Introduction

* The best milk for feeding babies is mother's milk **
* The first option should always be to breast-feed your baby *

Goat milk can be suitable for feeding to babies and children (and adults) when they have an intolerance or an allergic reaction to cow's milk and cow's milk products.

The allergy problem

The allergic response to cow's milk and other dairy products is a reaction to the specific proteins, and may be seen as the following:
* skin rashes and eczema;
* runny noses, chest infections and asthma;
* digestive upsets, colic and diarrhoea.
However, these symptoms might be shown for many different reasons, some of which may have nothing to do with allergies. It is also possible that the reactions may be to allergens other than cow's milk. For example, some children show allergic reactions to peanuts, soyabeans, wheat gluten, etc.

It is often difficult to identify the precise allergy problem. This is usually done by eliminating the suspected allergen, and monitoring the symptoms. If it is suspected that dairy products are the problem, then an attempt is made to eliminate all milk products from the diet. But if this is done, it is very difficult to ensure a balanced diet that will still be sufficient in all nutrients. Milk is particularly valuable as a source of high quality protein and calcium, as well as the other important nutrients it contains. A natural solution may be to use goat milk instead of cow's milk. In many cases there are no allergic reactions to the goat milk, and it can safely replace cow's milk in the diet.

Read what Professor Donkin has to say about Lactose Intolerance!