A 1970 book on animal breeding claimed that goats' milk differs from cows' or humans' milk by having higher digestibility, distinct
alkalinity, higher
buffering capacity, and certain therapeutic values in human medicine and nutrition. George Mateljan suggested doe milk can replace
ewe milk or cow milk in diets of those who are allergic to certain mammals' milk. However, like cow milk, doe milk has
lactose (sugar), and may cause
gastrointestinal problems for individuals with
lactose intolerance. These compositions vary by breed (especially in the
Nigerian Dwarf breed), animal, and point in the lactation period.
Considerations for infants Like whole cow's milk, whole goat's milk is not recommended for use by
infants due to the discrepancy between the composition of whole milk and breastmilk and the imperfection of the child's digestive organs for digesting evolutionarily unsuitable food. Lack of
folic acid when using whole milk instead of
breastfeeding in children leads to the development of
B12 folate deficiency anemia. In the event of an allergic reaction in children to cow's milk, contrary to popular belief, the likelihood of developing it to goat's milk is equally high. Like unmodified cow's milk, the
American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) discourages feeding infants unmodified goat's milk. An April 2010 case report describes an infant fed raw goat milk and summarizes AAP's recommendation and presents "a comprehensive review of the consequences associated with this dangerous practice." They also voiced, "Many infants are exclusively fed unmodified goat's milk as a result of cultural beliefs as well as exposure to false online information. Anecdotal reports have described a host of morbidities associated with that practice, including severe
electrolyte abnormalities,
metabolic acidosis,
megaloblastic anemia,
allergic reactions including life-threatening
anaphylactic shock,
hemolytic–uremic syndrome, and infections." Untreated caprine
brucellosis results in a 2% case fatality rate. According to the
USDA, doe milk is not recommended for human infants because it contains "inadequate quantities of
iron,
folate,
vitamins C and
D,
thiamine,
niacin,
vitamin B6, and
pantothenic acid. Doe milk would not meet an infant's nutritional needs" and may cause harm to an infant's
kidneys and could cause metabolic damage. According to the Canadian federal health department
Health Canada, most of the dangers of, and counter-indications for, feeding unmodified goat's milk to infants parallel those associated with unmodified cow's milk — especially insofar as allergic reactions go.
Infant formula Breast milk is the best nutrition for infants. If this is not an option, infant formula is the alternative. EFSA (European Food Safety Association) concluded in 2012 that goat milk protein is suitable as a protein source in infant and follow-on formulas. Ever since, goat milk-based infant formulas have rapidly gained popularity around the world including: the UK, Australia, Germany, Netherlands, China, Korea, Australia and New Zealand. These formulas are not produced by the infant formula multinationals but by companies that focus on specialty infant formulas. In the U.S. goat milk infant formula is not yet available. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recognizes that goat infant formula has been thoroughly reviewed and supports normal growth and development in infants. == References ==