Ask the Expert: Is Goat Milk Right for Your Child?

There are incidence of research where the usage of goat's milk in formula help to reduce the occurence of eczema, but not in all tested cases. This is due to its easier digestibility of protein and fat, as well as a lower allergenic properties of the protein proportion. However, the overall result does not suggest a definite and strong suggestion to switch to formula goat's milk for the reason of improving eczema. In these cases, individual results may vary. A consultation and a trial with a dermatologist is best recommended to pin point out other possible reasons of eczema. In general, formula's milk are in essence, formulated (changed, fortified, altered) from its original component to match the nutrient needs of the respective age group in the best way. Which means that both type of formula would be adequate. However, the quality in terms of digestibility and allergenic property might differ as per its natural component as stated above. Additionally, a closer inspection of a vali

In terms of nutrient in general, goat's milk contain relatively more protein, fat, calories, several vitamin Bs, vitamin A, calcium and magnesium; with relatively less carbohydrate. Amount may vary depending on production, brands and other related factors. Additionally, goat's milk naturally contain more proportion of the easier-digested type of protein and fat that help better in a children's digestion. The type of allergenic protein in goat's milk is much less compared to cow's milk, which may affect the potential and severity of allergic reaction from a child. In terms growth and development, cow's and goat's milk in general provides significant amount of calcium and relatively good amount of protein as well as other nutrients to support growth and development. However, an overall picture of the child's food intake need to be seen to make up for a more complete diet. The age range of the child is also to be considered. For bone growth specifically, the need of calcium is import

The taste of goat's milk-based yoghurt or cheese will also acquire the taste of its original goat's milk counterpart, which may taste fattier but with a less creamier mouthfeel, less sweeter and a more grassy or earthy flavor compared to cow's milk. Taste may varies across several factors such as the animal breed, degree of cheese processing, brining, additional flavoring and so on. Pasteurized goat's milk is safe to be consumed for children above 12 months (or 1 year) old. However, in terms of palatability; individual varies and might need a few try to get adjusted and appreciate its taste. Individual variation exists in taste of goat's milk, and taste of goat's milk formulas may be more palatable & easily accepted by children as these products have been formulated for the specific age group in mind.

For children above 12 months (or 1 year) older, goat's milk can be use as a complete replacement of cow's milk in diet. However, you will need to incorporate other source of food to complete your child's diet.

The changes or transition from cow's milk to a goat's milk need to be done in gradual stages, to accommodate for the change of taste and digestibility. There is no specific recommendation for all children as different children react differently to change in taste. For formula milk, different brand may have a different suggestion on the direction of use steps, so please check accordingly.

The World Health Organization recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life and the introduction of nutritionally-adequate and safe complementary (solid) foods at 6 months together with continued breastfeeding up to 2 years of age or beyond For transitions, do take a look at the overall picture of the child's dietary intake. Introduction of whole and healthy foods for a balance diet is crucial as the basis for good development and health, and milk is one part of it. Transitioning from breastfeeding or formula (which are formulated to have specific nutrient profile according to the child's development) to goat's milk will require the incorporation of other nutrients from other foods to make for a more complete diet. Always recheck on the nutrition labels & preparation instructions. However, please take note that children under 12 months (or 1 year) old should avoid fresh goat's milk or any other animal milk. Additionally, owing to the different taste profile of go

It's important to note that naturally-produced hormones (by the goat themselves) can be and are part of the milk's content itself. On the other side, there are indeed presence of external hormone and antibiotics in the milk that was part of the goat's life care itself. These external hormones may pose a health risk to the consumer. In many countries, regulatory bodies monitor the safety and quality of milk, including hormone and antibiotic residues. Parents can look for milk products from reputable brands that comply with these regulations and undergo testing for contaminants.To mitigate your concerns about hormone or antibiotic content, always choose a high-quality goat's milk brand from reputable sources & countries.

According to USDA, the calcium content of 1 glass (~250ml) of goat's milk is 327mg, compared to 300mg from cow's milk of the same amount. Numbers however may vary according to processes, production and other factors. In reference, the calcium need of children between 4 to 6 hovers around 1000mg. Two (2) glasses of either milk per day, along with incorporations of other food may provide the necessary calcium amount for the proper development and maintenance of children's bone health. Discuss with your dietitians healthcare professional for further details on how to ensure your child's calcium requirement is met efficiently.

Goat's milk may taste less sweeter than cow's milk due to its lower lactose (milk sugar) content. However, there are individuals who tasted it to be sweeter, perhaps due to individual perception and experience. Goat's milk also tasted fattier, but not necessarily a creamier mouthfeel compared to cow's milk. This is partly due to the higher fat content of goat's milk. Additionally, there will be some other taste such as earthy, grassy or others depending on several factors; and this goes for both the goat's and cow's milk. The factors include the feed of the animal as they grew up, the type of breed, the degree of milk processing, the handle of the milk post-processing and so on. Always sample a product before committing to a carton or a can. To help children adjust to the taste, you may add some typical flavorings such as chocolate or strawberry, keeping in mind of the sugar content. Vanilla flavor may also help to induce a sweeter smell for better acceptance. Alternatively, you can

Goat milk is hypoallergenic (i.e reduced tendency to cause allergic) compared to cow's milk, due to its lower proportion of the allergenic type of protein. Which means that between the two, goat's milk is more ''gentle'' for skin sensitivities. However, there is no full guarantee of this as individual tolerance varies and the other possible underlying triggers of skin sensitivities may confuscate the result. Please discuss with your paediatrician further to delve more into the conditions.