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Choosing the appropriate formula for your baby can seem like an impossible task. The variety of options alone can leave your head spinning from reading all the labels and trying to decipher production information.
The introduction of goat milk to the formula game has added even more to the already expansive list of choices. Understanding what goat milk formulas are and why the might be a better choice for your baby will help organize your search.
Brands like Holle have introduced goat milk formulas as an alternative to traditional cow milk. Once upon a time, cow milk was considered the only viable option as a formula ingredient. We now know that is patently false.
Why are some parents heading in the direction of the goat? Simply put, it may be better for their baby. Choosing the right formula is an important choice. Let’s look at why goat milk formulas may have you jumping off the cow milk wagon.
Goat Milk Is Similar, Yet Different
Truth be told, the makeup of goat milk is quite like that of the cow milk. It is similar in many ways, but the differences seem to allow goat milk to take the throne of the best formula option.
Cow milk contains more lactose than goat milk. While goat milk is only missing a fraction of a percent of the lactose, even that small amount can make the difference for a baby’s digestion.
Another major area of difference that seems to promote goat milk is how the milk is processed. As we know, cow milk production is quite a business. This has led to the introduction of certain hormones to increase the amount of milk cows produce. You may be familiar with the term genetic modification.
Goat milk is often found without these modifications, making it a purer and wholesome option for those concerned about the effects of synthetic hormones on their baby.
Goat milk formulas offer all the beneficial proteins and minerals while eliminating any potential allergens that cow milk contains.
Fortunately, brands like Holle and HiPP use organic and bio-dynamic processes to prevent even cow milk from having potentially harmful additives. Having clean cow milk options like these allows parents to make the choice between cow and goat based on what they think is best for their children.
The Top 5 Reasons Parents Turn to Goat Milk Formulas
As discussed earlier, cow milk is often laden with hormonal additives designed to increase milk production. The impact of these hormones is not well known; however, any unnatural additive could be considered unnecessary when it comes to children.
Some experts indicate that the hormones in cow milk can exacerbate digestive issues. Babies sensitive to cow milk often transition well to goat milk perhaps because it generally lacks the genetic modifications found in most cow milk.
Holle and HiPP pride themselves on creating cow milk products that are free from the hormones that potentially cause issues. However, an issue that may be unavoidable for some is the belief that certain bovine proteins cause an allergic reaction.
Goat milk is thought to reduce the allergenic impacts of formula by having a protein resembling something closer to breast milk than cow milk proteins. Parents suspecting an allergy issue might switch to goat milk formulas and see if the problems resolve.
Lactose is a known issue for the digestive tracts in humans of any age. Babies often are diagnosed as lactose intolerant when they may be just getting too much of it at one time.
Goat milk features about one-half percent lactose in each serving. This may seem like a minuscule amount, but the impacts can be significant for little ones.
Goat milk has been noted to aid digestion in babies. There are a couple of factors that may impact this. First, the fatty acids in goat milk are shorter than those of cow milk. The longer fatty acids stress the stomach and digestion process, essentially making them harder to digest.
While featuring shorter fatty acids, goat milk is not short on necessary fat. It is simply different fats that potentially allow for easier digestion.
Secondly, milk forms curds after interacting with stomach acid. Goat milk creates a notably softer curd, potentially easing the digestion process in young bellies. Babies dealing with reflux often benefit from trying goat milk.
Goat milk differs from cow milk in ways that may be nutritiously beneficial. Cow milk is notorious for creating inflammation in the digestive system. Goat milk does not.
Studies have shown goat milk improves the metabolism and absorption of minerals and vitamins essential to the growth of babies.
Many are concerned about how much calcium goat milk contains since it is an important part of development. Calcium is prevalent in goat milk. Found in the amino acid known as tryptophan, babies could receive the extra benefit of improved sleep.
The demand for cow milk has led to agricultural practices that many would deem upsetting. Cows take a massive amount of space and food to raise. Many dairy farmers offer a minimum of room per cow and the animals live a less than optimal lifestyle.
Additionally, these farms produce waste and byproducts that are notoriously bad for the environment. Studies show that massive cow farms are directly impacting the oncoming disasters caused by global warming.
Fortunately, biodynamic and organic farming practices like those used by Holle and HiPP put the animal and its environment first. Both cows and goats are treated humanely, and extra care is taken to avoid environmental impacts to the land surrounding farms.
Whether choosing cow or goat milk, it is important to source your formula from brands like Holle and HiPP. This is one of the few ways to slow the impact of mass, industrial animal farming.
The Last Word
Brands like Holle offer goat and cow milk for parents seeking an alternative to what has become an industrialized, often contaminated product. Goat milk is quickly gaining popularity for its potential improvements over cow milk.
With the added benefits of organic and biodynamic production, improved digestion, and boosted nutrition, it is easy to see why some parents are opting for Holle goat milk formula.