Do you desire to feed your child? Sometimes infant formula is both a lifesaver and a need. Your baby can receive all the vital nutrients it could need from baby formula to support healthy, strong development.
The best infant formula can be a minefield, but European formulas are becoming a more common alternative among parents in the USA. In this post, we’ll talk about the popularity of European baby formula, its various stages, and our top four choices for the best organic formula available in Europe.
American baby formulae, which can have lengthy ingredient lists, are losing popularity among parents. European companies like HiPP and Holle adhere to and even go above and beyond the tight rules of the European Union.
For your baby’s complete organic nourishment, they are renowned. Beyond the usage of organic materials, another advantage is stable labeling. Each formula’s ingredients have been selected to promote and support your baby’s growth and development.
What Are The Purposes Of Formula Stages?
European formula is a breast milk substitute for newborns, much like any other infant formula. European formulas contain delicious lactose primarily sourced from cows because normal breast milk has a sweet flavor.
They also include milk made from animals to provide your newborns with the necessary protein. Goat milk, a substitute for cows’ milk, was originally introduced to infant formula in Europe. Regulators are on the case to help keep your baby healthy, so don’t worry.
Compared to the American Academy of Paediatrics, the European Union (EU) is recognized to have different and occasionally more stringent regulations. For instance, there are conflicting views on how much iron should be included in baby formula.
European baby formulae are divided into stages according to your infant’s age, unlike most American formulas that use a one-size-fits-all approach for infant formula before moving on to toddler-specific items.
These phases have been designed to adhere to each age group’s specific EU rules. These phases are determined by nutritional development rather than age; however, they frequently coincide. They are made to accommodate your child’s dietary requirements as they develop uniquely and at their rate.
According to the developmental stage of each kid, each stage of the formula contains a particular ratio of lipids, proteins, vitamins, and carbohydrates.
European Baby Formula Stages:
In Europe, a more complex set of developmental phases enables a parent to feed their infant formula that will better fit their current dietary requirements. The majority of the popular formula products in Europe have four stages.
Pre-Stage Or Stage 1 Baby Formula
Infants who are also breastfed frequently take pre as a supplement, and brands commonly employ lactose as a source of carbs because it is simpler to digest. But many parents move to Stage 1 when they notice that their child doesn’t stay full for as long as they used to.
Stage 1 comprises carbs that burn more slowly, like maltodextrin or starch. A baby goes through several stages from birth to six months old, which contain more calories to help satisfy its growth needs.
Several brands add extra ALA, DHA, omega-6, omega-3, prebiotics, and probiotics to their stage-one formulas. Stage 1 can be used as a supplemental formula but is intended for use as an exclusive formula feeding.
Stage 2 Follow-On Baby Formula
Babies six months and older are intended for stage 2 or follow-on baby formula. Many families decide to go with Stage 1, but at six months of age, children who exhibit signs of not being satisfied or who are very active and have high caloric needs transition to Stage 2.
Infants between 6 and 12 months should use stage 2 formulas. For the simple reason that babies require more iron at this age, this stage contains more iron than earlier. Additional ALA, DHA, omega-6, omega-3, prebiotics, and probiotics are also added by several companies to their stage two formulas.
Stage 3 Baby Formula
For infants who are at least ten months old, use these formulas. Maltodextrin and starch, which are once again “slower burning” carbs, are frequently added at this step. Baby formula with higher caloric content is prepared for this stage to meet their evolving nutritional needs.
By this time, infants are no longer entirely dependent on the formula for their nutritional needs, but they still require the unique dietary demands of an older infant. Many parents continue to utilize stage 3 as long as the infant is interested in the formula, never switching to stage 4.
Furthermore, similar to stage 1 and stage 2 formulas, several brands also add extra ALA, DHA, omega-6, omega-3, prebiotics, and probiotics to their stage 3 formulations.
Stage 4 Or Toddler’s Milk Formula
The corresponding infant milk is stage 4 formulations. Solid foods help your toddler’s body meet most of its caloric requirements. This goal is to ensure that your child’s diet is complete in terms of nutrition and to supplement regular meals and breast milk.
