Would You Give Your 8 Mo Old Goats Milk?

Updated on June 20, 2008
L.J. asks from Los Angeles, CA
28 answers

Hi, after nursing for 7 months we put our DD on Lipil w/Iron. Baby caught a cold and once cold symptoms were gone, her cough continued and it sounded like congestion. After 3 - 4 weeks, i asked dr if the milk based formula was causing this. She said try soy based formula. My problem w/Soy based powdered formula is it is 50% corn syrup as the first ingrediant. Even the Whole food organic version has corn syrup as a first ingrediant.

I like the idea of goat's milk (they have a powedered version at Whole Foods) however, it doesn't have ARA or DHA and other ingrediants that might benefit a baby under one year. Any suggestions how to supplement the goats milk until she is one yr? Some said there was but couldn't remember.

Side note: we are not certain she is allergic to cow's milk and may revisit it in a few months. We've only been on soy for one week and the congestive cough seems better but it isn't gone yet. She is interested in table foods, and so far, in addtion to baby food, we have given her mushed avocado, yams, yobaby yougart and some fruit.

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C.M.

answers from Los Angeles on

There is a formula called Nutramagen that is for babies with milk allergies. I have a friend whose 6 year old son has MAJOR allergies to milk, wheat, etc. That is what he had until he was maybe three.

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W.D.

answers from Los Angeles on

I wouldn't worry about the ARA/RHA. The stuff in formula is synthetic and my doctor thinks that it is very bad for babies.

Good luck with the goat's milk,

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P.M.

answers from Honolulu on

My Aunt has 6 kids and her 5th refused to breast feed. She gave him goats milk for the entire time she would have breast feed him. He is perfectly fine now at the age of 11 and has no health issuse.

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T.

answers from Las Vegas on

L.,

No, I would not give straight goats milk and here is why:

In theory, goat's milk is less allergenic and more easily digestible than cow's milk, but it should not be used as a substitute for infant formula. Like cow's milk, it can cause intestinal irritation and anemia. If your baby under one year of age is allergic to cow's milk-based formulas, try either a soy-based formula or a hypoallergenic formula. If your baby can't tolerate either soy or hypoallergenic formulas, in consultation with your doctor and/or a pediatric nutritionist click here for the recipe for goat's milk formula.

You can find the rest of this artical and the recipe for goats milk formula here:
http://www.askdrsears.com/html/3/T032400.asp

My son is allergic to both dairy and soy. You can buy hypoallergenic formula. Similac Alimentum is one and Enfamil Nutramigen is another that are both available in the grocery store. No formula is truly hypoallergenic but if these don't work, the higher level of hypoallergenic formula is called Neocate and you have to special order it from a pharmacy or get it online.

Just in general, an 8 month old baby needs breastmilk or formula as their primary source of nutrition. Nothing else would be considered a whole food source for this age. To use straight goats milk or cow's milk or any other type of milk would risk malnourishing your baby and making her sick. Frankly, if you didn't want to give formula, you shouldn't have quit breastfeeding. Other than some type of formula or breastmilk, there really aren't any other good or healthy choices.

T.

1 mom found this helpful
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M.M.

answers from Los Angeles on

Hi,
I don't know about the goats milk, so I can't really say about that, but i am interested in that too.
My son is on prosobee. Seems to be doing him good.
As far as the congestion, you might want to try getting a humidifier for your daughter.
My other son had a congestion after a cold that just wouldnt go away. Our dr had suggested a humidifier for the room, so after like a week cuz i just didn't belive it would really help, we gave in and got one.
Well, surprisingly it worked! You could get the cheapest one or the more expensive one, dosen't really matter. what matters is the size of the room.
Good luck and if you can, let me know what worked :)

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M.B.

answers from Los Angeles on

What does your pediatrician think? I used goats milk with my first child but it was after the 1st year. My other two had reactions to even the goats milk and we ended up using rice milk which worked like a charm but this was all after nursing for a year. Also, the milk wasn't their main source of nourishment, by then they were eating a variety of foods at each meal.

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W.S.

answers from Los Angeles on

If you decided on the goats milk, still remember that it is an animal and can cause the same type of allergy. You can supplement your baby with fish oils to help with proper brain developement and so many other benefits. They sell a chewable form of fish oils called Carlson's for Kids DHA at Henry's, pop open the pearl and sqeeze it in to juice or the milk. Good luck!!

