From the very beginning, LittleOak has never settled for “good enough.” With every ingredient, every detail, and every step we have asked one simple question: can this be better for babies?  

For nine years, we’ve been quietly improving, carefully crafting, and nurturing every little one with the most natural nutrition in the world. And now, we’re so proud to be taking the next step forward: we have replaced our high oleic sunflower oil with cold-pressed olive oil. 

This world-first innovation reflects our ongoing commitment to providing the most natural, minimally processed nutrition for growing babies. So what does this mean for your little one? Read on to learn more about this exciting update, in this piece by LittleOak’s Certified Nutritionist, Lauren Cooke Niemczyk.  

Why are oils used in formula?  

Baby formulas must use a range of oils to achieve a similar balance of essential fatty acids found in breast milk. These fatty acids are required for healthy development in babies and are critical to the functioning of the nervous system.   

When making baby formulas, manufacturers have a choice: to use high quality oils like olive, coconut, and flaxseed oil or more industrially processed, cheaper oils including canola and palm oil. At LittleOak, we don’t cut corners and we don’t cut costs. That’s why we choose the most natural, most nourishing oils, most recently replacing our high oleic sunflower oil for olive oil.  

Importantly, all our oils are pressed and do not use any chemicals or solvents, like hexane, to extract the oil from the plant husk. 

Why olive oil?  

A natural source of oleic acid 

Olive oil is naturally a rich source of oleic acid, a monounsaturated fatty acid (also called omega-9). This is a fatty acid which provides a source of energy and supports nutrient absorption. Oleic acid is also the most abundant fatty acid in breast milk, supporting our commitment to mimic breast milk as closely as possible.  

Naturally rich in polyphenol antioxidants

Olive oil contains high amounts of polyphenol antioxidants, which are generally absent in refined sunflower oil. Polyphenols are natural plant compounds which we cannot make in the human body and therefore must be consumed in food. They can also be found in a mother’s breast milk, if her diet is rich in foods that contain these polyphenols, such as extra virgin olive oil, berries, apples, broccoli, culinary herbs, spices and dark chocolate. Intake of polyphenols during infancy have been linked to improved brain and nervous system development. 

Less processed

We chose cold-pressed olive oil because it is significantly more natural, helping us deliver the most nourishing formula possible for your little one. 

What this means for your little one 

We know that that change can sometimes feel unsettling – especially when it comes to feeding your little one. But rest assured, this is a really beautiful change. Everything you love about LittleOak stays exactly the same.