Other ALA, DHA, omega-6, omega-3, prebiotics, and probiotics are also added by several companies to their stage four formulas, including HiPP and Holle.
Is It Necessary To Switch Between Baby Formula Stages?
Always use infant formula as your child’s first bottle of formula. However, the ideal strategy for follow-on formula stages is to view them as useful suggestions. This means that while moving on to the next stage is only sometimes necessary, it is important to observe the age restrictions.
If you need more clarification about what stage is right for your infant, consult your doctor. Since each infant is unique, their nutrition development should be customized to meet their specific requirements. In general, it’s safe to continue giving your kid the infant formula they’ve been receiving if they are gaining weight adequately, is healthy, and have regular bowel movements.
Infant and follow-on formulae differ significantly nutritionally, and parents frequently choose the latter when it’s safe to do so. The distinction is that a follow-on formula contains much more iron than a baby formula.
The fact that kids are born with an iron supply that starts to deplete around six months explains why this may be alluring to parents. When this occurs, obtaining iron from external sources is crucial for preventing iron insufficiency.
Babies who don’t get enough iron are more prone to experience fatigue, irritability, and illness. A supplement formula might offer your child some additional advantages if your baby is getting enough iron. According to some research, infants’ visual acuity may be enhanced by a follow-on formula fortified with DHA, also known as an omega-3 fatty acid.
Stage’s Difference Between Different EU Baby Formulas By Brand
Holle Organic Cow Milk Formula Stage’s Differences
Holle Pre-Stage And Stage 1
The primary source of carbohydrates in Holle Pre and Holle Stage 1 Organic (Bio) Formulas differs. Organic infant formulae are prohibited from including pure sugar under the tight rules of the European Union (EU).
Holle takes extraordinary measures to make their formulas resemble breast milk, even though the company has always avoided making their products excessively sweet. The most popular ones are maltodextrin and lactose, which are naturally sweet in breast milk and give kids the energy they need.
Lactose is a glucose-based sugar that is present in milk. The hydrolysis of plants and wheat results in the starch known as maltodextrin. Maltodextrin releases more slowly than lactose as a starch. As a result, your baby will likely require fewer feedings since they will feel satisfied for longer if you opt to give them an organic formula with maltodextrin.
Maltodextrin is typically present in formulas once a baby has beyond the neonatal stage since babies require consistent feeding for proper growth and development. In contrast to Holle Organic Stage 1 Formula, which contains both, Holle Organic Stage Pre only contains lactose.
Holle Stage 2 Vs. Stage 3
Compared to Stage 1, Stage 2 milk formula is thicker and contains starch and lactose, so your baby will feel fuller for longer. Babies older than six months are intended for it. The second stage of infant formula is this. It is intended for older infants who are not or are just infrequently breastfed.
The primary energy source for infants in stage 2 is starch in greater quantities in the baby formula. To suit the dietary requirements of infants from 12 to 18 months of age, a Stage 3 formula has been specifically created.
An increased carbohydrate and protein content defines the third stage of Holle infant milk nutrition. Additionally, it provides essential vitamins and minerals. You can use this formula if your baby is 12 months old.
Holle Stage 3 Vs. Holle Stage 4 Baby Formula
The Holle milk baby formula is divided into three stages. Stage three lasts from 12 to 18 months. Stage 4 is, nevertheless, referred to as toddler formula milk. You can use this information to select which stage will benefit your child the best. Every stage fosters varying levels of growth in your child.
Holle Stages 2 and 3 have more fat, protein, carbohydrate, and vitamins than Stage 1. For children 12 months and older, Holle Stage 4 infant formula is a nutritious choice. Holle Bio 4 is suggested as part of a balanced diet and can be used with items like cereal or mashed fruit to give your child extra nutrients.
Hipp German Bio Combiotic Baby Formula Stage’s Differences
Hipp German Pre-Stage Vs. Stage 1
HiPP developed pre-stage formula by analyzing the makeup of real breastmilk. HiPP has you covered if breastfeeding your baby exclusively is not possible. The natural probiotic lactic acid bacteria found in this formula were originally taken from breast milk, making it so special.
