Goat Milk Infant Formula Comfort Study

Anecdotal evidence shows that the use of goat milk-based infant formula decreases discomfort of infants with cow's milk related symptoms. In this randomized controlled pilot study, the effect on comfort during usage of goat-milk based infant formula is studied. Twenty formula fed infants (aged between 6 weeks and 3 months) who experience mild discomfort will receive goat milk-based infant formula (GMF) or cow's mik based infant formula supplemented with probiotics lactobacillus reuteri drops (CMFp). The infants will be assessed by a local paediatricians using the Cow's Milk-related Symptom Score (CoMiSS). This is a fast, non-invasive and easy-to-use and validated questionnaire to assess infant's reaction to proteins found in cow's milk. The higher the score, the more sensitive the child is to cow's milk proteins, the maximum score is 33 points. Infants with a CoMiSS Score between 6 and 12 will be enrolled in this study. It is expected that infants will have a better response to GMF, which will result in a decrease of the CoMiSS Score after a 2 weeks intervention.

Inclusion criteria

• Healthy full-term infant with birth weight ≥2,500 to ≤4,500 g
• Infant aged between 4 weeks and 3 months at enrolment
• CoMiSS value at baseline between 6 and 12
• Infant is exclusively bottle fed with cow's milk based infant formula at baseline

Exclusion criteria

• Breastfed infants
• Congenital illness or malformation that may affect infant feeding or normal growth
• Gastrointestinal disorders
• Confirmed cow or goat milk protein allergy or lactose intolerance
• Supplemental feeding
• Readmission to hospital for longer than 3 days for another reason than hyperbilirubinemia prior to enrolment
• Infant participating in another clinical study