Choosing a formula is one of the first big decisions new parents make, and European formulas have become a favourite for families in the US who want organic ingredients and strict EU quality standards. The three brands parents ask us about most are HiPP, Holle and Kendamil. Each one is excellent, but they are not the same. This guide sorts them by what your baby actually needs, so you can find the right match faster.
Important: breast milk is the recommended first food for babies. Please talk to your pediatrician before starting or switching any formula, especially for special formulas such as Comfort, AR or HA.
The quick answer
There is no single "best" European formula, only the best one for your baby's need. HiPP has the widest range of special formulas, Holle is the purest organic choice, and Kendamil is the go-to for whole milk with no palm oil. Find your baby's need below, then jump to that section.
| Your baby's need | Our first pick | Also consider |
|---|---|---|
| Healthy newborn | HiPP Dutch Stage 1 | HiPP German PRE, Holle Cow PRE, Kendamil Organic 1 |
| Sensitive tummy, gas, colic | HiPP German Comfort | Kendamil Comfort, HiPP UK Comfort |
| Frequent spit-up / reflux | HiPP German AR | HiPP UK AR |
| Family history of allergy | HiPP German HA PRE | HiPP Dutch HA 1 |
| Goat milk | Holle Goat PRE | Kendamil Goat 1, HiPP German Goat PRE |
| No palm oil | Kendamil Organic 1 | HiPP PUR PRE, Holle Goat PRE |
The three brands at a glance
| Brand | Made in | Known for | Milk options | Special formulas | Palm oil |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HiPP | Germany, Netherlands, UK | The widest range, with GOS prebiotics and (in German and Dutch Combiotik) the L. fermentum culture | Cow, goat | Comfort, AR, HA, goat, palm-oil-free PUR | Most formulas yes; HiPP PUR no |
| Holle | Switzerland / Germany | Biodynamic (Demeter) farming, gentle and simple recipes | Cow, A2 cow, goat | Goat, A2 | Cow and A2 formulas yes (sustainable); goat formulas no |
| Kendamil | United Kingdom | Whole milk recipes, no palm oil, plant-based (algae) DHA | Cow, goat | Comfort, goat | No |
A note on versions: HiPP comes in German, Dutch and UK versions. They share the same quality standards but differ in pack size (600 g box vs 800 g can), stage names (PRE, 1, 2) and small recipe details. Once your baby is settled on one version, it's best to stay with it.
1. For newborns: PRE and Stage 1
From birth, look for a PRE or Stage 1 formula. PRE formulas use lactose as the only carbohydrate, which is closest to breast milk, and they can be fed on demand. Stage 1 formulas are also suitable from birth; some brands add a little starch to make them more filling.
- HiPP Dutch Stage 1 – our pick and a parent favourite: lactose only (no starch), organic, with DHA and the probiotic culture L. fermentum, in a large 800 g can.
- HiPP German PRE – the classic German PRE, lactose only.
- HiPP German Stage 1 – contains a little starch for babies who need a more filling feed.
- HiPP UK Stage 1 – lactose-based, organic, with DHA.
- Holle Cow PRE and Holle Cow Stage 1 – made with Demeter biodynamic milk and algae-based DHA.
- Holle A2 Stage 1 – made with milk from cows that naturally produce only A2 beta-casein.
- Kendamil Classic Stage 1 and Kendamil Organic Stage 1 – whole milk recipes with no palm oil.
Hospital bag or night feeds? Ready-to-feed bottles skip the mixing: HiPP German PRE Ready-to-Feed or the Kendamil Stage 1 Ready-to-Feed Starter.
2. For a sensitive tummy, gas or colic: Comfort formulas
Comfort formulas use partially hydrolysed (pre-broken-down) milk protein and less lactose, which can be easier to digest for some babies with gas, fussiness or constipation. In Europe they are foods for special medical purposes, so check with your pediatrician first. Holle does not make a Comfort formula.
- HiPP German Comfort – our pick: reduced lactose, hydrolysed whey protein, starch and the L. fermentum culture. Suitable from birth. Note: this formula is not organic, because hydrolysed protein isn't available in organic form.
- Kendamil Comfort – the same idea (reduced lactose, partially hydrolysed whey) built on cream and whole milk, with no palm oil or fish oil. A good fit if hard stools are part of the problem.
- HiPP UK Comfort – adds a special fat blend (beta-palmitate) and is thicker than standard formula, so a faster-flow teat helps.
Comfort formulas are not suitable for babies with lactose intolerance or cow's milk protein allergy.
