Prebiotics & Probiotics in formula

Updated 3 months ago

What are probiotics?

Probiotics are live, beneficial bacteria that colonise your baby’s gut and help maintain a healthy balance between good and bad bacteria. They support digestion, reduce inflammation and strengthen the immune system.

Breast milk naturally contains probiotics — which is one reason breastfed babies tend to have fewer gastrointestinal and respiratory infections in early life. When formula is supplemented with probiotics, it is designed to replicate this benefit as closely as possible.

HiPP uses the probiotic strain L. fermentum hereditum® — a natural lactic acid culture originally isolated from real breast milk. This makes it one of the most clinically relevant probiotic strains in any infant formula on the market.

What are prebiotics?

Prebiotics are non-digestible fibres that feed the beneficial bacteria already living in your baby’s gut. Think of probiotics as the good bacteria, and prebiotics as the food that keeps them alive and thriving.

The most common prebiotic used in European formula is galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) — a natural fibre derived from lactose that is also found in breast milk. GOS helps maintain a healthy gut flora, supports bowel regularity and contributes to immune development.

Why do they matter for your baby?

A baby’s digestive system is not fully developed at birth. In the first weeks and months of life, the gut microbiome is actively forming — and the balance of bacteria established during this period has a lasting impact on health. Prebiotics and probiotics in formula support this process in several ways:

• Gut health — supports healthy intestinal flora and reduces the risk of colic, gas and constipation
• Immunity — a balanced gut microbiome is closely linked to immune function; babies with good gut health tend to have fewer infections
• C-section and premature babies — babies born via caesarean section or prematurely may miss out on their initial exposure to beneficial bacteria; probiotics in formula can help compensate for this
• After antibiotics — antibiotics can disrupt the balance of gut bacteria; probiotics help restore it

Which formulas at My Organic Formula contain prebiotics and probiotics?

HiPP — prebiotics and probiotics

HiPP is the brand most closely associated with pre- and probiotics in formula. All HiPP Dutch and German formulas contain both GOS prebiotics and the probiotic strain L. fermentum hereditum® — originally cultured from breast milk. HiPP UK formulas contain prebiotics but not probiotics. HiPP HA (hypoallergenic) and HiPP Comfort also contain both.

Kendamil — prebiotics

Kendamil cow milk formula contains GOS prebiotics derived from lactose. Kendamil does not add a probiotic strain, but the natural whole milk base and prebiotic content support gut health from the outset.

Holle — no added prebiotics or probiotics

Holle formulas do not contain added prebiotics or probiotics. Holle’s philosophy focuses on minimal processing and a short, clean ingredient list — the Demeter-certified milk itself is the foundation of gut health, rather than additional supplementation.

Nannycare — probiotics

Nannycare goat milk formula contains probiotics. Goat milk also naturally contains oligosaccharides at higher levels than cow milk, which act as a natural prebiotic source.