A. Goat milk is closer to human breast milk than cow milk because of its easy-to-digest A2 protein, naturally occurring prebiotics and anti-inflammatory properties.   

While cow milk is high in A1 protein, goat milk is naturally rich in the smaller A2 protein, making it significantly easier to digest than cow milk. Naturally rich in over a dozen of the same gut-loving prebiotic fibres (oligosaccharides) found in human breast milk, goat milk is a more natural choice than cow milk and helps support digestion, immunity and overall health.  

Goat milk also encourages the growth of beneficial gut bacteria—much in the same way as breast milk. Unlike cow milk, its anti-inflammatory and prebiotic benefits may help lower the risk of eczema, digestive troubles and other immune issues—giving your child the very best start in life.    

Learn more about the beautiful benefits of goat milk in this research paper, which draws from more than 50 studies and highlights strong scientific evidence supporting goat milk formulas and their nutritional benefits over cow milk formulas. 

A. Every other formula in the world is made from heavily processed milk powders, but at LittleOak, we do things differently. We start with fresh whole goat milk and gently spray-dry it only once to preserve its natural goodness. We call this our From Fresh process.  

Starting with pre-dried powder means the milk has already been heavily heat-treated before the formula-making process even begins. Why do brands do this? Because it's cheaper and easier. 

Here’s how it works: fresh milk from cows, goats, or sheep is spray-dried—a process that uses extreme heat to remove all the water—before being turned into powder. This powder can sit in storage for years (sometimes up to five) before manufacturers buy it. They then reconstitute it with water, mix in oils and other ingredients, and spray-dry it all over again to create what’s called "base powder."

By this stage, the milk has been exposed to multiple rounds of very high heat, stripping away much of its natural goodness—vitamins, minerals, fats, and proteins. To make up for that loss, synthetic nutrients are added back in. 

Every can we make starts with nearly three litres of fresh whole goat milk from our farm—not with pre-dried powders. We spray-dry it fresh, and only once, to lock in all the natural goodness of goat milk. It’s a bit like the difference between cold-pressed juice and reconstituted fruit drink. One keeps its essential nutrients intact through minimal processing, while the other loses them to high heat and industrial shortcuts. 

A. No. All mammal milks contain lactose, which is a milk sugar or carbohydrate source that provides energy to support growth. While goat milk has lower levels of lactose than cow milk—making it easier for babies to digest—it still contains lactose.

A. The whey-to-casein ratio for all LittleOak products sits at around 20:80, which is the natural ratio for goat milk. Goat milk has been scientifically proven to be more easily digested when consumed in its natural balance of whey-to-casein, which is why we fell in love with it—for its natural goodness.

A. Goat milk is more gentle on babies’ tummies and has also been found to ease constipation following the consumption of cow milk. This is due to its fat structure promoting better fat absorption and softer stools.* 

Unlike cow milk, goat milk is also digested in a similar fashion to breastmilk, thanks to its naturally occurring prebiotics (oligosaccharides). When transitioning to LittleOak from breast milk or another formula brand, your baby may experience some gas or constipation. This is generally temporary and will usually subside within two weeks, once their little tummy has adjusted. We find a slow transition can help alleviate some of these symptoms and we are absolutely here to support you through this process. You can check out our expert LittleOak Transition Guide or contact our CareTeam for personalised feeding support. We are always here to help. 

*Goat milk and the infant gut microbiota white paper   

A. Every can of LittleOak starts with nearly three litres of fresh whole goat milk from our farm—not with pre-dried powders.

A. Our From Fresh process is a world-first and award-winning innovation that makes our baby formulas the most natural in the world. While every other formula is made from heavily processed milk powders, LittleOak does things differently. We start with fresh whole goat milk delivered fresh from our farm every day, and we gently spray-dry it only once to preserve its natural goodness.  

In fact, every can we make starts with nearly three litres of fresh whole goat milk from our farm. We spray-dry it fresh, and only once, to lock in all the natural goodness of goat milk. It’s a bit like the difference between a cold-pressed juice and reconstituted fruit drink. One keeps its essential nutrients intact through minimal processing, while the other loses them to high heat and industrial shortcuts. Learn more about our From Fresh process.

A. While LittleOak is not certified organic, we proudly follow organic practices at our farm—avoiding GMOs, pesticides and growth hormones, and producing our milk in the most environmentally sustainable way. 

