Our frequently asked questions

Why is a measuring spoon included in every package of milk formula?

As a responsible manufacturer, we reduce packaging materials wherever possible. However, the inclusion of a measuring spoon with each package is a must. The spoons are not always the same size, as fluctuations in bulk density are compensated for with them during production. Such fluctuations occur from time to time due to the process. As part of the packaging process, the appropriate measuring spoon is then specially selected and enclosed so that the gram specifications of the measuring spoons for the preparation can be adhered to in every case. This alone is a legal requirement that we as manufacturers must comply with. Consequently, the measuring spoon enclosed with the packaging should be used. For hygienic reasons, too, we cannot and must not sell or supply these spoons loose in the trade. The material of the measuring spoon is completely recyclable and reduced to a minimum.

What is the difference between an infant formula PRE and an infant formula 1?

Holle offers various initial formulas that are suitable from birth and throughout the first year of life, if breastfeeding is not possible or not sufficient.

• PRE with cow’s milk or goat’s milk
• Initial milk 1 with cow’s milk, A2 cow’s milk or goat’s milk

Holle 1 and PRE infant formulas are suitable for use from birth and for the whole first year of children’s lives. The nutritional value of ready-to-drink cows’ milk-based PRE and 1 infant formulas varies. Infant Formula 1 contains slightly more energy, fat and protein than Pre infant formula.

A goats’ milk infant formula provides both a different taste and, just like cows’ milk-based A2 infant formula, is suitable for babies who do not tolerate conventional cows’ milk-based formulas very well. The fatty acids composition of goat milk is different and is thought to aid digestion. Our A2 milk is sourced from specially selected cows which produce only A beta-casein protein, which could possibly also contribute to improved tolerance.

Is there a need for a follow-on formula?

Holle Organic Follow-on Milks are not suitable for feeding alone. Holle Organic Follow-on Milk 2 should therefore be given after the sixth month at the earliest and only if a milk meal has already been completely replaced by a porridge. A follow-on milk contains more iron and iodine than an initial milk formula and thus demonstrably helps to better meet the infant’s high iron and iodine requirements from the second half of the first year of life.

All Holle follow-on milks are adapted to the recommended complementary feeding age as well as to the complementary feeding and family food customary at that time according to recognized recommendations and are suitable until the end of the 3rd year of life.

The Holle organic follow-on milks (2, 3 and 4) contain varying amounts of the carbohydrate starch as an energy supplier. Follow-on milk 3 accompanies children during the transition to family meals and contains slightly less starch than follow-on milk 4. Starch is already absorbed by the infant through complementary foods.

For children who eat very unbalanced or picky foods, supplementation with a follow-on milk 4 may also be suitable after the first year of life. It can provide the child with vitamins and minerals, which in this case are not yet absorbed in sufficient quantities through the family diet. To wean the child from the bottle, this should be offered in the cup.

Follow-on milk 4 is available on the basis of cow’s or goat’s milk. Due to the specifications of the Demeter Association, a follow-on milk after the age of 12 is not available as a Demeter product, so at Holle it is products in EU organic quality.

All follow-on milks are suitable for preparing milk-cereal porridge. As a bottle or bottle meal, they also contribute to better satiety due to their strength.

How long can I store a prepared milk formula?

In principle, the specialist institutes for infant nutrition recommend that infant milk should always be prepared fresh, i.e. directly before drinking, in a clean bottle. Any leftovers that have not been drunk should be poured away at room temperature after one hour at the latest. The prepared infant milk formula should not be reheated.

For nighttime and on-the-go use, it is recommended to cool boiled water down to about 50° C and pour it into a clean thermos. The measured amount of powdered infant milk can already be put into a clean, dry and sealed bottle in preparation. At the right time, then fill the infant milk powder with the water from the thermos first with half of the specified amount and shake vigorously. Then fill up the rest with cooled water and shake again. Lump formation is thus avoided and the drinking temperature is reached even faster.

If you want to prepare a vial already completely, you should cool it down immediately after hygienic preparation and store it in the refrigerator (< 5°, for max. 24 hours). Then for feeding, warm up the vial (only once!) in a water bath.

Why is palm oil included in milk formulas with cow’s milk ingredients?

Only a few vegetable oils contain a high level of saturated fatty acids that is sufficient for infant nutrition. Among these, palm oil occupies a special position, since the other oils in question contain undesirable components. In order to replicate the palmitic acid present in breast milk, which is essential for the baby’s nutrition, palm oil is very suitable.

Domestic oils such as rapeseed and sunflower oil contain predominantly unsaturated fatty acids and are not suitable pure in infant milk formula. They are therefore supplemented by palm oil.

