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Feed the baby goat's milk. Goat milk for infants: benefits, harm, rules of use

Without a doubt, milk from the mother's breast is the most useful and valuable for any baby, but sometimes there is a situation when breastfeeding is impossible. In this case, the mother thinks about an alternative, for example, goat milk. Is it possible to give it to a baby after birth? At what age is it permissible to introduce it into complementary foods and how to do it correctly? Let's figure it out.

How is it useful?

Proteins contain all the amino acids important for the growth of a child’s body.
The child receives vitamins, magnesium, calcium and other useful substances.
It is more easily absorbed in the children's intestines than from a cow, since its proteins are lighter and the size of the fat molecules is smaller.
In the stomach it coagulates to form small balls, and the process itself resembles the digestion of breast milk.
Allergies to it appear much less frequently than to cow's milk, which makes it possible to recommend it for allergy sufferers with intolerance to cow's milk proteins and atopic dermatitis.
Fresh goat milk has antibacterial properties.
The use of such dairy product helps eliminate dysbacteriosis.
Thanks to the presence of taurine, this product is beneficial for the immune system and helps resist colds.
Since the lactose content is very low, this product is approved for feeding children with lactase deficiency.

You will learn even more about the benefits by watching the program “About the Most Important Thing.”

From what months can it be given to children?

Most pediatricians do not recommend introducing goat's milk into the diet of children earlier than 1 year. This product is unacceptable in the diet of a baby during the first 6 months, so even in a diluted state it should not be given to anyone. one month old baby, nor for a two-month old baby. Such young children should be fed only breast milk.

If in early age If there is a need to replace human milk, it is best to choose an adapted formula. Moreover, if the baby is allergic to cow protein, the mother can choose a mixture based on goat’s milk. This product contains it in dry form, which has been purified and balanced taking into account the needs of infants up to one year old.

From 9 months of age, babies breastfeeding it can be included in the goat's milk diet as one of the components of porridge. Artificial babies can be offered porridge on it a little earlier - from 7-8 months. Also, children of this age can be given products made with this milk, for example, cottage cheese.

The age of 12 months is considered by most doctors to be the minimum age when both goat's and cow's milk can be given instead of formula. So introduce it into children's diets before a year should not, but to give it one year old child, first you need to figure out how to dilute such a product with water, as below 3 years of age, whole goat milk is not recommended.

Calculate your complementary feeding table

Why shouldn't it be given to children under one year of age?

Goat milk, introduced into a baby’s diet too early, can negatively affect his health for the following reasons:

This product contains much more protein than breast milk. Excess casein, although it is easier to digest than cow's milk, still puts a lot of stress on the intestines of infants in the first year of life.
The fat content significantly exceeds the permissible level at an early age, and there is no lipase in its composition. For this reason, it needs to be diluted, but even in diluted form it can cause digestive problems, since gastrointestinal tract kids less than a year old is not yet developed enough to digest animal milk. In addition, after breeding, valuable qualities are partially lost.
Excessive calcium and phosphorus content in such a product provokes the development of rickets in children. Phosphorus is absorbed by the child's body in increased quantity, which forces the baby’s kidneys to work harder. As a result, such necessary for the child calcium is excreted along with excess phosphorus. At the same time, the baby loses other useful substances and also runs the risk of dehydration.
It contains very little vitamins A and D, practically no iron and folic acid, Because of this, the development of a baby transferred to such a diet instead of mother’s milk or an age-appropriate formula may be delayed. Such children develop anemia and some other diseases.

Contraindications

Drinking milk from goats is not recommended if you have an individual intolerance to such a product. Allergic reactions are rare, but still possible. In addition, its use should be avoided if you have pancreatic diseases.

Komarovsky's opinion

Famous doctor believes that goat milk is unfairly given great value, but in fact, the benefits and harms of such a product are comparable to the properties of a cow's product. It also contains too much phosphorus and lacks many vitamins. The only difference is the curdling process in the stomach, making it suitable for feeding children with frequent regurgitation.

