Holle Cow A2 baby formula is good for babies with sensitive stomachs. Milk from A2 cows is reported to be easier to digest and may carry fewer potential health risks than traditional cows’ milk. Stage 1 formula meets the specific nutrition needs of babies from birth to 6 months.
Holle sources only the highest quality organic A2 milk from grass-fed cows that graze in biodynamic fields. If you are looking for a trusted name in organic baby formula, Holle is a solid choice.
In order to understand when to use Holle Cow A2 Stage 1 Formula, let’s first explain the difference between A1 and A2 milk.
Casein is a protein found in cow’s milk. A2 cow’s milk differs from traditional cow’s milk because of a milk protein called beta-casein. Traditional cow’s milk is a combination of A1 and A2 beta-casein.
During the digestion of cow’s milk containing A1 or A1/A2 beta-casein, a substance called BCM-7 is produced in the gut. It is proposed that BCM-7 changes the environment of the gut causing digestive issues.
There is also scientific discussion as to whether BCM-7 potentially increases the risk of certain cardiovascular and neurological diseases. Though, studies demonstrating this were observational and do not carry enough evidence to say this effect is definitive.
Cows milk with A2 beta-casein does not produce BCM-7, which is why it can be better for digestion. It is important to note that A2 milk is still cow’s milk and contains lactose, therefore, would not be appropriate for infants with a milk or lactose allergy.
Stage 1 is a category used by European baby formula manufacturers indicating the formula is designed for babies from birth to 6 months. Holle Cow A2 Stage 1 formula can act as complete nutrition for bottle-fed babies or can be fed as a supplement to breastmilk.
Here are a few of the pros and cons of the Holle Cow A2 Stage 1 formula:
Pros:
Cons:
The ingredients listed on Holle Cow A2 Stage 1 baby formula are as follows:
Skimmed A2 Milk, Whey Product (Partially Demineralized Whey Powder), Vegetable Oils (Palm Oil, Rapeseed Oil, Sunflower Oil), Maltodextrin, Starch, L-Tyrosine, Potassium Chloride, Fish Oil, M. Alpina Oil, Calcium Chloride, Magnesium Chloride, Calcium Carbonate, Calcium Hydroxide, L-Tryptophan, Sodium Chloride, Ferrous Lactate, Vitamin C, Zinc Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Vitamin E, Niacin, Pantothenic Acid, Vitamin B1, Vitamin A, Vitamin B6, Manganese Sulfate, Potassium Iodate, Folic Acid, Sodium Selenate, Vitamin K, Vitamin D, Biotin, Vitamin B12
Allergens: contains fish and milk products
Baby formulas by Holle have received the Demeter Biodynamic certification for meeting stringent quality standards. Biodynamic farms have a holistic agricultural approach for their grass-fed cows. These farms have ethically raised cattle and agricultural practices that are good for the environment.
Organic Holle Cow A2 Stage 1 formulas are free from soy, added sugars, artificial dyes, artificial sweeteners, and GMOs.
During the first few months of life, an infant’s nutrition comes exclusively from breastmilk, formula, or some combination of the two. Holle Cow A2 Stage 1 formulas provide complete nutrition for babies from birth to 6 months.
Using breastmilk as a blueprint, Holle Cow A2 Stage 1 formula closely approximates the calories, fat, protein, vitamins, and minerals found in breastmilk. This formula can offer complete nutrition for an infant during the first 6 months of life. Holle Stage 1 formula can be used to supplement breastmilk or taken alone as a primary nutrition source.
Human breast milk has naturally occurring omega-3 fats. Holle Cow A2 Stage 1 includes fish oil, which provides DHA, an omega-3 fatty acid that promotes a baby’s brain growth and development.
Maltodextrin added to this infant formula provides a source of carbohydrates for babies. Maltodextrin can be associated with indigestion because the sugar in maltodextrin gets rapidly absorbed in the small intestine. Contact your pediatrician if you have concerns about how your baby is tolerating formula.
Palm oil is a type of saturated fat used to mimic palmitic acid, a naturally occurring fatty acid found in breastmilk. Palm oil may interfere with the absorption of certain nutrients, including calcium, though review studies of palm oil in baby formula indicate there is not enough evidence to suspect it is harmful in infant formulas.
Holle Cow A2 Stage 1 formula contains cow’s milk, which is not suitable for babies with milk or whey allergy. This formula also has fish oil, so babies with fish allergies should not consume this formula.
Holle’s Stage 1 formula is specifically designed for infants from birth to 6 months of age. The formula may not meet the nutrition needs of babies older than 6 months. Your pediatrician can recommend when to progress your baby to a Stage 2 formula.
Baby formulas featuring A2 milk arrived in European markets before expanding to the US. Holle is a trusted organic baby formula manufacturer for over 80 years. Let’s explore how Holle compares to common US-based baby formulas.
Enfamil Premium A2 is one of the first US-based baby formula manufacturers to use A2 cow’s milk. Holle and Enfamil source A2 cow’s milk from organic European grass-fed cows.
Holle Cow A2 milk has the Demeter certification ensuring it meets organic standards and is free from harmful ingredients. Enfamil uses organic A2 milk but does not carry the USDA Organic certification.
Both brands include iron, while excluding GMOs and corn syrup. Nutritionally, both brands have similar vitamin and mineral profiles. Enfamil also includes prebiotics for gut health. The DHA source from Holle is fish oil, while DHA in Enfamil is from microalgae. This may make Enfamil a better choice for babies with fish allergies.
Nutritionally, Holle Cow A2 Stage 1 and Similac Organic with A2 milk formulas are designed to be a complete nutrition source. This means that they can provide all the calories, vitamins, and minerals that an infant needs to grow.
