Do Goat’s Milk Formulas Provide All the Nutrients My Child Needs?
Many mums are considering goat’s milk formula as an alternative to the standard cow’s milk formula these days, mainly because the formula can be a lot easier to digest for toddlers with a sensitive tummy. But does goat’s milk formula contain all the nutrients your child needs for proper growth and development? Read on to find out!
Goat’s Milk Formula Is Nutritionally Complete
For mums who worry about the nutritional completeness of goat’s milk formulas – such as the popular Oli6 Dairy Goat Formula – there is absolutely nothing to worry about. Goat’s milk formula is nutritionally complete, which means it contains all the nutrients your child needs for proper growth and development. In fact, the source product of this formula actually contains higher levels of certain vitamins and minerals compared to regular cow’s milk.
Higher in Calcium, Magnesium, Vitamin A, and Vitamin C
When comparing the levels of vitamins and minerals in cow’s milk and goat’s milk, there is a clear difference in essential vitamins and minerals such as calcium, magnesium, vitamin A, and vitamin C.
Goat’s milk contains higher natural levels of many vitamins and minerals mentioned above. With high levels of these crucial vitamins and minerals already present, goat’s milk manufacturers can keep additives inside the formula to a lower level. So, mums who prefer a more natural formula for their child could find goat’s milk formula preferable to a cow’s milk formula.
Higher in Prebiotic Oligosaccharides
Children who struggle with digestive issues could find a solution in goat’s milk formula. The source product – goat’s milk – contains higher levels of natural prebiotic oligosaccharides; these are the non-digestible fibres that remain in the large intestine to aid digestion.
When prebiotic oligosaccharides enter the large intestine, they start the process of water absorption. Then, when stool comes to pass after a feeding, it encounters this water and instantly becomes softer and easier to pass. Thus, children with regular cramps and other signs of constipation could find a goat’s milk formula like Oli6 helpful goat’s milk formulas easier to digest.
In addition to absorbing water, prebiotic oligosaccharides also promote the growth of healthy gut bacteria such as lactobacilli and bifidobacteria. These bacteria help the body to digest the food we eat, so once again this could have digestion-related benefits for your little one.
Finally, by promoting the growth of healthy bacteria, prebiotic oligosaccharides inside goat’s milk formula directly limit the growth of pathogenic bacteria; these are the bacteria that could cause illness, inflammation, and digestion-related problems. By limiting their growth, your little one could become much less susceptible to common digestion complaints.
Similarities to Human Milk
Another thing to remember about goat’s milk formula is that goat’s milk has many similarities to human milk. Even though human milk is the best thing for a little baby, there are some instances where mums have to implement mixed feeding or instances where mums cannot breastfeed at all. Therefore, being aware of a formula that shows similarities to human milk can only prove advantageous.
Goat’s milk is similar to human milk in the sense that its prebiotic oligosaccharides are structurally similar. It also contains a similar amount of phospholipids, compounds responsible for brain development. Phospholipids have also shown to reduce the risk of gastrointestinal infections, so this similarity to human milk once again provides benefits for children with sensitive tummies.
The source product of goat’s milk formula has the same levels of nucleotides as human milk, substances that aid in cell development and cell regeneration. Add to that other similarities such as a similar amount of amino acids and protein, and mums could find the perfect alternative in goat’s milk formula if they are not able to breastfeed their child. Naturally, goat’s milk formula is also an option for mixed feeding.
Of course, if your child has displayed severe gastrointestinal problems after the consumption of cow’s formula, it is always recommended to consult a paediatrician before you switch to any other formula. While your child just may have some problems digestion his food, it is better to be safe than sorry where nutrition is concerned.
It is a much better option than baby vomitting up complete or almost complete feeds and screaming in pain for hours. As toddlers some can’t even have dairy products (including contents of any food or drinks) of any kind apart from Lactose Free. It is not readily available in some places