Komarovsky allows feeding children with goat milk in a situation where there is no money for good milk formula, and in household there is a goat. At the same time, a popular pediatrician advises giving it only diluted, so that the fat content of the final product is no higher than 2%.

You can listen to Dr. Komarovsky’s commentary in the video below.

How to choose and buy?

Babies should be given only high-quality milk, so the best option is a product from your own goat or a goat of close friends. If the product is purchased on the market, ask for a veterinary certificate. If you buy it in a store, carefully study the shelf life of the product.

Before offering milk to your baby, be sure to try it yourself. If the product has a foreign taste or odor, it is better not to offer it to children. Fresh goat milk can be stored in the refrigerator for up to three days.

Pasteurized or boiled goat milk at home can be stored well in a ceramic or glass container in the refrigerator for up to 10 days. It can also be boiled and stored in enamel containers, but metal ones are not suitable for these purposes. To keep the product for longer long term Without boiling, milk can be frozen. After thawing and thorough shaking, the product will be almost as fresh.

How to introduce it into your diet

If the baby is one year old and the mother is interested in how to switch the child to goat milk, then it is important to remember the following basic nuances:

The product should be introduced gradually, starting with one spoon.
At first it is diluted 1 to 3, and then the added volume of water is gradually reduced.
The recommended amount of consumption per day for a child 1-3 years old is 200 ml.
Boiling is required. It is permissible to give it without heat treatment in small quantity only if the parents themselves take care of the goat and are confident in its health.

Note that many children do not like this type of milk because of its specific smell. You should not force a child to try a product that is unpleasant to him. If the baby categorically refuses to drink it, offer the product a little later or mix it with a product that the baby has long been familiar and loved.

How to cook cottage cheese

Cottage cheese made at home from goat's milk is very healthy and is not inferior to traditional cottage cheese made from cow's milk.

To prepare it, take 1 liter of goat milk and proceed as follows:

After pouring the milk into an enamel container, heat it to approximately +40°C.
Carefully add 700 grams of low-fat yoghurt and stir.
Remove the container from the heat and wrap it in a blanket.
Leave the product to curdle overnight.
In the morning, stir the compacted mass and put on fire.
When the mixture has heated over low heat for 20 minutes, stir it again. If you stir the curd gently and slowly from bottom to top, you will get large flakes. If you stir the mixture quickly in a circular motion, the consistency of the cottage cheese will become fine-grained.
Heat the product to +80°C, and then transfer the vessel to a large container filled with cool water.
Wait for the mixture to cool, then pour it into a colander, in which you must first put thick fabric capable of passing liquid.
Tie the cloth and then place the colander in the refrigerator, placing it in a bowl to catch the whey.
Drain the whey from the colander regularly.
In a day, delicious fresh cottage cheese will be ready.

For a comparison of the benefits of cow's and goat's milk, see the program “Live Healthy.”

Dairy products must mandatory present in the diet of any person. Infants cannot do without them at all. Of course, by itself the best food is breast milk mother, but sometimes, due to various circumstances, it is impossible to continue natural feeding. Mothers begin to look for an equivalent substitute and quite often opt for goat milk. But is this product safe? And at what age can children be given goat's milk? Feeding is a delicate matter, let’s understand all the nuances.

Before giving your child goat milk, it is worth understanding what benefits it will bring to the little body. The product contains the following essential components: proper development baby vitamins and minerals:

Manganese;
Iron;
Phosphorus;
Vitamin B12;
Potassium;
Unsaturated acids, causing high fat content.

If we compare it with cow's milk, which is more popular among the population, then the mother's fluid of a goat will be much more useful. The point is not at all in the substances included in these products, but in their balance.

Goat milk can be drunk even by children who have been diagnosed with lactose intolerance from birth: there is much less milk sugar in this liquid than in other similar products obtained from other animals.

