First foods database
🥛 Goat's milk for babies: when and how to serve it
Can babies drink goat's milk? As a main drink, from 12 months, the same as cow's milk. Before then, pasteurised goat's milk is fine used in cooking, such as in porridge or sauces, from about 6 months.
Good source of: Calcium, Protein, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B12
How to serve goat's milk by age
6 to 9 months
Not as a drink yet: breast milk or first infant formula is baby's main drink. You can use a little pasteurised goat's milk in cooking, such as mixed into porridge, mash or a cheese sauce.
9 to 12 months
Still not as a main drink. Keep using small amounts in cooking alongside breast milk or formula.
12 months and up
From 12 months, full-fat pasteurised goat's milk can be offered as a drink in an open or free-flow cup, if that suits your family.
Choking safety
Goat's milk is a liquid, so the main safety point is to offer it in an open cup when sitting upright.
Gagging is common and noisy while babies learn to eat. Choking is usually silent. Always stay with your baby while they eat, sitting upright. How to help a choking baby (NHS).
Good to know
- Goat's milk is not suitable for babies with cow's milk allergy: the proteins are very similar.
- Always use pasteurised goat's milk.
- Goat's milk is low in folic acid, so it should not replace breast milk or formula before 12 months.
Introducing it as an allergen
It contains milk, one of the 14 major allergens. How to introduce milk
Goes well with
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Questions parents ask
Can babies eat goat's milk?
Can babies drink goat's milk? As a main drink, from 12 months, the same as cow's milk. Before then, pasteurised goat's milk is fine used in cooking, such as in porridge or sauces, from about 6 months.
Is goat's milk easier to digest than cow's milk?
Some families find it so, but it still contains lactose and similar proteins.
Can goat's milk be used for babies with cow's milk allergy?
No. Speak to your GP or health visitor about suitable alternatives.
Sources
- NHS Start for Life: Weaning
- NHS: What to feed young children
- NHS: Foods to avoid giving babies and young children
- NHS: Food allergies in babies and young children
OBubba gives general information based on UK guidance. It is not medical advice and does not diagnose anything. Every baby is different. If your baby has a known allergy, severe eczema or a medical condition, speak to your doctor or health visitor before starting solids. Learn baby first aid, and in an emergency call your local emergency number (999 in the UK).