The Best Goat Milk Formula (2024 Guide) (2024)

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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, which 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?

Originally, goat milk was only readily available in Europe or through European-based subscription services, but the FDA approved goat milk formulas for sale during the 2022 formula shortage to expand formula offerings. Since being approved, more research has been done on goat’s milk formulas and it has been found that it is just as nutritious and good for babies as traditional cow’s milk formula (source).

In general, goat milk formula can be a good option for babies. It is generally easier to digest and contains a different type of casein protein (more on that below!), making it a potentially good option for babies who just aren’t tolerating cow’s milk formula well. If possible, I always recommend choosing an organic baby formula, and therefore an organic goat milk formula, whenever possible to avoid GMOs, synthetic ingredients, non-organic 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!

But First, A Quick Disclaimer

As a board certified health coach and certified nutritionist, I support products and ingredients that are rooted in science and are evidence-based. Using my background in nutrition, along with extensive research, consultations with experts, and my own personal experience giving my two kids formula, I was able to arrive at this list of the best goat milk formula for babies in this guide. This post has also been medically reviewed and fact checked by Katie Drakeford, MA, RD, CSP, LD, CLC (see myabout pagefor more info about Katie).

Though I may receive a commission (at no extra expense to you) if you purchase through some ofthe affiliate links provided, I only recommend products I’ve researched, evaluated, consulted experts on, and would feel comfortable giving to my own two children.

As always, I only share products that are the highest quality and that can help you and your family the most. 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 baby & situation is different, so when it comes to choosing a baby formula, please consult with your pediatrician first before starting or switching to a new formula. My recommendations are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

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 that are ideal for toddlers ages 12-24 months. Some brands of goat milk even have an early infant formula (for babies aged 0-6 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 newborn babies worked just as well as breast milk when it came to growth and safety.

Infant goat milk 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 (source). 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 transitioning to any infant formula), make sure to speak with your pediatrician first!

What Are The Benefits Of Goat Milk Formula?

Goat milk infant formula can be a nutritious option for your baby. Here are a few of its most significant benefits:

• Anti-inflammatory: The goat milk that the formula is made from is very high in oligosaccharides which are also found in high quantities in breast milk. They have prebiotic and anti-inflammatory properties which promote and aid in the growth of healthy bacteria in the gut, reducing inflammation (source).
• Digestion: There are many reasons why goat’s milk is easier to digest. First of all, the milk predominantly contains A2 proteins (check out the next section to learn more) instead of A1 proteins, which have been clinically proven to have fewer digestive problems compared to A1 proteins (source). The protein in the milk, when interacting with stomach acid, also forms a softer curd (similar to that of the curds formed from breast milk) than cow’s milk curds, and are therefore easier for a baby’s tummy to process. Finally, the shorter-chain fatty acids in goat’s milk are more readily absorbed than the longer-chained fatty acids found in cow’s milk, making it a more gentle option.
• Eczema: Recent studies are finding that eczema, or atopic dermatitis might occur less frequently in infants receiving goat’s milk formula compared to cow’s milk formula (source).

For even more benefits, check out this list of the top 10 Benefits of Goat Milk Formula for babies.

How Is Goat Milk Formula Different From Cow’s Milk Formula?

Goat milk formulas 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:

• Lactose: First, goat milk contains less lactose than cow milk (source), making it easier to digest, especially for babies who are sensitive to lactose.
• A2 Protein: Goat milk is made up of A2 casein protein, whereas there is A1 casein protein in cow’s milk. A2 protein is supposed to be easier to digest when compared to A1 (source).
• Fat Composition: Goat milk has smaller fat globules (medium chain fatty acids; source), 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.
• Nutritional Content: Whereas all of the goat milk formulas listed in this post are approved by the FDA or the European Commission for being a complete source of infant nutrition, the natural nutritional content of cow milk and goat milk does differ. Goat milk is naturally a great source of vitamin A, calcium, and essential fatty acids (source), though cow’s milk formula is fortified with these nutrients so the end versions of the two formulas don’t differ greatly in their nutritional value.
• Taste: Goat milk formula can have a stronger flavor than cow’s milk, though it is often creamier and sweeter. Because of this, all babies may not prefer it.
• Price: Cow’s milk formula tends to be more affordable than goat’s.
• Availability: Historically, cow’s milk formula was much more easy to find in the United States than goat’s milk formula. During the 2022 formula shortage, however, the FDA approved goat milk-based formula to be sold in the United States, now making it easier to find in stores. You can also purchase the formula through many popular subscription services.
• Sustainability: 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. Goats are also used to clear overgrown grassy areas in some wildfire-prone areas like Northern California to reduce wildfire risk

For more details on what the pros & cons are of goat milk vs. cow milk formula, check out my 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 (source), but not for others, and it all depends on each baby’s individual needs and circ*mstances such as allergies, digestive issues, and nutritional needs.

Goat milk formula is designed to provide excellent nutrition to all babies (source), 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).

Ultimately, there is no way to know whether goat milk formula will be better for your baby without consulting your pediatrician and possibly a little bit of trial and error.

Ideal Goat’s Milk Formula Ingredients

Here is what to look for when choosing a goat milk formula:

✅ Ideally organic, or at least non-GMO. If the milk is imported from the EU or New Zealand that’s even better because you end up with high standards for the treatment of animals and the processing of milk. Holle Formulas, Jovie, and HiPP are all organic and are all produced in the EU; Nanny Care is produced in New Zealand.

