Breastfeeding: Goat's milk as supplement to breast milk?
I had a friend who fed her son goat's milk when she couldn't breastfeed. She said it was easier for him to digest. Would this be an acceptable alternative to formula when I go back to work and cannot breastfeed on a regular basis? I am worried I won't be able to express enough milk.
Question:Sue Gilbert
Sue Gilbert works as a consulting nutritionist. For many years she worked with Earth's Best Organic Baby Food, integrating nutrition and... Read more
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It is possible for working moms to pump enough breast milk for their babies. I suggest you find some helpful resources that will show you how you can be successful. Call the experts in nursing, La Leche League, at 1-800-LALECHE or contact a lactation consultant.
Breast milk is by far the best for your baby. If you do find you need to supplement your breast milk with some other liquid, goat's milk is not the best choice. It is low in iron, folate and vitamins C and D. It has a high solute load relative to cow's milk and very high relative to mother's milk and may cause metabolic acidosis if fed in the first month of life.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends breast milk as the ideal infant food for the first year of life with complementary solid foods starting at ages 4 to 6 monhts. If breast milk isn't an option, a commercially-prepared infant formula is recommended.
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