Goats Milk Instead of Formula??

I would be extremely concerned that the baby is not getting enough nutrients from the goat's milk. It is so important in these early months that the baby receive sufficient nutrients for healthy brain and body development. I think your friend seriously needs to speak with a pediatrician about this.

I found this excerpt from Kellymom.com, a breastfeeding website:
"Goat's Milk: Using goat's milk before 6 months or regular use between 6 and 12 months is not recommended. Goat's milk is no more appropriate to give baby than cow's milk. If you need to supplement and breastmilk is not available, formulas are a more nutritionally complete product. Goat milk is much closer in composition to cow milk than human milk. Goat's milk is high in sodium (like cow's milk) and is very high in chloride and potassium, which makes the renal solute load too high for babies. This can cause gastrointestinal bleeding and can result in anemia and poor growth (these problems are usually undetected until months later). Goat milk is also deficient in folic acid, which can lead to megaloblastic anemia. Also, infants who are allergic to cow's milk protein are often allergic to goat's milk too.

While it's true that whole goats milk (and whole cow's milk) was commonly used prior to the advent of infant formulas it is also true that the infant mortality and morbidity rate during the times of such substitutions was very high."

Hope this helps....

Hi J.,

There are many conflicting views when it comes to appropriate alternatives to breast milk.

As an acupuncturist, I inform my patients that if breast milk is not available, goats milk formula, or organic commercial formula are the best options. The most important thing to remember with goats milk (aside from supplementing with Iron - which your friend is already doing) is to boil the milk (to remove brucellosis bacterium). Also, barley malt sugar should be added to the milk.

Feel free to check out the Pediatrics page of my website for more info on breastfeeding - www.AirmidAcupuncture.com

Has your friend considered all options for improving her breast milk supply?

J. Bales, L.Ac.
Airmid Acupuncture

I'm not sure if it is good to give a 2 month old goats milk. She really should be asking her peditrician. You arnt supposed to have real milk until your 1 years old.

Hi J.,
I am all for breastfeeding. I breastfed both of my sons for 15 and 18 months. They started other food when they showed interest in it. I don't know exactly why your friend has problems breastfeeding but going back to it would be the best. Has she tried contacting La Leche League (brastfeeding consultants)? Gassiness is usually the consequence of mom's food. A lot of fresh fruits and green vegetables, light proteins (fish and poultry) (no beans!!!) should help both with milk supply and gassiness. I would try and keep breastfeeding for at least a few more months. Remember also that the less a mom breastfeeds, the less milk there will be. I would do anything to keep breastfeeding since it is the best option for the baby (not always the choice with the least resistance for the mom) but that's why we become moms - to give all of our love and attention to a brand new, beautiful human being, at least while it is still 100% dependable on us. It is our responsibility to give it our best! I wish you and your friend a lot of joy with your babies! Time goes by so fast - every moment is precious and unique. They grow so fast!

I take the info in the first response from Christine, only along with all the other information there is available from other professionals on goat milk.
The article made me laugh and made me cross that certain authorities get away with feeding the unsuspecting public with such rubbish!!
I am certain that on research, we would find that the article was written by one of the formulas companies who are loosing out on sales to a growing number of people who feel that if breast milk isn't available, milk from another mammal is preferable to man made formula.
The protein in goat milk is much easier to digest than that in cow milk which is why infants are usually fine on it while many show adverse reaction and allergy to cow milk.
I would follow the advice from someone below, that she check in with a Naturopathic Doc to make sure she is adding supplements like fish oil, vitamins and iron in the right amounts.
My milk dried up at 4 months with my first child so I can pass on the info given to me by my ND if you like

It's not a good idea to give an infant under 6 month's goat milk. Formula is crafted to meet the high nutritional requirements of newborns. Goat's milk doesn't have DHA, omegas, iron, and many other nutrients that an infant needs to develop properly.
If you know anything about breastmilk, you'll know that it is extremely fatty and complex, with antibodies and nutrients that pass through the mother. A goat does not have the same nutritional needs as a human. It's the same with cows milk under 6 months. After 6 months it's still not the best idea but the baby can handle it better.
If you arent' having any trouble breastfeeding, maybe you could produce a little extra through pumping for your friend? She sounds pretty health concious based on her choice and might appreciate that.

The pediatrician will, likely, not agree. However i gave it to my son. None of the formulas agreed with him. We got a recipe from our uncle who boiled barley and used the pink water along with some Karo syrup and goats milk to make homemade formula but we could never get the pink color right so we just moved directly to goats milk. We did add some multi vitamin drops. The iron is sooooo heavy in the formulas our son just couldn't take it. I Highly recommend goats milk.

also my friend raised her girls on goats milk, but then they live in kansas and actuly milk their own goats. They are very healthy children. But again most of the medical establishment does not condone this idea.

It is absolutely NOT okay or safe. Her baby is not getting enough of the right nutrients, and her baby will soon be malnurished and end up in the hospital if she is not careful. Please, advise your friend to consult with her pediatrician immediately before she causes permanent harm. Her baby is human, not a goat!

I have four month old twins who have been on goats milk since they were 3 weeks old. I had issues with my milk and just couldn't do breast feeding any more. Goats milk formula is a wonderful replacement! The best thing to do with goat's milk if you are getting it directly from a farm is to put it in a pot and bring it up to 160 degrees. You don't have to boil it. Bringing it up to 160 degrees is pasteurizing it, which is the same thing that all dairy milk goes through.

My Ped has been testing my children every month since she has never had a patient who was raised on goats milk and all the blood tests are coming back as a child who is raised on breast milk or formula. I also noticed that my children are gaining weight at the same rate that a breastfed child does. where as a formula fed child might be a little slower in the weight gain. So you will not be hurting the child that is getting it. Some stores do sell a powdered pasteurized goat milk formula. At least here in Oregon there is.

Here is a link on Goat's Milk formula: http://askdrsears.com/html/3/t032400.asp

and here is a link for how to take fresh goat milk and make it into a formula:
http://www.westonaprice.org/children/recipes.html

I hope this helps.

S.

No, she should not be giving her baby this. This is dangerous and her baby's doctor would tell her to stop right away. Her baby is too young and goat's milk lacks key nutrients a young baby like that needs. It is not too late to help increase her milk supply, but she will need help to do it. A board certified lactation consultant is great and so is finding a La Leche League leader.

Best,
M.

goats milk is a much better alternative to conventional formula. it is important to add B vitamins, iron and fish oil. You should refer your friend to a local naturopath who can give her a safe recipe!

J.,
Check with the pediatrician about the goats milk and have her check in with the lactation specialist at her pediatricians office. They can better advise her.
Audery

I would encourage your friend to discuss this with her pediatrician. I think if you are not comfortable discussing any aspect of your child's health with them, you are not with the right one - and she may need to take a look at that as well. I personally do not know enough about the goat's milk for an infant. I only have freinds that used it for older babies when they were transitioning from formula to whole milk - when they had an allergy or other issue, I know that the goat's milk was a great choice at that age.

Good luck with that - and to your friend!