Ode to Goat's Milk

My little Alawi has had problems making stinky diapers since he was born. I used to try to give him more breast milk, when I still had some, because it helped. Then we switched to giving him juice inbetween formula until he graduated to regular cows milk and whole foods. Lately I had noticed that his hair is dull, his finger nails are brittle and he has a skin rash nearly all the time. I worried that if his nails are brittle, maybe his bones are not getting enough calcium either. I finally convinced my husband that goat's milk is not a joke, it is actually worth a shot for a child who is showing all the signs of a dairy intolerance. I noticed that he had to eat fruit and vegetables all day long just to be able to make stinky diapers regularly and a growing 16-month-old child needs more carbs and other things than he was able to digest. I want him to eat fruit and vegetables, but not exclusively.

So, now that the big switch has been made, his father is convinced that goat's milk really is not a joke, and Alawi actually wants to eat when he should be hungry and he's getting stinky diapers on a regular basis. I knew that some of my cousins grew up on goat's milk because they could not tolerate cows milk. However, in my husband's village in Iraq it is unheard of to drink goat's milk, so he thought it was a silly idea. They only drink cow and sheep milk in his village, but I have made a believer in goat's milk out of him. Thanks to God for the blessing of goats. Al hamd ulillah.

Here is a comparison of Goat's Milk vs Cow Milk, and Cow's Milk vs. Goat's Milk. Here is one with a little information about sheep milk. I have not found sheep milk in any of my local grocery stores, but goat milk is quite readily available.

In the context of these Quranic verses, I believe the word cattle refers to all types of herd animals: cows, sheep, goats, buffalo, camels, etc.

016.066
YUSUFALI: And verily in cattle (too) will ye find an instructive sign. From what is within their bodies between excretions and blood, We produce, for your drink, milk, pure and agreeable to those who drink it.
PICKTHAL: And lo! in the cattle there is a lesson for you. We give you to drink of that which is in their bellies, from betwixt the refuse and the blood, pure milk palatable to the drinkers.
SHAKIR: And most surely there is a lesson for you in the cattle; We give you to drink of what is in their bellies-- from betwixt the feces and the blood-- pure milk, easy and agreeable to swallow for those who drink.

026.133
YUSUFALI: "Freely has He bestowed on you cattle and sons,-
PICKTHAL: Hath aided you with cattle and sons.
SHAKIR: He has given you abundance of cattle and children

036.073
YUSUFALI: And they have (other) profits from them (besides), and they get (milk) to drink. Will they not then be grateful?
PICKTHAL: Benefits and (divers) drinks have they from them. Will they not then give thanks?
SHAKIR: And therein they have advantages and drinks; will they not then be grateful?

040.079
YUSUFALI: It is Allah Who made cattle for you, that ye may use some for riding and some for food;
PICKTHAL: Allah it is Who hath appointed for you cattle, that ye may ride on some of them, and eat of some -
SHAKIR: Allah is He Who made the cattle for you that you may ride on some of them, and some of them you eat.