A lot of parents face a challenge when choosing the right baby formula, especially when health issues are involved. Infants and toddlers with cow’s milk allergy physically can’t digest formulas based on cow’s milk, so other options are called for. And the most common and obvious option is organic goat’s milk formulas. Whole goat’s milk is naturally easier to digest and goat milk’s protein profile is more similar to human breast milk, that’s why baby formulas based on it are also recommended for children with digestion problems and animal milk allergies. Of course, the composition of goat’s milk-based formulas is adjusted to suit a baby’s sensitive digestive system, as whole goat’s milk is allowed only for children after 1 year old.
Ingredients of goat milk formula
Basically, the composition of goat’s and cow’s milk formulas is similar – proteins, fats, carbs, vitamins, and minerals are contained in both baby food products. However, as goat’s milk differs from cow’s milk at a molecular level, the differences between these formulas exist. For example, there is more calcium, potassium, and vitamin A in goat’s milk, while cow’s milk is rich in vitamin B12, selenium, and folic acid.
Natural goat’s milk has less lactose and less sugar than cow’s milk, so goat’s milk formulas can work better for babies with mild lactose intolerance. If your baby suffers from such symptoms as diarrhea, loose stool, nausea, vomiting, bloating and gas, etc, it might be a red flag for lactose intolerance diagnosis. However, only a pediatrician can diagnose this digestion problem and give recommendations as to how you should cope with it.
Difference between goat’s and cow’s milk formulas
First of all, goat’s milk is closer in composition to breast milk, so babies typically react better to it. Especially when it’s an organic formula, produced from the most high-quality organic ingredients. There are 2 main types of beta-casein protein found in milk – A1 and A2. Goat’s milk is naturally A2 (like human breast milk) and better suited to sensitive baby tummies, whereas cow’s milk is A1. The A2 type of protein is easier to digest, it forms a light and soft curd in the stomach that breaks down faster and easier. Thus, goat’s milk, even though it’s fatter, digests faster.
Goat’s milk has more medium-chain fatty acids than cow milk which are more quickly absorbed by the body compared to long-chain fatty acids, which are present in higher numbers in cow’s milk.
Another significant difference between goat’s and cow’s milk formulas is that cow’s milk contains a variety of allergens that might lead to an allergic reaction in babies. That is the reason why some infants and toddlers develop an allergy to cow’s milk formulas. With goat’s milk formula, the situation is much better – it’s comparatively rare for babies to have allergic reactions to this product. There are cases when even babies with a mild allergy to animal milk and lactose intolerance can digest goat’s milk formulas without any problems.
Can goat’s milk formula cause digestive issues in babies?
It’s a lot less common than with cow’s milk formulas, but sometimes yes. Particularly, babies with severe animal protein intolerance and lactose intolerance might not be able to drink goat’s milk baby formulas. There’s less lactose in goat’s milk, but still it’s there. So, if that’s your case, your only options might be plant-based formulas.
In general, goat’s milk formulas are safe for infants and toddlers. Even though plain goat’s milk is not recommended for babies younger than 1 year old, formulas based on it are totally safe because their composition is adjusted to suit little children’s sensitive tummies.
Best European brands of goat’s milk formulas
Recently, goat’s milk baby formulas have become rather popular in Europe and America. So, it’s not a problem these days to find high-quality organic baby food products based on goat’s milk. You’ll even get a variety of options – various brands, stages for different ages of babies, special formulas for kids with health issues, etc. Among the most famous and approved baby formulas are Holle Bio Goat milk formula, HiPP Goat Milk Formula, Jovie Organic Goat Milk Formula, Nannycare Goat Milk Formula, and Löwenzahn Organics Goat Formula. Their compositions and production techniques differ slightly, so you can choose whatever baby product suits your little one better.
Conclusion
Cow’s milk contains a number of allergens that might cause an allergic reaction in babies with animal protein or lactose intolerance. To avoid such health problems, your child’s pediatrician might recommend you try goat’s milk formula. Due to their composition and molecular structure, goat’s milk formulas are digested easier and are better for babies’ delicate tummies. In some cases, such digestive symptoms as diarrhea, loose stool, constipation, gas, colic, and similar problems are lessened or fully healed by replacing cow’s milk baby formula with goat milk formula. However, always consult with a pediatrician about giving your little one a new baby food product or making any serious changes in his/her ration.