Holle organic palm oil is produced in sustainable cultures in Colombia. Here, the organic palm oil for Holle is produced with social and ecological aspects in mind. The palm oil is grown as permaculture. There is no use of pesticides. For the cultivation of organic oil palms, neither slash-and-burn nor any other removal of primary forest is allowed. Holle’s palm oil is certified by the “Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil”, which stands for sustainable palm oil production.

How do I prepare our jars properly?

Holle jars are available in a varied variety from the start of complementary feeding to the transition to family food. The jars are ready to eat immediately – either cold or warm – just as the baby prefers.

The typical click when opening confirms that the jar is vacuum sealed in the process. This is checked at the end of production for each jar. This is an important point for product safety, as it means that the product remains protected and safe under the correct storage conditions at room temperature until the end of the best-before date. If there is no perceptible click, the vacuum may have been released during transport or when the product was placed on the shelf.

Holle naturally does not use binders or antioxidants. Color variations between batches are therefore natural and so it may also happen, depending on the raw product, that liquid is deposited on the product. This may occur and speaks for the naturalness of the product.

To prepare, stir the contents of the jar with a clean spoon. To heat, place the jar in a water bath and stir while boiling, it does not need to be boiled. Then stir in 1 teaspoon of Baby Weaning Oil.  Holle jars can be stored in the refrigerator for 24 hours after opening and after clean removal with a spoon and resealed.

Why is there no need to boil the cereal porridges?

Holle whole grain cereals go through a manufacturing process that allows the instant flakes no longer need to be heated during preparation.

The whole grain cereal is ground, adding only water to the flour and mixing it well. Then the resulting porridge is immediately heated in the jet-cooker at 60 – 90 °C for 30 – 60 seconds. This makes the raw grain more digestible. The grain-flour mixture is then dried on the roller and then broken into flakes.

The preparation is then simply done according to the package instructions with warm water, so that the flakes can swell better. The porridges can also be prepared with an infant formula or cow’s milk as a milk-cereal porridge. They can be added to a vegetable puree as part of a vegetarian lunch porridge or offered to the baby as an afternoon meal as part of a fruit and cereal porridge.

What are the preparation methods for cereal porridges?

The professional societies for infant nutrition recommend gradually introducing three different porridge meals. These are based on each other and are coordinated with breastfeeding. Cereal flakes can be used in all three porridge recipes.

In the vegetarian version of the vegetable-potato-meat porridge, the meat is replaced by about 2 tablespoons of whole grain cereal flakes and 1 teaspoon of fruit puree, and enriched with 1 teaspoon of complementary food oil.

The cereal-fruit porridge is always mixed with water. In general, it is recommended to prepare it according to the instructions on the package with warm liquid – this makes the flakes swell better and faster. If you are in a hurry, it is also possible to add 2 tablespoons of the flakes directly to the fruit puree (approx. 100 g) and add a little water depending on the consistency. Enrich the porridge with 1 tsp of baby food oil.

Since the cereal-fruit porridge, like the vegetable-potato-meat porridge, also serves to supply iron, among other things, it should always be mixed with water and not with milk. The calcium from milk reduces the absorption of iron into the body.

In the case of milk-cereal porridge, the whole-grain cereal flakes should be prepared with 200 ml of milk or an infant milk formula, as the main focus here is on supplying calcium. A small amount of fruit puree rounds off the porridge.

Can I give whole milk already in the first year of life?

After the 6th month, the infant should already be given 200 ml of whole milk in the first year of life. This recommendation, which has been common practice for several years, is scientifically based on the fact that this builds up a tolerance to the milk protein and can prevent the development of allergies in this regard. This also applies to babies at risk of allergies. Avoidance in the first year of life has demonstrably no positive effect on the prevention of allergies. This is the result of worldwide studies and has been the scientific consensus for over 10 years.

Normally, this amount of milk is given as part of the preparation of milk cereal. Whole cow’s milk contains valuable calcium, iodine, protein and fat-soluble vitamins. For this reason, the professional societies for child nutrition in Germany and Switzerland recommend the use of whole milk from the cow. As part of the start of complementary feeding, a half-milk porridge (100 ml water, 100 ml whole milk) can be given as the second porridge after the child has completed 5 months. Alternatively, yogurt can also be fed as part of complementary feeding.

How well and rigorously are Holle products tested?

As a manufacturer of infant milk formula and complementary food products, we have a high responsibility. We assure that we manufacture safe products for babies and toddlers every day with meticulousness and expertise. All Holle products placed on the market are conscientiously tested, of impeccable quality and comply with the very strict legal requirements for baby food in organic quality. For the well-being of the little ones, quality and naturalness are always the top priorities for Holle products. That is why Holle consistently relies on the best raw materials from organic and biodynamic farming, thus laying the foundation for healthy nutrition from the very beginning.