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Goat milk baby food


Is Goat Milk Safe for Babies? – Cleveland Clinic – Cleveland Clinic

Only when you become a parent do you realize what a hot topic milk is. From babies having tummy troubles with regular formula to the recent baby formula shortage, feeding your baby can sometimes be a challenge. You may have heard about goat milk as a possible alternative and are wondering if it’s safe.

The short answer is goat milk isn’t an option for infants under 1 year of age. Some formulas made from goat milk may be a viable alternative, but they’re hard to come by in the United States.

Pediatrician Matthew Badgett, MD, helps fully explain the differences between goat milk and goat milk formula, as well as other questions about how to choose a safe formula for your baby.

Is goat milk safe for babies?

We won’t beat around the bush; goat milk is baahh-d news for babies.

The American Academy of Pediatrics warns that pure goat milk is unsafe — and in some cases, life-threatening — for infants under 1 year of age. This means: no goat milk for babies within their first 12 months of life. The same rule is generally applied to pure cow’s milk as well. This is because your brand-new baby has a delicate digestive system, one that can’t handle the proteins found in animal-derived milk.

“Traditional baby formulas are specifically designed to have the right balance of macronutrients and different fats, carbs and proteins,” explains Dr. Badgett. “And the biggest concern is getting the right mix of salts, specifically with sodium and water.”

Goat milk consumption in babies can lead to health issues, including:

  • Hyponatremia. Babies can develop hyponatremia from consuming goat milk. This condition occurs when there isn’t enough sodium in their blood.
  • Megaloblastic anemia. As goat milk doesn’t have all the added proteins your baby needs, it can also lead to a folate (vitamin B9) deficiency.
  • Allergic reactions. Just like with cow’s milk, babies can also have severe allergies to goat milk. This can vary for each child, so make sure to talk to your pediatrician or healthcare provider about your child’s specific needs.
  • Infections and sepsis. During the first years of life, your baby is at much higher risk for infections and sepsis — especially if the milk they’re consuming isn’t being stored or sterilized properly. “For all those reasons, goat milk is not recommended for any infant under one year of age,” says Dr. Badgett.

Rest assured, goat milk can still be a good option later in life. After your little one turns 1, you’re in the clear to introduce it into their diet if you’d like. Just make sure the milk is pasteurized and that your child is getting a good mix of folate in their diet (as goat milk is low on this essential vitamin).

“As kids get older, goat’s milk is fine, especially when it’s part of a complete and balanced diet,” says Dr. Badgett.

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Is goat milk formula a good alternative?

Formula made from goat milk is a whole different discussion. While it’s not as available in the United States, goat milk formula can be a safe alternative to regular formula. As long as you’re getting it from a dependable source, it can work as a replacement for formula made from cow’s milk.

When it comes to goat milk formula for your infant, here are some things to consider:

Pros and cons of using goat milk formula

Pro: It may be an alternative to cow’s milk formula

According to Dr. Badgett, many parents have been toying with the idea of goat-milk-based formula for their babies who have cow’s milk sensitivities. If your child has an allergy to cow’s milk, they may experience symptoms like diarrhea, vomiting and, in some extreme cases, anaphylaxis.

That’s where goat milk formula comes in. Some studies show that it may have less lactose and is easier on your child’s tummy.

Con: It’s not regulated in the United States

Currently, goat milk baby formula is approved in countries like Australia, but it isn’t regulated in the United States. This doesn’t mean you can’t get your hands on it, but importing formulas from overseas comes with a new set of risks.

“You have to make sure that you’re not getting an expired product, or that you’re actually getting the product that you’re supposed to be getting,” cautions Dr. Badgett.

However, if you’re traveling abroad and in a pinch because you don’t have access to your usual formula, goat milk formula is a safe option to try.

What about homemade formulas?

As goat milk formula isn’t as readily available in the U.S., you may be googling around for a recipe to make a batch of your own at home. Dr. Badgett warns against making any homemade formula — whether from goat’s milk or cow’s milk.

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“If I mess up my chocolate chip cookie recipe and they were too gooey or they were too dry, I’ll still eat them and I’ll be fine. But the same isn’t true for a baby,” Dr. Badgett explains. “There are consequences when you mess up the production of infant formula. It’s really important for infants that their formula is made in a controlled and sterile environment because their ability to tolerate certain things is different.”

The bottom line? It’s never OK to make infant formula at home. Stick to purchasing and preparing commercial formulas.

Other formula alternatives

Not sure if goat-milk-based formula is the one for you? The good news is there’s a big range of other formula options you can try. While breast milk is recommended, traditional formula is a healthy alternative because it’s formulated to be as similar to breast milk as possible. However, if for any reason your baby isn’t doing well with traditional formula and you aren’t breastfeeding, there are other formula varieties available.