New Zealand is home to some of the most clean, green and regenerative farming practices in the world. We uphold the same practices that organic certification promotes—it's simply how we do things. After all, when everything is organic, the label doesn’t mean much. In countries where large-scale industrial farming is more common, organic certification helps families make informed choices about feeding their children. But here in New Zealand, organic isn't a claim—it's the norm. 

A: Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and Arachidonic Acid (ARA) are omega fatty acids beneficial for babies’ development.

A: DHA and ARA play an important role in brain and eye development in babies.

At LittleOak, we match our DHA and ARA levels to a research-backed ratio proven to support healthy development. Our DHA is 60% higher and our ARA is nearly double that of competitor brands.*

Instead of using fish oil—which can be highly allergenic and harm marine ecosystems—we source our DHA from the most sustainable algal sources and our ARA from fungal sources. Learn more about the importance of DHA and ARA. 

*Based on a comparison with eight leading formula brands.   

A. Baby formulas must use a range of oils to achieve a similar balance of essential fatty acids found in breast milk. These fatty acids are required for healthy development in babies and are critical to the functioning of the nervous system.  

When making baby formulas, manufacturers have a choice: to use high quality oils like coconut, flaxseed or olive oil, or more mass-produced, cheaper oils including canola and palm oil. At LittleOak, we don’t cut corners and we don’t cut costs. That’s why we use cold-pressed olive oil, coconut and flaxseed oils to deliver the majority of our fatty acids.   

A. In addition to being a major driver of deforestation, palm oil inhibits the absorption of calcium, fats and DHA in babies—all important nutrients for healthy growth and development.  

While many formulas claim to be palm oil free, they may still contain palm oil derivatives and only audited, traceable certification can give real assurance. That’s why LittleOak is proud to be the first infant formula in the world to be certified 100% palm oil free by the Palm Oil Free Certification Accreditation Programme (POFCAP). Learn more about our palm oil free commitment. 

A. We use cold-pressed flaxseed oil sustainably sourced from the South Island of New Zealand, instead of using mass-produced, cheaper oils like palm and canola. That’s because we know that the world’s best, most natural nutrition starts with premium, wholesome ingredients. LittleOak is proud to be the first baby formula company in the world to replace canola oil with cold-pressed flaxseed oil. 

A. Our beautiful cold-pressed flaxseed oil is sourced from New Zealand’s South Island, while our cold-pressed olive oil is sourced from Europe. Our coconut and sunflower oils are sourced from a number of other countries. 

A. Cold pressed olive oil is naturally rich in oleic acid, the most abundant fatty acid in breast milk. While high-oleic sunflower oil also contains oleic acid, cold-pressed olive oil is significantly less processed and naturally contains plant polyphenols, beneficial antioxidants that make it so nourishing. At LittleOak, we believe the very best nutrition starts with the cleanest, most natural ingredients, which is why we choose only the most premium oils for our formulas.

As a New Zealand company, LittleOak is governed by Food Standards Australia and New Zealand (FSANZ), internationally recognised as having the highest production and quality standards anywhere in the world.

Our formulas also meet CODEX regulations, a set of globally recognised standards and guidelines developed by the FAO (Food and Agriculture Organisation) and WHO (World Health Organisation) to ensure food safety and quality. We haven't undertaken the official Health Canada approval process as we are currently focused on working through our FDA pre-market approval. As you might know, it’s a very lengthy and expensive process, and as a little company we need to allocate our resources carefully. Once we achieve FDA approval, we'll begin working through the Health Canada process—another complex and expensive undertaking. 

In the meantime, LittleOak is proud to nourish children globally with our superior, all-natural formulation. We believe every child—no matter where they live—deserves access to the very best nutrition, and we’re doing everything we can to provide our next generation with the quality nutrition they deserve.  

A. Every single batch of LittleOak meets the highest standards of quality and safety, so you can feel confident and comfortable with every feed. 

As a New Zealand company, we are governed by Food Standards Australia and New Zealand (FSANZ) and the Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI), internationally recognised as having the most stringent production and quality controls. Each and every batch of LittleOak is tested for pathogens, including Cronobacter spp., Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella, Staphylococcus aureus, as well as yeast and mould, as demanded by MPI and FSANZ. We also test for potential contaminants, including heavy metals, chlorates, nitrates, nitrites, and foreign matter—so you can feel entirely confident and comfortable with every scoop.  

