Can a baby be given goat's milk? When can you give your child goat's milk, at what age, how to give instead of a mixture. Potential harm of milk for adults and children

When compiling the diet of a small child, very often mothers, due to inexperience, do not adhere to very important rules. For example, very often a mother is afraid that her baby will remain hungry due to the small amount of milk that is produced. Sometimes the mother simply seeks to "feed" the baby, believing that this way he will grow faster. As a result, not knowing what can be given to the baby, his diet will unnecessarily be “diversified” with products that he does not need at all.

First of all, it is important to realize the following truth: if the mother breastfeeds the baby correctly, then the baby will have enough of such feeding. However not all modern mothers practice. Therefore, many inexperienced women often ask more experienced mothers whether it is possible to give cow's milk to a child, whether fermented milk products are useful for children under one year old, etc. Below we will discuss whether goat and cow's milk is useful for children of different ages and when it is worth starting to give it to babies.

Should I give my baby cow's milk?

Until now, scientists are conducting various studies, trying to give a clearer answer to the question of when it is possible to give milk to a child. Understanding when to give cow's milk to a baby, and when to give goat's milk to a baby, requires a clear understanding of its health effects in infants and older children. If we analyze the research data, then attention should be paid to some important points that, to some extent, explain to children at what age it is advisable to give milk, and what kind of milk can be given to a child up to a year old.

It contains a wide variety of trace elements And macronutrients . It contains calcium, sodium, phosphorus, chlorine, sodium, and the amount of these elements in it is about three times greater than in the chest. And in this case, we are not talking about how cow's milk is useful for breastfeeding. After all, an excess of these elements in the body is no less harmful than their deficiency.

In infancy, the child's excretory function is not yet set up as necessary. And when too much protein and minerals enter the baby's body, the load on the imperfect excretory system and on the body as a whole increases significantly.

In addition, due to the increased work of the kidneys, more fluid is excreted from a small body than it should. As a result, the child feels thirsty, cries, and the mother again gives him cow's milk, which further aggravates his condition.

There is very little in the milk that a cow gives gland , and this type of iron is not absorbed by the child's body. As a result, the lack of this element leads to the development iron deficiency anemia . During the period of active development of the body, iron is very important for the production of and.

The lack of the necessary enzymes in the baby

The age at which cow's milk can be given to a child is also determined from the position that the baby does not have the necessary ones in the body. Such enzymes are absent until at least two years of age. That is why the baby often happens in such cases. By the way, sometimes the enzyme necessary for the digestion of milk is absent in a person throughout his life.

At the same time, during breastfeeding, the digestion process proceeds normally, since the baby’s body has the necessary enzymes for this. The baby's body easily absorbs mother's milk, while cow's amino acids are foreign to a small organism, and a very large load is required for their breakdown. Therefore, cow's milk is not so useful for babies. From what age to give it, parents need to think carefully.

Aggressive effect of protein

Casein is the protein in cow's milk. Its molecules are large, they damage the wall and intestinal mucosa. This leads not only to injury to the wall, but also to the release into the blood histamine , which provokes the development of allergic reactions. As a result, the baby can be diagnosed hemocolitis . But bleeding due to damage to the delicate walls of the intestine with regular manifestation leads to a decrease in hemoglobin levels and the manifestation iron deficiency anemia .

If the baby will drink cow's milk constantly, then ulcers may form on the intestinal mucosa and, as a result, bleeding may occur. Therefore, the question of how many months you can give this product to children is not too correct, because it is better not to give it to a baby under a year old at all.

Increased risk of allergies

Many studies confirm that babies up to a year old develop this product quite often. So, according to the results of some studies, allergic manifestations to it in babies up to a year developed in a quarter of cases. Based on these results, nutritionists consider cow's milk to be one of the most allergenic foods. At the same time, parents should understand that if allergic manifestations are not observed immediately after taking it, this does not mean that they will not exist at all. After all, an allergy can manifest itself when a large amount of an allergen accumulates in the body. After that, unpleasant manifestations can be very violent.

It is important to note that dairy products contain less protein and lactose so they are less allergenic. Accordingly, they are introduced into the children's diet earlier.

Can a breastfeeding mother drink milk?

Interestingly, there are still disputes about this. Doctors clearly say that in the first month of a baby's life, a nursing mother should not drink it. As for the next months, there are different opinions on this matter. Some experts say that you can drink it in small portions and at the same time dilute half with tea or porridge. At the same time, milk should be introduced into the diet in small portions, carefully observing the reaction of the child.

Many other scientists argue that milk is good for mom, as it saturates her body and the baby's body with calcium, which is very important when bones form and grow.

There is also an opinion that it is this product consumed by the mother that causes colic in the child. Therefore, it is recommended to introduce more neutral sour-milk dishes into the diet.

But the interdependence of cow's milk consumption and increased lactation is nothing more than a myth. After all, the consumption of any warm liquid before feeding can give the same effect, increasing the production of mother's milk.

Many argue that goat's milk for babies is much healthier than cow's. Reviews about this are often found on the net, and in them mothers tell how to give goat's milk during breastfeeding, how porridge is prepared with goat's milk for babies, etc.

But in fact, it also contains foreign proteins, as well as casein , requiring special enzymes and energy for its absorption.

When answering the question of whether goat milk can be given to infants, it should be taken into account that it contains a large amount of fat, which is undesirable for infants. It is better not to give it to children under one year of age with a weight deficit, after two years they begin to give it gradually and very carefully. The measure must be observed for older children.

The amount of milk sugar in goat's milk is lower than in cow's. Therefore, it is often recommended to children suffering from lactase deficiency . But in this case, we are not talking about supplementary feeding during breastfeeding, but about children 2-3 years old.

The amount of microelements and vitamins in goat's milk is higher. But it is important to consider that most vitamins are destroyed already at 80C. Therefore, after pasteurization or boiling, this product is no longer so useful. If the baby drinks goat's milk, whether to boil it or not is not an easy question.

The answer to the question of whether it is necessary to boil is definitely positive when it comes to small children. After all, no matter how much parents want to provide their babies with useful substances, there is always a risk that pathogenic microorganisms will be contained in an unprocessed product. Therefore, for those who are interested in whether it is possible to boil goat's milk, it is better to do it anyway.

In goat, the amount of phosphorus and calcium is higher than in cow. However, for those who believe that goat's milk for children is ideal for prevention, there is something else to consider. The fact is that calcium is practically not absorbed by the body without. But phosphorus, on the contrary, is absorbed very easily and quickly. To remove the excess mineral, the baby's kidneys work with increased stress. This increases the risk of development. But after the child reaches the age of 3, this product really helps to strengthen the skeletal system, provided that the baby drinks it in moderation. Therefore, it is important for parents to know how to drink goat's milk properly.

Should I give goat's milk to babies under one year old?

Many mothers, in spite of everything, are interested in: is it possible to introduce goat milk for babies as early as possible, at what age should this be done? However, in this case, you need to be conscious and listen to the recommendations of specialists, and not ask the question of how many months you can give your baby goat's milk, to the same inexperienced mothers.