3. For spit-up and reflux: AR formulas
AR (anti-reflux) formulas are thickened so feeds stay down more easily. HiPP is the only one of the three brands that makes an AR formula. They are foods for special medical purposes and should only be used under medical supervision.
- HiPP German AR (600 g) – our pick: thickened with locust bean gum (carob), a natural fibre. Suitable from birth.
- HiPP UK AR (800 g) – the same carob-bean-gum approach in a larger can.
Before you buy:
- Preparation differs from standard formula: let the bottle stand for a few minutes to thicken, and follow the pack instructions exactly.
- A faster-flow teat often works better with the thicker feed.
- Stools may become softer because of the locust bean gum.
- HiPP states AR is not suitable for babies prone to allergies or with a suspected cow's milk protein allergy.
- Some spit-up is normal. Poor weight gain, forceful vomiting, blood or refusing feeds are reasons to call your pediatrician, not to change formula.
4. For babies with a family history of allergies: HA formulas
HA (hypoallergenic) formulas contain partially hydrolysed whey protein and are designed for babies at higher risk of allergy, for example when a parent or sibling has eczema, hay fever or a food allergy. HiPP is the only one of the three brands with an HA range.
- HiPP German HA PRE – our pick: lactose only, with hydrolysed whey, GOS and the L. fermentum culture. Continue with HA 1 and HA 2.
- HiPP Dutch HA 1 – the same idea in an 800 g can, followed by HiPP Dutch HA 2.
- HiPP German HA PRE Ready-to-Feed – for travel or the hospital bag.
- See all options in our HiPP Hypoallergenic collection.
Important:
- HA formulas are not suitable for babies with a diagnosed or suspected cow's milk protein allergy. Those babies need an extensively hydrolysed or amino-acid formula prescribed by a doctor.
- The evidence that HA formulas prevent allergies is mixed. An editorial in the BMJ, based on a large systematic review, found no consistent proof that hydrolysed formulas reduce allergy risk. Many parents still choose HA as a gentle precaution; discuss it with your pediatrician.
- Goat milk formula is not a substitute for HA: goat milk proteins are similar enough to cow's milk proteins to trigger the same allergy.
5. Goat milk formula
Many parents choose goat milk formula because they find it gentle and creamy. Goat milk formula is not a treatment for cow's milk allergy, because the proteins are very similar, but it is a great choice for families who simply prefer goat milk. All three brands make one, and this is where they differ most. (For the full comparison, read Goat Milk vs Cow Milk Formula: What Parents Should Know.)
| Holle Goat | Kendamil Goat | HiPP Goat | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Milk | Whole goat milk (Demeter) | Whole goat milk | Goat milk + vegetable oils (incl. palm oil) |
| Palm oil | No | No | Yes |
| Extras | Algae DHA, short ingredient list | Whole-milk fats | GOS prebiotics |
| Sizes | 400 g box, 800 g can | 800 g can | 400 g |
- Holle Goat PRE and Holle Goat Stage 1 – our pick: whole goat milk, Demeter quality, no palm oil, and the PRE uses lactose only. Prefer fewer reorders? Try the Holle Goat 1 800 g can.
- Kendamil Goat Stage 1 – whole goat milk and no palm oil, then Stage 2 and Stage 3.
- HiPP German Goat PRE and HiPP Dutch Goat Stage 1 – organic goat milk formula from HiPP, a familiar choice if your baby already does well on HiPP.
- Jovie Goat Stage 1 – a Dutch organic goat milk option.
- Compare them all in our Goat Milk Formula collection.
6. Palm-oil-free formula
Palm oil is added to many formulas to mimic the fat profile of breast milk, but in some babies it is linked to firmer stools. Palm oil formulas are safe and fully approved; avoiding it is a preference, not a safety issue. If it matters to you, these are the options to look at:
- Kendamil – our pick: all Kendamil formulas use whole milk fat with sunflower, coconut and rapeseed oils instead of palm oil, and DHA from algae. Start with Kendamil Organic Stage 1, or the lower-priced Kendamil Classic Stage 1. Shop Kendamil.
- HiPP PUR – HiPP's palm-oil-free line, made with milk fat from organic whole milk. Available as PRE, Stage 1, Stage 2, Stage 3 and 12+. HiPP PUR collection.
- Holle goat formulas – no palm oil. Shop Holle Goat.
- Palm-oil-free colic formula: Kendamil Comfort.
Weighing HiPP against Kendamil in more detail? Read HiPP vs Kendamil: Which Organic European Formula Is Right for Your Baby?
