Both Holle and Lebenswert are European organic baby formulas. How do their Stage 1 infant milk formulas compare to each other?
Holle is a baby food company that has been around for over eight decades. In 2009, Lebenswert bio joined the company. While they are both part of the same organization, they are two different organic baby formula companies with two different guidelines in terms of their products.
How are Holle and Lebenswert Alike?
Holle and Lebenswert follow biodynamic farming practices. Biodynamic is similar to organic farming, but it is a philosophy in agriculture that is holistic, ecological, and ethical. Its purpose is to promote the vitality of the soil, plants, and animals rather than deplete the land of its nutrients. These high farming standards meet or exceed the organic standards established by the European Union.
With biodynamic farming, there are no pesticides or herbicides. Farmers use natural compost instead of fertilizer. Cows are never dehorned and they are raised in pastures, not barns. Animals are not treated with hormones or antibiotics. There are no GMO ingredients and no fillers, artificial preservatives, or processed sugars. Both formulas are fortified with vitamins and minerals and made with 99% organic ingredients. All of the goodness, nutrition, and flavor that your baby needs comes from the organic ingredients within.
How are Holle and Lebenswert Different?
Holle is a Swiss company that is one of the leading Demeter-certified baby food manufacturers. Demeter is the type of biodynamic farming approaches, and their standards for organic quality are strict. It goes with the company's commitment to provide babies with the best quality products with little negative impact to the environment.
Lebenswert is a German company that is connected to the largest organic food association in the country, Bioland. As an organic food company, Lebenswert follows their guidelines with a strong focus to the delicious taste that comes naturally from their milk.
What is the Difference Between Holle and Lebenswert Stage 1?
When you have two exceptional products, the decision is very difficult. However, both of them have many merits that make it a win-win for you and your baby. If you had to choose, the key differences come down to ingredients as well as agricultural practices and philosophy.
Holle:
- Demeter-certified organic product
- Only uses maltodextrin
Lebenswert:
- Bioland-certified organic product
- Uses lactose in Stage 1
Both organic baby formulas are good, but you may want to choose a formula that shares your ecological or ethical philosophy. However, at Stage 1, both products use a different form of carbohydrate. Maltodextrin is derived from organic corn. It is a thickener that balances the sweetness of the product without adding sugar. Lactose is found in breast milk and is sometimes referred to as milk sugar. It is not overly sweet and is never processed like sugars with a high glycemic index like table sugar, corn syrup, or brown rice syrup.