Goat milk formula for infants

Infant formula based on goat milk was developed by DGC in the late 1980’s, and has established itself as a genuine alternative to cow milk-based formula in numerous countries around the world. For countries with no goat milk based infant formula, this may be a new product concept, but in fact DGC's goat milk formula has a long and successful history of use in several countries.

Increasingly, health professionals and parents are finding that DGC’s goat milk based infant formula is the alternative of first choice.

Goat milk formula for infants

DGC’s Goat Milk Infant Formula offers parents a safe and nutritionally complete alternative to cow and soy based products. Goat milk infant formula has been formulated to meet the internationally accepted Codex standards that prescribe appropriate nutrient levels for infant and follow-on formulas. Fresh New Zealand goat milk is the key ingredient which characterises this unique product. Other ingredients are added only as needed to provide a nutritionally complete product for infants. Lactose is added to provide a composition more similar to human milk with reduced levels of protein and minerals that are safe for infants. Added vegetable oils provide a fatty acid profile more similar to human milk and appropriate levels of essential fatty acids. Certain vitamins, minerals and other micronutrients are added to meet the specific micronutrient requirements of infants.

More settled babies

Based on scientific evidence, literature and experience of product use, goat milk infant formula can confer several benefits to infants. Babies can be "more settled" due to advantages of goat milk infant formula.

Key benefits

DGC’s Goat Milk Infant Formula has a range of characteristics which can provide benefits for infant feeding and enable babies to be “more settled”.

• A higher proportion of medium chain fatty acids, which promote digestion and utilisation of fats.
• Reduced alpha-s1-casein content results in a softer curd which is more rapidly digested and easier for an infant to tolerate.
• Enhanced micro-nutrient absorption.
• Bioactive factors promoting gut development and function, with benefits for gut maturation, reduction/prevention of inflammation, and aiding intestinal repair.

The combination of these characteristics in a single natural food enables their natural synergies to be realised. Infant formula manufacturers and regulators are increasingly looking to more complex modifications and supplementation of cow milk and soy derivatives to produce breastmilk substitutes that more closely match human milk. The naturally higher levels of certain constituents, and relative absence of others, means that New Zealand goat milk provides a suitable, natural alternative base for production of infant formula.

IMPORTANT NOTICE

Breast milk is best for babies. Professional advice should be used before using an infant formula. Introducing partial bottle feeding could negatively affect breastfeeding. Good maternal nutrition is important for breastfeeding and reversing a decision not to breast feed can be difficult. Infant formula should be used as directed. Proper use of an infant formula is important to the health of the infant.

WHO guideline and DGC’s policy position

The World Health Organisation (WHO) adopted the International Code of Marketing Breast-milk Substitutes in 1981.

The code was adopted after several years of discussion, research and debate. The initial impetus for the code came from international concerns regarding the decline in breast-feeding in many parts of the world, and concerns about sales promotion activities on baby foods. The focus was on emphasising the importance of breastfeeding as a way of improving the health and nutrition of infants and young children.

The aim of the Code is “to contribute to the provision of safe and adequate nutrition for infants, by the protection and promotion of breast-feeding, and by ensuring the proper use of breast-milk substitutes, when these are necessary, on the basis of adequate information and thorough appropriate marketing and distribution”.

The Code applies to breast-milk substitutes such as infant formula, and also other milk products, food and beverages represented to be suitable as a partial or total replacement for breast-milk, and feeding bottles and teats.

As a responsible manufacturer of infant formula, DGC supports the Code and unequivocally supports breastfeeding as the best source of nutrition for babies and infants.

It is however important that safe, nutritionally complete infant formula products are available for those infants that cannot be fully breastfed. Caregivers should consult with a doctor or health professional before using an infant formula.