The best and only proper nutrition for a newly born baby is mother's milk. But what to do if such a natural product of infant nutrition is insufficient or does not exist at all? Properly processed and diluted goat milk for infants can help in these cases.
Why it's useful
From the point of view of being full of useful substances, goat milk is almost ideal for infants. It contains:
- vitamins A, C, D;
- B vitamins;
- proteins (albumin), amino acids (taurine);
- phosphorus;
- calcium;
- potassium;
- copper;
- magnesium;
- manganese.
The benefits of goat's milk for infants are obvious: thanks to the elements it contains, children's bodies are correctly formed and developed. digestive system, growing bones are strengthened, teeth erupt and grow faster. This product does not cause allergies in babies, is easily digestible, being as close as possible to human in its composition, thanks to it the baby’s body absorbs iron well.
Also, a mixture based on a goat product can be indicated for infants to increase immunity, correct, healthy weight gain, and for development in full compliance with medical standards.
Use with caution!
The benefits that goat's milk brings are great, but for complementary feeding it should be used extremely carefully.
Firstly, whole goat milk is strictly prohibited for infants; it can only act as a basis for cereals and complementary foods. It can be added to the diet of infants only from the age of 6-9 months.
Secondly, boiled goat milk and diluted with boiled water should be used for complementary feeding (starting from a concentration of 1:5). If the baby’s well-being has not deteriorated over several feedings, you can try a 1:1 mixture, gradually moving to whole milk (by the age of 1.5 years).
Thirdly, the daily portion of complementary foods with goat milk should initially be no more than 40-50 grams. diluted product.
Young mothers planning to introduce goat's milk into their babies' diet should remember: its benefits are undeniable, but you need to consult a pediatrician. It is the doctor who will determine the advisability of using this product, in what quantities the mixture will not harm, and how often it can be given to the child. For all its usefulness, goat milk should not act as a basis for nutrition, but as a supplement or complementary food (baby formula with porridge).
The benefits of goat's milk are even more significant in cases where children are diagnosed with lactose intolerance. It becomes indispensable, as it performs all the functions of the breast without the danger of provoking an allergic reaction. The microelements and beneficial substances contained in goat milk nutrition strengthen the developing child's body and contribute to its normal development.
It is important to remind you once again: newborn children, even those with lactose intolerance, can only be given goat’s milk as a base mixture for porridge in very small diluted portions!
Can it be replaced with cow's milk?
It is impossible to say with one hundred percent certainty that goat’s milk is exclusively beneficial for a growing child’s body (it is known that this product contains little folic acid, which is why babies may have problems with hematopoiesis). However, those for whom the benefits of products obtained from cows are unconditionally wrong are also wrong, and here is confirmation of this:
- cow's milk often provokes allergies, but goat's milk does not contain allergens;
- cow milk contains less vitamins and minerals than goat milk;
- goat milk mixture is ideal for infants with poor absorption of lactose;
- the benefit of goat's milk is that the fatty acids in its composition are absorbed faster and more completely by the child's body;
- "Cow's" milk formulas contain a small amount of amino acids, so they are not as effective in boosting immunity.
The choice is obvious - the undoubted benefits and abundance of substances contained in goat’s milk, which are important for the newly born body, force pediatricians (and with them young mothers) to make a choice in its favor. The mixture based on such a product is nutritious, it can be used for complementary feeding with the subsequent transition of babies to an “adult” diet.
Results
How great are the benefits of complementary feeding? infants goat milk, as evidenced by numerous references to this amazing product in myths and legends.
- The ancient Greek god Zeus the Thunderer was fed by the goat Amalthea, whose name was immortalized in the name of one of the constellations (thanks to her, the expression “cornucopia” appeared);
- The Persian physician Avicenna considered goat's milk a miraculous medicine;
- The great physician Hippocrates, Avicenna’s Greek colleague, also noted the benefits of this natural product as a medicine and means of preventing many diseases.
