How to Give a Child Goat's Milk

The main reason that a parent chooses to give their child goat's milk is because of allergies to cow's milk. Goat's milk is also used in lieu of cow's milk for infants and children in many countries across the globe since it is easily digested.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Talk to your child's pediatrician. Before switching to goat's milk exclusively or giving a child the milk initially to try, run it by your pediatrician. She may have some concerns that she wishes to discuss with you first.

2. Wait until the child is at least a year old. Infants under the age of one should only have breast milk or formula to drink, unless otherwise advised by your doctor.

3. Find a place that sells goat's milk. You are probably going to have a harder time locating goat's milk than simply picking up cow's milk at the supermarket. You may need to go to a whole foods store or purchase the milk directly from a local farm.

4. Boil the goat's milk before serving to the child. Traces of bacteria can be found in goat's milk. Therefore, the milk should be boiled and then cooled before serving to your infant or child.

5. Consider a supplement while the child is drinking goat's milk. Goat's milk does not have some of the nutrients that are found in cow's milk. Ask your doctor about giving the child a multi-vitamin that contains folate and the vitamin B12.

Tips & Warnings

• Your child may be allergic to goat's milk as well if he is allergic to cow's milk. This is because many of the same proteins are found in the milks.
• Goat's milk is digested easier because its curd is softer and smaller than the curd in cow's milk.