Indeed, in this product, as mentioned above, there are a lot of minerals, casein proteins, a large amount triglycerides . As a result, it is absorbed by the body very poorly, which is confirmed by lumps in the child's feces.

Based on all these factors, we draw an unambiguous conclusion: children should not be given goat's milk until two years old, and, as many people think, it is not a suitable alternative to cow's milk. But after the child reaches 2 years of age, provided that he is not allergic to cow's milk, goat and sour-milk products from it, you can try to introduce it into the diet.

If a child is fed this product, over time he may develop anemia . Megaloblastic anemia is possible if the baby is fed exclusively with milk, as a result of which there is a lack of blood-forming vitamins in the body. The number is gradually decreasing hemoglobin changing size and shape erythrocytes , and the functioning of all organs is disrupted.

But the answer to the question whether it is possible for a nursing mother to have goat's milk is similar to the recommendations for cow's. It is not necessary to introduce it immediately after the birth of the child, it must be done gradually, monitoring the condition of the baby.

Of course, if the child has grown up, and he is already 4-5 years old, he can be given goat and cow milk in reasonable quantities. Of course, provided that the baby has never had an allergic appearance to it. But still, the dose of 400 g per day should not be exceeded.

But if the baby is only a year old, then it is too early to practice the introduction of this product into the diet. And even at two years old, when the necessary enzymes are already in the body, you should not immediately give milk to babies in glasses. After all, the most important rule is that everything must be done slowly and gradually.

Moms who are wondering when milk porridge can be introduced to babies should take into account that up to two years old porridge should be made on water, with the addition of an artificial mixture or breast milk.

And if it is not recommended to introduce milk porridges for children under one year old, then closer to two years old, the child can already gradually begin to give milk porridges.

What is the best milk for babies?

In the context of discussing the harm and benefits of dairy products for children, the question arises of what kind of milk is better to buy for a child - pasteurized “store” or natural, “from a cow”.

Arguing about which baby milk is better, some experts argue that the pasteurized product completely loses all its beneficial properties. And if it has a long shelf life, then this means that the product is completely useless.

However, it is important to consider that during pasteurization, mainly pathogenic microorganisms are destroyed. Indeed, for instant pasteurization, it is heated to 90 degrees, and in other modes, milk is subjected to even lower temperatures.

But drinking it raw is very dangerous, since it can contain any kind of microorganisms. In addition, an animal can be a carrier of a number of infectious diseases that are asymptomatic in it, but milk can be contagious for humans. And therefore, the consumption of a raw product is always a risk of infection, tick-borne encephalitis , brucellosis etc. Therefore, it is necessary to boil raw milk.

However, pasteurized also should not be considered completely safe and healthy. In some regions, animals are given to protect against epidemics, which subsequently enter the milk. Also, many animals are treated with antibiotics for inflammatory processes in the mammary glands that develop against the background of the use of synthetic hormones to increase productivity.

Accordingly, consuming such a product constantly, the baby receives certain doses of the antibiotic, which subsequently leads to the development of resistance to antibacterial agents. In addition, antibiotics generally adversely affect the state of the body.

Those who ask whether it is necessary to boil pasteurized milk should know that boiling is not necessary in this case. After all, antibiotics in this way "withdraw" will not succeed. And the remaining beneficial substances will be destroyed by boiling. Therefore, the answer to the question of whether it is necessary to boil pasteurized milk for a child is negative.

By the way, some women who practice pumping also ask if breast milk can be boiled. The answer is similar: the product will lose its beneficial properties after boiling, so it should not be boiled.

On the net, you can also find recommendations that children should be given whole milk. What it is - not everyone knows. Whole milk is a product that is not subjected to any processing, only straining after milking. However, given what whole milk means, this product should not be given to children. After all, the fat content in it is too high, and the lack of cleaning is fraught with the risk of infection with dangerous diseases.

What diseases can be transmitted to humans through the consumption of raw milk?

If milk is not boiled, then the risk of contracting many dangerous diseases increases significantly. Likely to be infected with:

• extrapulmonary forms tuberculosis ;
• toxic infections;
• , provoked by a lymphotropic virus;
• streptococcal and staphylococcal;
• a number of severe infections brucellosis , anthrax, foot and mouth disease;
• Q fever ;
• arbovirus tick-borne encephalitis .

Several centuries ago, children were not fed cow's milk. If the mother could not feed the child, then she turned to the nurse for help. According to historical data, cow's milk began to be given to babies only in the eighteenth century.

However, now women do not need to practice this way of feeding. After all, there are a lot of special adapted mixtures containing exactly those substances that the baby needs. Of course, ideally, the newborn should be fully breastfed. But if for some reason this is not possible, you should choose a suitable mixture for feeding.

Potential harm of milk for adults and children

Many studies have been devoted specifically to the topic of the effect of this product on the health of children and adults. According to the results of such studies, scientists have found a link between the consumption of large amounts of dairy products and the development of certain types of cancer in men and women.

If a person eats too much dairy products, then the level of galactose in the body exceeds the potential of the enzymes that break it down. This leads to an increased risk of developing ovarian cancer among women.

Also, excessive consumption of dairy is associated with the development prostate cancer .

Scientists also refute the previously widespread thesis that milk is useful for prevention.

conclusions

There are a number of other studies, based on the results of which we can draw the following conclusion: milk is good for children and adults in moderation. Any excesses in the diet are undesirable, and infants should receive either mother's milk or an adapted mixture. If mothers have questions, for example, at what age can a baby be given this or that mixture, “Theme” milk, all of them can be asked to the pediatrician.

Mother's milk is indispensable for a newborn. But there are circumstances in which natural feeding is completely or partially stopped. Pediatricians recommend that young mothers replace breast milk with adapted mixtures based on cow's milk. And what to do when the baby has an individual intolerance? Can goat's milk for babies be just as healthy and safe? After all, it is much better absorbed, contains more nutrients and rarely causes allergies.

The benefits and harms of goat milk for a baby

Even the ancients knew about its benefits. Many legends speak of heroes who were fed on goat milk from infancy, which is selective in its diet and chooses only healthy medicinal herbs. Therefore, goat's milk is tastier and more nutritious than cow's. It is well digested, does not cause food poisoning, strengthens the immune system. It contains vitamins and minerals, it is hypoallergenic, rich in easily digestible proteins and carbohydrates. When breastfeeding stops, parents ask themselves the important question of what to build a baby's diet on. It is advisable to listen to the opinion of doctors, because goat's milk, although closer in composition to breast milk, has some differences.

Its pluses include:

1. digestibility. The digestive system of the baby is not able to produce enzymes that allow it to actively digest the food received. Like breast milk, goat milk in the stomach of the crumbs is also able to turn into curd balls, which allows the product to be better absorbed without causing profuse regurgitation and frustration.
2. Hypoallergenic. Regardless of the age at which it will be introduced into complementary foods, it rarely causes an allergic reaction.
3. Rich chemical composition. It contains potassium, vitamins, calcium, which is important for the prevention of rickets.
4. Minimum lactose. Children with lactose deficiency can consume goat's milk due to its small content, without disturbing the microflora.
5. Immune protection. Taurine is a component that helps to strengthen the immune system. It is found in breast and goat milk, which makes them similar.