But first of all, you should know At what age can children be given goat milk - the body is ready to absorb the product at 9 months, When digestive system fully formed.

The product is not classified as hypoallergenic, but is close to this indicator: content of alpha fractions of casein, which can cause negative reaction organism, it contains much less than its cow counterpart.

In addition to direct feeding, the white liquid performs a number of other functions: protects against rickets, normalizes the gastrointestinal tract, improves immunity, improves heart function.

Possible harm and contraindications

Balanced composition, suitable for children, does not mean that goat milk can be given to children in the first year of life. It will be quite difficult for a newborn to cope with food that is so heavy for him. The disadvantages of such food are:

Big percentage fat content
The lack of folic acids in the composition, which creates conditions for the appearance of a disease such as anemia.
Additional load on the kidneys due to the high phosphorus content.

But before you treat your baby to a milk treat, you need to boil the liquid. An alternative to boiling is pasteurization, carried out in industrial conditions.

Important to know! Raw milk is not recommended for consumption by either adults or children.

It may contain microbes that cause the following diseases:

Tick-borne encephalitis;
Brucellosis;
Tuberculosis.

Important! When boiling, not only harmful microorganisms evaporate, but also some beneficial substances. Nutritional value of the product subjected to heat treatment becomes lower.

Goat milk based formulas

For a child under one year old, it is best to offer breast milk as the main type of food. If natural feeding is not possible, you should use not an alternative product of animal origin, but special infant formula based on it. The most popular artificial substitutes made with the addition of goat milk are:

Nanny. Casein mixture without added whey. In production we use whole goat milk in dry form. There are 4 types of mixture of this brand: “Classic” and “Nanny-1” (enriched with prebiotics) can be given to children from birth, “Nanny-2” is suitable for a 6-month-old child, and “Nanny-3” is enjoyed with pleasure. one year old babies.
Cabrita. Whey infant formula, the composition is as close as possible to mother's milk. Prebiotics and probiotics are artificially introduced into the mixture;
Mamako. The mixture contains equal amounts of whey and casein components, which makes it difficult to classify. In addition, the composition contains nucleotides that have immunomodulatory properties.

Important! Formulas based on goat's milk are not considered hypoallergenic. They are mainly used in cases of lactose intolerance, which is contained in large quantities in the maternal fluid of cows.

Goat milk can be given to infants at nine months of age. However, the liquid is first boiled and diluted with water: the pure product is too fatty and can cause digestive problems. Fresh, undiluted milk can be given to children from the age of 4 years.

How to give your baby an unusual treat? The introduction into the diet begins with a teaspoon. Particular caution should be taken when offering milk to children who have previously been lactose intolerant. Up to a year, the dose of consumption can be increased to 100 ml per day.

Older children drink 400 ml per day, provided there is no negative manifestations from the body. At this age, a fairly fatty product should no longer be diluted with water - the digestive system contains enough enzymes to digest the product in its pure form.

When asked whether children at an early age can drink goat’s milk or not, the opinion of pediatricians is clear: the product should not be introduced into the diet from birth, much less replace mother’s milk with it. The child’s body is too weak and can rebel against such heavy food. If parents can’t wait to treat their baby to such a delicacy, they should think about an alternative option: infant formula based on goat’s milk.

But closer to the year, introducing this product is very rational: it can saturate the body with useful substances. Goat milk is very beneficial for the health of adults and children if precautions are taken when consuming it.

If a woman, for any reason, has problems with lactation, then the question of feeding becomes quite acute. Often, on various forums on the Internet, it is recommended to use goat’s milk as food for a child. And today we will try to figure out whether such food is healthy for babies. We will also learn about the age at which it can be introduced into the diet of children.

Is milk good for you?

First of all, it is worth noting the fact that the benefits of this product for children are greatly exaggerated. The disadvantage of this diet is that it does not contain lipase, the main function of which is to break down fats. As for the milk itself, it is quite fatty. So it turns out that the baby’s body is not able to efficiently process this product itself.

