supplementing with goat's milk instead of formula?

[@llli*auderey]

hi everyone! i'm not really sure where to post this thread, but:

someone in my mom's group has to travel away from her baby for a long time and doesn't have enough milk frozen. she mentioned something about supplementing with goat's milk instead of formula. i'd never thought of that before and wondered about it. has anyone ever done that or heard about it before? what are some considerations one might take into account (raw milk vs pasteurized, age of baby, amount of supplement, risks vs formula)?

thanks!
audrey

[@llli*mommal]

The age of the baby would be my biggest concern. If the baby was close to a year or over a year, I'd be okay with offering some pasteurized goat's milk, even cow's milk- though formula would still be my preference with a baby under a year. Less than 8-10 months, however, and there's no way I'd use anything but formula. Goat's milk is for baby goats, and while formula is not perfect at least it's closer in composition to breast milk than any available animal milk.

I think you nailed all the concerns.

[@llli*sassypants]

For a baby under a year I would use formula. You may not like formula but it is still the best alternative to human milk for a human baby.

ETA: Oops, mammal already said it.

[@llli*mommal]

Great minds think alike.

[@llli*auderey]

thanks!