Breast milk is the best nourishment for your baby. We recommend that you learn about the benefits of breastfeeding from the experts (doctors, midwives, nutritionists). If you are not, or no longer, breastfeeding, then we recommend Holle Organic Infant Formula 1. Holle Organic Infant Formula 1 can be used right from the 1st bottle for supplemental feeding in addition to breast milk or, if breastfeeding isn't possible, as a complete replacement to breast milk.

In the weaning phase, breast milk meals can be gradually replaced with Holle Organic Infant Formula 1.

Holle Organic Infant Formula 1 as of the 1st bottle is:

based on the model of breast milk
tasty and wholesome
satisfying
without the addition of any sugar (ingredients contain sugar naturally, lactose in the milk)
naturally gluten-free

Using Holle Organic Infant Formula 1:

right from birth
as the sole nutrition in the first months
in the entire 1st year of life
as a supplement to breast milk

Holle Organic Infant Formula 1 contains all the necessary nutrients that a baby needs right from the start.

99% of the ingredients in Holle Organic Infant Formula 1 come from controlled, organic farming. Less than 0.5% are added vitamins and minerals that an infant requires, which, however, cannot be covered completely in the natural compound of the ingredients. These ingredients are guaranteed to not come from genetically engineered production.

Preparation is quick and easy:

Holle Organic Infant Formula 1 is shaken only with water that has been boiled and then cooled to 50°C. It is then ready to drink at 37°C.

Please observe the quantities given in the meal table as well as all important information on the packaging.

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Can Organic Infant Formula 1 also be supplemented with Organic Infant Rice Porridge?

Organic Infant Formula 1 is a complete bottled food and does not need to be supplemented with further ingredients. If Organic Infant Formula 1 is no longer consistently filling, 1–3 teaspoons of Holle Organic Rice Porridge or Holle Organic Millet Porridge can be added to the bottled food. After 4–6 months it is possible to change to using the more filling Infant Follow-On Formula 2.

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I don't have enough milk. What can I give in addition?

Effective drinking quantities

First of all, it is necessary to determine whether your baby is actually getting too little milk. To do this, you have to determine the amount of milk over the entire day, and not just for one meal. To do this, just weigh your baby before and after drinking. The difference is the effective drinking quantity. Discuss the result with your midwife or doctor.

Increase your own milk production

The next thing is to try to increase your own milk production by drinking Holle Organic Nursing Tea or tea blends (made of caraway, fennel, aniseed and nettles), massaging a lactation promoting oil into the breasts, as well as breastfeeding your child frequently.

Rethink eating habits

Another step is to rethink your own eating habits. During the time when you are breastfeeding, you should eat food that simplifies milk production, while food that causes a reduction in the amount of milk should be avoided.

Food to be avoided:

coffee, black tea, cocoa, alcohol, beverages that contain too much carbonic acid
citrus fruit, sour berries
anything that is sour such as sour juices, sour preserves, vinegar
cabbage varieties (except cauliflower, broccoli)
rye
food that is heavily exposed to radiation such as game, wild berries, mushrooms

Food that promotes milk production:

herbal tea (caraway, fennel, aniseed), milk production tea, still or half-still mineral water, sloe juice
milk and dairy products such as curdled milk, sour milk, Swedish milk and yoghurt, whipping cream
almond butter, almond milk, almonds
oat and barley gruel as a soup, porridge or muesli
raw fruit and vegetables (non-bloating), carrot juice
natural sweeteners such as condensed apple juice, honey, molasses, malt extract, dry fruit

Holle Organic Infant Formula 1 as a supplement

After taking the items given above into consideration and supplemental feeding is still necessary, the Holle Organic Infant Formula 1 can be used. The taste is balanced so that the child cannot become used to excessive sweetness.

Besides the carbohydrate lactose, Holle Organic Infant Formula 1 from birth contains another carbohydrate, i.e. maltodextrin. Maltodextrin is a complex carbohydrate (based on partial hydrolysis of corn starch).

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When should I use the first porridge?

In the time from the 4th to 6th month, the baby's need for food increases and can no longer be covered by breast milk or bottled meals. Therefore, as of that time, you should gently start weaning.

You can find more information on weaning in the different age levels here:

Starting Weaning

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Why does milk have to be diluted?

Cow milk and breast milk are quite different in the amount of protein and minerals they contain, as well as the amount of carbohydrates. There is more protein and minerals in cow milk than in breast milk. The infant must excrete these excess quantities in the urine via the kidneys. Since the kidney function of an infant only starts maturing slowly, excessive burdens on the kidneys must be avoided.

Therefore, it is necessary to adapt cow milk to the physiological conditions of the infant by diluting it with water in a ratio of 1:1 for the first six months.

Another reason for diluting milk is to only introduce the child slowly to the dissimilar protein of cow milk.

At half a year, a child's kidneys are much more developed so that supplemental food can be added and milk no longer has to be diluted.

If your child is prone to allergies, then we ask you to contact a specialist so that a diet plan can be prepared that is matched to the allergenicity of your child. Then only use bottle or porridge meals that are prepared with fresh milk in agreement with the nutrition recommendation of your doctor.

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Can the Holle infant porridge also be prepared with water instead of milk? After talking to my paediatrician, my child is not supposed to be given any cow milk in the first year of its life.