By the way, many supporters of this method of feeding argue that goat’s milk does not need to be diluted, since the fat molecules in it are much smaller in size than in cow’s milk. But the fact is that the overall fat content does not become less. It is also worth remembering that any type of complementary feeding can cause the appearance of allergic reactions.

It is for this reason that you need to start using such complementary foods very carefully. This product contains a huge amount of calcium and potassium, which benefits not only the baby’s body, but also an adult’s. But not everything is so rosy. Unfortunately, not yet strong genitourinary system The child may not be able to withstand such a load. Therefore, it is still worth diluting whole milk with water.

Attention! This milk belongs to the casein group of products, which, when ingested, can form a rather dense clot. And the baby’s weak stomach is often unable to digest it.

Goat milk for infants: at what age can it be given?

Children's doctors recommend using it as complementary food only from nine months. If you have problems with lactation, then until this time you can overcome the situation with the help of a milk formula adapted for newborns.

By the way, if you happen to see baby food in a store, the jar of which says that it is made from goat’s milk, then you shouldn’t trust the manufacturers in this case.

Perhaps some part of the natural product is present there, but nutrients definitely not in this mixture.

Goat's milk for children under one year of age: how to give it?

On most online forums you can find supporters of using this product in its natural form. On the one hand, of course, they can be understood: any heat treatment destroys almost all useful substances. But on the other hand, an unboiled product can contain a huge amount dangerous bacteria. And they, as you understand, will not bring anything good to your baby.

And one more thing: before you start introducing milk into your baby’s diet, be sure to consult your pediatrician. Because there are cases when the use of this product is strictly prohibited for a particular child.

Advantages and disadvantages of goat milk

After we have figured out when you can start giving your child goat milk, it is worth studying the disadvantages and advantages of this dairy product.

When compared with cow's milk, the advantages of goat's milk are the following:

Significantly lower amount of casein. Yes, of course, it can form clots in the stomach. But the likelihood of such a clot appearing when drinking goat milk is much less;
Contains more calcium, which contributes to the formation of the baby’s teeth and bones;
Suitable for use by children with atopic dermatitis, since cow's milk, unlike goat's milk, is more allergenic.

The disadvantages of this product include the following indicators:

High fat content;
Lack of lipase, as a result of which the stomach’s ability to break down fats is reduced;
A large amount of phosphorus, which can lead to additional stress on the baby’s kidneys;
Absence folic acid, the lack of which can cause the development of anemia.

And remember one more thing: since this product has a rather specific taste, there is a chance that your baby will simply refuse to eat it.

How to properly give goat milk to children?

In order for this dairy product to be better accepted by the child’s body, it is recommended to dilute it plain water. To minimize all risks, it is worth diluting the whole product by about four times.

Roughly speaking, if you have two hundred and fifty grams of whole goat milk, then diluting should give you a liter.

Of course, such dilution will significantly reduce the concentration useful substances in the product. But, on the other hand, you will reduce the load on the baby’s body, in particular on the gastrointestinal tract.

And such a constant load can lead to a huge number serious diseases.

How to properly introduce goat milk into your diet

To ensure that such nutrition does not cause irreparable harm to your baby’s body, when introducing it you should follow some rules:

The product is worth buying from friends or neighbors. At the same time, you should definitely make sure that the goat is kept clean and tidy;
If you decide to buy a product in a store, carefully study the composition and expiration date. Remember that you can only give your baby the freshest things. Therefore, if the expiration date has not yet expired, but there is very little time left until this moment, then it is better to look for a fresher product;
Before feeding your baby, be sure to try the milk yourself. If a strange taste is felt, then it is better not to give it to the child;
Be sure to boil the milk. It is advisable not to use metal utensils.

Can a child with atopic dermatitis have goat milk?