“Some babies do struggle with cow’s milk intolerance and other babies just don’t do great on traditional formula. If that’s the issue, there’s a lot of other formula options that we can consider,” says Dr. Badgett.

If your baby can’t handle typical formula, you can try other options like soy-based or hypoallergenic formulas.

Compared to other countries, goat milk formula isn’t as popular in the United States. But it can be an option if it’s available in your area. The important thing to remember is that goat milk is not the same as goat milk formula — your baby should not be given pure goat milk before they turn 1. Be sure to talk to your child’s pediatrician about any allergy needs your baby has and questions about picking the formula that’s right for them.

Why Goat Milk - Kabrita USA

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The Natural Goodness of Goat Milk

The benefits of Goat Milk vs. Cow Milk

Goat milk has always been a bit of a trade secret among moms and is known for its naturally easy to digest properties. Kabrita has harnessed the gentle benefits of goat milk into our line of Goat Milk Foods, designed for babies and toddlers.

There are a number of important differences between cow milk and goat milk. Is goat milk extraordinary? We think so!

Let's explore what makes Goat Milk the better milk

Choosing Kabrita Goat Milk-based Formula

Naturally easy to digest, goat milk is an ideal protein base for baby formula. Like cow milk, goat milk must also be adapted and fortified to meet the specific nutritional needs of little ones.

At Kabrita, we walk through this process carefully and mindfully, using the highest quality, European ingredients with no GMOs, crafting a safe and gentle formula, with a mild and sweet taste.

Gentle on Tiny Tummies

With a casein composition that leads to a smaller, softer and looser curd in the tummy, and superior digestibility than cow milk, Kabrita Goat Milk Formula is naturally easy to digest and gentle on tiny tummies.

Fortified and adapted

Unlike goat milk, Kabrita Goat Milk Toddler Formula is fortified with additional nutrients, and contains 22 vitamins and minerals, including folic acid, iron, and DHA.

Superior quality and taste

Made with high quality, Dutch goat milk, Kabrita Goat Milk Toddler Formula is the only formula to be certified glyphosate-residue free.

Kabrita Goat Milk Formula may be an alternative for children with symptoms associated with cow milk sensitivity

Cow milk sensitivity may encompass the delayed, mild to moderate symptoms associated with cow milk.

gas, diarrhea, constipation

eczema

chronic chest congestion

recurrent ear infection

reflux

chronic nasal congestion

Parents tell us that Kabrita Goat Milk Toddler Formula has been an option for their little ones with symptoms associated with cow milk sensitivity.

Cow milk curd

Goat milk curd

What about Lactose intolerance and


Cow Milk Protein Allergy?

Lactose Intolerance

Lactose is often blamed for tummy troubles in little ones, but it’s the primary carbohydrate source in breast milk. Lactose is identical, regardless of source (breast milk, cow milk or goat milk). According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, lactose intolerance is uncommon under 2-3 years of age. Lactose intolerance should be assessed and diagnosed by a healthcare provider. Kabrita Goat Milk Toddler Formula is not suitable for children with galactosemia and/or congenital alactasia.

How common?

Recommendation

Lactose intolerance

Uncommon under 2-3 years of age

Avoidance of lactose;
lactose-free soy formula

Cow Milk Protein Allergy

Cow milk protein allergy can be a serious health problem and affects 2-3% of children under 1 year of age. Symptoms may be immediate or delayed, and may include moderate to severe symptoms such as hives, vomiting, wheezing, severe eczema, and/or blood in stool. Cow milk protein allergy should be assessed and diagnosed by a healthcare provider. Kabrita Goat Milk Toddler Formula is not suitable for children diagnosed with cow milk protein allergy (CMPA).

How common?

Recommendation

Cow milk protein allergy

2-3% under 1 year of age

Avoidance of cow and goat milk protein; extensively hydrolyzed/hypoallergenic formula

Are you curious to see if
Kabrita Goat Milk Toddler Formula
may be right for your family?

Try it for FREE* today!

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Goat milk in baby food: what to choose, a whole product or adapted mixtures?

— Ekaterina Andreevna, what is the difference between goat's milk and cow's milk and what is the benefit of goat's milk for the body?

- Goat's milk is considered more useful than cow's milk in a number of ways. It is closer in type of secretion and protein composition to breast milk, so it is easier to digest and assimilate in young children.

In addition, goat's milk has a protective effect on the gastro-intestinal mucosa and is often suitable for children at risk of cow's milk protein allergy with a positive family history. However, if an allergy has already been diagnosed in a child, then goat milk proteins may not always be suitable - only a small percentage of children can do without hydrolysate mixtures and the abolition of dairy products. nine0005

— Is it true that it is better to drink milk within twenty or thirty minutes after milking, otherwise it will lose its beneficial properties?

