Holle Organic Cow Formula Stage 1 is an organic milk formula for babies from birth to 6 months. You can use it as the sole source of nutrition or to supplement breastfeeding, and it is the classic that made Holle a household name: pure Demeter quality at a friendly price.
 

Simplicity is the whole idea. Lactose, the same sugar as in breast milk, is the only carbohydrate, and the gentle protein comes from organic skim milk and whey. DHA and ARA at 15 mg each per 100 ml (3.4 fl oz) support brain and eyesight. This clean recipe contains no added sugar, corn syrup, soy, or maltodextrin.
 

This premium starting formula is crafted in Germany with biodynamic German milk and comes in a 400 g (14.1 oz) box. The label is in German, so we translated the preparation instructions, feeding chart, and ingredient info into English here.
 

This formula is rated 4.9/5 stars by parents in our store. "Great formula, baby digests much better, buying another 10 soon!"
 

Key Facts at a Glance
 

• Age: from birth to 6 months; switch to Stage 2 at 6 months
• Triple certified: EU Organic, German Bio-Siegel, and Demeter biodynamic
• Lactose as the only carbohydrate, the same sugar as in breast milk
• Gentle protein from organic skim milk and whey
• DHA and ARA, 15 mg each per 100 ml (3.4 fl oz), for brain and eyesight
• Vegetarian: the DHA comes from plant-based algal oil, not fish oil
• About 68 kcal per 100 ml (3.4 fl oz)
• No added sugar, no corn syrup, no soy, no GMOs

What Makes This Formula Special
 

Holle has made baby food since 1933, and this recipe carries that history lightly: a short ingredient list where every component has a job, and nothing your newborn doesn't need. Lactose provides the energy on its own, without starch or maltodextrin, and the milk fat is rounded out with organic vegetable oils, including palm oil from certified sustainable organic cultivation, along with sunflower and rapeseed oil.
 

Farming is what makes Holle unique. This formula is triple certified: EU Organic (DE-ÖKO-001) as the legal baseline, the German Bio-Siegel on top, and Demeter, the biodynamic gold standard with strict animal welfare and farming in harmony with soil and nature. The cows graze on organic German pastures, and the DHA is plant-based, derived from algal oil, keeping this formula vegetarian.
 

For sensitive newborn days, that simplicity could be exactly the calm start you are looking for; our guide to EU organic formulas and colic explains why so many US parents make the switch.
 

At 6 months, Holle Organic Baby Formula Stage 2 continues the range. Curious about the A2 protein path? Holle A2 Cow Stage 1 uses milk from cows that naturally produce only A2 protein. And for a naturally gentle alternative, Holle Organic Goat Formula Stage 1 leads the sister category to our organic cow milk formulas.
 

Safety, Quality and Animal Welfare
 

Holle has stood for organic quality for more than 85 years and was the world's first Demeter producer of baby food. Biodynamic farming means the cows are raised with high animal-welfare standards on organic German farms, and every ingredient is strictly controlled from farm to box. Independent US testing recently examined dozens of infant formulas for heavy metals and other unwanted chemicals, and Holle earned top marks.
 

EU baby formula follows strict European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) rules, including required DHA and no corn syrup solids. Those rules are a higher bar than FDA formula standards and apply to all EU and UK formulas we carry. Read more in our EU vs US formula guide.
 

Why Parents Trust Holle Bio Cow Stage 1
 

Switch stories from US brands fill our reviews. "Our baby reacts well to this formula. It also does not have a nasty smell like Similac does," one parent wrote. Another kept it heartfelt: "Truly a blessing knowing that our child is eating healthy!" Easy digestion, a clean, natural smell, and babies who happily finish their bottles mean parents come back again and again.
 

Why Choose Holle Organic Baby Formula Stage 1?
 

• The purest possible start: a short, honest recipe with nothing extra
• Farmed to the strictest biodynamic standard in the world
• Lactose-only, staying as close to breast milk as possible
• Plant-based DHA from algae, a vegetarian recipe
• Demeter quality at one of the friendliest prices in our store

If you want a beautifully simple organic bottle from a brand that has fed generations, Holle Organic Baby Formula Stage 1 is worth considering. It keeps nutrition complete and the recipe honest, from biodynamic farm to your kitchen—a pure start, without the premium-price sting.
 

Why Order from Organic Formula Shop?
 

Organic Formula Shop receives this formula directly from Holle. It goes from the manufacturer to our temperature-controlled warehouse, then straight to you using our trusted partners. The supply chain is short, transparent, and reliable.
 

