Holle Cow Milk Stage 4 - Demeter Certified - 12 Months to 3 Years - Made in Germany
Holle Stage 4 - Organic Toddler Formula.
Demeter Certified. Built for Life Beyond the Bottle.
By twelve months, your toddler is deep into solid foods - but formula still plays a meaningful role in filling nutritional gaps that an inconsistent, ever-changing solid food diet cannot reliably cover. Holle Stage 4 is formulated specifically for this phase: a Demeter certified, biodynamic organic toddler formula with toddler-appropriate iron, calcium, and vitamin levels, designed to complement a full mixed diet from 12 months through to the end of the third year of life.
12+ Months
Demeter Certified
Iron 1.0mg
Calcium 85mg
600g Box
No Added Sugar
GMO-Free
German Made
What Demeter Certification Actually Means
Demeter is the world's oldest and most rigorous organic certification standard, predating the EU Organic regulation by decades. It is based on biodynamic farming principles - treating the farm as a self-sustaining ecosystem, with attention to soil health, biodiversity, animal welfare, and seasonal rhythms. For a formula to carry the Demeter mark, every agricultural ingredient must come from farms meeting these standards. This goes substantially beyond what EU Organic certification requires. Holle has held Demeter certification since 1933 and is one of only a handful of formula manufacturers worldwide to do so.
Demeter Biodynamic
EU Organic
Since 1933
German Made
No GMO
Why Toddler Formula at 12 Months
Iron 1.0mg
Iron - Still Critical at 12 Months
Iron deficiency is the most common nutritional deficiency in toddlers worldwide. At 12 months, most toddlers are eating a varied diet but iron absorption from plant-based solid foods is significantly lower than from formula. Holle Stage 4 provides 1.0mg of iron per 100ml - a meaningful contribution to daily requirements at a stage when dietary iron is harder to guarantee. Iron supports the production of hemoglobin, carries oxygen to developing brain tissue, and plays a direct role in neurological development and attention span.
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Calcium 85mg
Calcium for Bones in Active Toddlers
From 12 months onwards, toddlers begin pulling themselves up, walking, running, and falling - and bone mineralization needs to keep pace with that activity. Holle Stage 4 provides 85mg of calcium per 100ml, higher than earlier stages, to support the skeleton during this rapid motor development phase. Vitamin D at 1.3mcg assists calcium absorption. For toddlers who are not reliable dairy consumers - a common reality during picky eating phases - formula provides a consistent calcium source when dietary intake is uncertain.
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600g Box
Economical - 2 to 2.5 Boxes Per Month
At 1-2 bottles per day alongside a full solid food diet, each 600g box provides approximately 128 prepared servings. This translates to roughly 2 to 2.5 boxes per month at the recommended feeding frequency - significantly fewer than earlier stages where formula is the primary nutrition source. The reduced consumption rate makes the per-serving cost of Stage 4 lower in practice than the box price suggests, particularly for parents using formula as a nutritional supplement rather than a primary food source.
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Clean Label
No Added Sugar, No Artificial Anything
Holle uses a deliberately short ingredient list - organic skim milk, organic vegetable oils, organic maltodextrin, and vitamins and minerals. No artificial sweeteners, flavors, colors, or preservatives. No hormones or GMOs. The maltodextrin used as the carbohydrate source comes from organic corn, providing energy without added sugars. For parents who read labels carefully and want a formula where every ingredient has a clear nutritional purpose, Holle Stage 4 holds to the same clean-label standard that has defined the brand for over 90 years.
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Preparation Guide
Each 4.7g scoop yields approximately 170-230ml when prepared as directed. Follow the feeding chart below based on your toddler's appetite and solid food intake.
| 1 |
Wash hands and sterilize equipment Clean hands, bottle, teat, and ring before use. |
| 2 |
Boil water and cool Boil fresh water and allow to cool for up to 30 minutes, to approximately 40°C / 104°F before adding powder. |
| 3 |
Add water first, then powder Pour the correct amount of cooled boiled water into the bottle, then add the corresponding number of level scoops using the scoop provided. |
| 4 |
Shake and check temperature Cap the bottle and shake until fully dissolved. Test temperature on your wrist before feeding. Formula should feel lukewarm, not hot. |
| 5 |
Feed immediately, discard remainder Use prepared formula within 2 hours at room temperature. Discard any unused portion after feeding. |
Feeding Guide - 12 Months and Older
| Water |
Scoops (4.7g each) |
Ready Formula |
Feeds Per Day |
Boxes Per Month |
| 150ml (5 oz) |
5 |
170ml (5.7 oz) |
1-2 |
~2 |
| 180ml (6 oz) |
6 |
200ml (6.8 oz) |
1-2 |
~2.5 |
| 210ml (7.1 oz) |
7 |
230ml (7.8 oz) |
1-2 |
~2.5 |
1 box = approximately 128 scoops. Scoop size = 4.7g dry powder. Adjust portion size based on your toddler's appetite and solid food intake. At 12+ months, formula complements rather than replaces meals.
