Holle Goat Stage 3 Formula

Holle Goat Stage 3 Formula is a product designed as an alternative or supplement to breast milk. This formula is produced in Germany, and made with fortified organic goat’s milk. The Holle brand sources its ingredients only from sustainable farms that follow the very strict Demeter Biodynamic standards. 

Holle Goat formulas may be a good choice for infants who have a hard time digesting cow’s milk due to lactose intolerance. However, goat milk formulas are not just for babies with intolerant tummies. Parents may prefer to supplement with goat’s milk based formula because some research suggests that goat’s milk composition may be closer to human milk when compared to cow’s milk. 

Holle Goat Stage 3 is intended for infants 10 months of age and older. European infant formula companies offer age-assigned products which differ slightly in vitamin compositions. The custom fortifications are based on breastmilk and infant growth research.

Pros and Cons of Holle Goat Stage 3 Formula

Pros: 

• Meets strict nutritional standards based on the European Commission which has arguably stricter standards than the Food and Drug Administration in the United States.
• Made with 99% organic ingredients following environmentally conscious standards using milk from sustainable farms.
• Goat’s milk may be easier to digest than cow’s milk for infants who are sensitive to certain proteins. 
• Goat milk may naturally offer more oligosaccharides, which supports microbiomes of developing infants. 

Cons

• Holle uses maltodextrin as a carbohydrate source, which may be difficult for some babies to digest.
• The taste of goat’s milk is different from cow’s milk formula which some infants may reject. 
• The cost of goat’s milk formula is higher per serving than the same brand’s cow’s milk formula. 

Ingredients of Holle Goat Stage 3 Formula

Holle Goat Stage 3 Formula’s list of ingredients is approved by the European Commission and include: 

Organic Goat Milk Powder, Organic Maltodextrin, Organic Vegetable Oils (Organic Sunflower Oil, Organic Rapeseed Oil), Organic Lactose, Organic Starch, Calcium Carbonate, Calcium hydroxide, Calcium Citrate, Microalgae Oil, L-Cystine, Iron Sulfate, Magnesium Chloride, Vitamin C, L-Tryptophan, L-Tyrosine, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Chloride, Iron Lactate, Vitamin E, Zinc Sulfate, Niacin, Pantothenic Acid, Copper Sulfate, Vitamin A, Vitamin B1, Vitamin B6, Folic Acid, Vitamin B2, Manganese Sulfate, Potassium Iodide, Vitamin K, Sodium Selenite, Vitamin D3, Biotin, Vitamin B12

Holle Goat formulas contain whole goat’s milk powder, which may cause allergic reactions in some infants. It also contains lactose which infants may be intolerant to in rare cases. 

Ingredients are organic, non-GMO, soy-free, with no added sugars, colors, or artificial sweeteners. They also meet Demeter standards, a European environmental organization with a focus on sustainable farming. 

Nutrients in Holle Goat Stage 3 Formula

Holle Goat Stage 3 formula offers all nutrients required by the European Commission, an agency that governs infant formula in Europe. Some standards are different in Europe than for the United States, however, they are strict and well researched. 

Goat’s milk is the primary ingredient in Holle Goat formulas. Goat milk formulas are gaining popularity, especially for infants who have a sensitivity or intolerance to cow’s milk. Though scientists haven’t determined the exact reasons, some studies show that the A2 casein protein in goat’s milk may be more easily digestible for some people than the A1 casein found in most cow’s milk. 

Holle fortifies their goat formulas with three different carbohydrate sources: maltodextrin, lactose, and starch. Adequate carbohydrate content is important for optimal babies’ energy and growth. 

Maltodextrin is processed from corn, rice, or potatoes, and is easily digested by most babies. Babies can digest it quickly, offering a boost of energy. While maltodextrin is generally regarded as safe by the FDA, some babies experience stomach upset because of its fast absorption. 

Lactose is added to the Holle formula but is also found naturally in goat milk powder. Because lactose is a sugar abundantly found in human milk, most infants are able to digest it easily. 

Oligosaccharides are another type of carbohydrate naturally found in goat milk. This sugar helps feed the good bacteria in infants’ developing microbiomes. 