Many generations of our ancestors considered a mixture of porridges based on goat products as the best complementary foods for children, and the whole product was a real panacea for the treatment of diseases in adults. And in modern world The benefits of goat's milk have been proven by experts, so its use does not raise any doubts among young mothers. The main thing is that the baby likes this food and contributes to his mental and physical development.
Many parents believe that milk is incredibly beneficial for children. It contains calcium and bacteria beneficial for digestion. Naturally, from an early age the child begins to be taught to drink and eat dairy products, even if the little one desperately resists and shows with all appearances that he does not like them. Is it necessary to insist and is milk as beneficial as is commonly believed, says the famous pediatrician Evgeniy Komarovsky.
Beneficial for children but harmful for adults
In order for milk sugar (lactose) to be absorbed in the body, a special enzyme is produced - lactase. In newborns, the level of lactase is very high, a lot of it is produced, since breast milk is the only food for the baby. As we grow older, the amount of lactase produced decreases, and in adults there is practically no enzyme in the body, since biologically it no longer needs dairy food. But the adult body accepts and digests fermented milk products quite normally.
A decrease in lactase levels in some people begins at 3 years of age, in others at 10 years of age, and in others later. This is an individual feature of the body and there are no norms in this matter in principle.
If nature has provided the child with the opportunity to eat milk, this does not mean that he needs to eat the milk of farm animals. Nature has made sure that the baby absorbs mother's milk well, and not goat's or cow's milk.
Benefits and harms
Milk from cows and goats for children in the first year of life is not just harmful, but dangerous, says Evgeniy Komarovsky. But this fact is quite difficult to explain to parents, who from their own childhood remember the saying that milk is a source of health and energy for a growing body. It is very difficult to explain to parents that due to the lack or lack of breast milk in a nursing mother, it is best to choose an adapted milk formula.
Firstly, this is important from a composition point of view. The mixture contains vitamin D, which prevents the development of rickets. But if you feed your child cow's milk and give him vitamin D supplements separately, then rickets develops very often. And this can be explained by the processes that occur in the body after a child consumes cow's milk.
Cow's milk contains more calcium, than in breast milk, almost 4 times. The phosphorus content is 3 times higher than that of breast milk. The calf needs these amounts of phosphorus and calcium to help its bones grow faster. However fast growth bones for a human baby is not the most preferable development option.
In addition, excess amounts of calcium and phosphorus entering the child’s intestines cannot be fully absorbed. The body will take only the amount it needs, the rest will be excreted in the feces.
With phosphorus other story. His body does not take as much as it needs for normal life, but approximately one third of the amount received. Thus, drinking cow's milk leads to an overdose of phosphorus. The child’s kidneys react to the increased content of this substance and begin to quickly remove excess phosphorus from the body. Unfortunately, it goes away along with the resulting calcium, which is so important for harmonious development crumbs.
The kidneys mature closer to the age of one, and around this time you can start giving the baby milk, gradually introducing it into the diet.
There is no need to give your baby liters of water, giving is enough. one year old child about half a glass of milk per day, for a two-year-old - 1 glass, and for a two-year-old toddler - no more than 2 glasses per day. By the age of 3, all restrictions are no longer relevant, and children can be given this product, be it cow or goat, in any quantity that they are able and willing to “handle.”
Another not very “useful” aspect is intolerance to cow protein, which occurs quite often in children in the first years of life. It manifests itself in the inability to absorb protein, which the baby’s body regards as foreign. The immune system is activated and an allergic reaction begins. If you have such a child, you should not give him any milk. Only adapted mixtures are suitable, preferably hypoallergenic, in which milk protein is processed in a special way and neutralized.
Cows and goats in last years They also eat little natural food, and many of the foods their owners give them contain hormones and antibiotics. Naturally, this entire set passes in certain quantities into milk. This is another reason not to give this product to children under one year old, although the final decision remains with the parents. After all, it is quite difficult to dispute the fact that without milk it is quite difficult to provide a varied diet to a child.
