Jovie Goat Milk Stage 3 Formula

Jovie Goat Milk Stage 3 is an organic, European, goat’s milk-based formula designed for toddlers 12 months and older when pediatricians or parents decide their child is not quite ready for whole milk. Goat milk formulas are gaining popularity in Europe and the United States because they may be easier to digest for some children with a sensitivity to cow’s milk. 

This formula is made for children over 12 months of age who have weaned or are weaning from breast milk or just need a supplement to their diet. It’s meant to be part of a balanced diet for toddlers since most one-year-olds should be getting the bulk of their nutrients from texture-appropriate family foods. 

Just as the label indicates, Jovie Goat Milk Stage 3 is made with goat milk instead of the traditional cow-milk base of most other formulas. Goat formulas are gaining popularity worldwide, because they may be easier to digest for some sensitive children. This may be partly because goats naturally make casein protein (A2 casein)  that is slightly different from the casein that most cows produce (A1). 

Goat milk is also naturally higher in galactooligosaccharides when compared to cow’s milk. This carbohydrate is also found in human milk, which may contribute to feeding a developing gut microbiome. This may ultimately help children achieve normal, healthy digestion. 

Jovie formulas are manufactured in the Netherlands, with information printed in both English and Dutch on the label. Jovie is certified organic by the European Union. These high standards guarantee that products with an organic label are non-GMO and pesticide free. Any animal products including milk must come from animals that are not offered antibiotics, and any plant products must follow sustainable crop rotation.

Pros and Cons of Jovie Goat Milk Stage 3

Pros: 

• Formulas made with goat milk may be easier for some children to digest compared to cow’s milk
• Includes added DHA as required by the European Commission to support normal brain development
• Contains added and natural galactooligosaccharides, which are prebiotics that may support digestion

Cons: 

• Goat milk formulas are not safe for children with a true cow’s milk allergy 
• Expensive compared to whole milk, which most children are ready for at one year 
• May offer nutrients that are unnecessary for toddlers who already eat a balanced diet

Ingredients in Jovie Goat Milk Stage 3Jovie Goat Milk Stage 3 contains very similar ingredients to Stage 2 with a few differences, however, Stage 3 is not appropriate for infants under one year old because it does not offer the same amounts of these ingredients.

Organic whole goat milk powder; ORGANIC lactose (milk); ORGANIC galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) (milk); ORGANIC vegetable oils (ORGANIC sunflower oil, ORGANIC rapeseed oil); docosahexaenoic acid-rich oi (DHA) (fish); MINERALS (calcium carbonate, sodium citrate, magnesium chloride, ferrous lactate, zinc sulphate, copper sulphate, manganese sulphate, potassium iodide, sodium selenite); VITAMINS (ascorbic acid, dl-alpha-tocopheryl acetate, cholecalciferol, retinol acetate, niacinamide, calcium-d-pantothenate, thiamine hydrochloride, pyridoxine hydrochloride, folic acid, riboflavin, phytomenadione, biotin, cobalamin). 

Allergy and intolerance information: 

• Contains milk
• Contains fish oil
• Contains lactose

Nutrients in Jovie Goat Milk Stage 3 Formula

Most children over the age of 12 months are able to eat softened, traditional family foods including store-bought milk if they’re not drinking breast milk. Toddlers can get most of their nutrients from these foods, and toddler formula may not be needed. Discuss the need for the added nutrients in your toddler’s formula with your child’s pediatrician. 

The carbohydrates in Jovie Goat Stage 3 include the lactose naturally found in the goat milk powder, as well as additional lactose. This milk sugar is usually well tolerated by toddlers because it is the primary carbohydrate found in human milk. 

Galactooligosaccharides (GOS), which are found naturally in human and goat milk, are also added to the formula. GOS are carbohydrates that are digested by the child’s beneficial gut bacteria. Research suggests that GOS supports a developing gut microbiome.  

Jovie uses whole goat milk powder, which means it’s naturally high in fat just like whole cow’s milk. Unlike adults, toddlers ages 1-2 need extra fat from sources like whole milk for normal brain development. 

Jovie adds DHA from fish oil. DHA is naturally found in breast milk and the European Commission now requires DHA in infant formulas made for babies under one year. DHA is an omega-3 fatty acid that is needed for normal brain development. Other oils from sunflower and rapeseed are also used to increase the healthy fat content. 

