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

Yes you may, but be mindful of the nutrient profile (especially sugar content) and the composition of the chocolate flavor (less additives, flavoring or coloring - the better)

Pure (fresh) Goat milk can be consumed and act as a primary source of dairy after the age of 12 months (or 1 year) old, as with cow's milk. Along with a suitable choices of other foods, it can make up for a complete, balance and healthy nutrient for toddlers. Pure goat milk is unsafe for babies under 12 months. However, please be aware of the distinction between pure goat's milk and formula goat's milk, whereby the latter is formulated and adjusted in terms of a better nutrient profile to better suit the developing needs of toddlers. Should there be a need, formula goat's milk can be taken from birth as it has been formulated to meet the needs of infants.

It is true, owing to the higher proportion of the easier-digested protein and physical fat property that a goat's milk have.

Pure goat's milk for those that are under 12 months (or 1 year) old is unsafe due to their undeveloped digestive and kidney system. You may however opt for formula goat's milk, should there be a need. The root cause of newborn jaundice is their current inability to excrete the byproduct (bilirubin) of their red blood cell breakdown, due to multiple reasons of physiological and possibly pathological reason. The provision of (formula) goat's milk does not confer any significant benefits to jaundice beyond its standard nutrient profile.

It's not advisable to ''rotate'' between either formula as it affects the compatibility, palatability and digestibility of the infant. However, should there be a legitimate need to change, do not change it too frequently and seek your paeditrician's advice on the frequency and duration of rotation.

Goat milk still contains lactose, but in lower amounts in comparison. Should your children be fully lactose intolerant, goat's milk may still pose a problem. However, if they are lactose sensitive, goat's milk may or may not trigger any reaction - depending on the amount, which varies across individual. Seek the advice of your paeditrician to figure out your condition better.

Pure goat's milk should not be given to those that are under 12 months (or 1 year old) due to inherent safety issues with the baby's developing body. However, they may take goat's milk infant formula. Beyond 1 year, they are recommended to take around 350ml to 500ml of milk daily. However, please be informed that others food are to be introduced and incorporated daily during these growing phase to ensure a more complete nutrient intake. As fluids occupy the stomach easily and may provide early satiety for the kids, there are potentials for displacement of other important food intake in a daily diet. To this, consideration must be taken should there be a need to provide more milk beyond the recommendation.

Infants (0 to 1 year old) are discouraged from taking pure goat milk due to safety concern. However, they may take a goat's milk infant formula. As for digestibility, goat milk is generally easier to digest across all ages due to its inherent different protein and fat quality.

Pure animal milk (whether it's cow or goat) is not recommended and unsafe to be introduced to infants (children under 12 months old). However, a goat's milk infant formula can be introduced during these period should there be a need and compatibiltity. Over 12 months (or 1 year) old, you may introduce goat's milk (whether in normal or formula form) as needed and recommended in respect to their nutrient content.