Baby formula based on goat’s milk or cow’s milk?
When you think of milk, the first thing you probably think of is cow’s milk. But have you ever thought about goat milk? Traditionally, goat’s milk has been drunk in many countries worldwide. Goats are even the main source of milk there. Nowadays, in addition to bottle feeding based on cow’s milk or soy protein, you also have bottle feeding based on goat’s milk, such as Kabrita’s bottle feeding. But what is the difference between goat’s milk and cow’s milk? And what is best for your baby?
The difference
At first glance, goat’s milk and cow’s milk look a lot alike. Both milks are white and taste great. Of course, the main difference between cow’s milk and goat’s milk is that cow’s milk comes from the cow and goat’s milk comes from the goat. As a result, the composition of the milk is different, such as the amount of fatty acids, proteins, carbohydrates and minerals.
Fatty acids
Research shows that goat’s milk contains more short-term fatty acids than cow’s milk. Short fatty acids are easier to absorb through the intestines. The fatty acids are passed directly to the liver via the blood. There they are processed immediately, so that they do not end up in the adipose tissue. Long fatty acids, on the other hand, cannot be processed directly via the blood. Goat milk contains a high percentage of short fatty acids.
Protein
Goat’s milk and cow’s milk have no significant difference in protein profile. However, the type of proteins and their distribution are different. For example, goat’s milk contains less as1-casein than cow’s milk. The concentration of this specific protein, which can be seen as an allergen, is lower in goat’s milk than in cow’s milk. Despite this difference, goat’s milk is unfortunately not an alternative for an established cow’s milk allergy, because the difference is too small and other factors also play a role.
Vitamins and minerals
In terms of vitamins and minerals, goat’s milk is very similar to cow’s milk. For example, there is about the same amount of magnesium in goat’s milk as in cow’s milk. Fresh goat’s milk does contain more calcium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc and selenium than other types of milk. These are all kinds of minerals that are important for the body in their own way. Minerals are not produced by the body itself and must therefore enter the body through food.
The vitamins in goat’s milk and cow’s milk are also largely comparable. Goat’s milk contains slightly less folic acid and vitamin B12 than cow’s milk. Goat milk is naturally rich in vitamins A, B2, C, D and K.
Along with calcium, vitamin D is important for building strong bones. Thanks to vitamin D, your child can absorb the calcium from food. That is why this is often added extra to bottle feeding. Vitamin K is also often added. The body makes vitamin K itself in the intestines, but this is not yet done enough in babies. By adding extra vitamins, your baby gets the necessary nutrients.
Is goat’s milk better than cow’s milk?
There are no obvious advantages of goat milk for toddlers over cow’s milk. The composition of goat’s milk is very similar to that of whole cow’s milk. It has not been scientifically proven that goat’s milk is more digestible or easier to digest.
Goat milk as a basis for follow-on milk and toddler milk
Goat’s milk is approved as a basis for baby food, just like cow’s milk formula. The formula based on goat’s milk must meet a legally required amount of nutrients, including carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals.
Kabrita goat milk formula, just like other follow-on milk, is enriched with the minerals, carbohydrates and vitamins that your baby needs to grow well. Kabrita goat milk baby food is a Dutch product and combines mild Dutch goat milk with a modern composition. This creates a bottle feeding that is mild and gentle on your baby’s tummy.
