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Have you got a baby or toddler that has digestive issues? Reflux, allergies or an intolerance to cow’s milk maybe? Are you finding it difficult if you are not breastfeeding anymore?

I could only breastfeed my third child for the first three months (I also got mastitis and was very ill. It came back about three times and complicated the issue with breastfeeding) and we did supplement with formula.

Learning how common toddler digestive issues are from Melanie McGrice Accredited Practising Dietitian.

We had issues with Alexander who had silent reflux when he was born and it lasted up until three months of age. He is still rather particular about being upright and of course cannot drink too much as he will then bring it straight back up. He was a very fussy baby and I think he had issues with his belly not handling things in the early days. You can read more about what happened with our little boy here.

After trying to settle the baby and to help him to relieve the wind and the pain in his belly it would all start again. Yes the 3-4 hours it took to settle him then meant that I had to feed him all over again and therefore this horrible issue would come back. I would dread feeding him the bottle due to what would happen afterwards…yes another 4 plus hours with a screaming baby.

Did you know?

“The vast majority (84%) of children 13-24 months have experienced some form of digestive problem with diarrhoea (33%), constipation (30%) and reflux (27%) being among the most common.”

I was wondering what to do. How can I help my little boy feel better and not be in pain? I of course wanted the screaming to stop. Peace and quiet was needed as it would hopefully lead to sleep. Yes the much needed sleep that every new parent needs and wants, but does not get.

I did not know there was goat formula. I also did not know that it could have helped our little baby’s issues. I wish we had tried it earlier.

Oil6 Dairy Goat Formula invited me to learn more about their products for toddlers. I was intrigued and interested due to the difficulties that we had with our son in the early days. I was keen to see if it would help him now as well.

While hearing about the Oli6 Goat Milk I was lucky to be able to drink some lovely coffee and nibble on some yummy snacks. It felt rather calming to be in such relaxing surroundings at The Grounds of the Alexandria and to just sit and be for a bit. Thanks so much for this yummy morning tea it was a great treat.

The lovely flowers plus the nibbles on the table at the Oli6 Goat Formula Morning Tea.

“Toddlers show their digestive distress by struggling to get to sleep (57%), crying (53%) and just being cranky (36%)

So what are the benefits of Oli6 Dairy Goat Formula?

High in vitamins and minerals
Calcium for teeth and bones (10% more than cows milk)
Vitamin A for vision and sight (46% more than cow’s milk)
Magnesium for development and growth (33% more than cow’s milk)
Vitamin C (37% more than cow’s milk)
Naturally occurring prebiotic oligos may assist digestion. Prebiotic oligosaccharides that naturally occur in goat’s milk may aid beneficial bacteria to help stimulate digestive health and help with the growth of the good gut bacteria (these are the ones we want). Studies have shown that goat’s milk contains up to 250-300mg/l which is six times the concentration than found in cow’s milk.
Higher amount of lipids to aid brain development and function
Higher proportion of medium chain fatty acids for colonic health and other benefits; more than normal cow’s milk.
Gentle on tummies – Has easier to digest fatty acids. The size of the fat globules in goat’s milk are smaller to cow’s milk and therefore has been suggested that this makes it easier to digest.
Oli6 is made in Victoria, Australia and adheres to strict Australian guidelines.

The girls and I at the morning tea for Oli6 Goat Formula. We are at the Atrium at The Grounds in Alexandria.

Why should you have a formula high in Oligosaccharides?

Protect against germs or illness
Promote colonic health
Help with the maturation of gut and immune system
Promote and help with healthy gut microflora ( Prebiotic)
Good for brain development
Helps with nutrient absorption

Did you know?

“To date, over 37 oligosaccharides have been identified in goat’s milk. Several of these oligosaccharides are structurally similar to those found in human milk and suggested to have similar beneficial effects.”

I had no idea that goat’s milk might be more similar to breast milk, maybe this is why it is easier to digest for babies? It is more like what mum would be giving the baby.

