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This in-depth, parent-friendly guide will help you find and buy the best goat milk formula for your baby. You will learn why you should consider goat milk formula and why it can be a great alternative to cow’s milk, what ingredients to avoid in formula, and where you can reliably purchase goat formulas for your baby. I update this post monthly to ensure that all of the information below is recent and accurate!
So many of you have come across my best organic baby formula post – and I’m so glad that post has been helpful! One of the most common questions I get when it comes to baby formula is: What about goat milk formula? Is it better than cow’s milk formula? And which one is the best?
In general, goat milk formula can be a good option for babies – especially for babies who just aren’t tolerating cow’s milk formula well. I always recommend choosing an organic baby formula, and therefore an organic goat milk formula whenever possible to avoid GMOs, synthetic ingredients, pesticides and hormones.
Read on to find out everything you need to know about goat milk based infant formula, the different brands of goat milk formula available, and which one is the best option for your baby!
What Is Goat Milk Formula?
Goat milk formula is a type of infant formula that is made from goat’s milk instead of cow’s milk. It is formulated to meet the nutritional needs of babies who are either exclusively formula fed or who require supplemental feeding in addition to breastfeeding.
There are also goat milk toddler formulas which are meant to meet the nutritional needs of toddlers (typically aged 12-24 months) instead of infants (aged 0-12 months).
Goat milk based formula contains a blend of essential nutrients, including protein, fat, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals (including iron), that are necessary for a baby’s growth and development. Goat milk formula is safe for newborns – a recent study showed that goat milk formula for newborns worked just as well as breastmilk when it came to growth and safety.
Goat milk infant formula may be recommended for babies who are allergic to cow’s milk or who have difficulty digesting it, as goat’s milk is considered to be more easily digestible than cow’s milk for some babies. But it’s not solely meant for babies with sensitive digestive systems, as it’s not a hypoallergenic formula and is formulated for all babies.
Note: If you are considering switching to goat milk formula (or before using any infant formula), make sure to speak with your pediatrician first!
How Is Goat Milk Formula Different Than Cow’s Milk Formula?
Goat milk formula and cow’s milk formulas are very similar in nutritional content. They both contain the right balance of vitamins, minerals, proteins, fats, and carbohydrates that are important for your baby’s growth and development.
There are a few differences between the two types of formulas that may make goat milk based formula a better choice for your baby:
- First, goat milk contains less lactose than cow milk, making it easier to digest, especially for babies with a lactose intolerance.
- Goat milk is made up of A2 casein protein vs. A1 casein protein in cow’s milk, and A2 protein is supposed to be easier to digest as well when compared to A1.
- Goat milk has smaller fat globules (medium chain fatty acids), compared to cow’s milk which has more long chain fatty acids – which can be harder for your baby’s digestive system to break down.
- And finally, goat milk is often considered a more ethical and sustainable alternative to cow milk, as goats require less land, water, and feed than cows to produce the same amount of milk.
For more details on what the pros & cons are of goat milk vs. cow milk formula, check out our guide to Goat Milk Formula vs. Cow’s Milk Formula.
Is Goat Milk Formula Better For Babies?
The answer is: it depends! Goat milk formula can be a better option for some babies, but not for others, and it all depends on each baby’s individual needs and circumstances such as allergies, digestive issues and nutritional needs.
Goat milk formula is designed to provide excellent nutrition to all babies, and some babies will do better on goat milk formula because of the reduced lactose, easier to digest fats, and A2 milk proteins. For babies who do not tolerate cow milk-based formula well, goat milk formula may be a good alternative. However, some babies may not like the taste of goat milk formula, or they may get constipated on goat milk vs. cow milk formula. If your baby is doing well on cow milk formula, there may be no need to switch to goat milk formula (and vice versa).
But ultimately, there is no way to really know whether goat milk formula will be better for your baby without a little bit of trial and error. Just make sure to consult your pediatrician first!
Quick Picks: Best Goat Milk Formulas
Here is our “at a glance” view of the best goat milk baby formula based on different needs. Looking for a budget friendly clean baby formula? A goat milk toddler formula? A European goat milk formula? The best overall? We have you covered.
We chose these formulas based on: over 100 hours of research, speaking with thousands of parents on what has worked for their children (along with personal experience with my own two kids), reviewing the ingredients of every goat formula brand on the market, speaking with doctors and pediatricians, and reviewing countless articles and peer reviewed studies. There aren’t as many goat’s milk formula options as there are cow’s milk. That said, there are a few high quality goat milk formulas.
