Goat’s Milk To The Newborn: Yes Or No?
Goat’s milk is a healthy food, rich in high biological value proteins and other essential nutrients that contribute to the proper performance of physiological functions. Yet, many are wondering whether offering goat’s milk to a newborn is okay or if it could pose a risk to their health.
Before we begin, we must say that dairy products are valuable foods in our diet. Although they are currently under discussion, scientific evidence indicates that their presence is necessary to enjoy good health.
Benefits of goat milk
Before delving into the subject, let’s review the main benefits of goat’s milk and find out what the position of science is in this regard.
Contributes to the development of the musculature
Goat’s milk contains high quality proteins, nutrients with a high biological value that have all the essential amino acids and good digestibility.
According to scientific evidence, proteins are essential to ensure the proper functioning of muscles and prevent tissue degeneration in the medium term. If the protein requirement is not met, the risk of developing a form of sarcopenia increases.
Increased bone density
In addition to boasting a good protein content, goat milk stands out for its calcium content. This nutrient is essential for ensuring bone health.
Taking it during adolescence reduces the risk of fractures during adulthood, as well as suffering from osteoporosis. This is what a study published in the journal Nutritients reveals .
It is easily digested
Goat’s milk contains less lipids than cow’s milk, which is why it is much easier to digest. Remember that fats are not harmful to health, far from it.
Yet recent studies reveal that these nutrients require a longer gastric emptying time, so they can cause discomfort if consumed in excess.
Goat’s milk to the newborn: from what age and why?
It is possible to replace cow’s milk with goat’s milk, but you must wait a minimum age to include this food in the child’s diet, otherwise he could develop allergy or intolerance.
Pediatricians recommend not giving this product before 12 months, although some experts believe it is possible to introduce it before this age.
Goat’s milk contains a high concentration of minerals. For this reason, it may be too heavy for the developing baby’s kidneys.
Goat’s milk-based formulas for infants
Today the market offers some goat milk formulas suitable for infants. The latter can be an alternative to consider when those based on cow’s milk cause gas or intestinal discomfort to the baby. Thanks to the greater digestibility of goat’s milk, the symptoms may lessen.
In any case, the pediatrician should be consulted before deciding to administer it to the newborn. It is important to carefully read the nutritional values of the formulation in question, making sure that it does not contain too many internal sugars.
Undesirable effects from the consumption of goat’s milk in infants
The main risk deriving from the administration of goat milk to the newborn is the development of an allergy to the proteins of this food. A cross allergy between the proteins of the two drinks could occur : if one is not tolerated, it will probably not be possible to introduce the other into the diet either.
Apart from this risk, no other undesirable effects have been identified following a correct inclusion of this food in the diet, i.e. at the age of 12 months. Only mild, albeit annoying, intestinal disturbances, such as gas formation, may occur.
Goat’s milk, an alternative for newborns
It is possible to evaluate the inclusion of goat milk in the diet of the child over 12 months of age. This food, in fact, is more digestible than cow’s milk. It contains a high concentration of nutrients, among which proteins and minerals such as calcium stand out.
Finally, its lipid profile is considered healthy. Although they are mostly saturated fatty acids, the concentration of the latter is lower than that of cow’s milk.