The cons are:

1. presence of casein. This protein is difficult for babies to digest. Turning into a curd clot in the stomach, it causes colic and anxiety.
2. Milk is rich in minerals. The kidneys of a newborn are not yet able to cope with them.
3. iron and folate. Goat milk does not include them. Therefore, parents, transferring the baby to such feeding, may encounter anemia.
4. The baby will not be able to fully digest fatty milk, since the enzyme lipase, which breaks down fatty acids, is completely absent in goat's milk.

Any pediatrician will not advise young parents to base feeding on goat's milk.

Newly minted parents are interested in when and from what time to give it, whether it is necessary to dilute it and why boil it.

When can I give my baby goat's milk?

Up to 9 months, the baby must be fed with high-quality balanced mixtures, and goat's milk should be offered diluted, in porridge and in cottage cheese. Sometimes the first acquaintance should be made after a year, and in some cases after 3 years. The introduction of a dairy product is discussed with the doctor. He will tell you when and how you can introduce milk into the baby's diet.

Usually 50 ml. milk is given at the beginning of the day, and then the reaction is observed for several days. If itching, rash or diarrhea occurs, it is recommended to continue the administration after a month. If even then there is a similar reaction, then it is necessary to stop using the product for a long time. When the baby has no problems with the baby, the rate can be gradually increased. A two-year-old baby is allowed to drink up to 700 ml. in a day.

Should I breed and how?

Whole milk will seriously affect the functioning of the liver and pancreas, so the product must be diluted. Undiluted milk can be given after 3 years of age.

Until this time, it must be diluted with boiled water 1: 4. This will reduce fat content, the amount of minerals and improve digestibility.

With lactose deficiency, newborns are given several grams of diluted goat's milk 1:10. To do this, fresh milk should be filtered through cheesecloth and poured into a bowl, taking into account the addition of water.

How to give goat's milk to a baby

It is advisable to purchase milk from friends who take good care of the animal. If you have to take the product on the market, do not be shy, ask for a certificate from the veterinarian. An animal whose milk can be safely given to a baby must be healthy. If the milk is from the store, you need to make sure its freshness and expiration date.

Important! The benefits of goat milk are natural. In boiled form, it loses all useful properties and is equated to cow's. Not everyone can afford fresh homemade milk from a pure goat, and it is dangerous not to heat-treat a product bought on the market and offer it raw to a child.

We dilute the mixture

Goat milk-based formulas enriched with folates can be used by children suffering from allergies and intolerance to cow protein. It is also indicated for babies with atopic dermatitis, diathesis, lactose deficiency. They are sold in pharmacies, having undergone preliminary sterilization. According to the instructions for newborns, the mixture is diluted according to tbsp. powder for 10 tbsp. water. At the age of three months, the rate is doubled.

For formula-fed babies, such mixtures are suitable for allergies to cow protein. The baby will no longer be bothered by rashes and colic, digestion will improve. But you can not immediately transfer the child to another mixture. Goat milk can also cause an unpredictable reaction and allergies, if this happens, it should be excluded from the diet. When natural feeding is inadequate and supplementary feeding is required, boiled diluted goat's milk is given to the baby no more than a teaspoon a day.

Cooking cottage cheese based on goat's milk

Cottage cheese is a source of milk proteins, phosphorus and calcium, necessary for the normal growth and development of a little man. By including it in the baby's diet, mommy will ensure the strengthening of bone tissues, enrich the developing body with valuable microelements and useful substances. Due to the fact that goat's milk is very healthy and nutritious, and it is necessary to give it to the baby carefully, it can make excellent cottage cheese, rich in vitamins and minerals. Due to the presence of albumin in goat's milk, products made from it are easier to digest than those based on cow's milk.

Pediatricians recommend including it in the child's menu when teeth appear - teething pattern in children.

Goat curd will be much healthier and safer if you cook it yourself:

1. Milk is placed in a warm place for two days.
2. As soon as it turns sour, it is poured into a saucepan and put on low heat (the main thing is that it does not boil).
3. When the mixture warms up and begins to curdle, it is necessary to remove it from the heat.
4. The substance does not need to be constantly stirred, otherwise the curd will break up into small particles.
5. The resulting mass must be folded onto gauze and squeezed.

How to introduce the product into complementary foods

Cow or goat curd is introduced into complementary foods from 7-8 months after the baby is introduced to cereals, vegetables and fruits. Give it in small portions. If a child has a food allergy, curd complementary foods should be introduced closer to the year. When a newborn lags behind in weight gain or suffers from rickets, the introduction of complementary foods is allowed from 4 months under the watchful supervision of the mother and the doctor.

In general, dairy products, including diluted goat's milk, can be safely introduced when:

• the baby sits on his own, without needing support;
• he has an interest in other foods;
• doubled birth weight
• he was not vaccinated a week before the introduction of a new product;
• he is absolutely healthy.

It is good when a child receives mother's breast milk from birth. But what about those who, for various reasons, cannot breastfeed their baby? Many parents believe that the best food for babies is cow's or goat's milk.

Which is better: cow's or goat's milk

Cons of goat milk

Goat milk has always been considered by the people as a healing product. But is it so similar in composition to women's breast milk, as they say? The qualitative composition of these products has significant differences both in fat content and in the content of proteins and fats. Let's list the negative aspects of goat's milk, which doctors write about.

It is much fatter; It lacks the enzyme lipase, which promotes the breakdown of fats; Goat milk contains a lot of phosphorus, which creates additional work for the fragile kidneys of a newborn; This type of milk lacks folic acid, which can cause anemia.

Benefits of goat milk

If the choice is between cow's milk (See the article on cow's milk for a newborn) and goat's milk, then the opinion of doctors is unequivocal - goat's milk is much preferable to cow's. Why?

Cow's milk contains a lot of casein. Casein turns into a dense clot in the baby's ventricle and is processed for a long and difficult time. There is much less casein in goat milk, so it is absorbed much better and more completely; Goat milk is richer in composition of vitamins of different groups; Contains a lot of calcium, which is perfectly absorbed by the growing body of the child. Therefore, the teeth of babies receiving goat's milk begin to grow earlier and stronger; Especially goat's milk is shown to children prone to regurgitation. After all, it contains milk balls in a homogenized form (i.e., smaller), which means they are better absorbed by the child's body; In the ventricle of the crumbs, milk turns into small curdled balls, almost like a woman’s; Another useful property of goat milk is that it practically does not cause allergies. This quality is important for babies prone to allergic reactions, patients with atopic dermatitis.

When can you give goat milk to a baby?