We have compiled extensive information on feeding babies in the event of an allergy to cow milk protein under the heading Allergy to Cow Milk

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Your products are made with full grain. Can an infant already tolerate full grain?

For over 60 years, Holle has been using full grain Demeter grains as an ingredient in our infant and baby foods. Full grain crops are an integral nutritional foundation. They offer an abundance of important nutrients and ingredients such as protein, fat, carbohydrates, pulps, vitamins, minerals and trace elements. Pure starch would solely supply carbohydrates.

As a baby's kidney function and digestion is not properly developed at birth, babies cannot sufficiently digest raw, merely ground grain. This is where Holle applies their insight into manufacturing methods. The sugar component of complex grain starch is partly transformed with heat and moisture. Through this technique, the grain becomes easily digestible for your baby.

Holle full grain porridges combine ideal measures with full quality ratings to make a product which is easily digestible by your baby as well as having a quick preparation time for parents.

Already the 4th generation is growing up with Holle baby food!

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The milk bottle nipple becomes clogged when bottle feeding with an organic infant porridge supplement. Which nipple should be used?

Unfortunately there is no suitable nipple attachment for bottle feeding with whole grain. The industry only has porridge nipples or milk nipples, which can be used either for porridges or exclusively for runny infant formula. Therefore, it is recommended in practice to carefully enlarge the hole of a milk nipple with pointy scissors by making a longitudinal cut. By trying this out several times, you will end up with a nipple attachment that is suitable for feeding. It is more recommended to use a porridge nipple for larger babies who can already swallow a large amount.

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Can the fresh milk bottle feed for during the night be prepared earlier in the evening?

As a basic principle, all meals should be freshly prepared. After the breastfeeding period, in the case of your baby waking in the night and requiring feeding, experience shows that the time it takes to prepare a fresh meal and waiting until it has cooled, is too long. The longer a baby cries, the longer it may take to get back to sleep. Also, siblings or family members could become disturbed. Therefore, it is recommended to prepare the night time bottle prior to going to bed. If a baby requires to be fed in the night, the bottle only needs to be heated to drinking temperature. In the meantime, the prepared formula should always be kept in the refrigerator. In the case of using formula to make the milk / porridge bottle meal, this should be prepared fresh (see multi-purpose product instructions on the back of packaging in Holle Organic Instant Porridge range).

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Why is it important to add vegetable oil to baby porridge?

Milk free meals such as vegetable, potato and meat meals or fruit and cereal porridges are nearly fat free. In order to increase the availability of fat soluble vitamins vegetable oil should be added. This also increases the amount of essential fatty acids in the meal and therefore the energy supply. We recommend using Holle's Organic Weaning Oil. Alternatively rape or sunflower oil can be used.

Recommended dosage For approx. 200g porridge/meal:

Vegetable/meat meal: 2 teaspoons
Fruit or fruit/cereal meal: 1 teaspoon

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Why do I need to add juice rich in vitamin C to my baby’s porridge/meal?

We recommend adding fruit juice or fruit puree rich in vitamin C to all vegetable and milk cereal meals. This naturally enhances the vitamin content of the meal while also helping with the take up of iron from the food. We advise: e.g. 2 tbsp orange juice, blackcurrant juice, 4-5 pureed black currants or simply a quarter of a freshly grated apple.

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My baby is constipated what should I do?

Babies often become constipated when they start solids, as their bodies learn how to manage new foods. Low-fibre foods and not enough fluids also contribute to constipation. Make sure your baby/child has plenty to drink – this includes breastfeeding and formula milk feeds. Nutritionally there are several foods that can help, in particular Holle Organic Oats Porridge and adding fruit or vegetables to meals, such as broccoli, cauliflower, plums, apricots and pears.

Foods not recommended as they have stool firming properties include carrots, bananas, rice and raw apples.

You may want to try gently moving your baby’s legs in a bicycling motion or carefully massaging their tummy to help stimulate their bowels.

If your baby still appears constipated after making these changes, talk to your health visitor or doctor.

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Does my baby need drinks in addition to breast milk?

Exclusively breastfed babies get all the liquid they need through breast milk. Similarly, bottle feeds provide your baby with enough liquid. Only in certain circumstances such as periods of high temperature or diarrhoea do you need to compensate for lost liquids. However, should your baby still be thirsty you can give additional drinks. Holle Organic Tea for kids or unsweetened fennel tea are both suitable, as is still mineral water suitable for babies or good quality previously boiled tap water.

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What has to be taken into account with the first teeth?

Well cared for baby teeth are the essential foundations for a healthy set of teeth later in life. Parents therefore need to make sure that suitable oral hygiene is carried out from the beginning. Even from the very first tooth, parents can start to remove any plaque by using a damp cotton wool bud to clean the tooth. Diet plays an important role in proper dental care. During breastfeeding your baby doesn't normally need any additional drinks. As soon as you start weaning, continue to give your baby either breast milk, formula, water or unsweetened herbal tea. Fruit juices contain acids which attack the tooth enamel and should be avoided. Never leave your child to suckle on a bottle for extended periods, as this can be particularly bad for your baby's teeth.

A varied weaning diet with unsweetened food helps your baby. An unbalanced and sweet early diet encourages tooth decay in children.