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V.M.

answers from Los Angeles on

Try regular soy milk, I assume she's at least trying solid foods??? You may want to ask your Dr if regular soy milk with DHA is appropriate yet, and maybe supplement with Poly-vi-sol (liquid vitamins for babies).

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J.W.

answers from San Diego on

I would use goat milk with no hesitation. I fed my boys goat milk when I needed extra to feed them(twins) and when the first born had 'breastmilk jaundice'.

There is a chewable DHA supplement called Brainiums. Reply if you are interested.

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E.N.

answers from San Diego on

My mom gave my oldest sister goat's milk as an infant. This was back in the late 60's, she was breastfeeding and got pregnant with my second oldest sister when the first was only 6 months old. In those days they said you should stop breastfeeding if you were pregnant, so she did and she gave her goat's milk instead. My mom says it's the closest thing to human milk, not perfect, but the closest. She got a recipe from a book by Adelle Davis, to add things to it. At any rate, my sister is now 41 and has always been as healthy and smart as could be. Sorry I don't know more up-to-date information, but maybe there is something more current out there.

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L.C.

answers from Los Angeles on

Hi L.: My 5th daughter has a lactose intolerance. While I was nursing her I couldn't even smell cow's milk - even too much beef and she would start spitting up too much. When she self-weaned at 11 months we had her on Nutramigen formula and continued that till about 14 months.(Expensive!)I then introduced goat's milk mixed with rice milk becasue neither would upset her and there was lots of needed fat in goat's milk. I was leery of soy for a variety of reasons. I used rice milk as well to cut cost - goat's milk is $12 a gallon at Trader Joe's - the cheapest I've found it. Her pediatrician has mentioned that she does need a good variety of foods, including meat and chicken because goat's milk is lacking in some needed nutrients. He had sugeested I try soy and I regret not starting her out on that. Anyway - that's my experience. Good luck!

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A.C.

answers from Los Angeles on

When our daughter (now 14 mos) started on cow's milk she became really constipated and had a hard time adjusting to the cows milk so we did give her goats milk for a while. We would mix cow, goat and water until her body adjusted. She was a 11 months when we started that so a little older than yours but eating exactly the same foods as yours. Anyway the goat milk had no adverse affects and she did fine. Now she is a cow milk drinker!

Good luck!

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L.K.

answers from Los Angeles on

Go for the goats milk. It sounds like a good option. Soy milk can also cause fertility problems in boys, it mimics estrogen so I would use it for girls either.

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D.H.

answers from Reno on

My one-year-old is allergic to cow's milk. We've seen an allergist as well as our pediatrician, plus some extensive research. what a journey it has been! It has been interesting. I wish you luck on deciphering what the allergy is about.
Goats milk, should you decide it is okay for an 8 mo old, is often guilty of causing the same allergic reactions as cows milk. Though it does not have casein, the milk has many similarities to cows milk. My pediatrician admitted this, though he likes goats milk as an alternative, and my allergist suggested don't even try it.
I am sure you will have the allergy pinned down great in the next couple months, but you may want to still consider the soy formula, as the corn syrup may be less harmful in the long run than exposing her to more allergens (if she does turn out to have the allergy) and risking her to be dairy intolerant for her whole life.
But then...if you haven't noticed other allergy signs by now to the milk formula (like a diaper rash that occurred in a small space of time of contact with her poop, or rosy red/chapped cheeks), she probably is not allergic to milk at all, but rather some other food she has eaten. Corn is a high allergen, for instance. Maybe it was just something she ate, or allergies to the season too.
once again, good luck! It is just no fun. but sounds like you are a great mom.

