Exploring the Role of HMOs in Goat’s Milk Formula
In recent years, goat’s milk formula has become more widely accepted as a suitable alternative to breast milk for families who can’t or choose not to breastfeed. One of the key reasons for its growing recognition is its compositional similarity to human breast milk — particularly when it comes to oligosaccharides.
One of the key differences when comparing goat’s and cow’s milk formula is the amount of human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) they naturally contain.
In this article, we’ll look at the role that HMOs play in infant development, and assess how the naturally occurring HMOs in goat’s milk formula compare to synthetic prebiotics added to other types of infant formula.
Important note: Oli6 recognises that breastfeeding is the best option for new babies and mothers. That said, we know that it isn’t available to all. Information we share about goat’s milk and Oli6 Goat Milk Formula is of a general nature only, and shouldn’t replace proper personalised medical advice.
Understanding HMOs
What Are HMOs?
A chemical variation of lactose, HMOs are a type of milk sugar found in breast milk. They’re the fourth most abundant component after water, lactose and fats.
There are over 200 different HMOs in human breast milk, and every mother has a unique combination.
You could think of a woman’s HMO balance as unique like a fingerprint. Genetic background, environment, dietary intake, and many other factors influence what HMOs are present in breast milk. What’s more, the HMO composition also changes throughout the breastfeeding journey, providing a growing baby with the ideal milk profile for its stage of growth and development.
What do HMOs do?
While HMOs don’t serve a primary macronutrient role in infant nutrition, they do perform important functions in supporting gut health and the developing microbiome.
Research indicates that HMOs contribute to:
- Supporting the development of the infant gut microbiome by acting as a prebiotic food source for beneficial bacteria.
- Promoting gut microflora diversity, which may support the developing immune system.
- Supporting aspects of brain and cognitive development in early life.
Because of the recognised role of HMOs in infant gut health, formula companies have invested in adding HMOs to their products. Recent developments in biotechnology have made affordable commercial production of these ingredients available, bringing infant formula even closer to human breast milk.
How do HMOs differ from synthetic prebiotics added to infant formula?
Formula manufacturers have been adding prebiotics to infant formula for some time. Most commonly added to infant formula, fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) and galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) are synthetic prebiotics designed to mimic the effects of HMOs in human breast milk.
Studies show that FOS and GOS added to infant formula may help alter the gastrointestinal microbiota of formula-fed infants so that it more closely resembles that of breastfed infants.
Synthetic prebiotics are made by using an enzyme to modify lactose. By contrast, HMOs in goat’s milk — including the naturally occurring forms that parallel 2’FL and LNnT found in human breast milk — are structurally similar to compounds actually found in human breast milk.
Research conducted on Oli6 Goat Milk Formula found 14 naturally-occurring HMOs in the goat’s milk formula product.
Human Milk Oligosaccharides in baby formula
Why add them? The importance of HMOs in infant formula
Human milk oligosaccharides in formula help to make the microflora inside a formula-fed infant even closer to that of a breastfed infant.
HMOs aren’t digested in the stomach — instead, they make their way through the digestive system to be fermented by the microflora that lives in the digestive tract. This allows HMOs to play a role in establishing and maintaining healthy gut microflora and supporting the development of the infant immune system.
Formula that naturally contains HMOs may therefore better support infant digestive wellness during the critical early months.
Comparing HMOs in goat’s and cow’s milk formula
Both cow’s milk and goat’s milk contain naturally occurring oligosaccharides at a lower level than human breast milk. However, goat’s milk contains up to ten times more oligosaccharides than cow’s milk.
Higher levels of oligosaccharides is one of the many benefits of goat’s milk formula when compared to cow’s milk formula. Other benefits include:
- Better digestibility due to smaller protein particles
- Better results for some children with cow’s milk protein intolerance or dairy sensitivity
- Denser nutrient profile
- Different taste preferred by some children.
Goat’s milk formula not only has more oligosaccharides than cow’s milk formula — it also has a greater diversity of structures, making it more similar in nature to human breast milk.
HMOs in goat’s milk formula: What to know
The role of oligosaccharides in goat’s milk formula
- Goat’s milk formula contains higher levels of naturally occurring HMOs, which may support gut microbiome development.
- The natural HMOs in goat’s milk formula may support digestive wellness and make it a gentler alternative for babies with sensitivities.
- Research into goat’s milk oligosaccharides has identified seven biological functions:
- Prebiotic effect (supporting beneficial gut bacteria)
- Gut microbiome modulation
- Pathogen exclusion (preventing harmful microorganisms from adhering to the gut lining)
- Modulation of intestinal cells
- Protective effect against necrotising enterocolitis (a life threatening condition where the intestine becomes inflamed leading to bacterial invasion)
- Supporting aspects of brain development
- Contribution to gut barrier function.
What HMOs are in goat’s milk formula?
The most common HMOs you’ll find in goat’s milk formula are:
- 2’ -fucosyllactose (2’-FL)
- Lacto-N-neotetraose (LNnT)
These are added to Oli6 Goat Milk Formula in addition to the naturally occurring oligosaccharides in the goat’s milk base. You can look at the ingredients list of any formula tin to find out which HMOs are included.
Is goat’s milk closer to breast milk than cow’s milk?
While there’s still a meaningful difference between the makeup of goat’s milk formula and human breast milk, the naturally higher HMO content in goat’s milk makes it compositionally closer than cow’s milk formula in this respect.
That said, when it comes to choosing the best infant formula, healthcare professionals should assess a range of factors including:
- Baby’s nutritional needs
- Baby’s allergies or sensitivities
- Baby’s growth and development
- Affordability to the family
- Product availability.
HMOs in Oli6 Goat Milk Formula
At Oli6, we’re proud of the fact that our formula products feature a scientifically researched blend of prebiotics, probiotics, oligosaccharides and vitamins.
Compared to synthetic GOS/FOS prebiotics added to other formulas, the natural HMOs in goat’s milk make Oli6 Goat Milk Formula easier to digest for many babies — and many parents tell us what a difference it makes for their little one’s comfort and happiness.
Explore the full range of Oli6 Goat Milk Formula or find a stockist near you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are HMOs in baby formula?
HMOs (human milk oligosaccharides) are a type of milk sugar naturally found in breast milk. They act as prebiotics, feeding beneficial bacteria in the gut, and play a role in supporting gut microbiome development in infants. Goat’s milk naturally contains higher levels of HMOs than cow’s milk.
Why does goat’s milk formula have more HMOs than cow’s milk formula?
Goat’s milk naturally contains up to ten times more oligosaccharides than cow’s milk, with a greater diversity of structures. This makes goat’s milk formula compositionally closer to human breast milk in terms of its natural prebiotic content.
Are HMOs in infant formula the same as those in breast milk?
Not entirely. The most commonly added HMOs in formula — 2′-FL and LNnT — are found in human breast milk. However, human breast milk contains over 200 different HMO structures, and no formula can replicate that full complexity. Goat’s milk formula does contain 14 naturally occurring oligosaccharides, five of which are also found in human breast milk.
Is Oli6 Goat Milk Formula a good source of HMOs?
Yes. Oli6 Goat Milk Formula contains 14 naturally occurring oligosaccharides identified in independent research. It also has 2′-FL and LNnT added. This combination makes it one of the more HMO-rich infant formulas available in Australia.
