Cow vs Goat Formula – Which One to Choose?
Who knew there were so many different choices when it comes to baby formula? Powder, organic, soy, cow, goat…and that’s just scratching the surface.
Mama, we know you want to give your baby the best formula possible. But, with so many choices, it’s easy for your head to spin! That’s why we’re here to sort it all out for you. We want to make life a little easier when it comes to choosing the right baby formula.
While on your formula-finding mission, you may have noticed that one difference is whether the formula is made from cow’s milk or goat’s milk. This is one you want to pay close attention to because choosing the wrong one may give your baby some tummy troubles.
We’re going to take a closer look at the two so that you can make the right choice for your little one.
Cow Milk-Based Baby Formula
Most baby formulas are made with a cow-milk base that is altered to resemble breast milk. Lactose is added to cow milk-based formula to make the concentration similar to that of breast milk. Butterfat is removed and replaced with vegetable oils and other fats that infants can digest. Cow milk-based formula often also has additional iron added to help avoid iron-deficiency anemia in infants.
Cow milk-based formula is also higher in folic acid and vitamin B12 compared to goat’s milk, which is higher in certain vitamins and minerals.
At Organic Baby Formula, the Holle and HiPP brand formulas offer cow milk-based options made from organic skim milk. They contain all-natural ingredients to mimic breast milk. The Holle brand also offers a goat milk-based option for babies with sensitive stomachs.
Goat Milk-Based Baby Formula
While many babies can handle formula made from cow’s milk without a problem, other babies just can’t digest it well. This is one of the reasons why some parents choose goat milk-based baby formula.
Goat milk tends to be easier to digest for babies than cow’s milk. This is why some formulas use this over cow’s milk. At Organic Baby Formula, we sell Jovie baby formula that uses organic goat milk as the main ingredient. Full-fat goat milk is used which means there’s a naturally higher fat content than some other formula options. Because of this, there are fewer vegetable oils that are added, making for a cleaner and healthier option.
Goat’s milk is known to contain more essential fatty acids than cow’s milk. It’s also able to break down enzymes more efficiently because its tiny fat globules create a larger surface area. This is what helps to make goat milk-based formula easier to digest than formula made from cow’s milk.
Besides being easier to digest, a 2019 study found that goat milk-based formulas may closely mimic breast milk. This is due to the prebiotics called oligosaccharides. These help with immune development and to promote a healthy gut. The Jovie brand baby formula also includes these prebiotics which helps to make its formula more like breast milk.
Which Formula Should I Choose?
Now that we know the differences between the two formulas, ask yourself these two questions:
- Does my baby have a cow milk allergy?
- Does my baby have a hard time digesting cow milk-based formula?
If you answered yes, then you’re probably going to want to choose a goat milk-based formula. Check with your pediatrician to see what they have to say as well. You want to make sure that it is the cow’s milk that is causing the discomfort and not another issue.
If your baby has no trouble digesting cow milk-based formulas, then it really comes down to personal preference for you and your baby. Some parents prefer goat milk-based formulas over those with cow’s milk. Some babies may also have a preference as to which one they prefer when it comes to taste.
When you decide which formula best suits your baby’s needs, you can count on Organic Baby Formula to deliver. We offer both cow milk-based formula and goat milk-based formula. Whichever you choose, you can count on products with all organic ingredients, and no preservatives, corn syrup, or sugars. We know you want the best for your baby, and so do we.