Goat milk for babies: when and how can I give?

In the diet of the newborn today, in addition to breast milk of the mother, infant formula based on the usual cow's milk and goat milk is used. In addition, based on the milk of goats prepare products used as complementary foods. However, it is very important to know at what age you can safely use such milk as food for infants.

Mother's milk is the best nutrition for infants, so around the world pediatricians recommend feeding the baby from the first years of life with a breast, thereby fully satisfying his physiological and psychological needs. But there are cases when such a feeding option becomes impossible. In such situations, quite often there are questions about a decent alternative, where one of the options for feeding babies is goat milk.

Undoubtedly, this product has unique properties, since the risk of allergy to it is minimal, so that goat milk acts as the basis for the preparation of infant formula for children prone to allergic reactions.

In addition, much less casein is present in its composition, compared to a product from a cow. It is this substance that forms a tight clot in the baby's stomach, which is difficult to cope with the digestion of which to the fragile body of the newborn, which causes certain discomfort and problems.

Determined that In terms of its chemical composition, goat milk is closer to breast milk, which has a beneficial effect on the introduction of a new food in the baby’s menu. Among the other positive features of milk, we can highlight the fact that it does not include cow protein, which, in most cases, provokes such a reaction as atopic dermatitis in infants.

With regard to the chemical composition of goat milk, it is worth noting the presence in it of vitamin A, vitamins of group B, as well as calcium and vitamin PP. Due to the complete absorption of goat milk, its use minimizes the risk of rickets. In addition, the drink contributes to the rapid regeneration of bone tissue. Due to the low presence of lactose, goat product is allowed for feeding children with lactose deficiency.

Linolenic acid has a beneficial effect on the immune system of the newborn, and bactericidal properties are inherent in lysozyme. Goat milk has a beneficial effect on the intestinal function, reduces the likelihood of constipation, and the potassium and magnesium contained strengthen the baby’s heart.

The maximum concentration of beneficial substances falls on fresh products, but in the role of a product for introducing into the infant's diet as a staple food, goat milk is not suitable. Usually based on it, dishes are prepared for complementary foods, and for older children, the product must be diluted and must be boiled. Such changes in consistency and heat treatment change the composition of milk, but it still does not lose its main advantages.

Despite the above-mentioned positive features of goat's milk, the product can cause a negative reaction of the baby with illiterate or hasty use of it as food. The product rarely causes allergies, but these reactions still occur in newborns. Symptoms of allergies include skin rashes, runny nose, colic and regurgitation, vomiting, diarrhea and difficulty breathing.

If any of these symptoms occur, it is necessary to completely eliminate milk from the child’s diet. However, according to parents who have faced similar situations, when a child reaches the age of three, the allergy to the drink in children goes away on its own, without additional treatment or medical intervention.

It is worth noting the presence of a minimum amount of iron in milk, which is important for a growing organism, as well as for infants with low hemoglobin levels. Goat milk and vitamin D are not rich, so the product is not a good option as a basic complementary food. The drink includes a high content of fats, which speaks of its nutritional value, however, in light of the low content of lipase, it will be problematic for a child's body to split them for proper digestion.

Taking into account the huge number of opinions about the exceptional benefits of goat milk for infants, the decision to switch to a similar diet should be made together with a pediatrician who is able to give recommendations for each child individually based on the individual characteristics of the baby, in particular, when it comes to babies up to a year.

Introduction to the menu of baby goat milk is limited by the age of the child. As for the opinion of experts, Dr. Komarovsky recommends starting acquaintance with a drink or products based on it in 1 year. But in special cases, the use of milk by the baby is postponed for a period after 3 years, when the risk of allergy to it will be minimal, and the child's body will get stronger and form.

As for situations where the introduction into the diet becomes a necessary measure, the following cases can be distinguished:

• intolerance to other infant formula and the simultaneous absence of breast milk from the mother;
• incessant prolonged regurgitation of a monthly baby who is on artificial nutrition;
• lack of baby in the mass;
• general intolerance to the body of milk sugar.

In addition, not every family, where breastfeeding for one reason or another is not possible, the financial situation allows you to purchase expensive infant formula. But there is a farm and a goat, in which case the choice in favor of animal milk becomes the most acceptable option. In addition, as a product, there is no doubt that removes some concerns.

In the form of complementary foods, cottage cheese or kefir is prepared from goat milk for children. After consultation with the pediatrician, the first dish is introduced to the child upon reaching 7 months, from 9 months you can enter cottage cheese or milk into the menu, but it is safe and safe to drink even to a one-year-old child only in a diluted state.

In order to prevent mistakes in the course of providing the baby with proper and balanced nutrition when meeting with goat's milk, Parents should follow the following guidelines.

• It is best to opt for a home product from a trusted supplier. It is important that the animals are healthy, and there are only positive reviews about the products sold.
• If there is no possibility to buy household products, you can find a factory product in the assortment of modern stores. In this case, it is worth paying attention to the composition and deadlines for its implementation.
• Consultation with a doctor before adding milk and dishes based on it in the baby’s menu should be mandatory.

The use of the product in its pure form for children after a year and 2 years is not allowed. The drink must be diluted with water.You can begin to get acquainted with it, using milk as a basis for cooking porridge or cottage cheese. However, milk should always be boiled before drinking. After the baby has adapted to the product, the amount of added water can be gradually reduced, and after a few months you can switch to the usual pure goat milk composition.

The first time the product should be diluted with water in a ratio of 1: 4, the amount of drink for the first acquaintance should be no more than 2 teaspoons. After it is necessary to observe the reaction of the child’s body, drawing attention to the skin and chair of the baby.

In the absence of any negative manifestations of the influence of milk on the baby, the daily rate is gradually increased. The recommended dose for a child up to one year per day is no more than 75 ml, when the child reaches 3 years old, the daily rate is doubled. And the amount of water in the drink, on the contrary, gradually decreases with time. For infants, it is gradually adjusted to a ratio of 1: 3, and from 3 years old it is possible to dilute milk 1: 1.

For the introduction of the drink should use only warm boiled water. However, the diet of an infant should not consist entirely of animal milk and products from it, for the full development in the first years of life, mother’s breast milk is necessary.

The established shelf life of fresh goat milk is not more than 3 days, these requirements also apply to the product stored in the refrigerator. To avoid premature spoilage of milk acquired for feeding the child, the product is boiled by heating the beverage to a temperature of + 72 ° C. This technology is used in the production of dairy products, which is sold in supermarkets, and it is called pasteurization.

Foreign manufacturers prepare products from goat's milk according to a slightly different technology, using heating the product only up to + 56С.

Store boiled milk should be in a glass or enamel bowl with the lid closed. The best place for this is a refrigerator or any other cool place in the house.

An alternative to cold storage is the freezer. To freeze products purchased in large quantities, you can in the same glass container, and if necessary, remove the bottle or jar with a drink, thaw and use fresh and natural product. After defrosting, in order for the drink to acquire a homogeneous consistency, it must be shaken. Also storage of goat milk is allowed in pottery.

For more information on goat milk for your baby, see the following video.