Further down in this guide you will find a detailed list of the top 10 best goat milk formulas, one runner up (good formula brands that didn’t make our top list), and why we love each of those options.
Which Goat Formula Is Best?
Of these formulas,Jovie Goat Milk Formula is by far the best goat milk baby formula (and the best best organic goat milk formula) on the market today. (Note: go to this post on the best baby formulas made in the US if you’re interested in a US based formula!)
If I was going to give my own child a goat milk baby formula, I would choose Jovie Goat Formula.
Why Is Jovie Goat Milk Formula The Best?
Jovie Goat Milk Formula is a great product, ideal for healthy development for a few reasons:
- Made with whole A2 Goat Milk instead of skimmed milk like most other formulas. This 100% full cream goat’s milk is also loaded with prebiotics. Goat milk protein is also easier to digest than cow’s milk protein.
- No Palm Oil or coconut oil (so is allergen friendly)
- Contains essential fatty acids DHA & ARA (note: uses fish oil so is not vegetarian. For a vegetarian goat milk formula, I recommend Kendamil Goat.
- No hexane extraction
- Produced in the Netherlands, adhering to the highest organic standards
- Contains natural prebiotics similar to breastmilk – boosting your baby’s immune system.
- No added sugars, synthetic preservatives, no wheat soy, maltodextrin or peanut ingredients, GMO free
- Main carbohydrate is lactose, mimics the whey:casein ratio of human breast milk
- Contains essential vitamins such as: folic acid, vitamin d3, vitamin b12, vitamin b6, vitamin a and vitamin e.
Important Note: If your child has had an allergic reaction to cow’s milk or cow milk formula, or is completely lactose intolerant, then you likely need a true hypoallergenic formula and goat milk may not work for your child.
Ideal Goat’s Milk Formula Ingredients
✅ Ideally organic, or at least Non-GMO. If the milk is imported from the EU or NZ that’s even better, because you end up with higher standards for the treatment of animals and the processing of milk. Holle Formulas, Jovie and HiPP are all organic.
✅ Primary carbohydrate is lactose. No syrup solids, sugar, glucose syrup, maltodextrin, or other added sugars used.
✅ 60:40 whey:casein ratio. Breastmilk has a 60:40 whey to casein ratio, so it’s ideal for formulas to mimic this same ratio to avoid digestion issues, constipation, gas, discomfort in babies. Goat milk naturally has a 20:80 whey casein ratio, so many goat milk formulas will also end up with that same ratio. Breast milk contains more whey than casein – and goat milk contains much more casein than whey – so a formula that adds goat whey protein will be easier for babies to digest. An alternative is for formulas like Jovie which don’t have a whey:casein ratio that matches breastmilk to add other ingredients like healthy fats and prebiotics that aids in digestion.
✅ Addition of Omega 3 & 6 fatty acids (DHA/ARA). For healthy brain development, and to match what’s naturally found in breastmilk.
✅ Prebiotics added. For gut health, as well as immune system support. Ideally, probiotics are added as well, but you can also supplement with probiotics for formulas that don’t contain it (but it’s much harder to supplement with prebiotics for infants).
✅ No highly processed ingredients. This includes: carrageenan, soy protein (soybean oil is ok), no nutrients extracted with hexane (this applies to DHA, but also any other nutrients added to the formula), etc.
✅ Easy to mix, babies tolerate it well (based on parent reviews).
✅ Gluten free. Most formulas are already naturally gluten free, but it’s important for the manufacturing facilities the formulas are produced in to not have any cross contamination issues as well.
A note about palm oil and soy lecithin: These two ingredients are not ideal and are more processed, but are not as “harmful” as something like glucose syrup solids or GMO ingredients added to the formula. It can sometimes be impossible to find a formula that both meets your budget and all of the criteria above. So if you find a formula that meets the criteria above, but happens to include either palm oil or soy lecithin, but works well for your baby, I would still recommend using it. The reason I have ranked Jovie Goat Milk formula as #1 is because it’s the only formula I have found that meets all of these criteria and also does not include soy lecithin or palm oil!
Ingredients To Avoid In Goat Formula
❌ Synthetic DHA and ARA: DHA and ARA is naturally found in breast milk. When added to a formula it is often extracted using hexane. DHA and ARA that are extracted using a different process is preferred.