First of all, it is worth understanding what atopic dermatitis is. Dermatitis itself means the appearance of inflammation on the skin due to the influence of certain allergens. As for atopic dermatitis, in this case all the allergens are inside the baby in the form of eaten foods.

With atopic dermatitis, parents need to be very careful with complementary foods. For example, it is better to start introducing vegetable and fruit mixtures from seven to eight months. But in the first months it is better to focus on nutrition based on breast milk.

If you don’t have it or have too little, then you can use special hypoallergenic milk or soy mixtures. Goat's milk can also be used as an alternative.

The only thing worth remembering is boiling. If you have time, you can make your own pasteurized product. To do this, you need to place it in an enamel pan and place it in a water bath. You need to heat the milk slowly, constantly monitoring the temperature with a thermometer. 20 seconds after the temperature has reached 75 degrees, carefully remove the pan from the heat and place it in a bowl with cold water. This milk can be stored in the refrigerator for 24 hours.

There are many stories and myths about the benefits and harms of goat's milk for infants. On the relevant sites you can find many examples of personal experience, which young mothers generously share. However, how to distinguish truth from fiction? How healthy is goat milk for newborns?

Arguments

Doctors usually say that this animal drink is harmful to babies and should not be given to them. infants up to a year. Most formulas are made from cow's milk with biological additives that minimize possible bloating and constipation. It is this fact that the emphasis is placed on.

Despite modern capabilities, some parents prefer to feed their infants goat milk. The following arguments are given in its favor:

Unfortunately, the cow's milk used in formulas is genetically modified. Most farmers feed their cows with chemical additives to increase milk yield. Consequently, the quality suffers greatly from this.
The soy used in the mixtures is also GMO. Therefore, you should not trust manufacturers.
Artificial formulas with goat's milk are expensive, which means they are beyond the means of most young families.
The immunity of a child fed on such milk is unusually strong, although doctors say the opposite.

Goats, unlike cows, eat whatever they can, therefore, the diet of the milk “supplier” is of great importance

What Science Says

Of course, mother's milk, real milk, is best for children. breastfeeding. However, due to its absence, as often happens, parents are forced to look for alternative options. This phenomenon is caused by stress, C-section during childbirth, bad habits, occupation, etc. Alas, there are now few healthy mothers who are able to breastfeed. So, a look from a scientific point of view.

Any milk consists of small balls that have different size and consistency. The smallest swim in human milk, the medium ones in goat's milk, and the largest in cow's milk.

The child’s body assimilates the first ones without problems, but the biggest difficulties arise with the cow product. In this regard, goat milk occupies the golden mean.

Also a clear example This table can serve as a guide.

If we consider the benefits of goat milk with scientific point view, it will look something like this:

it contains large number vitamins and healthy potassium;
it rarely provokes allergic reactions, as is the case with breast milk;
a small amount of lactose, therefore, milk is well absorbed by children with lactose enzyme deficiency;
the fat contained in this product is more easily absorbed by infants than its analogue;
Goat milk contains the amino acid taurine, which has a beneficial effect on the development of babies.

Arguments against

In addition to prejudice and preconceptions, there are the following arguments against giving goat's milk to infants:

deficiency of folic acid, necessary for normal operation hematopoietic organs;
high rate content of mineral salts, which negatively affects the kidneys;
casein protein content, which has a bad effect on the gastrointestinal tract;
lack of vitamin D and iron;
content of acids harmful to the tiny organism;
There is too much fat in milk, which makes it too rich and difficult for children to digest.

Also, what goats eat is not in favor of the goat product. If a cow only eats fresh green grass or dried hay, then the goat can chew anything. For example, bushes of unknown origin growing near a highway, or withered leaves containing many harmful toxins. That is why it is strictly not recommended to use this product.

Compromise solution

Of course, nothing can replace mother’s milk for children, but we have to look for options in case of its absence. The vast majority of young families resort to cow product. However, sometimes babies become allergic to it. What to do in such a situation?

