Is it Better for Newborns to Consume Cows Milk or Goats Milk?
After the birth of a baby, breastfeeding is often the preferred method of feeding. However, if the mother's milk supply is insufficient or she is unable to breastfeed due to health issues, dairy products may be used as a substitute for breast milk. As the digestive system of newborns is still fragile, milk or goat milk are generally chosen as suitable options. It is crucial to pay special attention to nutrition when feeding newborns, as they are in a stage of rapid development and require adequate nutritional supplementation. This article provides a detailed comparison between milk and goat milk, allowing parents to make informed choices based on their baby's needs.
In terms of nutritional value alone, goat milk and milk are comparable. Both contain proteins, fats, vitamins, and various minerals necessary for a baby's growth and development. However, the choice between the two depends on specific considerations related to the baby's condition. Goat milk has smaller protein molecules, which make it easier for babies to absorb nutrients. Therefore, babies with weak constitutions or allergies to cow's milk may be better suited for goat milk. It is important to note that goat milk contains less folic acid, a crucial nutrient for a baby's intellectual development. Since babies younger than 6 months old cannot consume solid foods to obtain folic acid, it is generally not recommended for them to drink goat milk.
Although milk powder has frequently faced quality issues in recent years, its processing technology is more mature than that of goat milk powder. Milk powder often contains nutritional components that are more suitable for human consumption and has greater stability. Therefore, choosing a reputable brand of milk powder can be a reliable option. Goat milk powder, on the other hand, is a relatively new product, and its quality and processing technology cannot be compared to milk powder. Whether it is as good as advertised remains to be seen over time. Parents should exercise caution when choosing milk powder for their babies.
In summary, both milk and goat milk have their respective advantages. Milk is more commonly chosen, but for babies with poor digestion or allergies to milk, goat milk may be a suitable alternative. The differences between goat milk and milk include:
- Goat milk is rich in whey protein, while milk does not contain it.
- Goat milk is rich in lactoferrin, while milk contains almost none.
- Goat milk contains epidermal growth factor (EGF), which is not present in milk.
- Goat milk has a shorter fat chain, with fat particles only one-third of the size of milk's.
- The protein clots in goat milk are fine and soft, while those in milk are coarse and hard.
- Goat milk contains unsaturated fats, while milk contains saturated fats.
- Goat milk has a lower fat melting point, making it easier to digest than milk.
- Goat milk is weakly alkaline with a pH value of 7.1-7.2, while milk is weakly acidic with a pH value of 6.5-6.7.
- Goat milk contains 1.7 times the calcium, 2 times the vitamin A, 1.5 times the vitamins B1 and B2, 10 times the carnitine, 1.8 times the potassium, and 1.6 times the sodium of milk.
- Goat milk does not contain allergens such as γ-casein and α-IS casein, which can cause allergies in milk.
When choosing between goat milk and milk for calcium supplementation, it is worth noting that goat milk has a higher calcium content than milk, not only exceeding milk but also breastmilk. According to tests, 100 grams of goat milk contains 214 milligrams of calcium, while milk contains 169 milligrams, and breastmilk contains 60 milligrams. Goat milk is also easier for babies to absorb than milk. Therefore, mothers who want to supplement calcium for their babies may choose to give them goat milk. However, it is advisable to wait until the baby is at least 6 months old before introducing goat milk, as goat milk lacks folic acid, which can be obtained from solid foods after 6 months of age. When focusing on calcium absorption, it is also important to ensure the absorption of other nutrients.