❌ GMOs: Look for formulas that are certified non-GMO. If you buy an organic formula, it is automatically non-GMO. GMOs are concerning because they are genetically engineered crops that are made to be resistant to glyphosate / roundup – the residue of which can end up in food.
❌ Carrageenan: This ingredient has been banned in Europe but is still used in formulas in the US. It is know to cause inflammation in the intestines.
❌ Soy or Soy based products: Too much soy given to infants can lead to health complications in the future.
❌ Palm Oil: Palm oil is in most US formulas. It is not environmentally friendly, and can cause digestive issues in some babies. But, like I mentioned above, this one is hard to avoid for the most part!
The 10 Best Goat Milk Formulas (Details)
The list below describes the 10 best goat milk formulas on the market today and the pros and cons of each! You can click on the product name to find a reliable distributor of the formula.
Some of the items below were given to me to review by the manufacturer or as part of an affiliate program. I may receive commissions if you make a purchase through the links provided. I only recommend products I’ve actually evaluated, I believe are the highest quality, and can do the most to help you and your family. By purchasing any of these products from the links below, you help keep this blog running, so thanks for your support!
Keep in mind that every person & situation is different, especially yours, so make sure to talk to your doctor and see how these guidelines and tips can help you. These tips are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Never disregard or delay in seeking professional medical advice because of something you read here!
My recommendations are based on the manufacturer’s claims and ingredients list, and what I feel best giving to my own family. Your individual results may be different based on your overall diet, exercise, age, weight, family history, or pre-existing conditions.
Jovie Goat Milk Formula
A great option for a goat milk formula, Jovie is made in the Netherlands, and is committed to producing high quality, 100% organic whole goat milk formulas that meets babies and toddlers nutritional needs. It truly is one of the best best baby formula choices you can make for your little one! It comes in 3 stages: Stage 1 is from birth to 6 months, Stage 2 from 6-12 months of age, and Stage 3 for age 1+.
Organic ingredients, Non GMO
Made with whole goat milk / full fat goat milk cream
Made with organic vegetable oils – no palm oil, and allergen friendly (no coconut oil)
Can be easier to digest than cow’s milk
Organic lactose is the main carbohydrate – no added sugars or corn syrup
No synthetic preservatives, no wheat soy, no heavy metals, maltodextrin or peanut ingredients
On the pricier side for goat milk formula
Doesn’t contain probiotics
Not vegetarian (uses fish oil)
Doesn’t have the same whey:casein ratio as breastmilk (instead of 60:40, it’s more like 20:80)
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Aussie Bubs Goat Milk Infant Formula
Bubs Goat Milk Formula is exclusively formulated for babies aged 0-6 months and 6-12 months, and their goat milk is sourced from Australian goat dairy farms. They have two stages (Stage 1 and Stage 2) to match the two stages of development – early infancy to later infancy! Their formulas include DHA, ARA and prebiotics (GOS) to support gentle digestion and can be a good alternative for formula fed babies with sensitive tummies. Their DHA and ARA is also vegetarian friendly, and is derived from plants instead of fish. Their formulas are non-GMO and contain no corn syrup, maltodextrin, growth hormones, artificial sweeteners, chemicals, pesticides, colors or preservatives, and they are clean label purity project certified!
Non GMO, clean label project certified
No sugar, maltodextrin, or syrup solids added
Vegetarian friendly DHA & ARA
Two stages to support your growing baby’s needs
Made with full fat goat cream
No synthetic preservatives, no wheat, soy, no heavy metals
Formula is made in Australia, but is produced in a US FDA registered and fully company owned facility. Aussie Bubs Toddler formulas are FDA label compliant as well.
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HiPP Goat Milk Formula
HiPP’s Organic Goat Formula is specifically designed to help support your baby’s nutritional needs and to be easy to digest. The formula is made up of only A2 beta-casein, leaving out any A1 beta-casein protein (which is known to be the cause of discomfort most often associated with lactose intolerance.) It contains important vitamins such as A, C, and D, DHA, and is 100% organic and non GMO.
Essential (non-synthetic) vitamins and minerals
Can be easier to digest than cow’s milk
Doesn’t contain probiotics
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Kendamil Goat Formula
Formulated especially for infants, with 3 stages to accompany your baby from infancy to their toddler years, Kendamil goat milk formula is one of the cleanest goat milk formulas on the market today! Founded in 1962, Kendamil sourced only the freshest dairy from family farms in the famous Lake District (a UNESCO World Heritage site) and other formula ingredients from local suppliers in Somerset, Kent, and Yorkshire.