Doctors recommend giving goat's milk to babies from 9 months, and before that, feed them with an adapted milk formula. Milk formulas made on the basis of goat's milk are now being produced. It is a pity that they do not have useful properties, like natural goat's milk. If the mixture is not suitable for your baby, he often spits up, then you can drive goat's milk almost from birth.

We read an article about mixtures (how to choose the right mixture)

How to properly introduce into the diet

If you still decide to feed your newborn with goat's milk from the first days, then you must follow some rules.

Try to take milk from friends, neighbors. See how the goat is kept, do not be too lazy to come for milking. If you buy in the market, ask for a certificate from the veterinarian (whether the goat is healthy). When buying milk in a store, carefully study the date of manufacture and expiration date. It is impossible for babies to use products with an ending expiration date. Try the milk yourself - is there any unpleasant aftertaste. It is necessary at first to dilute goat's milk with boiled water. For a newborn, 3 parts of water are taken for one part of milk. If this is not done, the baby can be fixed from the high fat content. The milk itself must be boiled. It is not recommended to use metal utensils for boiling. Store milk preferably in glass, enamel or ceramic containers. When the baby gets used, you can dilute in a ratio of 1: 2, after a month you can already give undiluted milk.

As you can see, the benefits of goat milk far outweigh its drawbacks. Of course, mother's milk is optimal for a baby, but in the absence of it, goat's milk may well become its replacement.

READ ALSO: Is it possible to give kefir to children up to a year. Recipes for making kefir for kids at home

Goat milk for baby feeding

Arguments in favor of feeding with goat's milk. Cons of factory mixes. How to prepare and use milk for feeding. A little information. Own experience!

Every year in the world the number of babies who are fed not with mother's milk, but with substitute mixtures, is growing. Stress, heredity, poor ecology, the use of poor quality food, caesarean section instead of natural childbirth - this is not a complete list of reasons why there is a need for milk mixtures. Most mixtures are made on the basis of cow's milk. For children who are intolerant to cow protein, there is an alternative in the form of mixtures based on goat's milk and even vegetable fats, but they are more expensive.

Modern baby milk formulas are a product adapted for the nutrition of a newborn, close in composition to human milk. Manufacturers are constantly improving its formula, adding essential vitamins and minerals. The composition of all high-quality mixtures includes probiotic saccharides GOS and FOS, thanks to which the long-standing problem of artificial feeding - excessive bloating and constipation in a child - is practically solved.

Despite the presence of such mixtures, many parents are considering the possibility of feeding the baby with natural cow or goat milk. If you interview these people, the reasons for this decision are as follows:

It's no secret that almost all milk produced on large farms is genetically modified. All farmers are interested in obtaining the greatest profit, often at the expense of quality. Feeding cows with cheaper GMO plants, adding substances that increase milk yield (Posilak), widespread use of antibiotics - all this information is in the public domain; at the moment, almost all soybeans cultivated in the world are genetically modified. And many experts talk about the possible harm of palm and other oils, so feeding with a mixture based on vegetable fats is not suitable for everyone; mixtures based on goat's milk are quite expensive and are practically unattainable for families with low financial income; there are many examples where babies have been successfully fed with goat's or cow's milk. The health of such children, as a rule, is higher than that of real artificial children, although theoretical medicine claims the opposite.

With all of the above, in the suburbs and villages of the former Soviet Union, many people keep cows and goats in small private farms. Their products can be found in local markets or directly negotiate with the owner in the village itself to purchase milk. The issue of quality control is solved simply and its consideration is beyond the scope of the article. The cost of feeding with natural milk is much lower than when using factory mixtures.

When choosing to use milk instead of formula, parents face a number of questions. Searching for answers on the Internet leads to conflicting conclusions, which is not surprising, since so many people - so many opinions. First of all, it is important to understand why you need to do it this way, and not otherwise, and not thoughtlessly follow the advice.

The white color of milk is formed by globules of fat. In each animal species, these balls are of different sizes, usually from 0.5 to 5 microns. In women's milk, they are very small, in goat's milk they are larger, and in cow's even more. The smaller their size, the easier the process of digestion. Once in the stomach with an acidic environment, the milk curdles and forms a clot. The most dense is obtained from cow. Based on this, in case of problems with lactation, it is more preferable to use goat's milk for feeding the baby, rather than cow's.

Water and milk for the baby must be boiled. Unboiled can be introduced into the diet no earlier than 9 months, and preferably from 1 year, because the digestive system of a newborn is weak and cannot always neutralize pathogenic microorganisms that accidentally enter. For feeding a child, formula should be prepared at the rate of 1 part water to 1 part milk. The use of undiluted milk causes unnecessary strain on the pancreas and possible problems later in life. First, the milk is boiled and cooled at room temperature. The resulting foam and possible clots are carefully removed, up to filtration through 2-3 layers of gauze. The prepared mixture should be enough for a day, then prepare a new portion. Must be stored in the refrigerator. Before feeding, the required volume is measured and heated to the desired temperature.

The table shows the average data for goat milk and scientifically based feeding rate (used in most mixtures):

Data on vitamins, minerals and other components are not given. It must be understood that the mineral composition of factory mixtures will correspond to the recommended one only if the mixture is prepared on the basis of distilled water. In practice, the mineral composition of the water itself influences the finished mixture obtained. Since the nutritional properties of milk are reduced when diluted with water, the child may ask for food more often. According to the available tables of weight gain, control should be exercised.

Of particular note is the small amount of iron in goat's milk. However, despite this, it is absorbed better than in cow. For comparison, the absorption of iron during breastfeeding of newborns reaches 60%, in goat's milk this figure is reduced to 30%, and in cow's milk only 10%. Iron, which is enriched in factory mixtures, is a pure element, and not an organic compound, as in real milk, so its usefulness is significantly reduced.

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Can goat milk be given to infants?

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

Arguments

Usually, doctors say that this animal drink is harmful for babies, and it should not be given to infants under one year old. Most artificial formulas are based on cow's milk with biological additives that minimize the potential for bloating and constipation. It is on this fact that the emphasis is placed.

Despite modern possibilities, some parents prefer to feed their infants with goat's milk. The arguments in his favor are:

the cow's milk used in formulas is, unfortunately, genetically modified. Most farmers feed their cows feed with chemical additives to increase their milk yield. Consequently, the quality suffers greatly from this. Soy used in blends is also GMO. Therefore, do not trust the manufacturers. Artificial goat's milk formulas are expensive, and therefore beyond the reach 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 anything, therefore, the diet of the "supplier" of milk is of great importance.

What Science Says

Of course, mother's milk, real breastfeeding, is best for children. However, due to its absence, as often happens, parents are forced to look for alternative options. The reason for this phenomenon is stress, caesarean section during childbirth, bad habits, occupation, and so on. Alas, now there are few healthy mothers who are able to breastfeed. So, a scientific point of view.

Any milk consists of small balls that have different sizes and textures. The smallest ones swim in human milk, the medium ones in goat milk, and the largest ones in cow milk.

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

This table can also serve as a good example.

