Aptamil HA PRE is a German hydrolyzed infant formula for babies from birth to 6 months, made with partially hydrolysed whey protein and lactose as its only carbohydrate. It is intended to help reduce the risk of allergy in babies with a family history of it — not to treat an allergy a baby already has. This listing is a single 800g box, about 185 fl oz of prepared formula.
The "HA" stands for hypoallergenic, and that word does more work on the box than it should. What it actually means is that the whey protein has been partially hydrolysed — broken into smaller fragments — so it is less likely to provoke a reaction in a baby who is at risk but currently healthy. It is a prevention product for allergy-prone families, and it is the starting point of Aptamil's HA pathway.
"PRE" is the European convention for the very first stage, and it has one defining feature: lactose is the only carbohydrate. There is no maltodextrin and no added starch, because lactose is the sugar breast milk uses. That makes HA PRE the closest match in the HA line to a newborn's natural feed, and it is why it can be fed on demand rather than to a rigid schedule.
This is a European baby formula made in Germany to EU infant-nutrition rules. It is a complete food and can be your baby's sole nutrition from day one, or sit alongside breastfeeding. When your baby is ready to move on, the next step in the same line is Aptamil HA 1, then Aptamil HA 2 from around six months. Aptamil is not an organic brand, and we say so plainly in the comparison below.
0–6 moFrom birth
800 gSingle box
~185 fl oz≈ 37 × 5oz bottles
GermanyMade under EU rules
Nutrition
What is in Aptamil HA PRE?
Lactose comes first on the ingredient list, followed by whey protein hydrolysate, a blend of palm, rapeseed, coconut and sunflower oils, GOS and FOS prebiotic fibres, fish oil and Mortierella alpina oil for DHA and ARA, a Bifidobacterium breve culture, nucleotides, and the full EU-mandated vitamin and mineral spread. It contains milk, fish and soy lecithin.
Two things on that list are worth pausing on. The GOS and FOS prebiotic blend is Aptamil's long-running attempt to imitate the oligosaccharide fibres in breast milk, and it is paired here with a live Bifidobacterium breve culture. Together they are the gut-flora half of the formula, while the hydrolysed whey is the protein half.
The other is the fat blend. HA PRE's DHA comes from fish oil and its ARA from Mortierella alpina oil, so this is not a vegetarian formula. The oil blend contains palm oil. If a palm-oil-free or vegetarian tin matters to you, that is a real reason to look at a different product, and we would rather tell you now than after you have opened the box.
Ingredient
What it is there for
Lactose
The only carbohydrate — the sugar found in breast milk
Whey protein hydrolysate
Whey protein partially broken into smaller peptides
Vegetable oils
Palm, rapeseed, coconut and sunflower — the fat blend
Galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS)
Prebiotic fibre modelled on breast-milk oligosaccharides
Fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS)
Second prebiotic fibre in the same blend
Fish oil
Source of DHA, the omega-3 fat
Mortierella alpina oil
Source of ARA, the omega-6 fat
Bifidobacterium breve
Live culture
Nucleotides
Building blocks also present in breast milk
Vitamins and minerals
The complete spread required by EU infant-formula law
Allergens
Milk, fish, soy lecithin
We do not publish a per-100ml nutrition panel for this box because we have not been able to confirm one against Aptamil's own current German label. The panel printed on your box is the authoritative figure — please read it.
The science
What does partially hydrolysed whey protein actually mean?
It means the whey protein has been cut into shorter fragments before it ever reaches your baby — far enough to be less likely to trigger an allergic response in an at-risk baby, but nowhere near far enough to be safe for a baby who already has a diagnosed cow's milk protein allergy.
A whole whey protein is a long chain. The immune system of a baby predisposed to allergy can learn to recognise that chain and react to it. Partial hydrolysis uses enzymes to break the chain into smaller peptides, which are harder for the immune system to flag. That is the entire mechanism, and it is the only claim this formula makes.