Kendamil Goat Stage 1 allows infants to digest and absorb essential vitamins and minerals comfortably and efficiently due to the A2 short and medium fatty acids naturally found in goat milk. Also available are Kendamil Goat Stage 2 and Kendamil Goat Stage 3 for continuing support
Made with whole, full fat milk
No palm oil, no soy, non GMO
100% vegetarian, no hexane extraction of DHA/ARA
No added sugars, synthetic preservatives, no wheat soy, maltodextrin or peanut ingredients
Lactose is the only carbohydrate
Mimics whey:casein ratio of breastmilk, easy to digest
Technically not organic, but is red tractor certified and contains no hormones, GMOs, antibiotics, pesticides
Can be on the more expensive side
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Kabrita USA Goat Milk Formula
There are a lot of benefits to Kabrita USA. While it’s technically a toddler formula, it does meet the nutritional requirements of infant formula (so just make sure your pediatrician is comfortable with you using it). Kabrita USA also has a super clean ingredients list, it contains no added sugars, no maltodextrin, no syrup solids and has the right composition of fatty acids to be gentle for babies’ tummies to digest. While it does contain palmitic acid, that is not the same as palm oil (more info on that here). It’s also more affordable than Kendamil Goat (Costs $51 for 28oz vs. $59 for 28oz of Kendamil Goat). Lastly, Kabrita is offering 10% off all orders with the coupon code GENTLEKABRITA!
No sugar or syrup solids added, lactose is the only carbohydate
Mimics whey:casein ratio of breastmilk, easy to digest
A more affordable goat milk formula option
Technically a toddler formula, but meets the nutritional requirements of infant formula
Not organic, but is non GMO and certified glyphosate free
Does use hexane for extraction, but has no hexane present in the final product
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Holle Goat Milk Formula (German)
Holle Goat Stage 1 through 3 can be a good choice for an organic goat milk infant formula, depending on your baby’s needs. Even though it’s organic, it doesn’t have a whey-casein ratio similar to breastmilk, and I have heard the casein proteins can constipate babies – so this may be more constipating than the other options on this list. It also uses maltodextrin and it has no prebiotics or probiotics added.
Organic, Biodynamic, Demeter Certified.
No sugar or syrup solids added
No prebiotics or probiotics added
Does not match the whey:casein ratio of breastmilk so may cause constipation in some babies
More expensive than Kendamil Goat ($65.98 for 28oz of formula vs. $59 for Kendamil Goat)
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Holle Dutch Goat Formula
This formula is similar to Holle’s German goat milk formula, but the milk for this formula is sourced from the Netherlands instead of Germany. It is 100% organic and Demeter certified, and is free of added sugars, artificial preservatives, GMOs, and is also gluten free. It does contain maltodextrin, and contains no ARA or probiotics.
Vegetarian friendly Omega 3s
Made with full cream goat milk powder
Biodynamic, Demeter Certified.
On the pricier side for goat milk formula
No prebiotics or probiotics added
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Kabrita Infant Formula
Kabrita goat milk infant formula uses goat milk from Holland, and is produced by a formula maker with over 100 years of experience in the dairy industry. Kabrita Goat Milk Formula Stage 1 Infant formula is a nutritionally complete alternative to cow’s milk formulas that contains the A1 beta-casein protein rather than the gentle goat milk A2 beta-casein protein. This formula is free from toxic ingredients, such as corn syrup, GMOs, soy, sugar, artificial sweeteners, or artificial preservatives. It contains DHA, ARA, prebiotics and Beta-Palmitate, which helps with fatty acid metabolism, explicitly increasing calcium absorption for healthy bone growth. For older babies and toddlers, they have two other stages of formula available: Kabrita Goat Milk Formula Stage 2 & Kabrita Goat Toddler Milk Stage 3.
No palm oil (uses palmitic acid instead)
Lactose is the only carbohydrate – no maltodextrin or syrup solids added
On the pricier side for baby formula
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Nanny Care Formula
No Non-GMO/Organic certifications, but their milk is sourced from New Zealand which has higher standards than the US. No soy based ingredients, maltodextrin, and only two of the synthetic ingredients that I recommend avoiding. They are ranked lower than the others because they don’t have a whey-casein ratio as close to breastmilk as Kabrita, they don’t have DHA or prebiotics added, they’re not organic, and they have two synthetic ingredients added!
