Goat's milk for toddler?

[mel_mama]

Just a quick question -- anyone give their toddler goat's milk on a regular basis? Right now, I am 6 months pregnant and my breast milk is basically gone. When DH puts my son down on the night's I'm at work, he still needs a little milk in a bottle to get him to sleep. Right now, we're using Rice Dream Enriched Vanilla, but I'm concerned about the sugar content, the lack of fat, and the presence of synthetic vitamins (another poster on a different thread was posting about that...is there a huge concern with synthetic vitamins for a toddler? What are the cons?).

I'm thinking an organic goat's milk might be a good alternative? I have read many stats on cow's milk and was advised by my naturopath some time ago not to do cow's milk for various reasons. Also, we don't drink cow's milk as a family at all, so it would seem somewhat strange to buy it for DS.

Anyone here use goat's milk? Any thoughts? Brands you recommend?

[justKate]

I started DD on goat milk at 12 mos., when I stopped pumping during the day. I used goat milk because she seemed to tolerate it better than cow milk. I also felt like it was more similar to mama milk than the other options. kellymom.com has a lot of info on goat milk and the relative nutritive value.

We used the kind that they sell at any old grocery store in the purple carton. Can't remember the name. Raw goat milk would have been nice, but wasn't an option for us at that point. I think its a good option!

[Abraisme]

I plan on giving my toddler raw, fresh goats milk if she needs it (like if I get pregnant, am gone for the day, etc). We own 2 dairy goats and will be getting our first milk soon, so I will have easy access.. For you, I would recommend finding a fresh, raw local source of goat milk straight from a farm. Raw is always the best when it comes to milk.

[butterfly_mommy]

DS drinks goat milk about 4-8 oz a day because he likes it and I think it is better the cow milk. However he also drinks cow milk occasionally as well. he is still nursing and when I am with him he nurses to sleep but when DH is with him he doesn't have anything. He tolerates both animal's milk fine.

[bella99]

Meyenberg is the stuff in the purple carton. It's sold at a lot of grocery stores, and is organic.

My daughter weaned earlier than I had planned, and didn't seem to be tolerating cows milk well, and so along with water, goat milk is her primary source of liquids.

It tastes fairly similar to cows milk, has a great fat, protein, and calcium content. It's much more gentle on the stomach than cows milk, and can be used in recipes wherever milk is called for. The only thing I find frustrating is the cost, we pay about 4.29 a quart, and the kid goes through A LOT every week. But we do it because it works for her. (we've also tried coconut milk but she wouldn't drink it).

[cristeen]

Rice milk is not suitable as a bm sub. Most cartons say right there not to give it to a child under 2. Goats milk is a great choice if its tolerated. Coconut milk is another good choice. I use the stuff in the can (the stuff in the refrigerated section is far too diluted for me), and dilute it about 50/50.

[Kmama2]

We do coconut milk as well. Im also pregnant and dont have as much milk as I would like. Coconut milk has alot of fat which is good! It doesn't have cholesterol though as far as I know so if you use it just make sure your baby eats something with cholesterol like butter or cheese or full fat yogurt etc.
We drink raw cows milk but ds doesn't seem to like it much... I thought goats milk was lower in fat than cows milk?? But suppusedly alot easier to digest?

[Abraisme]

Originally Posted by Kmama2

We do coconut milk as well. Im also pregnant and dont have as much milk as I would like. Coconut milk has alot of fat which is good! It doesn't have cholesterol though as far as I know so if you use it just make sure your baby eats something with cholesterol like butter or cheese or full fat yogurt etc.
We drink raw cows milk but ds doesn't seem to like it much... I thought goats milk was lower in fat than cows milk?? But suppusedly alot easier to digest?

Goat's milk is generally higher in fat than cow's milk. It depends on the breed of goat, but it can be as high as 10%, where the highest cow's milk is 4-5%.