Formula or milk?
If after 12 months a decision is made to introduce whole milk into complementary foods, Evgeniy Komarovsky advises making an informed decision. This product in measured quantities will no longer cause harm, but an adapted infant formula, in which the amount of phosphorus is reduced and the amount of calcium and vitamin D is increased, will still be more beneficial.
The amount of iron in cow's milk is insufficient and regular consumption will lead to anemia. In adapted formulas, this composition parameter is provided, and the child will receive the amount of iron he needs.
If family budget allows you to better choose a mixture appropriate for age - from 12 months. Typically, such mixtures are designated by manufacturers with the number “3”.
Fat or low fat?
Today food industry offers a ton of skim milk options. It is considered preferable for adults and children who cannot tolerate full-fat cow's milk. However, in the very concept of “low-fat”, according to Evgeniy Komarovsky, there is a catch.
Baby milk differs from regular milk by ultra-pasteurization. The percentage of fat content in it is reduced, but is not at the minimum level. The box usually indicates at what age manufacturers recommend the product. Most often it is 8 months. Komarovsky calls for giving such milk if the mother really wants to do it, no more than once a day and in small quantities.
Children after one year can dilute regular milk with 3% fat content. plain water approximately one third of the volume.
Dairy products
It is very good if a mother learns how to make homemade fermented milk products for her child. For them, you can use regular store-bought cow's milk with a fat content of no more than 1.5%.
Complementary foods in the form fermented milk products not very desirable for children with mineral metabolism disorders, with signs of rickets. Therefore, before introducing such complementary foods, it is advisable to consult a pediatrician.
I found an interesting article. I was just thinking about starting to give my daughter goat’s milk a little at a time, but now I’ll probably hold off :)
Goat milk is enough good product, which can be included in your child’s diet. It contains vitamin A, B vitamins, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, copper, manganese. If you are going to use goat milk for infants, then you need to pay attention to the quality of the product, as well as the preliminary preparation of the milk for use.
Properties of goat milk
The absorption of protein and fat from goat's milk is much easier than from cow's milk. This is due to the fact that in goat milk the protein is in a finely dispersed form and a more delicate and easily digestible clot is formed from it under the influence of gastric juice. Consequently, the body spends less vitality and energy to absorb this valuable milk protein. Therefore, goat milk is recommended for children, sick and elderly people. In addition, goat milk proteins do not cause an allergic reaction, since they do not pass through the wall of the digestive tract undigested. Goat milk is characterized by having pronounced antimicrobial properties, as well as antihemorrhagic and antianemic properties. Goat milk has a beneficial effect on the human body in case of thyroid disorders or diseases. It is useful in the presence of respiratory diseases, eczema, tuberculosis and even in the case of radioactive radiation. In addition, goat milk helps in the fight against insomnia.
Recommendations for consuming goat milk can be boiled down to two points. It must be consumed pasteurized or fresh. The packaging must indicate a sell-by date, which is no more than 10 days; if its shelf life is longer, then it is not recommended to take this product. It is recommended to drink goat milk slowly, in small sips.
Feeding an infant goat milk
Fresh goat milk is characterized by having bactericidal properties that prevent microorganisms from developing. It contains immunoglobulin, lactoferrin, lysozyme, lactoperoxidase. Goat's milk contains many enzymes, it even contains a small amount of steroid and peptide hormones.
Goat's milk is generally not used to feed newborns.
How to give goat milk to a baby
- It is recommended to start feeding goat milk at 9 months of age;
- goat milk for infants should be diluted with water in a ratio of 1 to 1;
- Before giving goat milk to a child, it must be boiled. The water should also be boiled;
- It is recommended to consume no more than 50 grams of milk per day, i.e. 100 grams of milk diluted with water.
