Goat's Milk for Baby

Goat's milk for the baby is an alternative when the mother can not breastfeed and in some cases when the baby is allergic to cow's milk. This is because goat's milk does not have the alpha S1 casein protein, which is primarily responsible for the development of cow's milk allergy.

Goat's milk is similar to cow's milk and has lactose, but is more easily digested and has less fat. However, goat's milk is low in folic acid, as well as deficiency of vitamin C, B12 and B6. So it may be vitamin supplementation, which should be recommended by your pediatrician.

To give goat's milk you need to take some care, such as boiling the milk for at least 5 minutes and mixing the milk with a little mineral water or boiled water. The quantities are:

• 30 ml of goat's milk for the newborn baby in the 1st month + 60 ml of water,
• Half a glass of goat's milk for baby 2 months + half a glass of water,
• From 3 to 6 months: 2/3 goat's milk + 1/3 water,
• Over 7 months: you can give pure but always boiled goat's milk.

Goat's milk for the baby with reflux is not indicated when the reflux of the baby is due to the consumption of cow's milk proteins because although goat's milk has better digestion, they are similar and this milk can also cause reflux.

It is important to remember that goat's milk is not the ideal substitute for breast milk, and before making any changes in the baby's diet, the advice of a pediatrician or nutritionist is important.

Nutritional information of goat's milk

The following table shows the comparison of 100 g of goat's milk, cow's milk and breast milk.

In addition, goat's milk contains adequate amounts of calcium, vitamin B6, vitamin A, phosphorus, magnesium, manganese and copper, but it has low levels of iron and folic acid, which increases the risk of developing anemia.

See other alternatives to breast milk and cow's milk in:

• Soy milk for baby
• Artificial milk for baby