Side Effects of Jovie Goat Milk Stage 3 Formula

One concern for Jovie Goat Milk formulas is that people may try to use it as a substitute for cow’s milk formula when their child has a milk allergy. Goat’s milk is not a safe alternative for children with allergies because it is too similar to cow’s milk. Ask your child’s pediatrician or allergist what the safest alternative is for your child. 

Fish is another common allergen among people, and parents should be aware that Jovie uses fish oil in their products. 

Some kids may also have an intolerance to lactose. This is rare, however, because human milk is high in lactose, and most young children are able to digest it easily. 

How Jovie Goat Milk Stage 3 Formula Compares

Toddlers over one year of age generally transition to whole milk if they’re not breastfeeding. Here’s a comparison of Jovie Goat Milk Stage 3 formula to whole goat milk and other toddler formulas on the market. 

Jovie Goat Milk Stage 3 vs Whole Goat Milk

The reason health experts recommend full-fat dairy products for toddlers ages one to two years old is that it’s a convenient source of essential nutrients like protein, fat, calcium, potassium, and vitamin D. Here’s how some nutrients in whole goat’s milk compare to Jovie’s Stage 3 formula, ounce for ounce.

While fat and vitamins A and D are comparable in the two products, calcium, potassium, and phosphorus are somewhat higher in the whole goat milk. On the other hand, protein is higher in the Jovie formula. 

Jovie formula offers additional ingredients like fish oil for DHA, and extra oligosaccharides as a prebiotic. Jovie also adds iron, an important mineral for healthy red blood cells. These added nutrients may be important if their toddler isn’t eating other foods like fruit and vegetables that offer prebiotics, fish for DHA, and meats that offer iron. 

If your child enjoys a variety of foods, whole milk may be the better choice. However, your pediatrician may recommend a fortified formula if they need additional nutrients.

Jovie Goat Formula Stage 3 vs HiPP Goat Stage 3 

HiPP Dutch Goat Stage 3 is made in Germany and packaged in the Netherlands. Like Jovie Stage 3, it’s intended for toddlers over the age of one and is certified organic by the European Union.

Both Jovie and HiPP offer DHA from fish oil and add oligosaccharides to the formula. Both also fortify their formula with additional nutrients. Although these added nutrients are comparable, Jovie offers slightly higher amounts of protein, vitamin A, phosphorus, calcium, potassium, and iron. 

Jovie might have a slight edge over HiPP with their choice of fat content. HiPP includes palm oil in its formula, which may not support normal bone growth.  

Jovie Goat Milk Stage 3 vs. Nannycare Stage 3 Goat Milk Formula 

Nannycare is made in New Zealand, but it is approved by the European Commission. It is a toddler formula, made for children over twelve months old. Nannycare is not certified organic, whereas Jovie is. 

Jovie is higher in protein content by about double. Nannycare is also lower in calcium and phosphorus. Potassium is mentioned in the Nannycare ingredients list but not the nutrition information, so we’re not sure how much it has.  

One ingredient Jovie adds that Nannycare does not are oligosaccharides, which may help children develop a healthy microbiome. 

An ingredient that Nannycare claims to have but Jovie does not, is choline. Choline is an essential nutrient that is needed for normal brain development. While this nutrient is on the Nannycare ingredients list, the nutrition label again does not list how much is included. 

Jovie and Nannycare are both fortified with DHA from fish oil, though Nannycrare has more than Jovie. Neither brand uses palm oil. 

Jovie seems to have the edge over Nannycare for nutrient content and organic status. 

Bottom Line

Jovie Goat Milk Stage 3 is an alternative to breastmilk or whole goat milk for toddlers who have had their first birthday. Because it’s made with goat’s milk instead of cow’s milk, it may be easier to digest for some toddlers than standard formulas. This formula is not a good alternative for children with a true milk allergy. 

Toddler formulas may not be necessary for children who are already able to eat a balanced diet of solid foods. Whole goat milk along with a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and protein foods can offer the nutrients a child might get from Jovie Goat Stage 3. 

Jovie Goat Milk Stage 3  is organic and approved by the European Commission for safety. These standards are not exactly the same as FDA regulations, but they are based on scientific research and are very strict.