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Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

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Original poster

Defying the Health Visitor: Goats Milk Formula!

58 replies

Pennymum · 16/02/2009 21:01

My DD is 4 months old and I am giving her 1 bottle of Nanny goat infant nutrition a day, alongside ongoing breastfeeding. I've had the speil from my health visitor about her not being able to support/recommend my use of it, but then I also know a number of stories about cows milk intolerant babies being prescribed the same stuff. I even spoke to the manufacturer who said that they hit this problem all the time because of European regs, and that many babies in NZ, Oz and the USA are living on it! Any insights, views, wisdom welcome..... Thanks

OP posts:

Littlefish · 16/02/2009 21:03

Is your dd intolerant to cows milk?

edam · 16/02/2009 21:04

why are you giving her goats' milk rather than normal formula? Have you any reason for thinking she may react to cows' milk?

thisisyesterday · 16/02/2009 21:05

it is not used in the Uk for a reason.
if you feel that you know best and are happy using it then that's up to you really isn't it?

fwiw most children with a cows milk protein intolerance are also intolerant to goats milk as the proteins are very similar.

exclusive breastfeeding is best for your baby.

Rammit · 16/02/2009 21:05

yes what they said

ThingOne · 16/02/2009 21:06

Why have you chosen to use it?

Of course the manufacturer will defend his product. That's not really a surprise, is it?

thisisyesterday · 16/02/2009 21:07

this explains exactly why it is no longer for sale in the UK.

gemmiegoatlegs · 16/02/2009 21:07

edam · 16/02/2009 21:08

Food Standards Agency warns against goats' milk

"Infant formula and follow-on formula based on goats' "
milk protein are not suitable alternatives for babies who are intolerant or allergic to cows' milk formulas.

"This is because some of the proteins in goats' milk are similar to those found in cows' milk and most babies that react to cows' milk protein are also likely to react to goats' milk protein. Since the levels of lactose are similar in both milks, formulas derived from goats' milk are also unsuitable for babies that are lactose-intolerant.

"Goats' milk infant formulas and follow-on formulas based on goats' milk protein have not been approved for use in Europe. If you are currently using a goats' milk formula for feeding your baby it is important to seek the advice of your health professional about the most appropriate type of formula for your baby's needs, before changing to a different formula."

The Food Standards Agency is independent and authoritative - I would take their advice very seriously.

JollyPirate · 16/02/2009 21:08

It depends why you are giving it. One bottle a day should be fine but it's not deemed enough as a total form of nutrition (although many would disagree). Babies are not prescribed it in this country - if they need a specialised formula then there are plenty that can be prescribed. For babies who are cows milk intolerant it would depend upon what the intolerance is to - if it's lactose then goats milk has just as high a content of lactose.

I have no hard feelings about it myself but wonder why you need to give anything extra if you are successfully breastfeeding - and it sounds as though you are.

thisisyesterday · 16/02/2009 21:10

Unmodified goats? milk protein is deficient in cysteine and tryptophan in comparison to several reference amino acid patterns derived from the analysis of human milk protein. Unmodified goats? milk protein, like unmodified cows? milk protein, is unsuitable as a protein source for infant formula within the permitted range (Directive 91/321/EEC, as amended by Directive 96/4/EC) of protein concentration in infant formula.

There are no convincing data, either in the literature or submitted, to support the belief that the incidence of allergic reactions is lower when feeding goats? milk-based infant formula compared to cows? milk-based infant formula.

The clinical study of a goats? milk protein-based formula submitted is insufficient to establish the nutritional adequacy and nutritional safety of goats? milk protein as a protein source in infant formula

thisisyesterday · 16/02/2009 21:11

from the european food safety authority

edam · 16/02/2009 21:13

quick google shows the U.S. Association of dietitians warns against goats' milk too.

Rammit · 16/02/2009 21:24

Someone should warn the kids.

gemmiegoatlegs · 16/02/2009 21:35

madmouse · 16/02/2009 22:00

I think you're all being goaded

TheCrackFox · 16/02/2009 22:12

goat grief

Original poster

Pennymum · 17/02/2009 21:31

This was my first posting on mumsnet, and it has totally put me off bothering to come here for advice and suport again. What could you possible mean by asking if this is a genuine thread? I simply wanted to hear if other people had experiences of using it or not, or had wrestled with the decision. Instead I have been lectured about European legislation and by implication, criticised for not exclusively breastfeeding my baby. Fortunately, as a person with a brain in my head, I had already examined the legislation / research, and as a person with a conscience and my child's best interests at heart, had considered my decision to give formula with extreme thoroughness. All I wanted was to hear about the personal choices of others if they had considered its use.