The distinction that matters is the next tier up. An extensively hydrolysed formula, or an amino-acid formula, breaks the protein down much further and is what a doctor prescribes for a baby with diagnosed cow's milk protein allergy (CMPA). Aptamil HA PRE is not that product, is not a substitute for it, and should never be used to manage a confirmed allergy.
So who is it for? A baby from birth in a family where a parent or sibling has eczema, asthma, hay fever or a food allergy, where the baby has no diagnosis of their own, and where a pediatrician or health visitor has agreed this is a sensible route. If your baby is already reacting to milk, stop and see a doctor rather than buying this box.
Partially hydrolysed whey · Aptamil HA PRE
Intact whey · standard infant formula
Partial hydrolysis shortens the protein. It does not take it apart far enough to be safe for a diagnosed milk allergy — that is a different tier of formula, shown below.
Partially hydrolysed · this box
Extensively hydrolysed · prescribed
Schematic illustration of protein size, not to scale and not microscopy. No formula is a substitute for medical advice.
Clean label
Does Aptamil HA PRE contain maltodextrin or starch?
No. Lactose is the only carbohydrate in Aptamil HA PRE — there is no maltodextrin and no added starch, which is what the "PRE" designation means in Europe. It does contain palm oil, fish oil and soy lecithin, and it is not organic certified.
No maltodextrin
No added starch
Lactose only carbohydrate
Made in Germany, EU rules
Contains milk, fish and soy lecithin. Aptamil holds no organic certification on this product, and EU rules do not permit an organic label on a hydrolysed-protein formula in any case.
Comparison
How does Aptamil HA PRE compare to HiPP HA Pre and Aptamil HA 1?
All three are hydrolysed whey formulas for allergy-risk families and none of the three is organic certified. Aptamil HA PRE and HiPP HA Pre are both newborn-stage boxes with lactose as the only carbohydrate; Aptamil HA 1 is the next step up and is the only one of the three whose listed oil blend contains no palm oil.
Newborn stage
Aptamil HA PRE
HiPP HA Pre
Aptamil HA 1
Organic certified
No
No
No
Age band
From birth, 0–6 months
From birth, 0–6 months
From birth
Protein
Partially hydrolysed whey
Hydrolysed whey, ~86–87% broken down
Partially hydrolysed whey
Carbohydrate
Lactose only
Lactose only
Lactose, with GOS and FOS
Prebiotic & culture
GOS + FOS, B. breve
GOS 0.3 g, L. fermentum
GOS + FOS, B. breve M-16V
Palm oil
Contains palm oil
Contains organic palm oil
None in the oil blend
DHA source
Fish oil
Fish oil + M. alpina
Fish oil
Energy per 100ml
See product page
66 kcal
See product page
Pack size
800 g box
600 g box
800 g box
Prepared yield
~185 fl oz
~157 fl oz
~185–195 fl oz (estimate)
Being straight with you: compare these three by the ounce, not by the box. HiPP HA Pre Combiotik is a 600g box against Aptamil's 800g, so a lower sticker price does not mean cheaper formula — and HiPP publishes a full per-100ml nutrition panel where we cannot confirm one for this Aptamil box, which is a genuine transparency win for HiPP. If a palm-oil-free oil blend is what you are after, Aptamil HA 1 is the better box and it is also suitable from birth. Aptamil HA PRE's own case is narrow and real: the lactose-only newborn carbohydrate profile, the GOS/FOS and B. breve combination, and being the first rung of a three-stage HA pathway you can stay inside until your baby is a year old.
Planning ahead
How many boxes of Aptamil HA PRE will my baby need per month?
Roughly 2 boxes a month in the first weeks, rising to around 3 to 4 boxes a month as your baby approaches six months. One 800g box makes about 185 fl oz of prepared formula, which is roughly 37 bottles of 5 fl oz.
The jump is steep because a newborn's daily intake close to doubles across the first half-year. Plan against the band for your baby's current age rather than one flat monthly number, and remember that any breastfeeding alongside formula pulls the figure down.