Side-by-side: price and palm oil
Prices are for the smallest pack as of October 2026; multi-packs cost less per can or box.
| Formula | Best for | Size | Palm oil | Price | Per 100 g |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HiPP UK Stage 1 | Newborn | 800 g | Yes | $84 (2 cans) | $5.25 |
| HiPP Dutch Stage 1 | Newborn | 800 g | Yes | $43 | $5.38 |
| HiPP German PRE | Newborn | 600 g | Yes | $36 | $6.00 |
| HiPP German AR | Reflux | 600 g | Yes | $36 | $6.00 |
| HiPP German Comfort | Colic | 600 g | Yes | $36 | $6.00 |
| HiPP German HA PRE | Allergy risk | 600 g | Yes | $38 | $6.33 |
| Holle Cow PRE | Newborn, organic | 400 g | Yes | $27 | $6.75 |
| Kendamil Classic 1 | No palm oil | 800 g | No | $118 (2 cans) | $7.38 |
| HiPP Dutch HA 1 | Allergy risk | 800 g | Yes | $59 | $7.38 |
| Holle Goat 1 (can) | Goat | 800 g | No | $61 | $7.63 |
| Kendamil Organic 1 | No palm oil | 800 g | No | $123 (2 cans) | $7.69 |
| Kendamil Comfort | Colic, no palm oil | 800 g | No | $124 (2 cans) | $7.75 |
| HiPP PUR PRE | No palm oil | 500 g | No | $39 | $7.80 |
| Holle Goat PRE | Goat | 400 g | No | $33 | $8.25 |
| HiPP German Goat PRE | Goat | 400 g | Yes | $35 | $8.75 |
| Kendamil Goat 1 | Goat, no palm oil | 800 g | No | $142 (2 cans) | $8.88 |
Which stage does my baby need?
| Stage | Age | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| PRE | From birth | Lactose only, closest to breast milk, can be fed on demand |
| Stage 1 | From birth | Complete nutrition for the first months; some contain a little starch |
| Stage 2 | From 6 months | Follow-on milk alongside solid foods |
| Stage 3 and up | From 10–12 months | Follow-on or growing-up / toddler milk, depending on the brand |
Stage ages vary slightly by brand and country version, so always check the label.
How to switch formula
- Moving up a stage within the same brand and version is usually easy.
- For a new brand, many parents switch over 3 to 5 days by swapping in one more bottle of the new formula each day. If you combine formulas, prepare each one separately with its own scoop and water ratio first.
- Expect some stool changes for a few days, especially when moving to or from palm oil, goat milk or AR formula.
- Always use the scoop that comes with each product; scoop sizes differ between brands.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, HiPP or Holle?
HiPP is the better choice if you may need a special formula (Comfort, AR or HA) or want added gut cultures. Holle is better if strict biodynamic organic sourcing and a short ingredient list matter most.
Is Kendamil better than HiPP?
Kendamil is better if you want whole milk and no palm oil across the range. HiPP is better if you want probiotic cultures or a reflux or HA formula, which Kendamil does not make. HiPP PUR is HiPP's palm-oil-free option. More in our HiPP vs Kendamil guide.
Is European formula better than American formula?
Both are regulated and safe. Many parents choose European formula for its organic standards, strict limits on certain ingredients and the wide choice of milk types and special formulas.
Which European formula is closest to breast milk?
No formula matches breast milk. PRE formulas come closest in carbohydrate (lactose only), and whole-milk formulas such as Kendamil and HiPP PUR come closer in natural milk fat.
Is goat milk formula good for colic?
Some parents find goat formula gentler, but it is not a colic treatment. For true colic, a Comfort formula is designed for the job. Goat formula is not suitable for cow's milk allergy.
Can I switch between HiPP, Holle and Kendamil?
Yes, many babies switch without problems. Switching gradually over a few days can help your baby adjust. Ask your pediatrician if your baby has any digestive issues.
What is the difference between HiPP Dutch, German and UK?
They are made for different European markets, so the recipes differ slightly, for example in starch content, probiotic cultures and pack size. Compare the ingredient list on each product page to find the best fit.
Are these formulas FDA-approved?
The HiPP, Holle and Kendamil formulas we sell are the European and UK versions, made under EU (or UK) infant formula law and imported. They are not US-label products. Talk to your pediatrician if you have questions about using an imported formula.
How fast is shipping?
All our formulas ship from our warehouses in Europe and the UK. See our shipping page for current delivery times.
Still not sure which formula fits your baby? Send us a message at customercare@mamame.eu and our team will gladly help you compare. You can also browse all options in our European Organic Baby Formula collection.
This article is for general information only and is not medical advice. Breast milk is the best food for babies. Always ask your pediatrician before choosing or changing your baby's formula, and follow the preparation instructions on each pack exactly.