Goat Milk For Babies: When To Give And What Are Its Benefits?

Giving milk to babies becomes an integral part of every young parent. Newborns consume only breast milk or baby formula for the first time, but older babies can be fed with different types of milk. Cow’s milk is the most common option and is a good alternative to breast milk. But, nowadays, goat milk is gaining more and more popularity. It is definitely worthy of your attention and probably interesting for you. So let’s find out some facts about this milk and its suitability for little ones.

What are the benefits of goat milk?

1. It’s less allergenic than cow’s milk. It’s surely helpful for babies whose bellies are so sensitive. The allergenic triggers found in cow’s milk are almost non-existent in goat’s one. That’s why some children tolerate it easier and don’t have any side effects. On the other hand, there are some proteins that can be allergenic too, so goat milk isn’t suitable for every single baby.
2. It’s considered to be more digestible than cow’s milk. Generally speaking, goat milk contains proteins and fats that promote better digestion. Of course, it’s an advantage for babies or toddlers who often spit up or have reflux. Goat milk is able to cope with this problem.
3. Goat milk has slightly less lactose. It doesn’t make a huge difference. But it can work for babies with a mild form of lactose intolerance. But not in serious cases. 
4. It has a closer pH to breast milk. What does it give to your baby? The goat milk’s ideal pH levels can help a little one to avoid some gastrointestinal infections. Their symptoms are diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. So if your baby suffers from it, give goat milk a try.

Is it really safe for babies and toddlers?

That’s a serious question as you definitely don’t want to harm your baby but only benefit him or her. Babies quite often have tummy troubles because of improperly selected baby formula or milk. Even goat milk, which is genuinely popular these days, can do some harm. So when you choose the kind of milk to give, keep in mind these facts about goat milk.

Some experts claim that pure goat milk can be not only unsafe but also life-threatening in some cases as well as pure cow’s milk. It applies to infants under 1 year of age. Every baby’s digestive system is so tender, and it isn’t possible to handle the high concentration of minerals and proteins found there.

The consumption of goat milk can provoke some health issues such as hyponatremia, megaloblastic anemia, allergic reactions, infections, sepsis, and others. Babies are naturally at high risk of different negative reactions as their organism is brand-new and doesn’t resist such diseases. So it’s better to forget about goat milk for infants as it can lead to adverse consequences.

On the contrary, while getting older, a child can take goat milk easily and feel well. It’s a great source of protein, calcium, vitamin B1, and others. Eating it regularly may get your child at lower risk of diabetes, constipation, and cancer. Moreover, it helps to reduce cholesterol levels. And if your little one has high blood cholesterol levels, consider using goat milk. So, when the child’s organism is ready to take, goat milk will provide some advantages. 

But, fortunately, there are a lot of goat-based baby formulas that you can consider for feeding a baby. Manufacturers do their best to make them as safe and beneficial as possible. So they have just the right balance of different ingredients such as fats, carbs, and proteins and are fully healthy for babies. 

When to give goat milk?

Let’s divide this answer into two separate parts: goat milk formula and pure goat milk consumption.

Goat milk formula can be a great alternative to breast milk. Babies who are overly sensitive to cow’s milk formula can be fed with this one. It is considered to be more delicate and digestible and many children really enjoy it. Unlike pure milk, the formula is completely safe and nutritious for newborns so you don’t have to worry about that. 

Pure milk is actually an unsafe choice for infants. If you want your baby to try it because of some reason, consult the pediatrician on this topic. Make sure your little one is ready to consume goat milk and will fully tolerate it. On average, children aged 12 months and older are able to digest all the elements contained in this milk. 

Moreover, if you have started to feed the baby with cow’s milk and something went wrong, you can substitute it with goat milk. Thanks to its lighter elements, it will be absorbed better.

To conclude, goat milk is a great option for babies who can’t stand cow’s milk. It has quite a positive effect on babies only after 1 year of age. Babies under that age should be fed with breast milk or goat milk baby formula, which is also a great alternative. So be conscious, consult a doctor, and choose your best milk.