Goat milk is easier to digest and has more beneficial medium-chain fatty acids than cow milk. It is full of vitamins, minerals, and enzymes as well, such as vitamin A, vitamin B, calcium, and lipase. People who are lactose intolerant can often drink goat milk. Goat milk can also be given to infants, but there are a few things you should know first before giving the little one goat milk formula.
Wait Until the Baby is 12 Months Old to Give Them Whole Goat Milk
Just like cow milk, whole goat milk isn’t safe for babies until they are 12 months old. Whole goat milk has too much sodium, chloride, and potassium for infants under 12 months old. Giving young infants whole goat milk can lead to gastrointestinal bleeding, anemia, and stunted growth.
Dilute the Goat Milk and Add a Carbohydrate for Infants Under 12 Months
One way to make goat milk safe for babies is to mix 12 oz of evaporated goat milk with 24 oz of water. Add 12 1/2 teaspoons of rice syrup to the liquid and stir well once more. Pour the prepared goat milk formula into sterilized bottles, and store in the refrigerator. Dump out any formula left over after a week.
Ask Your Pediatrician Before Supplementing with Goat Milk Formula
Infants who are lactose intolerant sometimes benefit from drinking goat milk. However, because goat milk still has lactose in it, not all lactose intolerant babies can have goat milk formula. The same goes for babies with cow milk protein allergy. A few can handle goat milk but others can’t.
If you’re considering switching your baby to a goat milk formula, consult with your pediatrician first. They will be able to determine whether or not it’s a good idea to try it and can monitor how the baby reacts to goat milk.
Check Labels Before Buying a Formula
While shopping for goat milk formula, you should always check the label first because some products cannot be given to babies with cow protein allergy. For babies that can easily digest goat milk, it is a great alternative to cow milk because it contains fewer allergenic proteins.
Goat milk can be safely fed to babies as long as it’s diluted for infants under 12 months old. Babies that are lactose intolerant sometimes have an easier time digesting goat milk than cow milk. Discuss the option of trying goat milk for your baby with his/her pediatrician. Once you’re given the OK, always check the label before buying a goat milk infant formula because some can’t be given to babies with cow protein allergy. Learn more information at Kabrita, which has more online resources available.
