Holle Formulas

Holle PRE and Stage 1 contain the same ingredients, but Stage 1 has a higher nutritional value per serving and is more filling. Holle PRE is a great choice for newborns, while Stage 1 can be a good option when your baby’s appetite is growing and they need a little more from each bottle.

German formulas are named by stage. PRE and Stage 1 are made for babies from birth and can be their only source of nutrition. In Germany the difference between the two is usually starch: PRE contains none, while many Stage 1 formulas add some for a creamier, more filling feed.

Stage 2 (from 6 months) and Stage 3 (from 10 months) are made to go alongside solid foods, and toddler milks such as 1+ or Stage 4 follow from 12 months to complement a balanced diet.

From the first birthday, milk is best offered in a cup. Little ones love drinking like the grown-ups, and it’s kinder to their teeth: sucking on a bottle for long stretches — as a comforter or to fall asleep — can cause tooth decay. You can start practicing with a cup from about 8 months.

If your toddler still needs milk at night during growth spurts, that’s fine; just try to cover most of their needs during the day and keep up with tooth brushing.

Holle Stage 2 is the next step after Holle PRE or Stage 1, and Holle Stage 3 follows Stage 2 from 10 months. The switch doesn't need to happen exactly at 6 or 10 months: if your baby's appetite is growing and the usual bottle no longer seems filling enough, it may be the right time. Switch slowly, replacing one bottle at a time.

Holle Stage 4 is the toddler milk from 12 months, with the familiar creamy taste of Stage 3.

Yes. These formulas can be used from birth as your baby's only source of nutrition or alongside breastfeeding.

DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) is an omega-3 fatty acid that plays an important role in a baby’s early development.

During the first months and years of life, a baby’s brain, eyes, and nervous system develop very rapidly. DHA is a key building block of the brain and the retina (the part of the eye responsible for vision). Because of this, it is especially important for normal brain and visual development.

Babies naturally receive DHA through breast milk, depending on the mother’s diet, or through infant formula that is enriched with DHA. Since babies cannot produce enough DHA on their own, they rely on these external sources.

In short: DHA supports healthy brain development and vision in early life, which is why it is required by law in all infant formula in the EU.

DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) is an omega-3 fatty acid that helps support your toddler’s brain and eye development.

During the toddler years, your child’s brain is still growing quickly and learning new skills every day — like talking, moving, and problem-solving. DHA is an important building block for brain cells and also supports healthy vision.

Toddlers get DHA from foods like fish, eggs, or from DHA-enriched foods and formulas designed for young children. Since the body can only make very small amounts of DHA, regular intake through diet is important.

In short: DHA supports healthy brain development, learning, and vision during the toddler years.

Iron is an essential nutrient that supports healthy growth and development during the toddler years. It helps the body produce hemoglobin, which carries oxygen to cells throughout the body. Iron also plays an important role in brain development, learning, memory, and immune function. Because toddlers grow rapidly, they need enough iron in their diet to support their increasing nutritional needs.

By offering a toddler milk fortified with iron as part of a balanced diet, parents can help ensure their little one gets enough iron every day.

Demeter is one of the highest standards for organic farming, going beyond EU organic requirements in several areas. Holle’s Demeter cow milk comes from farms that follow strict biodynamic farming practices, with higher standards for animal welfare, soil health, and sustainable farming. For example, Demeter farms have stricter rules around how animals are raised and fed and place a strong focus on maintaining healthy, living soil.

Holle uses plant-based DHA from algae, a sustainable source of the essential omega-3 fatty acid DHA your baby needs for normal brain and eye development. Unlike fish-derived DHA, algae-based DHA comes directly from the original source of DHA in the marine food chain and does not require fish to be harvested. It’s a clean, vegetarian-friendly choice with a lower impact on marine ecosystems.