, and it is a common type of iron supplement.
- Zinc sulfate
- D calcium pantothenate
- Niacin
- Copper sulfate
- Vitamin B2: Vitamin B2 is also known as riboflavin. It helps your body break down nutrients to produce energy.
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin B1
- Vitamin B6
- Manganese sulfate
- Potassium iodate:
- Folic acid
- Vitamin K
- Sodium selenate
- Biotin: Biotin is also known as vitamin B7, and it plays a vital role in your baby's hair, skin, and nail health.
- Vitamin D
- Vitamin B12: Vitamin B12 refers to a cluster of vitamins that various meats contain in high quantities.
As you can see, these two types of formulas contain tons of ingredients that help your baby grow and thrive. You should also note that this detailed list of ingredients is utterly devoid of chemical preservatives or other dangerous ingredients.
Advantages and Comparison
Each of Holle's formulas has unique benefits. For instance, cow's milk contains a closer approximation to the casein to whey ratio that human breast milk contains. Goat's milk, on the other hand, has more than four times the levels of casein that human breast milk contains. Casein and whey are the two main types of protein in breast milk, and babies need adequate amounts of both proteins to thrive. However, some babies may respond better to formulas that mimic breast milk the best.
On the other hand, goat's milk contains a far greater concentration of probiotics than cow's milk. Your digestive tract needs probiotics to digest food properly, and you'll need to ingest ample amounts of these substances throughout your life. Probiotics are even more essential during a baby's first few months in the world, and if your baby has any digestive issues, you may want to try Holle Goat.
You should note that some newborns don't respond especially well to goat's milk formula. In fact, Holle incorporates this fact into their business model by only including the "Pre" formula line for newborns in their Holle Cow collection. In addition, the Holle Goat line only contains three stages while the Holle Cow line contains four stages if you count Holle Cow Pre. This detail means that if you want to feed your baby Holle formula all the way from infancy to toddlerhood, you'll probably need to use Holle Cow products one stage of the game or another.
Lastly, you should note the ingredient differences between Holle Cow and Holle Goat. For instance, Holle Goat does not contain starch, which is a great source of carbohydrates. On the other hand, it does contain tryptophan, which might help your baby sleep better, and it also contains amino acids that Holle Cow doesn't contain.
In the end, neither product is better or worse since they both conform to the EU's organic standards and Demeter's highly stringent biodynamic standards. While you might already be certain about which type of formula is right for your baby, you may want to try both to get a better idea of the effects of each.
Which Type of Formula is Right for Your Baby?
Now that you have a better idea of the differences between Holle Goat and Holle Cow, it's time to pick a formula for your baby. You should keep in mind that if you want to feed your baby Holle formula from the very beginning of his or her life, you'll probably need to incorporate Holle Cow at the newborn stage of the process. Since most parents use formula because they can't or don't want to breastfeed, this means that you'll probably have Holle Cow on hand from the moment that your baby is born. Holle Goat Stage 1 is also formulated with newborns in mind, but Holle Cow Pre is the only type of formula that Holle has specifically designed to provide your baby with the nutrients it needs to thrive during its first few weeks of life.
As your baby progresses through its first few months of life, keep an eye on growth. In particular, watch closely for the development of any digestive issues. Your pediatrician can help you determine if your baby is having any trouble digesting, and if you find that your baby has any types of gut issues, you might want to switch over to Holle Goat right away. However, just because you're using Holle Goat doesn't mean that you can't use Holle Cow; while you shouldn't mix these two types of formula together, you can use them interchangeably as long as you use the right stage of formula for your baby's development.
You can keep feeding your toddler Holle Goat Stage 3 until they are about three years old, but Holle Cow Stage 4 is the only type of formula that Holle has specifically designed for older toddlers. Unless your baby has dietary requirements that disqualify either Holle Goat or Holle Cow, you should try both types of formulas. They each have unique benefits that can help your baby grow and thrive.