Plain goat milk should not be given to newborn children. This can cause indigestion and worsen the baby’s well-being. On the Internet you can find reviews from experienced mothers who fed their children goat product from birth, but you should understand that they do not have medical education, which means they cannot know how such milk actually affects the child.

Recipe

The product should be given to children who are at least six months old. First, mix milk and water in 1:1 proportions and mix thoroughly. Then heat to a boil and skim off the foam. Next, we pass the product through gauze three times and feed the baby. Milk should be used within 24 hours. Also, do not experiment with unboiled milk.

At what age should goat product be given? The fact is that the enzyme system of babies at this age is still very weak, and you can easily cause constipation, diarrhea or vomiting. Raw milk can be given to a child from the age of one year, when the immune system becomes stronger.

The issue of goat milk product is very acute now. There are always heated debates online between his supporters and opponents. How many people claim the benefits of a product for newborns, so many people claim the opposite, citing scientific facts to confirm your words. You should exercise prudence and come to a compromise solution. If your baby is allergic to cow's milk, goat's milk will certainly be your salvation, but you should not risk the baby's health without good reason.

The best food for a newborn is breast milk. But sometimes natural feeding becomes impossible due to a number of reasons. In such cases, you can replace breast milk with goat milk, because this product is considered the safest for the child’s body. But many do not know how to administer goat milk to an infant correctly so as not to harm the baby.

This product is natural and does not contain artificial additives.
Goat's milk is faster and easier to digest when compared to cow's milk.
If storage rules are followed, the product remains fresh for more than a week.
Goat milk does not contain alpha-casein, which causes food allergies.
The benefits of goat milk for children also include: high content nutrients and potassium. The product contains taurine, which has a positive effect on the development of the child.

The composition of goat's milk is 90% similar to breast milk. And often the child simply does not notice the substitution. Goat's milk is absorbed almost completely by the child's body, and the baby receives all the necessary substances for full growth and development.

At what age can goat milk be given to infants?

If the mother’s lactation is insufficient, the baby can be given milk from a goat already on the 3rd day after birth. It is recommended to start with 20 ml, diluting with water in a ratio of 1:10. And if there is no individual intolerance, you should have no doubts regarding the question of whether it is possible to feed infant goat milk. Gradually, the dose can be increased, but no more than 100 ml per day is allowed.

If the child is completely breastfed, and you just want to add goat's milk to his diet, it is recommended to start doing this no earlier than the baby is 8 months old. And only after he has already tried vegetables and fruits.

Is it necessary and possible to boil goat milk?

It is believed that milk that has not been subjected to heat treatment contains more vitamins. But if the child is not yet a year old, it must be boiled. Raw goat milk beneficial properties contains in larger volume, but it may also contain pathogenic bacteria and microbes. Heat treatment will help protect children's body.

It is necessary to buy goat milk from a regular supplier who keeps the animals clean and does not feed them food with chemical additives. When you are not sure of this, it is advisable to switch to the dry version of the product.

How to dilute goat milk for infants

If you choose a dry mixture, it must be diluted, strictly following the instructions on the package. But if we are talking about natural product and you are wondering when you can give goat milk to a child undiluted; experts recommend doing this only from the age of three. Until this point, the milk must first be boiled, the foam collected, strained through cheesecloth and diluted boiled water. Here's how to dilute goat's milk for babies:

Child up to 5 months old - milk: water ratio 1:10.
After 5 months - 1:5.
After 12 months - 1:3.
After 18 months - 1:2.

You cannot boil goat milk twice, as this reduces its value. The product should be stored raw, poured into a glass or metal container with a lid and put in the refrigerator.

Can a baby be allergic to goat's milk?

There is no lactose in goat milk, so it does not cause allergic reactions in babies, it is even considered strong antihistamine. Many children who infancy drink goat milk, the symptoms of dermatitis completely disappear.