There are many parents who choose goat milk formula for their children due to an allergy or intolerance to cow’s milk. Around 3% of infants in developed countries suffer from this condition, with symptoms ranging from mild to severe. It is interesting to note that many individuals with cow’s milk allergies rarely have the same reaction to goat’s milk.
Cows Milk Allergy
Cow milk allergy is essentially an immunological reaction to the protein found in milk, whereas milk intolerance is a digestive problem brought on by lactose (milk sugar). Your immune system’s function is to locate and combat germs and viruses that are present in the body. A person gets an allergy when their immune system interprets a particular dietary protein as an outside invader. The initial signs of a milk protein allergy almost invariably arise within the first six months of infancy and typically appear between 2 and 4 weeks of age. Here are signs to watch out for if you think your child may be allergic to milk proteins.
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Colitis
- Abdominal pain (often indicated by excessive crying or irritability after feedings)
- Rashes
Is it possible for babies with Cow Milk Protein Allergies to switch to goat milk?
There are alternate formulas available for kids who are allergic to cow and dairy products. If you’re wondering whether it’s alright to give your little one goat milk
formula if they are having a cow milk allergy, the answer is yes.
There are a number of reasons for this, notably:
- Since goat milk protein tends to form a softer curd, it is gentler on an infant’s stomach.
- Goat’s milk contains less lactose than cow’s milk, which may be advantageous for those who are lactose intolerant.
- More short and medium-chain fatty acids, which are easier to digest, are found in goat’s milk.
- Formula made with goat milk can aid in easing gastric discomfort symptoms. make stools softer and easier to pass while increasing the number of good gut bacteria that supports digestion.
Conclusion
While lactose intolerance is the most common intolerance to cow milk, affecting a majority of the world’s population, some people have trouble digesting cow milk regardless of the lactose. This could be related to the size of fat globules in the milk. Goat milk has smaller fat globules and less lactose, making it easier for the body to break down in digestion.
Goat milk formula can be a helpful alternative if your infant exhibits symptoms of discomfort or adverse reactions to cow’s milk, as it is typically easier to digest. However, you should always speak with your pediatrician before selecting a formula or changing formulas.
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