Because of our high order volume, we regularly receive fresh batches. Every box is 100% authentic and arrives in original sealed packaging with a guaranteed minimum 6-month shelf life. Your order ships with free express delivery in 2 to 4 business days, and the price you see already includes all customs and duties. We carefully pack every order to help prevent damage in transit.
 

Parents who order with us call us "a solid, credible company to order from." Our dedicated customer support can help with any questions from both US and EU time zones. Parents have left thousands of reviews, with a 4.9/5 star average, and we have shipped 270,000+ orders worldwide.
 

Helpful tools:
 

• Formula calculator to see exactly how many boxes you need
• Formula Finder for a quick personal recommendation
• Full Holle collection

What's Included
 

• 400 g (14.1 oz) of formula powder, good for about 30 bottles of 100 ml (3.4 fl oz)
• Measuring scoop, 4.5 g (0.16 oz) per 30 ml of water
• Feeding chart with recommended amounts for every age; in the first week, prepare bottles as advised by your doctor
• About 68 kcal per 100 ml (3.4 fl oz) prepared
• German labeling, with our English preparation instructions and ingredient info
• Holle uses the European date format (DD/MM/YYYY)

Frequently Asked Questions
 

Is Holle Bio Stage 1 suitable from birth?
Yes. It is a complete organic infant formula from birth to 6 months, used as the sole source of nutrition or alongside breastfeeding. At 6 months, Holle Stage 2 is the next step in the range.
 

Is Holle Stage 1 really organic?
Yes, three times over. It carries EU Organic certification as the legal baseline, the German Bio-Siegel on top, and the Demeter biodynamic seal, the strictest farming standard in the world.
 

What is the difference between Holle Bio, Holle A2, and Holle Goat?
All three follow the same clean Holle philosophy. Bio is the classic cow milk recipe and the friendliest in price; A2 uses milk from cows that naturally produce only the A2 protein; and the goat line offers a naturally gentle alternative with whole goat milk.
 

Is this formula vegetarian?
Yes. The DHA comes from plant-based algal oil instead of fish oil, and the recipe contains no added sugar, corn syrup, or soy.
 

How long does one box last?
The 400 g (14.1 oz) box makes about 30 bottles of 100 ml (3.4 fl oz), using the included scoop (4.5 g per 30 ml of water). Our formula calculator shows exactly how many boxes you need for your baby's age.
 

Looking for something different? Browse our full formula collection.
 

Any questions? Please get in touch with our dedicated and friendly customer support team.
 

Always consult your pediatrician before introducing or switching any formula.
 

Skimmed milk**, whey product* (partially demineralized whey powder), vegetable oils* (palm oil*, sunflower oil*, rapeseed oil*), lactose*, calcium carbonate, potassium chloride, oil from the microalga Schizochytrium sp., oil from Mortierella alpina, choline bitartrate, calcium salts of orthophosphoric acid, vitamin C, L-tyrosine, sodium chloride, L-tryptophan, ferrous sulfate, zinc sulfate, vitamin E, magnesium carbonate, niacin, copper sulfate, pantothenic acid, vitamin A, vitamin B1, vitamin B6, manganese sulfate, potassium iodide, folic acid, sodium selenite, vitamin K, vitamin D, biotin, vitamin B12.
 

*from organic farming.
**Demeter, from biodynamic farming. Total Demeter share 67%.
- 100g of infant milk powder is made from 175ml of skimmed milk.
- The DHA is plant based, obtained from algae rather than from fish oil.
- The palm oil comes from sustainable cultivation.
- Allergens: Contains milk.

Please be aware that this product is manufactured according to European Union nutritional standards. Consequently, it may only meet the requirements of customers within the EU.

NOTE: Holle uses a two-step mixing method.
 

1. Wash your hands, then clean the bottle, teat, and ring thoroughly.
2. Boil fresh drinking water and leave it to cool down before mixing.
3. Pour half the required water into the bottle.
4. Fill the measuring scoop loosely and level it off with the back of a knife. Scoop size: 4.5g. Add the number of scoops shown in the feeding table.
5. Shake vigorously.
6. Add the remaining water and shake again.
7. Let it cool to drinking temperature, approximately 37°C (98°F). Always check the temperature on the inside of your wrist before feeding. 

Important Information:

• Only use the scoop provided in the can.
• Do not make feeds weaker or stronger than indicated by adding extra water/scoops, and do not add anything else to the milk.
• Always freshly prepare formula and do not prepare in advance. Use immediately, and discard leftovers at the end of the feed.
• Do not heat a bottle in a microwave as hot spots may occur, which could cause scalding.
• All opened formula should be used within 21 days. Never use the formula beyond its expiration date. The expiration date on the formula box/tin is listed according to European standard: day/month/year
• Avoid storing in areas of high heat or humidity.