Nutritional Values per 100ml Prepared
| Nutrient | Per 100ml |
|---|
| Energy | 282 kJ / 67 kcal |
| Total Fat | 2.9 g |
| of which Saturates | 1.0 g |
| of which Monounsaturates | 1.3 g |
| of which Polyunsaturates | 0.6 g |
| Total Carbohydrates | 8.4 g |
| of which Sugars | 6.0 g |
| of which Starch (Maltodextrin) | 1.7 g |
| Fiber | 0 g |
| Protein | 1.9 g |
| Sodium | 30 mg |
| Potassium | 95 mg |
| Chloride | 50 mg |
| Calcium | 85 mg |
| Phosphorus | 52 mg |
| Magnesium | 8 mg |
| Iron | 1.0 mg |
| Zinc | 0.7 mg |
| Copper | 50 mcg |
| Manganese | 17 mcg |
| Fluoride | 5 mcg |
| Selenium | 2 mcg |
| Iodine | 19 mcg |
| Vitamin A | 71 mcg |
| Vitamin D | 1.3 mcg |
| Vitamin E | 1.8 mg |
| Vitamin K | 9.8 mcg |
| Vitamin C | 12 mg |
| Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) | 0.10 mg |
| Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) | 0.20 mg |
| Niacin | 0.60 mg |
| Vitamin B6 | 0.06 mg |
| Folic Acid | 26 mcg |
| Vitamin B12 | 0.20 mcg |
| Biotin | 2.7 mcg |
| Pantothenic Acid | 0.70 mg |
Ingredients
Organic Skim Milk, Organic Maltodextrin, Organic Vegetable Oils (Organic Palm Oil, Organic Sunflower Oil, Organic Rapeseed Oil), Organic Whey Powder (partially demineralized), Calcium Carbonate, Potassium Citrate, Magnesium Carbonate, Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Sulfate, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Niacin, Pantothenic Acid, Copper Sulfate, Vitamin A, Vitamin B1, Vitamin B6, Potassium Iodate, Manganese Sulfate, Folic Acid, Vitamin K, Sodium Selenite, Vitamin D, Biotin, Vitamin B12.
All dairy and plant ingredients from Demeter certified biodynamic organic farms. Contains palm oil (organic). Allergens: Milk. No soy, no gluten, no peanuts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my toddler still need formula at 12 months?
Formula is not strictly required at 12 months - whole cow's milk can replace it as the primary drink. However, toddler formula offers advantages that whole milk does not: it is fortified with iron, iodine, vitamin D, and other nutrients at levels specifically calculated for toddler needs. For picky eaters, inconsistent dairy consumers, or parents who want nutritional insurance alongside a variable solid food diet, 1-2 bottles of Stage 4 per day is a practical and evidence-supported approach through the second and third year of life.
What is Demeter certification and why does it matter?
Demeter is a biodynamic organic certification standard established in 1928, making it older than any national organic regulation. It requires that farms operate as closed-loop ecosystems - composting on-site, maintaining biodiversity, avoiding synthetic inputs, and adhering to animal welfare standards that go beyond EU Organic requirements. For infant and toddler formula, Demeter certification means the milk and plant ingredients come from the most strictly regulated organic farms available anywhere in Europe. Holle has maintained this certification continuously since 1933.
Why does Stage 4 contain maltodextrin instead of lactose?
Holle Stage 4 uses organic maltodextrin as part of its carbohydrate blend alongside the naturally occurring lactose in skim milk. At the toddler stage, maltodextrin provides a quickly available energy source appropriate for active toddlers. It is derived from organic corn and contains no added sugar. The carbohydrate profile of toddler formula is intentionally different from infant formula because a toddler's energy needs and digestive capacity have changed significantly by 12 months.
How long does one 600g box last?
At 1-2 bottles per day of 170-200ml each, one 600g box lasts approximately 2 to 2.5 months. Each box contains around 128 scoops at 4.7g per scoop. A 170ml bottle uses 5 scoops; a 200ml bottle uses 6 scoops. The reduced daily consumption compared to earlier stages - where formula is the primary food - makes Stage 4 a cost-effective way to continue providing fortified nutrition through the toddler years.
Can I use Holle Stage 4 alongside cow's milk?
Yes. Many parents offer one bottle of toddler formula and one serving of whole cow's milk per day, or alternate between them. Toddler formula provides fortification - particularly iron and vitamin D - that whole cow's milk does not. If your toddler drinks whole cow's milk as their primary dairy, using Stage 4 as a partial replacement or supplement covers nutritional gaps that whole milk leaves. There is no issue with combining both.
Is Holle Stage 4 suitable through the third year of life?
Yes. Holle Stage 4 is formulated for 12 months through to the end of the third year - up to 36 months. After that, most toddlers transition fully to whole cow's milk, fortified plant milks, or regular family food with no need for a specialized formula. The nutritional profile of Stage 4 is calibrated for this entire toddler window, not just the 12-18 month phase.
Important Notice: Breastfeeding is best for your baby. Holle Stage 4 is a toddler formula intended for use from 12 months as part of a mixed diet alongside solid foods. It is not a substitute for a varied diet. Prepared formula should be used within 2 hours and any remainder discarded. Do not microwave. Store powder in a cool, dry place and use within 3 weeks of opening. Always consult your pediatrician before changing your toddler's feeding routine.
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