First 1–2 months
~2 boxes
3–4 months
~2–3
Approaching 6 months
~3–4
Scale: 0 to 4 boxes per month · lighter shading shows the upper end of each range
Aptamil does not publish a boxes-per-month figure for HA PRE. These bands are our own estimate, scaled from the 185 fl oz that one box makes against typical intake between birth and six months. Use them for planning, not as a target — every baby feeds differently.
Preparation
How do you prepare Aptamil HA PRE?
Boil fresh water and let it cool to 104–122°F (40–50°C), pour the measured water into a sterilised bottle first, add one level scoop for every 1 fl oz (30ml) of water, shake until fully dissolved, cool to about 98.6°F (37°C) and feed. Discard anything left 2 hours after a feed begins.
104–122°FWater temperature
1 : 30mlOne level scoop per 1 fl oz
2 hoursDiscard after feeding starts
~185 fl ozPrepared per 800g box
1
Sterilise everything
Wash and sterilise the bottle, teat, ring and cap, and wash your hands before you start.
2
Boil and cool
Boil fresh drinking water and let it cool to 104–122°F (40–50°C), the range Aptamil gives for this formula.
3
Water into the bottle first
Pour the measured water into the sterilised bottle before you add any powder — never the other way round.
4
Add level scoops
Add one level scoop for every 1 fl oz (30ml) of water, levelling each scoop on the scraper edge of the pack — never packed or heaped.
5
Cap and shake
Put the cap on and shake well until no powder is left clinging to the sides of the bottle.
6
Cool, test, feed
Cool the bottle to about 98.6°F (37°C), test a drop on your wrist so it feels body temperature, and feed straight away.
Never use artificially softened water or water that has been boiled more than once. Make a fresh bottle for every feed, never reheat, never microwave, and discard anything left 2 hours after your baby starts drinking. Always follow the preparation instructions printed on your own box, which are the authoritative version.
A note on water temperature. Aptamil specifies water at 104–122°F (40–50°C) for this formula, and that is the instruction printed on your box. It is set deliberately — hotter water damages the live cultures and heat-sensitive vitamins this formula is built around.
Many health authorities, including the NHS and WHO, advise 70°C or hotter for any powdered formula, because powder is not sterile and that temperature kills bacteria that can occasionally be present. The difference matters most for newborns, premature babies, and babies with weakened immunity. If your baby is in one of those groups, ask your paediatrician or health visitor which to follow for your situation.
Please read before buying
Aptamil HA PRE is a partially hydrolysed formula for reducing allergy risk in babies who have a family history of allergy and no diagnosis of their own. It is not suitable for a baby with a diagnosed or suspected cow's milk protein allergy — that needs an extensively hydrolysed or amino-acid formula prescribed by a doctor. It contains milk, fish and soy lecithin. Breastfeeding is best for your baby — talk to your health visitor or doctor before starting or changing a formula.
Store boxes in a cool, dry place and keep the pack closed between feeds. Never reheat or microwave prepared formula.
Where this sits in the HA range
Aptamil runs the HA line as three stages: HA PRE from birth, HA 1 from birth onward as a first infant milk, and HA 2 as a follow-on milk from around six months once solids have started. You can stay inside the same hydrolysed-protein line for the whole first year, which is one less variable to change if your baby is settled.
Questions parents ask
Aptamil HA PRE: frequently asked questions
What age is Aptamil HA PRE formula for?
Aptamil HA PRE is for babies from birth to around 6 months. It is a complete food and can be used as your baby's only source of nutrition from day one, or alongside breastfeeding. "PRE" is the European name for the earliest formula stage, in which lactose is the only carbohydrate. After this stage most families move to Aptamil HA 1 and then to Aptamil HA 2 from around six months.
Is Aptamil HA PRE safe for a baby with a cow's milk protein allergy?
No. Aptamil HA PRE uses partially hydrolysed whey protein, which is intended to reduce the risk of a baby developing an allergy — it is not a treatment for one. A baby with diagnosed or suspected cow's milk protein allergy needs an extensively hydrolysed or amino-acid formula prescribed by a doctor. If your baby is already reacting to milk, see your pediatrician before changing formula rather than switching to an HA product.