For 3 years I used the fertility friends website for support and advice while trying to conceive, and not once did I feel bullied or judged. Sadly, my exereince here has not been so positive

OP posts:

gagarin · 17/02/2009 21:43

Very straight talking folk on mumsnet - you asked for opinions ("Any insights, views, wisdom welcome..... Thanks") and got them .

The fact the posters had looked at the same research you have looked at and come to a different decision seems to have upset you somewhat?

Health visitors are normally slammed on here but this time it seems her advice is backed up by other scientific opinion so it's not surprising many posters agree with the FSA and feel you may well have made a wrong decision. And have said so.

Why not reply explaining the reasoning behind you deciding to give goats milk?

Don't go away upset. Lurk a little. You will find some good stuff on here.

Original poster

Pennymum · 17/02/2009 22:05

Gagarin, I will answer your question about why I choose to use it... I have read and heard many examples of goats milk being given to babies in hospital / by paediatricians etc as more digestible. My baby has suffered a little with reflux and I wanted to use something very digestible. My baby is also a little eczma-ish and I do believe that goats milk is better for this - I have found many other studues that do suggest it is beneficial. I am also deeply susicious of the large scale formula producers and their processes - but I don't impose that view on the many mothers I know who use them. As an Endometriosis sufferer and a former fertility patient, I did a serious amount of research about nutrition to try and help myself, and there were many compelling reasons back then to avoid cow's milk produce, so I am reluctant to give it to her too soon. Finally, I have found no other way to have my daughter feel satisfyingly well fed in the early evening - this after weeks of trying to improve my milk flow and / or express sufficient earlier in the day.

My disappointment at the responses here is based on the fact that I did not detect anyone operating from the premise that I might have already given this a lot of thought. It's not the views so much as the way in which they were expressed. Written communication of this kind, just like email, should always be carefully thought through...

OP posts:

madmouse · 17/02/2009 22:06

Pennymum, I must say when you did not post back last night I for one thought you were a troll, ie someone who comes on here just to stir things up. I thought this because you are in effect saying that you are giving your child something it shoudl not have, ner . we get trolls on mn, believe me. Hence my silly comment. No offence meant, sorry.

What I do still not get is how you can decide that something that is banned because it is bad for infants under one is good for your child. Where the evidence is so straightforward I cannot see how you have done your research and come to the conclusion that you should still give the stuff

Please do stay around, we are actually quite friendly. But you do need to stay open to other points of view. This is an open forum and people are free to post what they want.

Original poster

Pennymum · 17/02/2009 22:43

I don't agree that it is something she should not have.

I didn't post back last night because I was so shocked at the responses.

It is recisely because I am open to other points of view that I don't think I will stick around - no-one appeared to be open to mine!

OP posts:

madmouse · 17/02/2009 22:48

Pennymum can you point us to research that shows that it is beneficial for some children to have goats milk?

pamplemousse · 17/02/2009 22:54

It is widely known that goats milk is more digestible than cows milk. I completely agree with you Pennymum. My dd also had that same formula and she is fine. I didn't want her to have anything cow related until she was one, it was something I too researched.
Have you read Sussanah Oliviers book? It sounds like it would interest you I have a copy if you want to borrow it...? littlechickpea1979 AT yahoo dot co dot uk
Hope you come back and see that at least one person agrees with you

bumpybecky · 17/02/2009 22:55

you say it's to help in the early evening....

are you aware of cluster feeding?

it's perfectly normal for a little baby to feed loads in the evening (it's nature's way of making sure you get to sit down and watch telly all night.....).

see the wonderful Kellymom site

as for the goats thing, you might not realise but last night was a little odd on MN, lots of silly posts many of which were goat related. I think you unfortunately picked a bad night to ask about goats milk formula! Please don't let this experience put you off

madmouse · 17/02/2009 22:58

pamplemousse what makes you say it is widely known? I am not sure it is widely known, or true for that matter.

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