In addition, it is recommended to monitor the condition and well-being of the child after he was given goat milk for the first time. For the first time, it is recommended to give slightly less milk, it is better to start with 20 grams, diluted 40 grams of milk. If you notice a positive effect from drinking goat milk for a child under one year old, then you can increase the amount of goat milk to 50 grams.
In the diet of a newborn today, in addition to the mother's breast milk, infant formula is used based on the usual cow's milk, as well as goat's milk. In addition, products used as complementary foods are prepared from goat milk. However, it is very important to know at what age you can safely use such milk as food for infants.
Beneficial features
Mother's milk is the best nutrition for a baby, so pediatricians around the world recommend breastfeeding a baby from the first years of life, thereby fully satisfying his physiological and psychological needs. But there are often cases when this feeding option becomes impossible. In such situations, questions quite often arise regarding a worthy alternative, where goat milk is one of the options for feeding infants.
Undoubtedly, this product has unique properties, since the risk of allergies to it is minimal, so goat milk acts as a basis for preparing infant formula for children prone to allergic reactions.
In addition, it contains much less casein compared to a product from a cow. It is this substance that forms a dense clot in the baby’s stomach, which is very difficult for a newborn’s fragile body to digest, which causes some discomfort and problems.
Goat milk is a softer product, which has a positive effect on digestion; as a result, the milk is absorbed almost 100%.
It has been established that goat's milk is closer in chemical composition to breast milk, which has a beneficial effect on the introduction of new foods to the baby's menu. Among the other positive features of milk, one can highlight the fact that it does not contain cow protein, which, in most cases, provokes a reaction such as atopic dermatitis in infants.
Concerning chemical composition goat milk, it is worth noting the presence of vitamin A, B vitamins, as well as calcium and vitamin PP. Due to the complete absorption of goat's milk, its consumption minimizes the risk of developing rickets. In addition, the drink promotes rapid regeneration of bone tissue. Due to the low level of lactose present, the goat product is approved for feeding children with lactose intolerance.
Linolenic acid has a beneficial effect on immune system newborn, and lysozyme has bactericidal properties. Goat's milk has a beneficial effect on intestinal function, reduces the likelihood of constipation, and the potassium and magnesium it contains strengthens the baby's heart.
The benefit of the product is due to its ability to neutralize hydrochloric acid, which is released along with gastric juice, which is important for problems with the gastrointestinal tract.
Maximum concentration useful substances accounts for fresh products, however, goat’s milk is not suitable as a product to be introduced into the infant’s diet as the main food. Usually, complementary feeding dishes are prepared on its basis, but for older children the product must be diluted and boiled. Such changes in consistency and heat treatment change the composition of milk, but it still does not lose its main benefits.
Contraindications and harm
Despite the above positive features of goat milk, the product can cause a negative reaction in the baby if it is used illiterately or hastily as food. The product rarely causes allergies, but such reactions do occur in newborns. Signs of an allergy include skin rashes, runny nose, colic and regurgitation, vomiting, diarrhea and difficulty breathing.
If any of these signs appear, it is necessary to completely exclude milk from the child’s diet. However, according to reviews from parents who have encountered similar situations, once the baby reaches three years old, an allergy to a drink in children goes away on its own, without additional treatment or drug intervention.
Due to the presence of mineral salts in goat milk, its consumption can cause excessive stress on the kidneys of a newborn, so the product should be administered with extreme caution, following the recommendations of pediatricians and the dosage according to age.
It is worth noting the presence of a minimal amount of iron in milk, which is important for a growing body, as well as for infants with low hemoglobin levels. Goat milk is not rich in vitamin D, so the product is not good option as the main complementary food. The drink contains a high fat content, which indicates its nutritional value, but in light of the low lipase content children's body It will be problematic to break them down for complete digestion.
In practice, there have been situations where children were infected with brucellosis, so milk must be boiled before use.
Taking into account the huge number of opinions regarding the exceptional benefits of goat's milk for infants, the decision to switch to such a diet must be made together with a pediatrician who is able to give recommendations for each child individually based on individual characteristics baby, in particular when it comes to infants up to one year old.