HiPP’s primary carbohydrate is lactose, like breastmilk, to give your infant a healthy energy source. Due to HiPP formulations’ EU organic certification, the milk they use comes from biodynamic farms.
Only PRE is intended to be a little kinder on a baby’s tummy, which is the only distinction between the two formulas. It is made for kids with delicate stomachs who can’t manage standard stage 1 because it is simpler to digest.
Hipp German Stage 2 Vs. Stage 3 Baby Formula
All the nutrients required for a baby’s healthy and robust growth are included in the Hipp Baby formula stages 2 and 3. They offer a nutritionally complete meal that is easy to digest and includes all the essential proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals.
The formula is the greatest option for your infant because of its organic ingredients, intensive testing, and necessary certifications. It must adhere to strict health requirements to guarantee that its formula is devoid of dangerous substances.
Hipp Dutch Bio Combiotic Formula Stage’s Differences
Hipp Dutch Stage 1 Vs. Stage 2 Baby Formula
Infant formula in stage 1 is suitable for use from birth. Stage 2, on the other hand, is a continuation formula that should only be used after six months. Choline and Mortierella Alpina oil are present in stage 1 instead of stage 2.
But stage 2 also includes zinc oxide, L-cysteine, and magnesium carbonate. Finally, stage 2 has more calories and fat, and some vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids have somewhat different nutritional values.
Hipp Dutch Stage 2 Vs. Stage 3 Baby Formula
Stages 2 and 3 are follow-on formulations; stage 2 can be used beginning at six months, and stage 3 can be used at 12 months. Fewer calories, lipids, and carbs are present in stage 3 compared to stage 2.
The nutritional value of vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids also varies amongst the formulae. Last, stage 3 eliminates the sodium selenate, whey product, L-tyrosine, and L-cystine present in stage 2.
Kendamil Cow’s Milk Formula Stage’s Differences
Kendamil Stage 1 Vs. Stage 2
The main distinction between Stages 1 and 2 of the Kendamil process is the source of the dairy ingredients, which must be different for the product to be Super-Kosher. For infants up to 6 months old, use Kendamil Stage 1. This formula can be used as a supplement or substitute for breastfeeding.
The first step of Kendamil is based on breast milk, which contains 60% whey and 40% casein. A “follow-on” milk suitable for infants 6 to 12 months old is Kendamil Stage 2. 50% whey and 50% casein comprise Kendamil Stage 2, which has been specifically formulated.
Transitioning to the typical family diet, this is more akin to cow’s milk. It is more satiating for the baby and has larger levels of the calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus minerals that are naturally present in milk.
Kendamil Stage 2 Vs. Stage 3
Based on a 20% whey to 80% casein whey-to-casein ratio, Kendamil Stage 3 enables kids over one year to be weaned onto regular cow’s milk with a similar whey-to-casein ratio. Compared to Stage 2, there is more iron and calcium present.
Kendamil might be the ideal infant formula for parents who value nutrition, natural ingredients, and EU organic certification. You can be sure your baby is receiving a nutritious formula to support growth and development since Kendamil is created with sustainable, organic British milk and contains no synthetic additives.
Final Thoughts
European baby formula meet the nutritional requirements of your child at each stage. No chemicals, GMOs, or added sugars are used in any formulations; only pure, organic ingredients are used. Please consult the paediatricians, which provide more detailed information on the nutritional content of each product and what each formula offers at each developmental stage.
Understanding what is and isn’t in each of these stages is frequently made simpler by using this method. Selecting the best formula for your child might occasionally feel overwhelming. From birth until weaning, infant formula can supplement or replace breastfeeding.
As an alternative, from 6 months on, follow-on formula should only be given along with your baby’s mixed diet. Unlike newborn formulae, follow-on formulas typically contain larger levels of iron and more complex carbs, which can help babies feel fuller for longer.Regarding your baby’s formula, EU formulas must adhere to tight and rigid EU guidelines, unlike most formulas in the United States and other areas of the world. Compared to US products, they are far more natural and offer a wide variety of options, including milk from cows or goats.
They also exclusively use organic farming and use zero percent chemical fertilizers. In general, they are easier on the digestive tract and can accommodate a variety of intolerances or feeding issues.
