Cow/Goat/Soy Milk Debate: What the Latest Research Tells Us

There has been a lot of talk about the benefits of goat’s milk and soy milk as alternatives to cow’s milk for both children and adults. Here we aim to set the record straight by presenting the facts as they currently stand and letting you make up your own mind about which milk is best for your baby.

However, it needs to be emphasised beforehand that no matter which milk you choose, it should be done in consultation with your doctor and raw cow, goat or soy milk should never be given to babies under 12 months old.

Breast milk is best milk

Obviously the best kind of milk for baby is breast milk. All the experts agree on that for the following very good reasons:

• Breast milk is pure, fresh and always at the right temperature for a baby to drink.
• As well as all the right nutrients, breast milk contains crucial antibodies that babies need to protect them from illness and disease.
• Breast milk helps with your baby’s early brain development.
• Breast milk is the easiest form of milk for a baby to digest.
• Breast milk helps protect a baby from food intolerance, as well as conditions such as asthma, eczema, allergies, coeliac disease, diabetes and possibly even heart disease.

Cow’s milk

In the event that you aren’t able to breastfeed for whatever reason, cow’s milk formula has been the most widely recommended next-best alternative for newborns.

Cow’s milk formula contains cow’s milk that is rich in whey, just like breast milk. Its carbohydrate, protein and fat content are all adjusted to optimum levels, and vitamins and minerals are added to give newborns the ideal balanced diet.

The best cow’s milk formula is made using cows that are reared on organic dairy farms, where no artificial fertilisers, antibiotics or pesticides are used.

Goat’s milk

Goat’s milk formula has recently been named as a suitable substitute for cow’s milk formula. And it is similar to cow’s milk in protein levels and nutritional content, although it is lower in folic acid and several important vitamins.

The reason given for using goat’s milk formula is that it is a suitable substitute for babies with cow’s milk intolerance or allergies, and it is here that the experts begin to disagree. Goat’s milk has been shown to be easier to digest in some babies, which can be helpful for babies with reflux, but when it comes to allergies research has shown that the majority of babies who are allergic to certain proteins found in cow’s milk are also allergic to the same proteins found in goat’s milk.

However, some babies sensitive to cow’s milk are able to ingest goat’s milk without problems, so for this reason it seems goat’s milk formula can be an alternative to cow’s milk formula for some of the small percentage of babies (1 in 50) who are allergic to cow’s milk.

The symptoms of a milk allergy include diarrhoea, vomiting, eczema, hives, rashes, runny nose, cough, wheezing and breathing difficulties. The symptoms of lactose intolerance are similar but not dangerous, and include diarrhoea, vomiting, stomach pain and gas.

Soy milk

Soybean formulas have also been declared a suitable alternative to cow’s milk formulas. They are made from protein soy extracts with added amino acids, vegetable oils and carbohydrates derived from corn starch. Vitamins and minerals are also added.

As with goat’s milk formulas, it is generally agreed that soy-based formulas can be a suitable alternative for those babies with cow’s milk or lactose intolerance, but again, this is a very small proportion of newborns.

For the majority of babies, experts do not recommend soy-based formulas be used instead of cow’s milk formulas. This is because the process involved in isolating the protein in soya beans when making these formulas removes natural digestive and metabolism co-factors as well, making these formulas more difficult for a baby to digest.

Soy based formulas also contain much higher levels of aluminium than human milk, which can effect bone growth and density, particularly in small premature babies.

Concerns have also been raised in recent years about soy milk’s high levels of phytoestrogens, which may put babies at higher risk of reproductive problems and thyroid disorders later in life, although there is not sufficient evidence to support this claim as yet.

Summary

So let’s recap. Everyone agrees that breastmilk is the best milk and, while cow’s milk formula is still considered the next best alternative to breast milk, it would seem that goat’s milk and soy milk do have a role to play for a small percentage of newborns.

All three have similar nutritional value and are good sources of protein, vitamins and calcium, but here’s what the experts say about each:

• The American Academy of Pediatrics says cow’s milk-based baby formula is still the closest to breast milk, which is the best source of nutrition for babies.
• The European Food Safety Authority says there is no convincing data to support the claim that there are less allergic reactions in babies fed goat’s milk formula than in those fed cow’s milk formula.
• The UK Food and Drug Administration says soy-based formula should not be used unless prescribed by a doctor.

At the end of the day, it’s a decision that only a mother can make, but – as noted at the beginning of this article – such a decision should only be made in consultation with a qualified medical professional.

Important Notice

Thanks for reading our blog. We hope you found this information interesting.

• The World Health Organisation recommends that breastfeeding is best for your baby.
• Having a balanced diet when breastfeeding is also important. Baby formulas should only be used after you’ve sought advice from a doctor or health practitioner.
• A decision not to breastfeed can be difficult to reverse and introducing partial bottle feeding will reduce the supply of breast milk. It is also wise to consider the cost of infant formula.
• If you use infant formula, all preparation and feeding instructions must be followed as per the manufacturer’s instructions. This is important for your baby’s health.

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