Microalgae oil is added as a source of DHA, an omega-3 fatty acid that is considered important for healthy brain development. DHA is an ingredient that is found more often in European formulas compared to formulas processed in the US because the FDA has not yet determined DHA benefits or the best sources for infant formula. 

Iron is important for making healthy red blood cells which supply oxygen to the body and brain. The European Commission requires lower amounts of iron fortification than the FDA. However, according to the vitamin content label, Holle Goat Stage 3 meets FDA iron recommendations. 

Side Effects of Holle Goat Stage 3 Formula

Allergies are more dangerous than intolerances. If an allergy or intolerance is suspected in your infant, this should be carefully evaluated by a pediatrician for recommendations. In most cases, goat’s milk is too similar in composition to cow’s milk to safely use as a replacement for a true milk allergy. 

How Holle Goat Stage 3 Formula Compares

While goat’s milk has been consumed by people for thousands of years, fortified and processed infant goat formula has only been around since the 1980s. It’s difficult to find goat milk formula made in the United States. Goats’ milk was once thought to be inferior in comparison to cow’s milk, but more recent research has shown that their nutrients are comparable. 

Holle Goat Stage 3 vs. Nannycare Stage 3 Goat Milk Formula 

Nannycare formula products are made in New Zealand and have been approved by the European Commission. While many people may think Nannycare Stage 3 is meant for the same age group as Holle Stage 3 products, it’s unclear if the product is intended for infants older than 10 months old, or for toddlers over one year old. 

Both Nannycare and Holle are fortified with DHA. However, Nannycare uses fish oil for omega-3s compared to microalgae in Holle. Fish could be an allergy risk for some infants. 

Nannycare products do not advertise organic ingredients or sustainable farm practices. For parents concerned with fish allergies and the environment, Holle may be the better choice.

Holle Goat Stage 3 vs. Jovie Organic Goat Milk Formula Stage 3 

Jovie Organic Goat Milk Stage 3 is a formula produced in The Netherlands. Even though it is labeled as stage 3 like Holle Goat Stage 3, it’s intended for toddlers over one year old. 

While the ingredients and nutritional content of the two formulas are close, there are a few differences. For example, Jovie adds galacto-oligosaccharides to their formula, which is a prebiotic ingredient meant to support the infant’s developing microbiome. Jovie also uses fish oil for DHA fat instead of the algae used in Holle. 

While Jovie is certified organic by the European Union, it is not Demeter-certified. For families who are concerned with fish allergies, need a formula that’s designed for a 10-month-old, and want top-notch environmental protection efforts, Holle Goat may be the better choice. However, if your child is older and you like the idea of adding extra prebiotics for your baby’s microbiome, you might choose Jovie. 

Holle Goat Stage 3 vs. Holle Cow A2 

While looking for an alternative to traditional cow’s milk formula for their older baby with an A1 casein sensitivity, some parents may discover Holle Cow A2 Stage 3. Like Holle Goat Stage 3, this formula is designed for infants older than 10 months old. 

Goats naturally produce A2 casein protein, which may be easier to digest than A1 casein for many people. While most cows produce A1 because of genetic changes that happened centuries ago, some cows do naturally produce A2 casein. These A2 cows provide the milk used in Holle Cow A2 formulas. 

While cow’s milk vs goat’s milk is the main difference between the two formulas, Holle Cow A2 uses other different ingredients. For example, Cow A2 includes palm oil which may be less than ideal for babies’ bone formation and may contribute to constipation issues. 

Holle Cow formulas abide by the same high Demeter environmental standards as Holle Goat formulas. However, for babies with fish allergies, or parents concerned with palm oil as an ingredient, Holle Goat formulas may be the better choice.  

Bottom Line

Holle Goat Stage 3 Formula may be a good choice for infants 10 months of age or older who are not able to breastfeed or need to supplement breastmilk. It has been approved by the European Commission to meet infants’ nutritional needs. 

While goat milk formulas are more expensive compared to most cow’s milk formulas, the extra cost may be worth it if the infant is having trouble tolerating other formulas. It’s important to understand that goat milk formulas are not appropriate for infants who have a true milk allergy. 

Holle products are also a good choice for families who are concerned with environmental sustainability practices. Their formulas meet strict Demeter standards, which focus on organic farming practices designed to protect the earth for your baby and generations to come.