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D.G.

answers from Los Angeles on

I was allergic to milk when I was a baby and it took my parents about a year and a half to figure it out. I had an infection every month till then and when I was three I had my tonsils removed because of the scar tissue. After that I grew up on goats milk, but I was also eating solid foods, so I was getting my nutrition in other ways. My daughter had severe colic and so I too decided to try other formulas. Soy caused diahrrea and Nutramigen was too bad tasting. So I tried goats milk. She ended up anemic because I was ignorant and not aware that iron supplementation was so important. There are quite a few other nutrients that are pretty important that you would need to supplement. I think goat milk is a great choice but just make sure you buy some supplements. First Poli-vi-sol for the iron and vitamins, it's formulated for infants. Also buy some old fashioned cod liver oil and give it to her for the omega 3's. There should be a liquid form of supplementation for the ARA & DHA at the health food store too. She will not like it at first, but she will get used to it in time. And some things you just have to force your baby to take because you know best. My daughter had to take mega doses of iron and I felt so so bad for being so dumb. Good for you that you are asking before you do it. When I asked the doctor they just said they didn't recommend it, did not tell me why. As your daughter gets more in to regular food, you can relax more about the supplementation, but of course supplements are always a good thing at this age. Well, I hope this helps a little.

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K.F.

answers from Los Angeles on

Hi L.,

Here are some recipes I received when I was a postpartum doula. They are for formulas for newborns who needed supplementation. Good luck to you - K.
Formula #1

1. 32 ounces of goat's milk
2. 200 micrograms folic acid
3. 1-2 mg. B complex (dissolve 50 mg tablet in l ounce dropper bottle and use l
dropper each day in formula)
4. 1/4 tsp. flax seed oil
5. l drop vitamin E (mixed tocopherols)
6. 1 drop Beta-carotenes

Formula #2 Formula for babies who don't work well with cow or goat's milk: if
using this formula with goat's milk, add 100 micrograms folic acid..

1. 1 quart soy milk
2. l cup carrot juice
3. 1/4 tsp. barley green
4. 1/4 tsp. nutritional yeast
5. 200 IU vitamin D
6. 100 mg. vitamin C (or more)
7. 1 tsp. safflower oil
8. 3 tsp. maple syrup

To both of the above formulas you might add 1/8 tsp. bifid factor to each 4 oz.
serving (1 tsp/quart)

Medipro Infant Mix

Mix the following dry ingredients thoroughly:

1. 1 jar Medipro powder (18 ounces)
2. 45 calcium citrate capsules (150 mg. capsules, 6750 mg of elemental calcium total)
3. 5 taurine capsules (500 mg.. capsules, 2500 mg. total)
4. 1 tsp. lit salt (sodium/potassium chloride)

Mix the following liquid ingredients thoroughly:

1. 1 quart flax seed oil
2. 2 drops K-quinone (2 mg/drop vitamin K1, 4 mg Kl total)
3. 2 vitamin E capsules (400 IU/capsule, d-alpha tocopherol, 800 IU vitamin E total)
4. 30 vitamin D3 capsules (400 IU/capsule, 12,000 IU vitamin D total)

Combine dry and liquid ingredients, andmix well.

Source: Dr. Molly Linton N.D., L.M.
B. O'Bryan N.D.

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S.T.

answers from Los Angeles on

Yes...
Besides all our regular appointments with our pediatrician we have been consulting a well respected naturopath / homeopath. When I weaned my daughter around 6months, he highly reccomended to use gouat's milk, thined with water a bit of rice syrup and a vitamin complement. You can find may recepies for this on the internet. My daughter did not like it and got a bit of diarreah, so soy based formula was a better fit for her. But goat's milk was definetely our first option.

Good luck!

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R.V.

answers from San Diego on

Hi L.,

I know you've gotten lots of replies, I just had a couple quick thoughts for you. About the DHA supplement, Dr. Sears makes a supplement called Go Fish, for babies 6 months and older. It has no fishy taste & has been thoroughly screened for mercury. You can check it out at www.askdrsears.com, just click on "Go Fish Omega 3 DHA." Of course you could also try fish oil from GNC, it's screened for mercury as well. But, DD might object to the taste.

As for the yobaby yogurt, the very second ingredient is sugar. Of course they call it "organic refined milled sugar," but at the end of the day it's sugar. I just mention it since you're concerned about the corn syrup in the formula. We give our son organic whole milk plain yogurt, and although I think it's a little tart w/ no sweetener, he loves it. Just a thought...

Good luck,

R.

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R.P.

answers from Los Angeles on

It sounds like you could do some research and get her on solids with ara and dha and goats milk... I think that a lot of the baby foods have ara or dha now.
Good luck.
R.