Goat milk is sourced from New Zealand
No prebiotics or probiotics
Whey:casein ratio not identical to breastmilk
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Premibio Goat Formula
Premibio, is a French maker of baby formula, and is committed to organic farming, making all of their formulas both organic and non GMO. Premibio was launched in 2014 as the first organic infant milk made from goat’s milk specially designed to be used from birth. This unique formula paved the way for many global goat-milk-based recipes and brands. They make a Stage 2 and Stage 3 goat milk formula as well to support your baby as they grow.
Made with whole goat milk
No prebiotics or probiotics
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Runner Up #1: Sammy’s Milk Formula
They use molasses instead of lactose which I don’t love – since that’s just added sugar. But they are free range and Non GMO, it’s made in the United States, they don’t have palm oil or soy added, and they don’t use hexane to extract their DHA. It is technically a toddler formula, so you should check with your pediatrician before using this formula for your infant.
Has added sugar (in the form of molasses powder)
Technically a toddler formula, not meant for infants
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Goat Milk Formula FAQs
No, regular plain goat milk is not safe for babies aged 0-12 months to drink. Regular goat milk is very different than goat milk baby formula, which is modified heavily to be nutritionally appropriate for babies to drink (especially with respect to vitamins, salts, and the amount of water). The same goes for regular cow’s milk vs. cow’s milk formula – babies under 12 months of age should not drink regular cow’s milk (but cow’s milk formula is ok). But after your baby turns 1, goat milk can be incorporated into their diets because their digestive systems have matured enough to be able to handle it.
Yes! Any goat’s milk formula that’s made specifically for infants and meets the FDA or European Commission nutritional standards for baby formula should be safe for your baby to drink. But make sure, before starting any new formula, to check with your pediatrician first!
The answer is, it depends on the formula! Goat milk formulas made in the US are approved or regulated by the FDA. Goat milk based formulas that are made in Europe, or Australia, or another country are regulated by either the European Commission (for European baby formulas), or the equivalent regulatory body in the country the formula is produced in.
Additionally, under operation fly formula, the FDA has allowed for infant formula from other countries that meet US health and safety standards to be imported into the US. Those formulas aren’t technically “FDA approved,” but they are FDA regulated.
Goat milk definitely has some similarities to breastmilk, but overall goat milk and cow milk are much closer to each other than either of them are to breastmilk. Goat milk is high in natural prebiotics, similar in protein levels to human breastmilk, and is low in lactose. However its whey:casein ratio does not match breastmilk and goat milk on its own is not nutritionally complete (the way breastmilk is) for infants. This is why both goat and cow milk have to be modified and fortified when they are turned into baby formula, so they can be as close to breastmilk as possible.
There are a few benefits to goat’s milk when compared to cow’s milk! They are:
1. Digestibility: Goat’s milk contains smaller fat globules, less lactose, and A2 milk proteins vs. cow’s milk (which has Q1 milk proteins and larger fatty acids) which may make it easier for some infants to digest.
2. Natural prebiotics: Goat’s milk contains oligosaccharides, which are prebiotics that can help support the growth of beneficial gut bacteria in infants. (Although many cow’s milk formulas can add this prebiotic in).
3. Sustainable: Goat’s milk production is more sustainable than cow’s milk production, as it requires less land, water, and feed.
More Helpful Formula Guides!
Final Thoughts
Overall, goat milk formula can be a great alternative to cow milk-based formula for infants who have difficulty digesting cow milk or who are allergic to it. Goat milk formula is rich in essential nutrients, including vitamins and minerals that are important for an infant’s growth and development. It may also be easier to digest than cow milk-based formula for some infants.
However, it is important to remember that not all infants may benefit from goat milk formula, and that the best formula for each baby will be different depending on their individual needs. It’s important to consider all aspects of a baby formula before choosing one – including the nutritional content, price, availability, and what works best for your baby when they actually try it! Make sure to consult with your pediatrician before trying any new formula, and remember that ultimately, the most important thing is a happy and healthy (and fed) baby!
I hope this helps you navigate the world of goat milk infant formulas! If you have any questions at all, please leave a comment below – I respond to every single one! 🙂
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