Goat Milk vs Cow Milk Baby Organic Formula

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The choice to feed your baby organic formula is an easy choice. There are numerous benefits from chemical-free ingredients to sustainably sourced products. In the United States, there is a familiarity with cow milk formula as the majority of the populations who drink milk will drink cow milk. However, through your research of organic formulas and brands, you will have come across goat milk formula. Is there a better choice?

When you are considering goat milk formula vs cow milk formula, you can’t go wrong when you choose the brands that come from Europe. There are subtle differences, even some that may help you convert to goat milk formula instead of cow milk formula.

Cow Milk Product

Goat Milk Product

While some brands exclusively offer cow milk formula, two brands - Holle and Loulouka - also offer goat milk formula while one brand - NannyCare - exclusively offers goat milk formula. 

Why Goat Milk Formula?

When it comes to milk consumption around the world, more people drink goat milk than cow milk. This is due to availability and affordability, especially in rural areas. For that reason, it is not out of the question for parents in many countries to consider goat milk formula for their babies.

Is Goat Milk Formula More Nutritious Than Cow Milk Formula?

Generally speaking, no, one is not more nutritious than the other. This is because all infant formula must meet certain guidelines in order to be approved for a baby’s consumption. It must have all of the vitamins and minerals, but not too much. It must have the right balance of carbohydrates and fats to help a baby thrive. All of these brands meet those guidelines as established by the European Union, the governing body where these brands originate.

Is there a difference in the nutrition between goat formula vs cow formula? Actually, yes. A side-by-side comparison of ingredients may reveal a slight difference in the amounts of some of those ingredients. Cow milk can naturally have more folic acid and vitamin B12 than goat milk. In the end, a baby will not have better nutrition if they are fed goat milk formula vs cow milk formula.

Is Goat Milk Formula Better Than Cow Milk Formula?

This is the interesting part of goat milk vs cow milk. In many cases, some babies will tolerate goat milk easier than cow milk. Why is that?

Milk Protein

All milk has protein, but goat milk is missing a type of casein protein called Alpha S1 that is found in cow milk. Why is this important? Some people have an allergy to milk protein, particularly Alpha S1, so goat milk may be better for some babies because of this.

Smaller Milk Protein

Goat milk is found to be easier to digest than cow milk because it has smaller milk proteins. Not only does it break down better, but it forms into a softer curd that is gentle to the digestive system. 

Lactose

Lactose is the milk sugar that provides energy in a baby’s diet. It occurs naturally in breast milk, so many high-quality baby formula brands will use lactose instead of table sugars, syrups, and other forms of processed sugars. Goat milk formula tends to contain less lactose per serving. This may be easier for a baby to digest if they show signs of intolerance including gas, spit up, diarrhea, and even failure to grow and thrive.

Absorption

In some studies, the nutrients in goat milk are easier to absorb than cow milk. This is beneficial for all babies who are growing and developing at a fast rate.

While goat milk formula may be seen as a more hypoallergenic baby formula because of its milk protein, it is not recommended for babies who have been diagnosed with a dairy allergy. An allergy to a milk protein can still be triggered with goat milk because it is not hydrolyzed enough for their digestive system not to detect.

Naturally Occurring Oligosaccharides

Oligosaccharides is a form of prebiotic that occurs naturally in breast milk. Prebiotics are known to support the healthy bacteria that lives in the gut in order to prevent harmful bacteria. There are some cow milk formulas that add prebiotics such as oligosaccharides from lactose to benefit a baby’s gut health. Goat milk formula does not advertise added prebiotics, but rather naturally occurring prebiotics.

A study published in the British Journal of Nutrition found that goat milk formula may be more similar to breast milk than originally predicted. The number of oligosaccharides found in their samples can do more to protect babies from gastrointestinal infections. Five of those prebiotics in goat milk formula were found in breast milk as well. While more research is needed, this is promising information for goat milk formula as well as infants who are prone to stomach issues.

 Goat Milk Formula 

At The Best From Japan, we offer 3 brands of goat milk formula. They all have unique qualities that make them stand out from each other.

Holle Goat Milk Formula

Holle goat milk formula is made with the same high standard of organic quality as the cow milk formula. Holle goat milk comes from Demeter-certified farms. Demeter certification means that they have strictly followed the philosophy in biodynamic agriculture that promotes animal care, sustainability, and a dedication to an organic lifestyle. Holle goat milk formula is fortified with all of the essential vitamins and minerals, but it does not contain artificial sweeteners or colors. This product also does not contain palm oil.

Holle goat milk formula comes in three stages:

  • Stage 1 - from birth on
  • Stage 2 - from 6 months on
  • Stage 3 - from 10 months on

Loulouka Goat Milk Formula

Loulouka recently released its goat milk formula to the public after years of research. Just like its cow milk formula, it focuses on the essential nutrients for a baby’s growth and development. Premium ingredients such as whole Swiss goat milk and organic lactose are just the start of its list. Organic sunflower oil is used in place of palm oil. 

Loulouka goat milk formula comes in two stages:

  • Stage 1 - from birth on
  • Stage 2 - from 6 months on

NannyCare Goat Milk Formula

NannyCare brought the best of New Zealand goat milk to the United Kingdom. They spent over 25 years researching and promoting the benefits of goat milk formula until it was accepted in Europe just as much as cow milk formula was. It is also their only focus when it comes to infant nutrition. NannyCare also offers a toddler milk stage so that children can enjoy their formula after weaning so that it complements their diet.

NannyCare goat milk formula comes in three stages:

  • Stage 1 - from birth on
  • Stage 2 - from 6 months on
  • Stage 3 - from 1 year to 3 year

With more options in baby’s nutrition, it is good to know that there are choices to nourish and care for your child. Visit our website so that you can compare goat milk formula vs cow milk formula to determine which company answers your needs or promotes your lifestyle. Maybe a change to goat milk formula can alleviate gastrointestinal issues so that your baby feels better as well.