I want to start by saying something that took me a long time to say out loud: I did not breastfeed my son beyond the first few weeks, and that was the right decision for us. I am writing this not to relitigate that choice but because the context matters for what comes next — which is the story of how we found the right formula, and how much difference it made when we did.
My son Rory was born in January. By week three, it was clear that the standard cow's milk formula we had started with was not agreeing with him. He was unsettled after feeds, gassy, and uncomfortable in a way that was distressing for him and exhausting for us. We tried winding techniques, different bottles, different feeding positions. The discomfort persisted.
Understanding the Problem
I spoke to our health visitor, who suggested that some babies find cow's milk formula harder to digest than others, and that goat milk formula — which forms softer curds during digestion — can be gentler on sensitive newborn tummies. She was careful to note that this is not a medical recommendation for every unsettled baby, and that if symptoms persisted we should see the GP. But it was a starting point, and I went home and researched properly.
What I found was that goat milk, particularly A2 goat milk, has a protein structure that is closer to human breast milk than standard cow's milk formula. The softer curds it forms during digestion move through a baby's system more gently, which can reduce the gas and discomfort that some babies experience with cow's milk-based formulas. This is not a universal solution — every baby is different — but it was a credible explanation for what we were seeing with Rory.
Why Kendamil Goat
The Kendamil Stage 1 Goat First Infant Milk stood out in my research for several reasons. Kendamil is a UK-based, family-owned company with over sixty years of expertise in infant nutrition — not a large multinational, but a specialist with a long track record and a transparent approach to formulation. That provenance mattered to me.
The ingredient list was the other deciding factor. No palm oil. No fish oil. No soya, no maltodextrin. Whole milk fats and GOS prebiotics to support gut health. Approved by the Vegetarian Society and the Halal Food Authority. The formulation is clean in a way that many infant formulas are not, and the transparency about what is and is not in it gave me confidence.
I found it through ALTOE's Baby Formula collection, which is the obvious starting point for anyone comparing infant formula options. It also sits within the Nursing & Feeding, Baby & Toddler Food, and Baby & Toddler collections if you want to browse the wider range.
The Transition
I transitioned Rory gradually over five days, mixing increasing proportions of the Kendamil Goat with his previous formula. The preparation is straightforward — one level scoop per 30ml of freshly boiled and cooled water, allowed to cool to body temperature before feeding. The powder dissolves cleanly and the resulting milk has a mild, creamy smell that is noticeably different from cow's milk formula.
Rory accepted it without hesitation. No rejection, no fussing at the bottle. The taste difference did not seem to register as a problem for him at all.
The Difference: Days Three to Seven
By day three of the full transition, Rory was noticeably more settled after feeds. The post-feed discomfort that had been a feature of every feeding session for three weeks was reduced. By day seven, it had largely resolved. He was sleeping better after feeds. He was less gassy. He was, in the specific way that a comfortable baby is different from an uncomfortable one, easier to read and easier to soothe.
I am aware that babies change and settle naturally over time, and I cannot attribute the improvement entirely to the formula change. But the timing was too close and the change too marked for it to be coincidental. Our health visitor, at the six-week check, noted that Rory seemed much more comfortable than at the previous visit. I told her about the formula change. She was not surprised.
Four Months On
Rory is now four months old and thriving. He has been on Kendamil Goat Stage 1 since week four and we have had no reason to change. His weight gain has been consistent and healthy. His digestion is settled. He is a content, engaged baby who feeds well and sleeps reasonably well for his age.
I wish I had found it in week one rather than week three. Those two weeks of an uncomfortable baby and an anxious parent were harder than they needed to be. If you are formula feeding and your baby seems unsettled after feeds, it is worth speaking to your health visitor and considering whether a goat milk formula might suit them better. The Kendamil Stage 1 Goat was the answer for us.
Browse the Baby Formula collection at ALTOE for a full range of options, and always consult your health visitor or GP before changing your baby's formula.
Laura Sinclair is a mum of one based in York. She writes about the practical realities of new parenthood, infant feeding, and the products that made the early months more manageable. This post reflects her personal experience and is not intended as medical advice.
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