Cow-milk formula vs. goat-milk formula

Health tip

March 30, 2026

When was goat-milk formula approved for use by the FDA?

For many years, goat milk–based formulas were used in other countries but were not formally utilized and/or approved for use in the United States for routine infant feeding. In 2022, because of an infant formula shortage, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) updated its guidance to recognize goat milk as an acceptable base for infant formula.

Like cow-milk formula, goat-milk formula must meet strict FDA standards for safety, nutrient composition, and manufacturing. When properly fortified and manufactured, goat-milk formulas can support infant growth and development like other standard formulas made from cow milk or soy milk.

Is goat-milk formula nutritionally complete for babies?

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics and the FDA, all infant formulas marketed in the United States meet federal nutrient requirements. That includes formulas made from cow milk and from goat milk.

Both types are fortified with extra vitamins and minerals to make them appropriate for infants. Whole cow milk or goat milk alone is not safe or nutritionally complete for babies under 12 months. Formulas are fortified with key nutrients – things like iron, folate and vitamin D – to support healthy growth. It is important to use FDA-approved infant formulas (or breast milk) to feed infants.

Are there differences in how a baby digests goat-milk formula and cow-milk formula?

Researchers have examined how the protein and fat structures in goat’s milk differ from those in cow’s milk. These differences could influence digestion.

The two main milk proteins are casein and whey. Formulas that contain more casein are thought to be more easily digested, and the casein in goat milk more closely resembles human milk casein. Emerging research is looking into infant bowel movements, signs and symptoms during and after feedings and other markers of digestion to compare the experience of infants fed goat-milk formula versus cow-milk formula. So far, growth outcomes between the two formula types have been similar.

Still, individual babies may respond differently to any formula, and tolerance can vary from one baby to another. If your baby has ongoing feeding concerns such as frequent vomiting, blood in the stool, eczema or poor weight gain, speak with your pediatrician and dietitian.

If my baby has a cow-milk allergy, can they use goat-milk formula?

Not necessarily. Proteins in goat milk are similar in structure to proteins in cow milk. Because of this similarity, babies with a true cow-milk protein allergy may also react allergically to goat-milk protein.

For infants with a confirmed cow-milk protein allergy, pediatricians often recommend extensively hydrolyzed or amino acid–based formulas instead. Always talk with your child’s doctor before switching formulas if an allergy is suspected.

What are we still learning about goat-milk formulas?

Although goat-milk formula is now recognized as an acceptable base for infant formula in the United States, research continues to explore how differences in milk structure may affect digestion and overall gut health.

Areas of research include how goat-milk proteins are digested compared to cow-milk proteins, differences in fat composition, and how a baby grows over time on goat-milk formula.

So far, available research shows that when goat-milk formula is properly fortified to meet regulatory requirements, infants grow normally and achieve appropriate developmental outcomes, similar to infants fed standard cow-milk formula.

Goat-milk formula and cow-milk formula are both regulated, nutritionally complete options for feeding healthy, full-term infants in the United States. If you have questions about which formula is right for your baby, your child’s pediatrician or a pediatric dietician can help guide the decision based on your family’s needs.