Among the crowds of baby-wearing, extended-breastfeeding, homeschooling, organic-eating moms, you'll likely find one or two who give their infants goat's milk as a substitute for breast milk. It's an odd trend, considering that many of these same moms will vocally eschew cow's milk, noting that it is (correctly) made for baby cows. Proponents of goat's milk for babies often cite online claims that it is similar to human breast milk, and therefore safe and adequate as a substitute. I've seen more than one mom fill a BPA-free bottle with farmer's market goat milk, honestly believing that it is what's best for her baby.
I'm as crunchy as crunchy moms get. I was glad to co-sleep, baby-wear, breastfeed, and make homemade baby food. But, until my daughter was a year old, I wouldn't have let her touch goat's milk with a ten-foot pole. Here's why.
It's more like cow's milk that human milk.
The fatty acids, sugars and proteins in goat's milk are relatively similar to human milk in some ways. However, goat milk still has far more in common with cow-milk than breast milk. A chemical analysisdemonstrates that, while goat's milk may share some nutritive properties with human milk, it shares much more in common with cow's milk. As such, it's just as inappropriate for a newborn as unprocessed cow milk.
It taxes a baby's kidneys.
Goat's milk is very high in sodium, potassium and chloride compared to human breast milk. Because of this, it can severely tax a baby's kidneys, which are not mature enough to handle the overload of electrolytes. When a baby loses fluids due to diarrhea, vomiting or heat stress, he is likely to suffer from serious illness from the overload of unbalanced electrolytes found in goat milk.
It's nutritionally inadequate.
While it may be similar to human milk in a few ways, goat's milk is simply inadequate as a source of nutrition for human babies. Goat's milk is made for baby goats, not baby humans-- and, like cow's milk, its levels of iron, vitamin E, vitamin C, and folic acid are grossly inadequate. Deficiencies in these compounds can lead to learning disabilities, motor delays, neurological damage and diabetes. Meanwhile, levels of protein and fat are inappropriately high for a human baby, taxing the baby's digestive system and increasing the likelihood of obesity.
While it may be similar to human milk in a few ways, goat's milk is simply inadequate as a source of nutrition for human babies. Goat's milk is made for baby goats, not baby humans-- and, like cow's milk, its levels of iron, vitamin E, vitamin C, and folic acid are grossly inadequate. Deficiencies in these compounds can lead to learning disabilities, motor delays, neurological damage and diabetes. Meanwhile, levels of protein and fat are inappropriately high for a human baby, taxing the baby's digestive system and increasing the likelihood of obesity.
Goat milk can kill your baby.
As melodramatic as this statement may sound, it is true: goat milk for babies can have life-threatening consequences. The Southern Illinois University School of Medicine lists fatal anemia, metabolic acidosis, life-threatening allergic reactions, hemolytic uremic syndrome, and severe infections among the consequences of goat milk as an infant formula. At least one baby suffered a series of strokes as a direct result of the nutritional damages caused by goat milk.
As melodramatic as this statement may sound, it is true: goat milk for babies can have life-threatening consequences. The Southern Illinois University School of Medicine lists fatal anemia, metabolic acidosis, life-threatening allergic reactions, hemolytic uremic syndrome, and severe infections among the consequences of goat milk as an infant formula. At least one baby suffered a series of strokes as a direct result of the nutritional damages caused by goat milk.
Your baby is likely to be allergic.
If you want to give your baby goat milk because she is allergic to cow-milk-based infant formulas, think twice. More than 75% of children with cow's milk allergies are also allergic to goat's milk. While goat's milk can be worth a try for milk-allergic children over the age of two, it's still best to get the go-ahead from a pediatrician before trying it out on a child of any age. Fortunately, many varieties of infant formula are available for babies who with allergies and intolerances to specific foods.
If you want to give your baby goat milk because she is allergic to cow-milk-based infant formulas, think twice. More than 75% of children with cow's milk allergies are also allergic to goat's milk. While goat's milk can be worth a try for milk-allergic children over the age of two, it's still best to get the go-ahead from a pediatrician before trying it out on a child of any age. Fortunately, many varieties of infant formula are available for babies who with allergies and intolerances to specific foods.
Formula exists for a reason.
There is absolutely no doubt that breast milk should be the best and only source of nutrition for the vast majority of infants. It's custom-made to meet a human baby's precise nutritional needs. If you want to do what's best for your baby, skip the goat's milk and breastfeed instead. But if, for whatever reason, you can't nurse your baby, formula is a completely viable and acceptable alternative. Infant formula has been specifically engineered to closely mimic human breast milk, and it is far closer to the real deal than any form of animal-derived milk. Always check with your pediatrician-- not the internet, your best friend, or your mother-in-law-- before making any changes to your baby's diet.
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