Stage Pre or Stage 1? How to choose the best option for your newborn

How do you choose the right European formula for your newborn? It can feel a little overwhelming – different brands, cows milk vs goat…and then you discover that you also need to pick between Stage Pre and Stage 1. 

Both are suitable for newborns – but which is right for your newborn? In this blog, we’ll go into the nutritional differences, run through which brands offer both options, and help you figure out the best option for your baby. 

But first – let’s acknowledge something important…

Feeding a newborn – however you do it – is challenging

You might be struggling to breastfeed, and trying to establish breastfeeding while supplementing with formula – which isn’t just time-consuming, it’s often pretty emotional too. Or maybe you’re not breastfeeding, but wish you could, and that’s always tough. 

Or perhaps you’ve always known you’d formula feed. Which may make these early weeks easier in one way, but it doesn’t mean you’re not keen to find the best, closest-to-breastmilk formula you can. 

And of course, everyone has to deal with all the exhaustion, night feeds and diaper explosions. It’s not easy, but we can make it a little bit easier. 

How is Stage Pre different from Stage 1?

In short, Stage Pre is usually gentler and easier to digest for the smallest babies. It’s starch-free, and often a thinner consistency to Stage 1. 

Stage 1 is often thicker, and may contain a mild starch. This means it can be more filling – especially for larger babies.

The differences in ingredients aren’t huge, but (depending on your baby’s specific needs), they could be enough to have an impact on how happy they are after feeds. 

But it’s important to note that both Stage Pre and Stage 1 are suitable from birth, right up until 6 months. 

Stage Pre vs Stage 1 comparison:

Why don’t all brands offer Stage Pre? 

Most formula brands – whether European or not –  begin at Stage 1. Which of course means that most babies will start with Stage 1. 

Of the European brands that we stock, only HiPP and Holle offer Stage Pre (with Holle offering both cow and goat milk options). All our other brands – including Kendamil, Jovie and Kabrita – start from Stage 1. 

The reason? Stage 1 is gentle, nutritious and easy for even the littlest babies to digest. It’s just that some babies might need the even gentler Stage Pre. 

HiPP Stage Pre vs Stage 1

HiPP German offers a choice between Stage Pre and Stage 1. Both are suitable from 0-6 months. 

• HiPP German Stage Pre: Is 100% starch-free, which means it’s likely to be gentler for the tiniest tummies. 

• HiPP German Stage 1: Very similar formulation to Stage Pre, but with the addition of a mild organic starch, which helps keep hungrier babies full for longer.
  
  

Both contain probiotics, prebiotics, and DHA for brain and eye development – as you’d expect from a newborn formula. 

It’s also worth noting that HiPP Dutch and HiPP UK don’t offer a Stage Pre, but are both starch-free in Stage 1 – so they’re both a good option if your baby needs a gentler formula. 

Holle Cow Stage Pre vs Stage 1 

Holle Cow also offers a choice between Stage Pre and Stage 1, again, both suitable from birth to 6 months. 

• Holle Cow Stage Pre: is made with whole milk, giving the smallest babies a gentle formula that’s undergone less processing.

• Holle Cow Stage 1: is very similar to Stage Pre, but is made with skimmed milk, plus extra added nutrients and energy to make it more satisfying.

Holle Goat Stage Pre vs Stage 1 

Holle Goat is our only goat’s milk formula to come in Stage Pre. It’s worth noting that any goat’s milk formula is likely to be gentler on sensitive tummies, since the natural A2 proteins in goat’s milk are easier to digest. 

• Holle Goat Stage Pre: is made with whole goats milk, and no added extras – just natural carbs from lactose. 

• Holle Goat Stage 1: is also made with whole goat’s milk, with a little organic maltodextrin to make it more filling. 

3 questions to help you choose between Stage PRE and Stage 1:

1. Does your baby seem unsettled after feeds? If so, they might benefit from a gentler Stage Pre formula.
   
   

2. Do they often seem hungry before they’d usually be due a feed?  Stage 1 may help keep them fuller for longer. 

3. Are you mixed feeding, or have you recently switched from breastfeeding? Your baby might find a Stage Pre formula feels more familiar, as its consistency tends to be thinner and closer to breastmilk than Stage 1.
   
   

Still need some help to choose? 

To make it easy to compare, take a look at:

Our Stage Pre collection here. 

And our Stage 1 collection here. 

Each collection includes every formula we stock in that stage – so you can easily see which might be best for your little one. 

You could also take our Formula Finder here – which will give you 3 personalized recommendations in 2 minutes. 

Finally – it’s worth remembering that babies don’t follow a script. There might be some trial and error involved in finding the right formula. That’s why, if you try a formula and it’s not right, we’ll give you a free store credit to try another one (thanks to our Happy Baby Guarantee).