Despite the fact that even in Ancient Greece they wrote about the unique properties of goat's milk, its harm and benefit to children, still remain controversial. Therefore, to feed the baby with goat's milk, preferably, only after consultation with the pediatrician.
Benefit and harm of goat's milk for children
The undoubted advantage of using goat's milk is its ability to treat rickets, bronchial asthma and rhinitis. Goat's milk is indicated for atopic dermatitis, in cases when the cow causes an allergic reaction. Casein, contained in goat's milk, is much more easily absorbed by the body than cow's milk casein. Although goat's milk is not hypoallergenic, allergic reactions are extremely rare.
Negative qualities include high fat content and absence of lipase, by means of which fats are split. Goat milk for children under one year has contraindications. For example, there is a high risk of damaging the unformed urinary system and causing chronic kidney disease due to the large amount of minerals present in goat's milk. In addition, not every child will be happy to drink goat's milk, since it has a rather unpleasant specific taste.
If you think that it is necessary for a breast baby to have goat milk, pay attention to the adapted milk mixtures prepared on the basis of goat's milk. Their composition is the closest to the human breast milk, and the negative factors are practically eliminated.
Goat Milk Composition
It is thanks to the chemical composition that the medicinal properties of goat's milk are considered unique. In it, first of all, the high content of potassium and calcium, which is favorable for the formation of bone tissue and the growth of teeth. The high content of vitamin D serves as an excellent prevention of childhood rickets. The presence of cobalt normalizes metabolism and the process of hematopoiesis.
High fat content has no effect on the digestibility of the product. Goat's milk is assimilated by almost 100%. At the same time, unsaturated fatty acids, which are present in about 69% of goat milk, prevent the deposition of cholesterol. A large amount of magnesium provides normal functioning of the nervous system and intestinal peristalsis. By the way, magnesium is responsible for the full functioning of the heart muscle and prevents the development of hypertension.
Goat milk contains manganese, copper, vitamins A and C. But, unfortunately, there is absolutely no folic acid and iron. And their lack of food often provokes anemia. Therefore, the answer to the question, whether it is possible to give goat milk to children, entirely depends on the desire of parents, as well as, the individual characteristics of the child.
Goat's milk, at what age and how to give the baby?
To introduce goat's milk into the diet of a child is recommended not earlier than the baby will be half a year old. Do I have to boil goat's milk before drinking? The question is controversial. When boiling, most vitamins die and as a result, the benefits of milk are reduced. But, the use of raw goat milk can cause infection with brucellosis and parasites. In any case, give the child raw milk is allowed only after three years.
You can not be afraid of high fatty goat's milk, as it is bred in a 1: 1 ratio with warm boiled water.
How to store goat's milk, too, has long been known. In the refrigerator, it can last no more than five days. As a result, many parents use frozen goat milk. Freezing practically does not affect the composition of the product and preserves its useful qualities.