Traditional cow’s milk makes up the vast majority of conventional milk formula products on the market today. The reason for cow milk’s success is its high nutritional profile and the fact that it is well-tolerated by most infants. However, some infants are unable to enjoy the growth-boosting effects of cow’s milk and concerned parents are making the switch to other formulations.
Infant goat milk formula is one such alternative product that is gaining in popularity. The benefits of goat’s milk are similar to those of conventional formulas with some differences. Here, we discuss the pros and cons of making a switch to goat’s milk formulas to provide you with the information you need to make an informed decision.
Let’s look at some specific reasons why you should consider infant goat milk formula.
Provides A Host Of Health Benefits
Goat’s milk contains all the necessary macronutrients, vitamins, and minerals necessary for your baby to grow. After all, baby goats rely on this milk to develop and look at how strong they are. The nutrients inside goat’s milk formulas include vitamin D, calcium, iron, as well as a healthy mix of fats, proteins, and carbohydrates, the whole spectrum. Interestingly, goat’s milk contains at least thirty-five per cent more vitamin C than cow’s milk and there are an abundance of immunity and developmental benefits that vitamin C provides.
Goat’s milk tends to be digested quite easy in the gut of a newborn allowing for easy absorption and rapid growth. Some studies also suggest that goat’s milk contains prebiotics that are similar in nature to those found in breastmilk. This makes goat’s milk an ideal choice for those who are unable to breastfeed their child for a variety of reasons.
Some sources suggest that goat’s milk is a poor substitute for cow’s milk given that the nutritional profile of the former is somewhat worse. In most formula preparations, however, supplementary minerals and vitamins are added to account for this deficiency. In this light, then, goat’s milk formulas can be just as nutritious for your child as more conventional milks.
Great For Lactose Intolerance
If your child is lactose intolerant, you may consider using goat’s milk as an easier-on-the-stomach alternative. By choosing a high-quality goat’s milk formulation, preferably one that is organic, with an appropriate balance of whey and casein, and with no synthetic ingredients added, you can give your child access to all the benefits of cow’s milk without any of the irritating intolerance symptoms.
However, the caveat is that goat’s milk actually does contain milk protein, so it is not entirely lactose-free. It does contain significantly less lactose than cow’s milk which makes it a potentially useful tool for providing nutrition to babies with intolerant digestive systems.
You can even find goat’s milk formulas with added probiotics and extra omega fatty acids. These can provide a boost to your baby’s brain development and significantly increase the ability of their immune system to fight off pathogens. When babies are very young, these things are highly important to develop effective resilience.
Consider All Options For Your Child’s Optimal Health
Whether you choose goat’s milk or the more conventional cow’s milk formula variants, the important thing is to ensure that your child receives all the nutrition they need to grow up healthy. Always consult with your family physician before making significant modifications or changes to your child’s diet. This is especially true if your child exhibits symptoms of a milk allergy or lactose intolerance. Consider the science and contemporary research. Make an informed decision about what type of milk is best for your child’s needs.