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T.S.

answers from Los Angeles on

Absolutely. I have a set of twin boys now nine and when they were born, one of them had severe allergies and eczema just about everywhere on his body. Not listening to any advice given by practically everyone, I had him tested for allergies at an early age. I found out he was allergic to pretty much everything. I had to stop breast feeding after one month and I was told to start him on goats milk, (powered form) It took a few months, but his allergies cleared up and the eczema was gone. I don't know if the goats milk helped, but it certainly didn't hurt. To this day, there's no eczema and he's barely allergic to anything. Only you know your child. follow your heart. Best to you both.

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A.Y.

answers from San Diego on

Hi L.,
Looks like you have many good replies...My suggestion is to find out just how much the cost of the testing would be and see if it would be worth testing your daughter if that is what your peidatrician suggests doing. Your child's health is way too important to have to sit around and wait just because the insurance doesn't want to pay for it. I'd do some research and find our what it all entails and if it is safe etc. and then do it if that's what you feel needs to happen. Try and remember what your first instincts were and go with them. Sometimes when you have doctors and others opinions in numbers it's hard to remember how you really feel. You know your child best. You could also try having your doctor refer you to a "specialist" then that specialist could get the "OKAY" to do the testing. Referals may take awhile, but it may be worth it. Best of luck!

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P.V.

answers from Los Angeles on

L.,
My husband grew up drinking goat's milk. When a baby he did not take breast milk, formula nor regular milk... so my mother in law opted for goat's milk. He loved it and stuck with it until he was a little bit bigger that he could take whole milk like other kids. I think there's nothing wrong with it. It is healthy and good source if vitamins, and besides it's very gentle to the baby's tummy. If this is what your baby will take, give it a try. My mother in law says that my husband was a very healthy baby! an now a days he is still very healthy overall.
But always find to supplement with other good foods such as pureed veggies, fruits, etc. Even still try giving him formula and the other kind of milk you were giving him or thinking of giving him, you know that babies need more than one try (some times several times) before they start taking something. But the organic (or non-organic) baby food that they sell that contain ARA and DHA. There are a lot of foods now that come with these contents such as fruits (gerber/mother earth) and some cereals I believe. And, just give your baby other nutritious sources of food that you may make research on. As long as it's pureed and dgentle to your baby's tummy, it will be ok. But do your homework and do some research about goat's milk. I am just sharing with you my husband's experience with it.

Good luck

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M.S.

answers from Los Angeles on

I would give my doctor a call as he is certified in naet (Nambudripad Allergy Elimination Techniques). Let me know if you want his name and number. My baby grand daughter has been treated with wonderful results.

M.

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J.K.

answers from Los Angeles on

I certainly wouldn't give any child cow's milk! See Dr Epstein's site: www.preventcancer.com & read: Health Hazards of GE Milk
J.

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E.S.

answers from Los Angeles on

I don't really have experience with the milk issue so I don't have advice there, but I just wanted to mention this just in case you haven't already had her ears checked. My son had a similar thing happen (a long cold with a bad cough that wouldn't go away) and it turned out his cough was from an ear infection that had developed.

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B.S.

answers from San Diego on

my son was allergic to wheat a and dairy so we had to do soy formula once I stoped nursing (my milk dried up at 9months). Then, at a year we did goats milk...just not sure if at 7 months it is too soon??? I would contact a lactation nurse- Milk Made From home (Eve MOran) is FANTASTIC!!!!!! SHe is in the Mission Hills/Hillcrest area. Good luck!

C.D.

answers from Los Angeles on

I gave my 5 day old vitamin A & D fortified goats milk when my milk supply was delayed... as a supplement. Her father has trouble with cows milk, so we use it regularly in our home for tea, etc. I trust it over formula to provide live food that contains identifiable nutrients to cells. Formula makes lots of claims about health but the baby really cannot assimilate many of the processed additives. If you do decide to use goat's milk, then fresh would be better than powder.

If you have time, you might want to watch this 20/20 segment about the formula industry, called "Milk Money."

http://www.drjaygordon.com/development/index.asp#

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R.D.

answers from Los Angeles on

Hi L.,
I pumped for my son for 18 months and now he drinks goats milk. I use the powdered Meyenberg brand because it has Vitamin D. I contacted the company for info on their product and the woman sent me back lots of info comparing goats milk to cows. Goats milk is so much better for babies and closer to human breast milk than anything else. i would for sure go to their website and email them it was very helpful!
Good luck!

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