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

it contains a large amount of vitamins and useful 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 insufficiency of lactose enzymes; the fat contained in this product is easier for babies to digest than its counterpart; goat milk contains the amino acid taurine, which has a beneficial effect on the development of babies.

Arguments against

In addition to prejudice and preconceived notions, there are such arguments against giving goat's milk to infants:

insufficiency of folic acid, necessary for the normal functioning of the hematopoietic organs; a high content of mineral salts, which adversely affects the kidneys; casein protein content, which has a bad effect on the gastrointestinal tract; lack of vitamin D and iron; the content of acids harmful to a tiny organism; too much fat in milk, which makes it too rich and indigestible for a child's stomach.

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

compromise solution

Of course, nothing can replace breast milk for children, but you have to look for options in case of its absence. The vast majority of young families resort to a cow product. However, sometimes babies are allergic to it. How to be in such a situation?

Plain milk from a goat should not be given to newborn children. This can provoke indigestion and aggravate the well-being of the baby. On the Internet, you can find reviews of experienced mothers who fed children from birth with a goat product, but it should be understood that they do not have a 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. To begin with, mix milk and water in proportions 1: 1 and mix thoroughly. Then heat to a boil and remove the foam. Then we pass the product through cheesecloth three times and feed the baby. Milk should be used within a day. Also, do not experiment with unboiled milk.

From what age to give a goat product? 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, when the immune system becomes stronger.

The issue of goat dairy product is now very acute. The network is constantly heated debate between his supporters and opponents. How many people claim about the benefits of the product for newborns, so many people assure the opposite, citing scientific facts to support their words. You should be reasonable and come to a compromise solution. If the baby is allergic to cow's milk, goat's milk will certainly be the salvation, but you should not risk the health of the crumbs without good reason.

Goat milk while breastfeeding

Undoubtedly, breast milk is the best food for a newborn baby, it perfectly combines all the necessary components: proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and trace elements. Unfortunately, more and more young mothers have hypogalactia. Then the question arises: “What can replace breast milk in order to, if possible, ensure that the child’s body receives the substances necessary for its growth and development?”

The benefits of goat milk for children

Feeding your baby goat's milk is a good alternative to breastfeeding. Although goat's milk is rich in casein protein, like cow's, there are certain differences in their composition. So, in goat's milk there is practically no alpha-casein, which is rich in cow's milk, so supplementing a baby with goat's milk does not cause allergies. It is this protein that can cause an allergic reaction in infants. The content of ß-casein in goat milk is the same as in breast milk. Since goat milk proteins contain a lot of albumin, so they are easily broken down, digested and absorbed in the baby's body. Therefore, if you give goat's milk to children under one year old, then they do not have symptoms of dyspepsia (nausea, vomiting, upset stool). However, in the absence of breast milk in the mother, it is advisable to combine goat milk with milk mixtures (the volume of the milk mixture is at least 70% of the total diet), since goat milk lacks some vitamins and microelements necessary for growth and development, such as folic acid and iron.

Goat milk while breastfeeding

Goat milk during breastfeeding can be given as a substitute for breast milk, along with breast milk (as supplementary food) and as complementary foods (after 4 months for artificially fed children and fasting 6 months for natural). Before feeding a baby with goat's milk, it must be diluted to see how the baby will tolerate it. So, how to breed goat's milk for a child? First, you need to dilute it in a ratio of 1: 3 (2 parts of water and 1 part of milk), if the child tolerated such a mixture well, then after 2 weeks you can dilute it with water 1: 1, and from six months you can already give whole goat milk.

If you decide to supplement or feed your child with goat milk, then you need to take it from a familiar goat breeder or a person with good recommendations. Before giving such milk to a child, it must be boiled.

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A mother may not always be able to breastfeed her baby. In such cases, you have to switch to artificial feeding. Milk mixtures appear in the house. Some parents find this insufficient and use cow's milk for feeding. There is such a replacement of mother's milk in rural areas. Along with cows, housewives also breed goats. Their milk is more nutritious, fatter.

What kind of milk to drink a newborn?

Quite often a question arises, the answer to which is not always easy to find: is it possible to give goat's milk to a newborn or wait until he grows up. Discussing the uniqueness of this product, its quality is often overestimated.

Undoubtedly, only mother's milk can fully satisfy the nutritional needs of the child, however, what to do if it is not enough or it is completely absent.

Young mothers do not know at what age goat's milk can be given to newborns, they doubt whether to use it at all or whether it is better to opt for cow's milk.

The digestive system of newborns has not yet reached its perfection. Food is processed slowly, not always fully due to the lack of enzymes responsible for this process. Therefore, until the age of six months, doctors advise giving the baby a breast, an adapted mixture.

Pros and cons of goat milk

There are times when mother's milk is not immediately available. When parents perceive milk formulas suspiciously, one should pay attention to the milk of pets. Traditionally, the question will arise: is a cow or goat product better?

Unlike the first, the second has the following advantages:

allergic reactions are less common; the amount of vitamins and useful microelements is much higher; calcium absorption is better. Teeth begin to appear earlier; less lactose content. Therefore, suitable for children with its lack; fatty acids found in goat's milk are absorbed by a small body faster, easier; This type of milk contains taurine. It is needed for the development of the baby, also boosts his immune system.

However, considering the advantages of goat's milk, one must also see its negative aspects.

Disadvantages of goat milk for babies:

one of the ingredients is casein. It is poorly digested, especially by the body that begins to form. As a result, the ventricle may be filled with clots; if you give goat's milk to drink to babies, you can cause a load on the work of the kidneys. This is due to the high concentration of mineral salts; goat milk contains a small percentage of folic acid, vitamin D, iron; this product is considered nutritious due to its high fat content, however, the baby's stomach digests it with great difficulty.

After reviewing all the pros and cons, we can conclude: goat's milk is an excellent natural product, but one should not rush to introduce it into the diet of a newborn as a permanent one. Use it, perhaps, as an additional food rich in vitamins and minerals.

How should goat milk be fed to babies?

Currently, a lot of controversy has unfolded about giving goat milk to children or not. As they say: how many people - so many opinions. If the baby is allergic to cow's milk, then there is only one way out and it is obvious. When there is a need to make a choice, read all the pros and cons, find a middle ground.

The following information can serve as a clear example for reflection:

Today there is a whole range of baby food made on the basis of goat's milk. It does not always have the beneficial qualities of a natural product, however, it is as close as possible in its composition to mother's milk.

It is difficult to call them medicinal, although they undoubtedly bring benefits to a small organism. First of all, they are given to children who are allergic to the protein contained in cow's milk. Doctors prescribe such nutrition for atopic dermatitis. This disease often ends with bronchial asthma.

only take milk from people you know. It can be neighbors, acquaintances, relatives; go to the milking, pay attention to how the goat is kept; when buying on the market, ask about the availability of a certificate from a veterinarian; when shopping in a store, look at the expiration date. It is strictly forbidden to give an expired product to children; Before you give the baby, try it yourself. Determine: if there are additional flavors; at first, try to breed before giving goat's milk to the child.