I only thought that goat’s milk might be a solution if you had an allergy or intolerance, not digestive issues. How wrong was I?

Having experienced a baby with digestive issues and being so unhappy I can see how this would be a good thing to try. Anything for a happy baby and happy parents.

Alexander and I at the Oli6 Goat Formula Morning Tea.

Just in case you wish to give the Oli6 Goat Formula a try you can purchase it from the Oli6 website, Pharmacy Warehouse, Cincotta Discount Chemist, Optimal Pharmacy Plus, Pharmacy 4 Less Discount Chemist, Direct Chemist Outlet – Discount Chemist and You Save Chemist. Oh and if you purchase at any of these pharmacies you get a $10.00 cashback.

Stage 3 – 12 months to 36 months (Toddler Formula) - Oli6 Dairy Goat Formula — Stage 3 – 12 months to 36 months (Toddler Formula) – Oli6 Dairy Goat Formula

“Almost half (46%) of mums changed formula type to try to address their child’s digestive issues and of these, almost half (46%) say it mostly solved the problem and a further 13% saying it somewhat reduced the problem.”

Oli6 Dairy Goat Formula covers all age ranges:

Stage 1 – Birth to 6 months (Infant Formula)
Stage 2 – 6 to 12 months (Follow On Formula)
Stage 3 – 12 months to 36 months (Toddler Formula)

Have you given Oli6 Dairy Goat Formula a go? Did it help your little one feel better? Have you noticed a change your baby/toddler?

A study in the UK shows that breastfed babies have a 24 percent better chance of climbing the social ladder. Yes an odd thing to study, climbing the social ladder. Basically the study shows that the babies who were breastfed had better outcomes, better education, and that led to of course a better social standing.

In the article from news.com.au, it mentions the following:

“In the 1958 group, 68 percent had been breastfed compared with only 36 percent in the 1970 group, said the study”

It amazes me that in 1958 only 68% were breastfed and then in the 1970’s only 36% were breastfed, that is a massive drop. I wonder what it would be like today. As you will see below it is obviously due to the convenience and popularity of formula that this happened, and also if you had issues with breastfeeding then formula would be the way to go and that is perfectly fine. I breastfed my twins for 95% of their food for five months and did formula in the evening due to trying to keep up and make more breast milk, it was hard, but I needed the break so took to using the formula in the evening. I was very pleased I could do it for so long and managed to have a little bit for their breakfast until a week before they were eight months, after that it dried up. No more breast milk, to my upset, but it was also to good as I was expressing so it was good to not be linked to the machine anymore.

If you are interested this baby food timeline is a great list of history and very informative. Formula and other ways to feed your child was happening long before the 1950’s and of course the 1970’s. One reason baby formula became more popular is possibly the fact that it was cheaper to purchase in the 1950’s so that allowed more mothers to feed their babies formula. In the 1970’s more improvements and the fact that hospitals gave free samples made more mothers want to use the product so it gained in popularity. If you would like to know more read more on the history of infant formula.

I know that many people cannot breastfeed, have issues, have had surgery and are just unable. The study is looking at if skin to skin contact all the time when you give the bottle to the baby does the same thing as feeding from the breast. I gave my girls mostly all breast milk and had to do it from bottles so I wonder if that is classed as bottle feeding or breast. I would say breast but you might get someone saying the baby is not having direct contact with its mother so it is not. At the end of the day I gave what I thought was the best start for my little girls. I also think that formula now days has gotten much better and if you are a parent who is doing it the formula way I think there is no need to judge or upset their decision even more. There are reasons why you do what you do and that is your role as a parent and not mine to judge you.

I do agree though that breast is best if you can, it has all the right things in it to give your little person the best start in life, even if you cannot do it for long, everything helps.

Do you think breast milk helps you climb the social ladder? Not sure if it has helped me, I was breast fed and I don’t believe that I have moved up from my station in life, although I have continued my education, creating and doing things to build things for me and the family. Maybe that is a part of it. Who knows? Or it just could be my DNA, or personality? Let us know what your thoughts are.

Send in your comments.