✅ Primary carbohydrate is lactose. No syrup solids, sugar, glucose syrup, maltodextrin, or other added sugars should be used.

✅ 60:40 whey-to-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, and discomfort in babies. Goat milk naturally has a 20:80 whey-to-casein ratio, so many goat milk formulas will also end up with that same ratio. Human 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 formula brands to add other ingredients like healthy fats and prebiotics – as Jovie does – to aid in smooth digestion despite the whey-to-casin ratio.

✅ Addition of Omega 3 & 6 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids (DHA) and omega-6 fatty acids (ARA) should be added for healthy brain development and to match what’s naturally found in human breast milk.

✅ Prebiotics added. These bolster 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, whereas it is much harder to supplement with prebiotics for infants.

✅ No highly processed ingredients. This includes carrageenan, soy protein (soybean oil is ok), ingredients processed with hexane, glucose syrup solids, and more. A note about hexane: most often, DHA is commonly extracted with hexane but other ingredients can be extracted as well.

✅ Texture. Is the formula easy to mix and does it dissolve well? Smooth and creamy formulas tend to be more tolerable for babies, whereas chalky or lumpy ones aren’t always favorites.

✅ Gluten-free. Most formulas are 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 these standards 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 Formula

❌ Synthetic DHA and ARA: DHA and ARA are 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, such as cold extraction, are 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 known to cause inflammation in the intestines and therefore isn’t good to feed to infants (source).

❌ Soy or soy-based products: Too much soy given to infants may lead to health complications in the future (source).

❌ Palm Oil: Palm oil is in most US formulas. It is not environmentally friendly and can cause digestive issues in some babies. It can also limit calcium and fat absorption (source), but, like I mentioned above, this one is hard to avoid for the most part!

For more baby nutrition options beyond bottle feeding, check out my best organic baby food recipes!

Quick Picks: Best Goat Milk Formulas

Here is my “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 formula options. That said, there are a few high quality goat milk formulas, and more coming on the market now that they are more readily recommended by pediatricians.

Further down in this guide, you will find a detailed list of the top 10 best goat milk formulas, one runner-up, and why we love each of these options.

• Best Organic Goats Milk Formula Overall: Jovie Goat Milk Formula
• Best Goat Milk Infant Formula: Aussie Bubs Goat Milk Formula
• Best Toddler Goat Formula: Kabrita USA
• Best Goat Milk Formula Using Whole Milk: Kendamil Goat and Nanny Care
• Best European Goat Milk Formula: HiPP Dutch Goat
• Best Goat Formula With Prebiotics: Kabrita Infant Formula
• Best Affordable Goat Milk Infant Formula: Holle Goat Milk Formula (German)
• Best New Goat Milk Based Formula: Holle Goat (Dutch)
• Best Goat Formula With DHA: Premibio Goat

Which Goat Formula Is Best?

Of these formulas, the European version of Jovie Goat Milk Formula is by far the best goat milk baby formula, and the best organic goat milk formula, on the market today.

If I was going to give my own child a goat milk baby formula, I would choose Jovie Goat Formula.

Why Jovie Goat Milk Formula Is The Best

Jovie Goat Milk Formula is a great product and is ideal for healthy development for a few reasons:

1. Whole Goat Milk: 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.
2. Allergen-friendly: It is made with no palm oil or coconut oil.
3. Fatty Acids: This formula contains essential fatty acids DHA & ARA. Note: it does use fish oil so it is not vegetarian. For a vegetarian goat milk formula, I recommend Kendamil Goat.
4. Hexane-Free: Jovie doesn’t contain any hexane-extracted products.
5. Organic & Non-GMO: Produced in the Netherlands, this formula is made with the highest organic standards.
6. Natural Prebiotics: Similar to breast milk, Jovie contains natural prebiotics which are known to boost your baby’s immune system (source).
7. No Added Sugars or Preservatives: No corn syrup or glucose syrup, sugars, synthetic preservatives, wheat, soy, maltodextrin, or peanut ingredients.
8. Lactose is the Main Ingredient: The main carbohydrate in this formula is lactose, which is also the main carbohydrate in breast milk.
9. Nutritious: Contains essential vitamins like folic acid, vitamin D3, vitamin C, 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 as goat milk may not work for your child.

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! Just click on the product name to my preferred reliable formula distributor.

A Note on Loulouka Formula

As of December 2023, the infant goat milk formula Loulouka has been discontinued indefinitely. It was previously a formula that I recommended as an alternative to Jovie or Kabrita, so those two brands can be good options if you were interested in trying Loulouka.

Goat Milk Formula FAQs

More Helpful Formula Guides!

• Best Vegan Baby Formula
• Benefits Of Goat Milk Formula
• Best Baby Formula For Colic
• How To Transition From Breastmilk To Formula
• Best A2 Baby Formula
• Best Toddler Formula
• Kabrita Goat Milk Formula Review
• Jovie Goat Milk Formula Review
• What Is Biodynamic Farming?
• The Truth Behind Aluminum in HiPP Formula

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. For some infants, it may also be easier to digest than cow milk-based formula.

However, it is important to remember that not all infants may benefit from it and that the best formula for each baby will be different depending on their individual needs. It’s important to consider all aspects of baby formula before choosing one – including the nutritional content, price, availability, texture, and if your baby likes it when they 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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