Holle Bio Stage 3 Formula

Holle Bio Stage 3 formula is an organic European baby formula for infants over the age of 10 months. Holle is a Demeter Certified baby formula. Demeter certification indicates that Holle not only meets organic requirements but is also biodynamic. Biodynamic is a label that means the farms that supply cow’s milk use a holistic approach to agriculture with sustainable and regenerative farming methods. 

This particular Stage 3 Formula also earns the “Bio” label. Bio is a German certification similar to the USDA Organic label meaning that at least 95% of the ingredients are organically raised and achieve rigorous production standards. 

Simply put, the Demeter and Bio labels are an indication that the Holle formula achieves the highest European quality standards. Holle Bio Stage 3 formula is a complete infant formula for babies older than 10 months. Good nutrition is vital in a baby’s first year of life. If you are looking for the highest quality organic baby formula for your baby’s first year, Holle is a time-tested brand.

Pros and Cons of Holle Bio Stage 3

Here are the pros and cons of Holle Bio Stage 3: 

Pros:

• Organic, sustainably-sourced ingredients from biodynamic farms
• Free from GMOs, artificial preservatives, and corn syrup
• Contains DHA and iron

Cons:

• Contains palm oil and maltodextrin
• Not suitable for milk allergy
• Not suitable for babies with fish allergies

Ingredients of Holle Bio Stage 3

Holle brand formulas feature the highest quality organic ingredients. The Bio Stage 3 formula is a follow on formula that meets the nutrition needs of babies ages 10 months and older. Below is a list of ingredients. 

Demeter Skim Milk, Organic Whey Powder (Partly Demineralized), Organic Vegetable Oils [Organic Palm Oil, Organic Rapeseed Oil, Organic Sunflower Oil], Organic Maltodextrin, Organic Starch, Organic Lactose, Calcium Carbonate, Potassium Chloride, L-Tyrosine, Fish Oil, Magnesium Chloride, Calcium Chloride, Calcium Hydroxide, L-Tryptophan, Ferrous Lactate, Copper Sulfate, Vitamin C, Sodium Chloride, Zinc Sulfate, Vitamin E, Niacin, Calcium-D-Pantothenate, Vitamin B1, Vitamin A, Vitamin B6, Manganese Sulfate, Potassium Iodate, Folic Acid, Sodium Selenate, Vitamin K, Vitamin D, Biotin, Vitamin B12

Allergens: milk and fish

Milk for Holle formula comes from organic, grass-fed cows on certified biodynamic farms, at least 95% of the ingredients are organic.

Holle Bio Stage 3 formulas do contain milk and fish ingredients, which is not suitable for babies with milk and fish allergies. 

Nutrients in Holle Bio Stage 3

Infants will nearly triple their birth weight in the first year of life. Holle Bio Stage 3 is a nutritionally complete formula which contains all the carbohydrates, protein, fat, vitamins, and minerals required for babies 10 months and older. 

Holle Bio Stage 3 can be used to supplement breastmilk or as a sole nutrition source for babies 10 months old. 

Maltodextrin can be used as an alternative carbohydrate source of lactose in baby formulas. Maltodextrin is broken down and absorbed quickly in the gut and there is some evidence to indicate that this rapid absorption can lead to digestive problems. Though, maltodextrin is still considered a safe ingredient in baby formulas. 

Palm Oil is a source of palmitic acid, a naturally occurring fat in breastmilk. High amounts of palm oil can interfere with the absorption of calcium in the gut. Though, palm oil is considered safe for consumption and use in baby formulas. 

Fish oil is a natural source of DHA in the Holle Bio Stage 3 formula. DHA is a fatty acid that is essential for brain and vision development. Breastmilk naturally contains DHA, while baby formulas require supplemental DHA. Since Holle uses fish oil, it should not be consumed by babies with fish allergies. 

Iron is an essential mineral that helps red blood vessels carry oxygen to the brain and muscles. Iron deficiency anemia has negative consequences for mental and cognitive development. Holle Bio Stage 3 contains iron to help prevent this type of anemia. 

Side Effects of Holle Bio Stage 3

Babies with milk or fish allergies should not consume Holle Bio Stage 3 formula. The formula contains milk and milk derivatives such as lactose and whey, which may be problematic for babies with milk or lactose intolerance. 

Fish oil supplies DHA to the formula, so this particular formula is not suitable for babies with a fish allergy. 

Stage 3 formulas meet the specific nutrition needs for babies at least 10 months old. It may not be suitable for infants younger than 10 months. Discuss with your pediatrician whether a Stage 3 formula is right for your baby. 

How Holle Bio Stage 3 Formula Compares

Let’s explore how Holle Bio Stage 3 formula compares to leading US-based brands as well as other European baby formulas. 

Holle Bio Stage 3 vs Earth’s Best Organic

Holle Bio Stage 3 and Earth’s Best Organic are two organic baby formulas that provide complete nutrition for growing infants. Holle Stage 3 formulas target babies older than 10 months old, while Earth’s Best can be used from birth to 12 months. 

Holle and Earth’s Best formulas are free from GMOs, corn syrup, and artificial hormones. The milk from each formula comes from grass-fed cows and provides DHA, iron, and vitamin D. Earth’s Best Organic also contains prebiotic fiber as an optional additional ingredient. 

Like many US-based baby formulas, lactose is the primary ingredient, while skimmed milk is the primary ingredient in Holle formula. Since both formulas contain milk, they are not appropriate for babies with milk allergies. Earth’s Best also contains soy ingredients, which would not work for babies with soy allergies. 

Holle Bio Stage 3 vs Similac Pure Bliss

Similac Pure Bliss is comparable to Holle Bio in that it offers complete nutrition. Similac Pure Bliss can be used for babies from birth to 12 months, while Stage 3 formula is specifically for babies over 10 months. 

Similac Pure Bliss is self-described as a European-inspired formula, meaning they are hoping to achieve the same standards that Holle already meets. Pure Bliss milk comes from grass-fed cows in Ireland, while Holle grass-fed cows come from Germany. Holle and Similac Pure Bliss are free from GMOs and artificial hormones. 

True to a European formula, both brands have skim milk as the primary ingredient. Likewise, they have similar nutritional profiles. Similac Pure Bliss does not have palm oil like Holle, but it does contain soy, which means it would not be suitable for babies with soy allergies. 

Similac Pure Bliss is not certified organic, but Holle is Demeter certified which means it is not only organic, it also meets biodynamic agriculture standards. 

Holle Bio Stage 3 HiPP Stage 3

HiPP German Stage 3 is the most comparable European baby formula to Holle Bio Stage 3. In Europe, baby formulas are categorized according to the baby’s age. Stage 3 formulas are nutritionally appropriate for babies older than 10 months. 

Both formulas are free from GMOs, corn syrup, and artificial ingredients. HiPP includes pre- and probiotics in their formulas while Holle does not, but baby formulas are not required to contain probiotics. It is an optional ingredient.

Holle and HiPP provide iron, DHA, and vitamin D for healthy development. Nutritionally, HiPP and Holle are similar. Holle Bio Stage 3 is Demeter certified meaning it is both organic and biodynamic so grass-fed cows graze on fields with sustainable practices. HiPP is certified organic in the EU. 

Bottom Line

Holle is the gold standard for European baby formulas and achieves standards higher than US-based formulas. This is evident in the fact that leading US-based baby formulas are adopting European-style formulas renowned by Holle. 

Holle Bio Stage 3 formula is an ideal next-step formula for infants over 10 months of age. Whether you are looking to supplement breastfeeding, combine it with baby food or still need complete nutrition, Holle Bio Stage 3 is a safe choice.