How to breed goat milk for a newborn? It is necessary to take three parts of water for one milk. If this advice is not followed, feeding newborns goat's milk can cause constipation. When the baby adapts, it will be possible to dilute in a combination of one to two.

Use and storage of goat milk:

Be sure to boil. Do not use, at the same time, metal containers; it is better to store these products in enameled dishes, ceramic or glass.

However, when switching to baby food based on goat's milk, be careful. The reaction of the body can be unpredictable. Whether it works or not, you can only find out by trying it.

How long can you give goat's milk to newborns? Doctors advise from 9 months. It is necessary to give goat milk to drink in the amount of 50 grams. In a diluted proportion, this will give 100, which is quite enough for making cereals, complementary foods.

Remember that you do not need to completely switch to this product. Don't deprive your baby of formula milk. They make up for the loss of vitamins that occurs when a natural product is boiled.

Breast milk has always been and remains the most valuable for the baby.

In today's world, unfortunately, breastfeeding is becoming more and more rare. Bad ecology, stress, often the inability for a mother to leave work, are forcing an increasing number of mothers to look for an alternative to breastfeeding.

And as such an alternative, as a rule, animal milk is considered - cow or goat. The main difference between goat milk and other types is the presence of a high percentage of vitamin A in its composition.

This dairy product is an amazing drink with many beneficial substances, sometimes referred to as the elixir of life.

In some cases, goat's milk is even considered a medicine when it can be given to a child in order to cure certain diseases.

One of the first reasons why it is suitable for infants is its rapid absorption by the body. Another reason is the content in itself of all the necessary useful elements.

In case of refusal to use dry formulas for baby food, parents may decide to switch to feeding the child with goat's milk. Then comes the time to decide when you can give your child goat's milk.

Here table of approximate content of substances in cow's and goat's milk:

According to this table, the difference in the composition of the milk of different animals is clearly visible, and on most points the advantage is firmly retained by goat milk.

Useful qualities of goat milk:

• The linolenic acid contained in this product strengthens the immune system.
• Goat milk has high bactericidal properties due to the presence of lysozyme in it.
• The work of the intestines is normalized.
• Potassium and magnesium contribute to the improvement of the cardiovascular system.
• Has hypoallergenic properties.
• Increases immunity.
• Restores intestinal microflora.

Testing for an allergy to goat's milk in a child. Allergy symptoms

In this milk, lactose is almost absent, and it is on it that children have such a common allergy.

The presence of a large amount of calcium in it helps well in the formation of children's teeth, contributing to their formation earlier and making them stronger. It well protects babies from rickets, strengthening the skeletal system.

Therefore, in the matter of choice, goat's milk or cow's milk, doctors always recommend the first.

If you want to pre-check whether the child has an allergy, the following studies are necessary:

• skin tests;
• blood analysis;
• following a specific diet.

The first 2 points will help to give the correct diagnosis.

The third method can be carried out at home. This method is evidence that undigested lactose is not able to be excreted from the body in a short time.

This will require the exclusion from the diet of products that include lactose. This also applies to the mother's diet if the baby is on breast milk.

The following can be determined from the results:

1. If the symptoms disappear in the shortest possible time, then this is an allergic reaction.
2. Symptoms lasting several days are product intolerance.

To find out the presence of this factor, especially a lot of time is not needed, since the first symptoms occur immediately.

An allergic condition can often be accompanied by the occurrence of dermatitis or eczema.

Allergy symptoms can include the following:

• regurgitation frequency;
• Rash on the skin, with intense redness;
• The appearance of a runny nose;
• Respiratory failure, in the form of whistling sounds;
• Severe itching that worsens well-being;
• Lachrymation, with redness of the eyes.

If one of these signs is noticed, it is necessary to exclude all dairy products from the child's diet and immediately contact the attending physician.

Possible harm to goat milk for a child

With all its positive qualities, this product has a number of significant drawbacks. The composition of goat milk is intended for feeding a herbivore.

This milk contains a lot of proteins for building muscle mass and fats - due to the high physical exertion that young goats undergo. Human children have a different metabolism, and the composition of animal milk cannot provide them with the content of all the substances necessary for full development.

Goat milk contains the protein casein, which the baby's stomach does not cope well with. The gastric juice in the child's digestive system turns the protein into a curdled lump and causes colic and whims of the baby up to a year.

Goat milk contains a much higher concentration of mineral salts than chest. Thus, the load on the urinary system increases. It is not easy for a child's body to cope with such extreme nutrition. With poor kidney function (and they do not work at full capacity in a child up to a year old), unextracted mineral salts are deposited in the body.

Eating exclusively goat milk can lead to the development of iron deficiency anemia in a child. due to its low iron content.

Folic acid is another vital component in the diet, it is also not enough for good nutrition. Folic acid is essential for the proper development of the child. Its deficiency can provoke nervous excitations, growth retardation and psychological and intellectual development.

Among other things, one should not limit the children's diet only to goat's milk, depriving the child's body vitamin D, in goat's milk it is much less than in the mother. Lack of vitamin D leads to poor absorption of calcium and the development of rickets.

Uncontrolled feeding with goat milk can lead to weight gain, due to the absence of the lipase enzyme in it, designed to break down fats.

The presence of certain trace elements, in particular, such as calcium and phosphorus, contributes to an increase in the load on the still immature excretory system of the baby. This can contribute to deviations in the development of the endocrine system.
It has a depressing effect on the work of the pancreas.

The high fat content of goat's milk, combined with the lack of lipase, can cause pancreatitis. The digestive system of a nursing infant is not working at full strength, so parents should strictly adhere to the recommendations on the age when you can give your baby goat's milk.

The decision to change the child's diet and include goat's milk in it should be made by the local pediatrician. Only he is able to weigh all the risks and determine when it is possible to start giving goat's milk to the child.

Is it possible to give goat's milk with a food allergy in a child

This remedy is useful for food allergies, it can be used as a remedy.

In these cases it is used every day for two months, and more if necessary. The result of this process is the complete disappearance of any allergic reaction.

So, goat milk is used for dysbacteriosis, which contributes to the rapid restoration of the natural intestinal microflora and the activity of the gastrointestinal tract.

Is it possible and when to give goat's milk to a newborn and a child under 1 year old

When can you give your baby goat's milk? Doctors advise starting to add this product to the baby's diet from 9 months., and in the preliminary stages, use the milk mixture.

On sale, at present, there are milk mixtures, the manufacture of which is based on goat's milk. However, if they are rejected by the baby's body, it is allowed to use it, almost from birth.

A child trying goat milk for the first time can only be given when it is diluted with water in a ratio of 1:5.

How to give goat's milk to a two-month-old baby

To get a mixture milk must be mixed with water in such proportions: 1 part of water to 1 part of milk.

It will need to be boiled, since the use of undiluted form can cause additional stress on the pancreas, resulting in all sorts of problems at an older age.

Having boiled the milk, it is cooled at room temperature, and the liquid is further filtered using 2-3 layers of gauze.