— In today's world, it's hard to imagine drinking goat's or cow's milk within half an hour of milking, since all milk is produced on farms and factories. It goes through the process of sterilization or pasteurization and only then it is bottled and sent to stores. In the process of processing, milk slightly loses its properties, but this does not make it of little value. Fresh milk is best only if it comes from a proven healthy animal. nine0005

— Is natural goat milk considered hypoallergenic?

- Goat milk cannot be called completely hypoallergenic, since there is a cross-allergy with cow's milk due to the content of some similar proteins in goat's milk. Therefore, if the child is very severely allergic to various proteins in cow's milk, the child may also be allergic to goat's milk. But if there is a reaction to only one type of protein, then goat's milk may well replace cow's. nine0005

Complementary feeding with goat's milk for cow's milk protein (CMP) allergy in infants


— Do all children like the taste of goat's milk?

— Children initially do not have taste preferences: in fact, this is a blank slate. Since they are not given food with salt and sugar on complementary foods, they know the true tastes of foods. And the preferences depend on the kids - someone likes the taste of goat's milk, someone does not. But, most likely, if you initially give goat's milk, then the child will take it for granted, and he will like the taste, because he does not know another. nine0005

— What goat milk baby food do manufacturers offer?

- For newborns and older babies, these will be adapted milk formulas of the first, second and third stages. In addition, "goat" products for feeding are produced - milk porridges, children's cottage cheese, fruit curds, yogurts, vegetable cream soups.

— At what age is it allowed to give goat's milk to a baby?

- Any whole milk (goat, cow, sheep) is not recommended to be given for at least a year. Until this age, milk nutrition should be breast milk or an adapted formula. The composition of the mixture, in addition to milk, contains micro- and macronutrients necessary for a child at this age. In addition, the adapted formula significantly reduces the risk of allergies compared to whole milk. nine0005

Milk for children over one year old



Why can't a young child be fed whole goat's milk?

  • not adapted for protein and fat composition;
  • the amount and ratio of macro- and microelements does not correspond to the age norms of the baby;
  • few vitamins, many minerals;
  • risk of anemia and rickets;
  • falsification by unscrupulous producers of liquid goat's milk by diluting it with cow's milk; nine0051
  • It is unacceptable to use goat milk from animals that have not passed full veterinary control!

— Ekaterina Andreevna, how does goat's milk in adapted milk formulas differ from whole goat's milk?

- The amount of protein in the mixtures is reduced, the ratio of whey protein and casein is close to human milk and adapted to the age of the child. The product is enriched with vitamins, iron and other macro- and microelements. Therefore, the assimilation of goat mixtures is easier, they act on digestion gently and can make up for all deficient conditions. nine0005

Ordinary animal milk is unable to meet all the needs of a child in the first year of life. But the most unfavorable effect of whole milk lies in the significant burden that its components have on the liver, kidneys and other organs of a small child.

- Can goat milk formula replace breast milk?

- Milk formula can be as close as possible to natural nutrition if its formula is adapted and enriched not only with vitamins and minerals, but also with functional substances, for example: pro- and prebiotics, lutein. nine0005

— What is the difference between goat and cow milk formulas?

— The main difference is in the feedstock. The structure of proteins and lipids (fats) of goat's milk differs from the structure of proteins and lipids of cow's milk. Goat milk is more adapted to the characteristics of the digestive system of newborns and toddlers. Fat globules in goat's milk are small and easily digested by enzymes, which contributes to the formation of soft stools, similar to the stool of breastfed children. In addition, unlike cow's milk, goat's milk contains practically no allergenic protein component α-s1-casein. nine0005

Goat milk mixtures are not medicinal. Usually, specialized formulas, such as anti-reflux or hydrolysates, are made only from cow's milk. Otherwise, it is more logical to compare certain brands - manufacturers are trying to improve and add useful components to their products, so all mixtures are slightly different.


Goat's milk is considered healthier than cow's milk. It protects the mucosa of the gastrointestinal tract and rarely provokes allergies. If the baby is allergic to cow's protein, you should also be careful with goat's milk and products based on it and give them only under the supervision of an allergist. It should be remembered that whole milk categorically cannot be introduced into the diet of children before a year - and it is better to postpone its use until at least a year and a half. Until this time, it is worth continuing to breastfeed or an adapted formula. nine0005

* Breast milk is the best food for babies. WHO recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of a child's life and continued breastfeeding after complementary foods are introduced until the age of 2 years. Before introducing new products into the baby's diet, you should consult with a specialist. The material is for informational purposes and cannot replace the advice of a healthcare professional. For feeding children from birth. The product is certified.

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