More and more parents are asking about goat milk formula for their babies. Is it easier to digest? Is it safe? And what does the research actually say? Making a decision about the right formula to give your child isn’t always straightforward.

In this episode of The Nourished Child Podcast, I’m joined again by Malina Malkani, RD, pediatric dietitian and author of Simple and Safe Baby-Led Weaning. Malina is also a medical advisor for Kabrita, a goat milk-based infant formula brand. Together, we explore what sets goat milk formula apart, when it might be a good fit for your baby, and what parents need to know before making a switch.

This episode of The Nourished Child podcast is sponsored by Kabrita.

Why Goat Milk Formula is Gaining Attention

While cow milk-based formulas like Similac and Enfamil have long been the standard, many parents are exploring alternatives, especially if their baby struggles with colic, constipation, or other digestive symptoms. Goat milk-based formula has emerged as one option, and research supports it as safe and potentially easier to digest for some babies.

Malina explains that formulas like Kabrita are nutritionally complete and meet both FDA and the European Union (EU) regulations – providing an added layer of reassurance for families looking for high standards in infant nutrition.

What Makes this Infant Formula Different?

One of the key differences between comes down to protein structure. Goat milk is naturally rich in A2 beta-casein and lower in alpha S1-casein, which may result in softer curds and fewer digestive problems. Some studies even show that babies fed goat milk formula may digest it more similarly to breast milk (compared to traditional formula).

It also contains higher levels of naturally occurring oligosaccharides – compounds that act like prebiotics to support gut health. Kabrita’s formula builds on this with added galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) to help promote beneficial gut bacteria and improve stool consistency.

Fat, DHA, and Infant Brain Development

We also talk about fat—an essential nutrient in infancy, accounting for about half of a baby’s daily caloric requirements. Kabrita’s formula includes a blend of plant-based oils and SN2 palmitic acid (OPO), a fat structure that supports calcium absorption and may help reduce crying time by supporting digestion and gut health.

The formula also includes DHA and ARA – long-chain fatty acids that play a key role in brain and eye development. While not required in U.S. infant formulas, they are standard in Europe, and Kabrita offers them in a balanced 1:1 ratio.

Clearing Up Misconceptions about Goat Milk Formula

One common misunderstanding about it is thinking that plain goat milk is safe for babies under 12 months. It’s not. Like plain cow’s milk, plain goat milk lacks essential nutrients such as iron and folate, and can increase the risk of anemia.

Goat milk-based formula, however, is very different. It’s fortified and formulated to meet the full nutritional needs of babies from birth through the first year of life.

What About Allergies?

If a baby has a cow’s milk protein allergy (CMPA), parents often wonder if a goat milk formula is an appropriate alternative. The answer depends on the type of food allergy.

• For IgE-mediated CMPA (which causes more immediate, severe allergic reactions), goat milk is not safe due to the sharing of similar proteins with cow’s milk, and the potential for cross-reactivity.
  
• For non-IgE-mediated CMPA, which tends to cause delayed digestive symptoms, some studies suggest this may be better tolerated – though more research is still needed.

Malina also introduces a tool called COMIS (Cow’s Milk-related Symptom Score), which helps parents and healthcare providers track symptoms and better understand whether a formula trial is working or not.

Is Importing European Formula Safe?

Malina cautions against ordering formulas directly from Europe through third-party websites. These products often bypass FDA oversight, meaning storage, labeling, and even safety can’t be guaranteed.

Kabrita, however, is FDA-reviewed and legally available in the U.S. – offering parents a safe, regulated option that also meets the European Union (EU) nutritional standards.

Whether you’re navigating formula choices or simply curious about the science behind goat milk, this episode offers practical, evidence-based insight to help you make informed feeding decisions for your baby.

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Resources & Links

• Kabrita Goat Milk-Based Infant Formula
• Learn more about Malina Malkani, RD
• Want more infant formula resources? Download the comprehensive infant formula feeding eBook adapted from the bestselling book, Baby 411 by Ari Brown, MD, FAAP and Kabrita’s Chief Medical Advisor: https://eu1.hubs.ly/H0l3jLB0