The mixture obtained in this way can be used for a day, after which it is necessary to prepare a new portion.

Keep the mixture in the refrigerator. Before feeding, the required volume is cast, which is heated to the required temperature.

How to give goat's milk to a 3 month old baby

At the age of 3 months, the baby is given a mixture of goat's milk, diluted in the same proportions as at 2 months, gradually adding the amount of the total mass.

Goat milk for 4 month old baby

The dilution scheme is still the same, with the addition of additional types of food.

Goat milk for 5 month old baby

The increasing weight of the child requires the addition of the amount of the mixture. This is the period when you can give your child goat's milk, diluted with water in smaller proportions.

There is an additional addition of a variety of vitamins with the use of certain fruits and vegetables.

Goat milk for 6 month old baby

From this period, it is good to start preparing goat milk porridges, which are very useful, while continuing to give the mixture in a diluted form.

Goat milk for 7 month old baby

At 7 months, the baby is transferred to 3 meals a day with a mixture, diversifying it with vegetable puree in the daytime.

How to give goat milk to an 8 month old baby

Foods such as meat and fish are added to feeding diluted with goat's milk.

How to give goat milk to a 9 month old baby

At 9 months in agreement with the pediatrician, you can start introducing goat milk into the child's diet. Milk should be pre-boiled and diluted in a ratio of 1: 3, starting with one or two teaspoons.

It is advisable to simultaneously reduce the amount of dairy products in the child's diet by about half.

How to give goat milk to a 10 month old baby

This is the time when Can you give your baby goat's milk twice a day?, morning and evening, replacing it in the daytime with fruit juice, as well as vegetable, meat and fish dishes.

In the absence of allergic reactions, increase the amount of complementary foods up to 50 g, also restoring the previous volume of the proportion of yogurt and cottage cheese.

Goat milk for 11 month old baby

From this age you can start diluting it in the following ratios - 1: 3. In undiluted form, milk cannot yet be given, since it does not contain the enzyme lipase, which allows the breakdown of fat.

Can be increased to 75 grams, the amount of fermented milk products up to 50 g.

goat milk for 1 year old

By the age of one, after prolonged use of milk, dilution ratio with water can be reduced to 1:2, since the baby's stomach is already able to more easily absorb the increased fat content of milk and useful elements that are in large doses. You can bring up to 100 g, dairy products also up to 100 g.

Goat milk for a 2 year old

Can be up to 2 glasses, cottage cheese and other dairy products, it is desirable to leave at the age level of 1 year.

How to give goat milk to a child after 2 years

Children over 2 years of age can be given raw goat's milk when it:

1. Purchased in a store or on a large market, and the seller has all the necessary documents (sanitary book, certificate from a veterinarian).
2. Acquired from friends who also have a certificate from a veterinarian and a sanitary book.
3. If homemade milk is used, the goats are healthy and none of the goats have gastrointestinal disorders or other infectious diseases.

Currently, baby food manufacturers offer baby food in the form of milk formulas based on goat's milk. These mixtures are made from natural goat's milk and are enriched with all those elements that are missing in a natural product. These products can be used from the first day of a child's life.

When deciding to feed your baby from birth, you must follow the following guidelines:

• Take milk from neighbors or acquaintances.
• When purchasing in the markets, one must not forget to require a certificate from a veterinarian.

• Store-bought milk should be checked for expiration dates.
• It is necessary to taste the milk, determining whether it has an unpleasant aftertaste.
• Avoid metal utensils when boiling milk, which is mandatory.
• When storing, use enameled, glassware or ceramics.
• In the initial periods of application, it is necessary to dilute the milk with boiled water.
• When a child gets used to goat's milk, closer to a year old, you can give him in proportions of 1: 2.

Use of undiluted milk may cause stool retention, however, at the age of 2 years, you can not be afraid of this if the child takes fruits and vegetables in full, which will interfere with this process.

Is it ok to give raw goat's milk to babies?

Diseases to which cows are susceptible are not found in goats, whose distinguishing feature is the choice of purer and juicier grass for food. However, when feeding on it, she may accidentally swallow an encephalitic tick with her, which then settles in the milk.

If you use raw materials in unboiled form, then there is a risk of disease. This rarely happens, but this fact cannot be ignored.

Is it necessary to boil goat's milk for a child?

When milk is boiled, many useful elements begin to lose their properties, in particular, B vitamins, which are necessary for the growing body to protect the immune system and multiply cells.

However doctors urge milk to be boiled before feeding a small child.

If you do the following during sterilization, you can save more useful substances:

1. Boil for a short time, using a low temperature;
2. After boiling, avoid storage in an open container;
3. Avoid heating in the microwave.

Therefore, goat milk for a child must be boiled before use if it is purchased on the market or from unfamiliar people. A child under 2 years of age should be given boiled milk, regardless of where the product was purchased.

Unboiled milk can become:

Milk bought in a supermarket, from a large firm or a farm, is processed and is unlikely to become a source of infection, but high fat content can still cause indigestion.

How to breed goat milk for a child

Goat milk is bactericidal, allowing it to remain usable for 48 hours. In the refrigerator, its safety increases up to a week.

Porridges prepared with goat's milk are nutritious and tasty. Goat milk is diluted in a ratio of 1:4 for newborns, provided there are no other sources of nutrition. In the future, the proportions decrease and by the year the child can already be fed with whole milk.

Goat milk porridge for a child

Having prepared semolina porridge with goat milk, there is no need to put a piece of butter in it, because of the fat content of the milk itself. Such porridge is perfectly absorbed by the body.

It is especially useful for children suffering from dysbacteriosis. Freezing is the best way to store this remedy for a long time, in which the beneficial properties are almost not lost.

Porridge with goat's milk is prepared in the same way as with cow's milk, with a decrease in the proportion of milk in the product. The missing part of the liquid is replaced with water. In addition to cereals, goat's milk can be added to vegetable purees, pastries, omelettes.

Is it possible to freeze goat milk for a child

Goat milk tolerates freezing well, and much less vitamins are lost than when boiled. When deep freezing (storage temperature reaches -19 degrees) and using sterilized dishes frozen goat milk can be stored for up to 6 months.

Dairy products cannot be frozen. Freezing contributes to the stratification of substances in the product, and this adversely affects the taste and appearance. In addition, due to low temperatures, lactic acid bacteria die, minimizing the beneficial properties of yogurts, kefirs and other fermented milk products.

Storage methods:

• 4-6 hours at 25 degrees;
• 10 hours at 19-22 degrees;
• 24 hours at 15 degrees;
• 10 days in the freezer at 0-4 degrees.

Storage Preferably use glassware and shake well before use.

In order to reduce the safety of the fat content of goat's milk, there is a need to dilute it with water at least 4 times. Vitamins and minerals will be significantly reduced in quantity, but this will help to avoid a severe eating disorder.

Additional nutrients and vitamins can be added with other types of complementary foods. Given that goat's milk contains many minerals that create a load on the excretory system of the child, it is necessary to gradually introduce it into the body.

