Around one whole quarter of mothers in the USA forgo breastfeeding and opt to use formula or other feeding methods instead. Many of these people search for the best baby formula that they can get for their little ones. So, which options are the best to ensure that babies get everything they need to grow up big and strong?
Below, we outline some of the benefits of goat milk formula for babies, and why it is not only a viable option but a healthy one. By the time you finish reading, you should have a much better idea of your options when it comes to feeding your child and be able to decide what to use. Read on and learn more about this unexpected option.
Is Goat Milk Formula Healthy?
These days, the benefits of goat milk are being investigated almost all the time. People are starting to realize that it is one of the best options of formula for babies and switching to it in large numbers.
In nutrition, goat milk includes many of the vitamins and minerals that a growing baby needs. It also has most of the necessary proteins and other ingredients that make it perfect for a child.
No non-human milk is perfect, though. This is why producers analyze all these products to work out what else it needs.
Producers of formula add extra vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients to ensure that they match human milk as best as they can. Goat milk is closer than other options from the start, though, so it needs far fewer additives than other formulas. If you are looking for a more natural option, goat milk would be the direction to go in.
Is It Better Than Breast Milk?
No, breast milk is intended for the express purpose of feeding a human child.
If you are debating goat milk, we imagine that you are not breastfeeding for one reason or another. In those situations, we want to make sure that you are doing everything that you can to get your child all the nutrients that they need.
Is It Better Than Cow Milk?
There are several benefits of goat milk when you compare it to cow milk formula. These are why people have started opting to try out goat milk and see if it helps their baby more than the other options.
Closer to Human Milk
In its natural state, goat milk is a lot closer to human-made milk than anything that you might get from another animal. This even includes the humble cow, despite our habit as people to drink cow milk more often.
This means that when converting goat milk to a formula that is perfect for a baby, they need to process the milk much less. They also do not need to add as many artificial vitamins or minerals. Many of the levels of vitamins and minerals in goat milk are much closer to human milk than cow milk, for example.
Now, cow milk might be closer in a few areas, such as the quantity of vitamin B12 or folic acid. Still, these wins are few and far between.
Many studies also suggest that goat milk has many "nutritionally desirable traits" when compared to cow milk. It is an option that you are going to want to consider.
Easier to Digest
One of the oft-touted benefits of goat milk is that it is easier to digest for many people. When people talk about this, they mean that the proteins in goat milk are easier to process by the baby's digestive system.
While this would not make too much difference in most cases, babies with sensitive digestion might see the biggest change. This goes extra when you might suspect that the child has cow milk sensitivity. As in this case, goat milk is much less problematic.
You should note, though, that you should talk to a pediatrician before making a major change to a child's feeding routine.
Why Is European Goat Milk Formula Better?
Over the past few years, people have spoken about European formula and whether it is better for babies. There are a few reasons for this. Most of these relate to the differences between the FDA and the European Commission and their reaction to formulas.
The following are some of the ways that European milk formula is different and, many say, better.
Carbohydrates
Over the past few decades, we have started to hear more about the dangers of corn syrup and corn syrup solids. The body handles these in a different way than other sugars, and there are many worries about how a growing child might digest them.
In Europe, they have banned corn syrup from addition to baby formula. Instead, they use:
- Glucose
- Glucose syrup
- Lactose
- Maltose
- Maltodextrins
- Pre-cooked starch
- Gelatinized starch
On top of this, at least 30% of the carbohydrates must come from lactose in European formula. This is the main source of energy in breast milk. Some American formulas contain no lactose at all!
Banned Ingredients
The European Commission also has a list of ingredients that cannot be in formula at all. These include:
- Gluten-related carbohydrates
- Sesame oil
- Cottonseed oil
European formulas also do not contain fillers, such as gums and fibers.
Where to Get Goat Milk Formula for Babies
After reading the above, you might be hyped to get some European goat milk formula of your own to try with your child. There are many options, so you might want to make sure that you are buying from a reputable source that takes the sale of formula seriously.
If you are looking for goat milk formula for babies, we would be happy to recommend you various options. We provide some of the leading European formula brands, so you can know that you are getting high-quality products.
Check out our shop for more information and to see the range that we provide.
