Health Benefits of Goat's Milk

Karli and I belong to a local Healthy Lifestyles group, and recently the group was offered the opportunity to get fresh milk and other products from a North Dakota farmer (see the end of this post for more details). I was excited at the prospect, and trying to sort out the appropriate amounts to order for our family when one of the other members (thank you Anna) mentioned she wasn’t sure yet if she wanted cow’s milk or goat’s milk. This piqued my curiosity, as I didn’t know much about goat’s milk, so I decided to do a little research.

Oh my goodness, I quickly had a new obsession, and was wondering how I hadn’t heard any of this before! Weaning is a hot topic at my house right now (our daughter is 21 months), so when I saw over and over mothers touting the benefits of goat's milk in weaning, I was very much intrigued.

Another reason the benefits of goat's milk struck me so completely is that I am studying to become a Lactation Consultant, and in my most recent class there was a lot of reference to the incompatible nature of cow’s milk for human children.

When I read about the makeup of goat’s milk, it was clear that it was much closer! In fact, Journal of American Medicine says that “Goat’s milk is the most complete food known.” It contains vitamins, minerals, electrolytes, trace elements, enzymes, protein, and fatty acids that are utilized by your body with ease. The human body can digest goat's milk in just 20 minutes. It takes 2-3 hours to digest cow's milk. (Source: http://www.roseofsharonacres.com/raw_goat_milk_benefits)

Goat's milk is said to be the closest thing to human breast milk found in nature. And there is so much more! Science Daily notes that goat’s milk is great for anemia and bone density – in part because the body is able to metabolize more iron and calcium than from cow’s milk.

Here is a story from a mother who experienced first-hand the benefits of goat’s milk for her daughter. And this piece focuses a lot on infants with sensitivities to cow’s milk and how goat’s milk may be a great fit for them.

This is another great article filled with additional information on the benefits of goat’s milk.

This one is advertising a product made from goat milk, but it has a lot of great info on the benefits, nonetheless.

Oh, and let us know if you are interested in getting in on the farm-fresh milk! We are working with Bartlett Farm www.bartlettfarm.us – and hoping we can get enough people together to bring him all the way to Williston (presently someone will have to pick the products up in Minot).

There will be a meeting to discuss the project on September 19, 6:30 p.m. at the Williston Community Library. The Healthy Lifestyles meeting will follow, and guess what the topic is? Doulas and Midwifery! Please join us!