What is important to remember when giving goat's milk to a child

• It is necessary to remember about the dilution of milk during application.

In addition to cereals, you can use it in cottage cheese and kefir. Useful and healing properties of goat's milk can be harmful only when the child has an individual intolerance, then it can be given only in adolescence.

It should also be taken into account that some trace elements and vitamins, being in an increased dose for the baby, form a considerable burden on the kidneys, which is difficult for the baby's urinary system to cope with.

• Lack of folic acid can cause anemia.

Advice to young mothers who are going to introduce goat's milk into their children's diet, it is important to know that it is undoubtedly useful, but you must first consult with a pediatrician.

How often can you give your baby goat's milk?

In the absence of medical contraindications, goat milk can be given to a child constantly, without exceeding the recommended daily allowance, which ranges from a few teaspoons in the first month of life to 2-3 glasses over the age of two years.

This amount does not include milk used for cooking cereals, pastries and other dishes.

Contraindications. When not to give your baby goat's milk

Contraindications for feeding a child with goat's milk are:

1. Individual intolerance to goat milk components (allergy)
2. Avitaminosis.
3. Overweight.
4. Kidney diseases.
5. Tendency to anemia.
6. Problems with the endocrine system.

That's all the basic data on the question of when you can give your child goat's milk. To summarize the above, the attending physician may decide that goat's milk can be used as a partial replacement for breastfeeding.

When feeding a child with goat's milk, the child should be given additional vitamins and iron-containing preparations, as well as control weight. When using baby food based on goat's milk, such precautions are not required.

About the benefits and harms of milk for children, as well as when you can give goat milk to a child, Dr. Komarovsky will tell:

How to drink goat's milk for children:

Many parents believe that milk is incredibly healthy for children. It contains both calcium and bacteria useful for digestion. Naturally, from an early age, a child begins to be taught to drink and eat dairy products, even if the little one desperately resists and shows with all his appearance that he does not like them. Is it necessary to insist and is milk as useful as it is commonly believed, says the well-known pediatrician Evgeny Komarovsky.

Good for kids, bad for adults

In order for milk sugar (lactose) to be absorbed in the body, a special enzyme is produced - lactase. In newborns, the level of lactase is very high, it is produced a lot, since breast milk is the only food for crumbs. As you grow older, the amount of lactase produced decreases, and in an adult this enzyme is practically absent in the body, since biologically he no longer needs dairy food. But an adult organism quite normally accepts and digests fermented milk products.

A decrease in lactase levels in some people begins at the age of 3, in others from the age of 10, in others later. This is an individual feature of the body and there are no norms in this matter in principle.

If nature has provided for the child the opportunity to eat milk, this does not mean that you need to eat the milk of farm animals. Nature has made sure that the baby absorbs mother's milk well, and not goat's or cow's.

Benefit and harm

The milk of cows and goats for children of the first year of life is not just harmful, but dangerous, says Yevgeny Komarovsky. But this fact is rather difficult to explain to parents who, from their own childhood, remembered sayings that milk is a source of health and energy for a growing organism. It is very difficult to explain to parents that due to the lack or lack of breast milk in a nursing mother, it is best to choose an adapted milk formula.

First, it is important in terms of composition. The mixture contains vitamin D, which prevents the development of rickets. But if you give your child cow's milk and give vitamin D supplements separately, then rickets develops very often. And this can be explained by the processes that take place in the body after the child has consumed cow's milk.

Contains more cow's milk calcium, than in breast milk, almost 4 times. The content of phosphorus exceeds the similar parameter of breast milk by 3 times. Calves need such amounts of phosphorus and calcium so that their bones grow faster. However, the rapid growth of bones for a human infant is not the most preferred developmental option.

In addition, excess amounts of calcium and phosphorus that enter the intestines of the child cannot be fully absorbed. The body will take only the amount it needs, the rest will come out with feces.

with phosphorus other story. His body takes not as much as it needs for normal life, but about one third of the amount received. Thus, the consumption of cow's milk leads to an overdose of phosphorus. The kidneys of the child react to the increased content of this substance, which begin to quickly remove excess phosphorus from the body. Unfortunately, it leaves along with the received calcium, which is so important for the harmonious development of the crumbs.

The kidneys mature closer to the age of one, at about the same time you can start giving milk to the child, gradually introducing it into the diet.

No need to drink liters of crumbs, it is quite enough to give a one-year-old child about half a glass of milk a day, a two-year-old - 1 glass, and a two-year-old toddler - no more than 2 glasses a day. By the age of 3, all restrictions lose their relevance, and children can be given this product, even cow or goat, in any amount that he is able and willing to "master".

Another not the most “useful” aspect is cow protein intolerance, which happens quite often in children of the first years of life. It manifests itself in the impossibility of assimilation of protein, which the body of the crumb regards as foreign. The immune system is activated, an allergic reaction begins. If you have such a child, you should not give him any milk. Only adapted mixtures are suitable, preferably hypoallergenic, in which the milk protein is processed in a special way and neutralized.

In recent years, cows and goats also eat little natural food, and many of the feeds that the owners give them contain hormones and antibiotics. Naturally, this entire set passes in certain quantities into milk. This is another reason not to give this product to children under one year of age, although the final decision rests with the parents. After all, it is quite difficult to dispute the fact that it is rather difficult to provide a varied diet for a child without milk.

Blend or milk?

If after 12 months a decision is made to introduce whole milk into complementary foods, Evgeny Komarovsky advises making an informed decision. This product in dosed quantities will no longer cause harm, but it will still be more useful for an adapted infant formula, in which the amount of phosphorus is reduced, and calcium and vitamin D are increased.

The amount of iron in cow's milk is insufficient and its regular consumption will lead to anemia. In adapted mixtures, this composition parameter is provided, and the child will receive the amount of iron he needs.

If the family budget allows, it is better to choose a mixture that is appropriate for age - from 12 months. Typically, such mixtures are indicated by manufacturers with the number "3".

Fatty or low fat?

Today, the food industry offers a plethora of skim milk options. It is considered preferred by adults and children who are intolerant to full-fat cow's milk. However, in the very concept of “fat-free”, according to Yevgeny Komarovsky, there is a catch.

Baby milk differs from regular milk by ultra-pasteurization. The percentage of fat in it is reduced, but is not at the minimum mark. The box usually indicates at what age the manufacturers recommend the product. Most often it is 8 months. Komarovsky urges to give such milk, if the mother really wants to do it, no more than once a day and in small quantities.

Children after a year can dilute regular milk with a fat content of 3% with ordinary water by about one third of the volume.

Dairy products

It is very good if a mother learns how to make homemade fermented milk products for her child. For them, you can use ordinary store-bought cow's milk with a fat content of not more than 1.5%.

Complementary foods in the form of fermented milk products are not very desirable for children with impaired mineral metabolism, with signs of rickets. Therefore, before introducing such complementary foods, it is advisable to consult a pediatrician.