Breast milk is, as we know, the healthiest and most suitable option for feeding newborns and babies up to around 12 months of age.
Breastfeeding has numerous advantages, not only for the baby, but also for the mother, helping her to get back in shape, strengthening the emotional bonds between mother and child and being a free and practical option.
When breastfeeding is not possible or sufficient, it can be replaced or supplemented with formula milk, which should be as similar as possible to breast milk.
Traditionally, infant formulas were produced from cow's milk, but an alternative has appeared in recent years, using other formulas produced from goat's milk, which were approved in 2013 by EFSA, the European Food Safety Authority, as suitable for baby food.
But is it a better option?
One of the main problems with using cow's milk in the preparation of infant formulas is that allergy to casein protein. Yes, although it is a widespread idea that the lactose, the sugar present in milk is the cause of allergies, in fact, the most frequent and most severe episodes are the responsibility of casein.
Does this mean that milk from Goat milk doesn't have casein or lactose, so is it safer?
The answer is NO. The Goat's milk also has lactose and casein. However, it has a lower lactose content and should not be used by lactose-intolerant individuals without express advice from a healthcare professional.
As for the presence of casein, it is there, but it has a different structure, presenting Beta-casein, alpha S2 casein and without alpha casein S1, the main cause of dairy allergies.
The protein structure is therefore more similar to that of breast milk, with a lower fat content, smaller lipid molecules, and caproic, caprylic and capric acids, making it easier and faster to digest.
The lipid structure, namely the alpha palmitic acid content, facilitates the absorption of calcium (whose content is also naturally higher) and reduces the consistency of the stool, with a lower tendency for colic and gas to appear.
On the other hand, goat's milk has six times more oligosaccharides than cow's milk, 5 of which are similar to those found in breast milk. These carbohydrates are important for maintaining healthy intestinal microflora.
This difference is due to the fact that goat's milk has apocrine secretion, just like human milk, which is not the case with cow's milk.
In terms of flavor, it is smooth and naturally sweet, and is generally well accepted.
Now that you know the benefits of goat's milk, and if you are unable or unwilling to breastfeed, seek advice from the healthcare professional who is looking after your child to make the best choice for their healthy and balanced growth!