Both brands meet organic standards and are free from GMOs and artificial growth hormones. Similac formula can be used from birth to 12 months, while Holle Stage 1 formula is appropriate for infants up to 6 months of age.
Similac does contain soy oil, so babies with soy allergies should not consume this formula.
Holle Cow A2 Stage 1 and Gerber Good Start Gentle Supreme formulas work for babies with sensitive stomachs and digestive issues. Holle is Demeter Certified, meeting organic standards, while Gerber Good Start is not organic. Though, both brands are GMO-free and include iron and DHA.
Gerber Good Start Gentle Supreme includes probiotics to promote digestive health, while Holle does not. Both brands use palm oil as a fat source.
As with many US-based formulas, Gerber Good Start Gentle Supreme states the formula is appropriate for babies 0 to 12 months, though it is labeled as a Stage 1 formula. Holle Cow A2 Stage 1 is nutritionally appropriate for babies ages 0 to 6 months and then would progress to a Stage 2 formula.
Holle has an 80-year history of producing the highest quality organic A2 cow’s milk baby formula. Their Demeter-certified baby formulas uphold rigorous European organic and ethical farming standards.
Babies with sensitive stomachs may tolerate A2 milk better than traditional cow’s milk formulas. Holle Cow A2 Stage 1 is a complete baby formula that can provide 100% of nutrition for babies from birth to 6 months of age.
Holle is a European company and meets all the baby formula regulations per the European Commission. The FDA regulates baby formulas manufactured in the United States but is working with European brands for full US approval by the end of 2022.
The difference between Holle Stage 1 and 2 has to do with the age and development of your baby. Holle Stage 1 formulas are nutritionally appropriate for infants from birth to 6 months of age. Stage 2 formulas are for babies older than 6 months.
Casein is a protein found in cow’s milk. There are two genetic variants of cows that determine the types of beta-casein in cow’s milk, A1 and A2. Formulas labeled as A2 use cow’s milk that contains only A2 beta-casein and are an alternative to traditional cow’s milk, which primarily contains A1 beta-casein.
A2 milk may be easier to digest for babies than A1 milk. Digesting A2 milk does not produce BCM-7 like A1 milk. BCM-7 has been linked to digestive problems in A1 milk.
Yes, you can buy this formula our website above and we can ship directly to you.
The primary disadvantage of A2 milk is that since it is a cow’s milk formula, it would not be suitable for babies with milk allergies.
| Age | Water (ml/fl oz) | Scoops | Meals per Day |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-2 weeks | Please consult with your doctor | ||
| 2-4 weeks | 90 | 3 | 5-7 |
| 2 months | 120 | 4 | 5-6 |
| 3-4 months | 150 | 5 | 5-6 |
| 5-6 months | 180 | 6 | 3-5 |
| Nutritional Facts | (Per 100ml or 3.38 oz/3 oz prepared) |
|---|---|
| Energy | 281/67 kJ/Kcal |
| Total Fat | 3.6 g |
| Saturated fatty acids | 1 g |
| Monosaturated fatty acids | 1.9 g |
| Polyunsaturated fatty acids | 0.6 g |
| Linoleic acid (Omega 6) | 549 mg |
| Linoleic acid (Omega 3) | 54 mg |
| DHA | 14.3 mg |
| ARA | 14.3 mg |
| Total Carbs | 7.4 g |
| Sugar | 7.4 g |
| Lactose | 7.4 g |
| Protein | 1.3 g |
| Vitamin A | 50.2 mcg (RE) |
| Vitamin D | 1.6 mcg |
| Vitamin E | 1.5 mg |
| Vitamin K | 7.8 mcg |
| Vitamin C | 15 mg |
| Thiamine | 0.081 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.19 mg |
| Niacin | 0.41 mg |
| Nutritional Facts | (Per 100ml or 3.38 oz/3 oz prepared) |
|---|---|
| Vitamin B6 | 0.059 mg |
| Folic Acid | 14.3 mcg |
| Folate | 23.8 mcg (DFE) |
| Vitamin B12 | 0.15 mcg |
| Biotin | 1.4 mcg |
| Pantothenic Acid | 0.59 mg |
| Potassium | 86.7 mg |
| Chloride | 50.8 mg |
| Calcium | 64 mg |
| Phosphorous | 39.5 mg |
| Magnesium | 7.79 mg |
| Iron | 0.58 mg |
| Zinc | 0.42 mg |
| Copper | 0.05 mg |
| Manganese | 0.017 mg |
| Flouride | 0.0053 mg |
| Selenium | 3.8 mcg |
| Iodine | 13.6 mcg |
| Sodium | 25 mg |
| Choline | 20 mg |
| Inositol | 1.7 mg |
| L-Carnitine | 7.7 mg |
Skimmed A2 Milk, Whey Powder (partly demineralized whey powder), Vegetable Oils (Palm Oil, Rapeseed Oil, Sunflower Oil), Lactose, Calcium Carbonate, L-Tyrosine, Potassium Chloride, Fish Oil3, Magnesium Chloride, M. Alpina Oil, Calcium Chloride, Calcium Hydroxide, Choline, Sodium Chloride, L-Tryptophan, Inositol, Iron Lactate, Vitamin C, Zinc Sulphate, Vitamin E, Niacin, Pantothenic Acid, Copper Sulphate, Vitamin A, Vitamin B1, Manganese Sulphate, Vitamin B6, Potassium Iodate, Folic Acid, Sodium Selenate, Vitamin K, Vitamin D, Biotin.
Allergens: Contains fish products, milk products.