At what age can it be given?
The introduction of goat's milk into the baby's menu is limited by the age of the child. As for the opinion of experts, Dr. Komarovsky recommends starting to get acquainted with the drink or products based on it at 1 year. But in special cases, the baby’s consumption of milk is postponed until after 3 years of age, when the risk of an allergy to it will be minimal, and the child’s body will become stronger and more mature.
As for situations where earlier introduction into the diet becomes a necessary measure, the following cases can be distinguished:
- intolerance to other infant formulas and the simultaneous lack of breast milk in the mother;
- continuous long-term regurgitation one month old baby who is on artificial nutrition;
- lack of baby weight;
- general intolerance of the body to milk sugar.
In addition, not every family where breastfeeding for one reason or another is not possible has a financial situation that allows them to purchase expensive infant formula. But you have your own farm and a goat, in which case choosing animal milk becomes the most acceptable option. In addition, there is no doubt about the quality of the product, which alleviates some concerns.
In the form of complementary foods, cottage cheese or kefir are prepared from goat milk for children. After consultation with a pediatrician, the child is introduced to the first dish upon reaching 7 months; from 9 months, cottage cheese or milk can be introduced into the menu, but even a one-year-old child can drink it correctly and safely only in a diluted state.
Rules for introducing into the diet
In order to avoid mistakes when providing the baby with the correct and balanced nutrition when getting acquainted with goat milk, Parents should adhere to the following recommendations.
- It is best to opt for a homemade product from a trusted supplier. It is important that the animals are healthy, and that there are only positive reviews about the products sold.
- If it is not possible to purchase homemade products, you can find a factory-made product in the assortment of modern stores. In this case, it is worth paying attention to the composition and deadlines for its implementation.
- Consulting a doctor before adding milk and milk-based dishes to your baby’s menu should be mandatory.
Use of the product in pure form for children after one year and under 2 years old is not allowed. The drink must be diluted with water. You can start getting acquainted with it by using milk as a base for making porridge or cottage cheese. However, milk must always be boiled before consumption. After the baby adapts 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.
Optimal time During the day, the baby's drink is considered breakfast, since it will take a lot of effort for the child's body to digest it.
How to breed goat milk for infants?
The first time the product must 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. Afterwards, you need to observe the reaction of the child’s body, paying attention to skin and baby's chair.
In the absence of any negative manifestations of the influence of milk on the baby, the daily norm is gradually increased. The recommended dose for a child under one year of age per day is no more than 75 ml; when the child reaches 3 years of age, the daily dose doubles. And the amount of water in the drink, on the contrary, gradually decreases over time. For infants, it is gradually brought to a ratio of 1: 3, and from 3 years of age, milk can be diluted 1: 1.
For introduction into the drink, only warm boiled water should be used. However, the diet of an infant should not consist entirely of animal milk and products made from it; for full development in the first years of life, the baby needs mother’s breast milk.
How to store it correctly?
The established shelf life of fresh goat milk is no more than 3 days; these requirements also apply to the product stored in the refrigerator. To avoid premature spoilage of milk purchased for feeding a child, the product is boiled by heating the drink to a temperature of +72C. A similar technology is used in the production of dairy products, which are sold in supermarkets, and it is called pasteurization.
Foreign manufacturers prepare products from goat milk using a slightly different technology, using heating of the product only to +56C.
Boiled milk must be stored in a glass or enamel container with a closed lid. The best place for this is the refrigerator or any other cool place in the house.
Experience shows that pasteurization completely destroys the microflora in the drink, as a result of which the product can be used as food for 10 days.
An alternative to refrigerated storage is the freezer. You can freeze products purchased in large quantities in the same glass container, and if necessary, remove the bottle or can of the drink, defrost it and use fresh and natural product. After defrosting, in order for the drink to acquire a uniform consistency, it must be shaken. Goat milk can also be stored in ceramic containers.
