does anyone give goats instead of cow's milk?

[buttercup]

My ds is one this week so I'm just beginning to think about switching from formula to milk. He's been on goats milk formula which seems to really agree with him so I was thinking of putting him on goats rather than cow's milk. Does anyone know if its nutritionally got all the right things in it?

I understand that most medical experts believe cow's milk is more suitable for babies than goat's milk (& a lot easier to buy).

I have the impression, nutritionally, goats milk is a lot closer to cow's milk than human milk, and I would guess, than fake human milk (ie., formula), too. You can check that on the USDA FNIC website (www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/cgi-bin/nut_search.pl).

If you're willing to spring for the extra cost of goat's milk, anyway, why not keep giving your DS formula?

That said... my son's nursery don't give the babies milk unless one brings it in for the baby. So when I could face expressing no more (DS around 13 months old), I sent goat's milk in a few times. I wouldn't even know how to mix up formula.

I understand that most medical experts believe cow's milk is more suitable for babies than goat's milk (& a lot easier to buy).

Obviously I didn't mean to imply cow's milk is right for babies with an allergy to it (about 8% of babies) but goat's milk isn't right for all of them either. I understand cow's milk is higher in iron and certain vitamins than goat's milk, though some believe goat's milk is more digestible. I don't think there is a lot in it if he eats well and gets plenty of iron in his diet or a supplement. By one year a lot of baby milk allergies have cleared up, I think.

Goats milk is lower in folic acid than cows milk, which is why the experts recommend cows milk. But if your child's getting plenty of fresh veg to make up the folic acid, I don't think that's a problem.
I think I am right in saying that that's the main nutritional difference. I'm sure St Helens Dairy, or Delamere, would answer any queries though. www.delameredairy.co.uk and www.sthelensfarm.co.uk
The average size of the fat particles is smaller in goats milk, which is why it is more digestible than cows milk.
Did your son show an allergy to cows milk buttercup, or is it personal preference for goats milk?