Is Aptamil HA PRE organic?
No. Aptamil is not an organic brand, and this formula carries no organic certification. There is also a regulatory reason it could not: EU organic rules do not permit an organic label on infant formula made with hydrolysed protein, which is why the hydrolysed formulas from other European brands are not organic either. Aptamil's strength is clinical research and specialised formulation rather than organic farming.
How much prepared formula does one 800g box make?
One 800g box of Aptamil HA PRE makes approximately 185 fluid ounces of prepared formula, which works out at roughly 37 bottles of 5 fl oz each. Actual yield depends on how accurately each scoop is levelled on the scraper edge. For planning, expect about 2 boxes a month in the first weeks, rising to roughly 3 to 4 boxes a month as your baby approaches six months.
What is the difference between HA PRE and HA 1?
Both are partially hydrolysed whey formulas suitable from birth. The difference is the recipe around the protein: HA PRE uses lactose as its only carbohydrate, in line with the European "PRE" convention for newborn-stage milks, while HA 1 is the standard first infant milk in the line. The listed oil blend also differs — HA PRE contains palm oil and HA 1's does not. Either can be used from day one.
Does Aptamil HA PRE contain fish oil or palm oil?
Both. The DHA in Aptamil HA PRE comes from fish oil rather than algae, so this formula is not suitable for vegetarian families, and the fat blend includes palm oil alongside rapeseed, coconut and sunflower oils. It also contains soy lecithin. If you need a palm-oil-free or vegetarian European formula, tell us what you are looking for and we will point you at one we stock.
Can I combine Aptamil HA PRE with breastfeeding?
Yes. Aptamil HA PRE can be used as a top-up alongside breastfeeding as well as a sole source of nutrition. Breast milk remains the best food for your baby, and mixed feeding is common and safe. If you are considering an HA formula specifically because of a family history of allergy, talk it through with your health visitor or pediatrician first so the choice fits your baby's situation.
Explore the range
Related formulas at Bonpek Baby
Aptamil HA 1The next step in the same hydrolysed line, also suitable from birth.
Aptamil HA 2The follow-on milk from around six months, once solids have started.
HiPP HA Stage 1HiPP's hydrolysed first infant milk, with a published nutrition panel.
Aptamil ComfortFor colic and constipation rather than allergy risk — a different problem.
All baby formulasBrowse every European formula we stock, by brand and stage.
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Product information last reviewed by the Bonpek Baby team in September 2026 against the manufacturer's current published ingredient data. Always check the label on your box, as manufacturers reformulate from time to time.
✅ Wash hands and sterilize all bottles, nipples, and rings.
✅ Boil fresh drinking water and allow to cool to 104–122 °F (40–50 °C).
✅ Pour the required amount of cooled boiled water into the bottle.
✅ Add one leveled scoop per 1 fl oz (30 ml) of water.
✅ Close the bottle and shake well until fully dissolved.
✅ Cool to feeding temperature (~98.6 °F / 37 °C) before feeding.
❌ Do not microwave prepared formula.
❌ Do not add extra scoops or thickeners.
❌ Discard unfinished formula after 2 hours.
Feeding & Usage Details
Age Range:
Suitable for babies from birth to 6 months as a complete feeding solution or supplement to breastfeeding.
Yield (Ounces per Box):
Approximately 185 fl oz of prepared formula per 800 g box (based on standard preparation ratios).
Estimated Monthly Usage:
Exclusively formula‑fed babies 0–6 months typically consume 24–32 fl oz/day, equal to approximately 3–5 boxes per month, depending on age and appetite.
Baby Brezza Machine Settings: Baby Brezza Formula Pro: Setting 6 Baby Brezza Pro Advanced: Setting 5
⚠️ Always verify settings using Baby Brezza’s official formula settings finder, especially after firmware updates.