More more information about goat milk for babies, see the following video.
Is it possible to feed a child goat's milk? This question is asked by many mothers who do not have breast milk, let’s look at what are the disadvantages of such feeding and what are the advantages.
Cons of goat milk
Goat milk is popularly considered a healing product. Is it similar in composition to breast milk? According to doctors, it is fattier, which will lead to longer digestion and stress on the digestive tract; in addition, it lacks the so-called lipase enzyme, which is involved in the process of fat breakdown.
In addition, goat's milk contains a lot of the mineral component phosphorus, which creates an additional load on the baby's still fragile body, in particular on the newborn's kidneys.
In addition, milk obtained from a goat lacks important folic acid, which can cause the baby to develop anemia. Is it possible infant feed them?! The obvious answer is that no, but not everything is so simple...
Pros of goat milk
If you have a choice between cow's or goat's milk, then, according to doctors, it is better to give preference to goat's drink, since it contains less casein, and it is known to take a long time to digest and turns into a dense clot in the child's stomach.
In addition, goat milk contains more different vitamins, in addition, it contains a lot of mineral components such as calcium, which is perfectly absorbed by the baby’s body, as a result, the child’s teeth begin to grow earlier.
It is recommended to take goat's milk to babies prone to so-called regurgitation, since this product is better absorbed, unlike cow's milk. It is worth noting that goat milk practically does not cause allergies in children, that is, it is a hypoallergenic drink, which is important for children who have, for example, atopic dermatitis or other allergic reactions. As you can see, infant In some cases, giving goat's milk is not only possible, but also necessary.
When can you give your baby goat milk?
How to properly introduce this product into a child’s diet?
If you decide to introduce goat's milk into your newborn's diet, then you should first consult with your pediatrician, after which it is important to adhere to some rules.
Try to buy goat milk from friends or by recommendation. It is worth looking at the condition in which the animal is kept; in addition, do not be too lazy to come at least once for the so-called milking.
If you plan to purchase milk on the market, then it is recommended to ask the seller for a special certificate from a veterinarian, which will indicate the health status of the goat.
If milk will be purchased in a store, it is important to carefully examine the date of manufacture on the seam of the package. dairy product, as well as its expiration date. If it is expired, you should under no circumstances buy it and give it to your child.
When feeding a child with such milk, it is recommended to first dilute it with boiled water so that it is less concentrated, and three parts of water should be used for one part of the product. This procedure must be carried out, since milk is quite fatty and can cause problems with stool, in particular, constipation is possible in a child, so it is better to add water.
It is worth remembering that the milk must first be boiled, since heat treatment will contribute to the death of possible bacteria. It is advisable to store it in glass containers, but ceramic or enamel containers are also suitable.
When the child gets somewhat used to using the new product, you can dilute the milk in a ratio of 1 to 2, and after one month you can start using undiluted milk.
As you can see, the benefits of goat milk still outweigh its disadvantages. Of course, for an infant it is optimal to use mother's milk, but in the absence of it, goat's milk may well be its replacement. When transferring the baby to artificial feeding It is recommended that you consult with your pediatrician.
Of course, nothing can replace mother’s milk for a child, but sometimes, in its absence, you have to look for options to replenish it. Many young families use cow milk, but the child may be allergic to it. In such a situation, pediatricians recommend using formulas based on goat products; they are as close as possible to mother’s milk.
It is worth remembering that before using milk from a goat, you should consult with a pediatrician; perhaps the doctor will first recommend some mixtures for the baby, and then, depending on the age of the child, you can use this milk, but it is important to boil it first . After which it is filtered through a strainer, cooled and given to the child.
It is important to use the milk within 24 hours; it is recommended to discard the remaining product. Do not experiment and do not give your child raw milk, as this can lead to negative effects on the digestive tract, in particular, vomiting, diarrhea, and possible pain in the abdomen, in addition, constipation is possible.