View our Heavy Metal Testing Results.

A. At LittleOak, we thoughtfully source every ingredient, choosing only the most nutritionally rich options that are sustainably and locally produced and as close to nature as possible. We source our beautiful fresh whole goat milk straight from grass-fed goats at our very own New Zealand farm, where they are milked daily in small batches. Instead of using fish oil, which can harm marine ecosystems, we source our Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) from the most sustainable algal sources and our Arachidonic Acid (ARA) from fungal sources using clay extraction.  

In a world first, we have proudly replaced standard canola oil with cold-pressed flaxseed oil, which is sustainably sourced from the South Island of New Zealand.

Great nutrition starts with beautiful, nourishing ingredients, and while other manufacturers might take shortcuts for convenience or cost, we’re committed to doing things differently. After all, we don’t do easy—we do what’s best. 

A. At LittleOak, we are incredibly proud of our From Fresh processing approach—a world-first and award-winning innovation that allows us to use 25 percent fewer ingredients than competitor brands. 

How? Well, while other brands start with pre-made base powder to make their baby formulas and toddler milks, LittleOak starts with fresh whole goat milk that we source directly from grass-fed goats at our very own farm. Instead of heating our milk several times—and stripping away its natural goodness—we heat our milk just once. In addition to halving our carbon footprint, this minimal processing approach allows us to protect all the essential nutrients of our pure, New Zealand goat milk. You can think of us as the “cold-pressed juice" of formula. After all, when you have an ingredient as beautiful and nourishing as fresh goat milk, the less you do to it, the better.   

A. Our recommended age brackets are based on the nutritional requirements for different stages of growth:

Stage 1 - 0-6 months of age

Stage 2 – 6-12 months of age

Stage 3 – From 12 months of age

However, should you choose or need to, Stage 1 Infant Formula is also fine to continue using up to 12 months of age.

A. It is important to transition slowly from breastfeeding to LittleOak or from a different brand of formula to LittleOak. Changing food source too quickly can cause discomfort for your baby's immature digestive system. Our qualified CareTeam are here to help, support and guide you through the best transition plan that suits you and your baby. If you need a helping hand, read LittleOak’s Transition Guide—created by healthcare professionals, for parents.

A. As our baby formula is from a milk source, it is not recommended to freeze the formula powder.

A. We recommend using the formula powder within 30 days of opening. If stored correctly—in a cool, dry cupboard away from excessive heat—and the formula scoop is kept dry, it can last up to 60 days.

A. To prepare LittleOak formula on a Baby Brezza machine, the best setting is number 5. However, the Baby Brezza settings change with different models. Please check the Baby Brezza website for the correct settings.

A. We offer a 20 percent discount for parents of twins, triplets (or more), to help support families feeding multiples. We simply need a letter from your GP stating that you are supplement feeding/formula feeding multiples.  

Our CareTeam is always here to help, so please get in touch if you need any support at all.  

A: If you notice you’ve made a mistake when placing your order, please contact us as soon as possible. We’ll always do our best to help, and if we can catch the order within the first hour, we may be able to make the necessary changes. Unfortunately, once an order has been dispatched, we’re unable to provide refunds or replacements.

Estimated delivery times 

Standard shipping via Australia Post (Canada Post): Most orders arrrive within 3–5 business days, though delivery to regional and remote areas may take up to 8 business days. 

Express shipping via Fedex or DHL: Most orders arrive within 2–4 business days, though remote areas may take up to 7 business days.  

Canadian orders are dispatched from our Australian warehouse, which operates on business days only. Orders placed before 11:30am (Australian Eastern Standard Time) on a business day will be dispatched the same day. Orders placed after this time will be dispatched the following business day. 

Please note that our transport partners only operate on business days between 7am – 7pm (local time), and do not operate on weekends or public holidays.   

For our families in the far north (Nunavut), far west (British Columbia) and Vancouver Island, deliveries may take longer. Please contact us directly for more information.  

*Please note in rare occurrences, Canadian customs may stop and spot check shipments to ensure they are legitimate imports for personal use. This is normal practice, however it can sometimes delay your order shipping times. If you are contacted by Customs you can simply say “yes” that you are the receiver, and that the goods are for personal use. In this case, the duty charges will be billed to us at LittleOak.  

**Please note that all dispatch and delivery timeframes are estimates only and may vary due to unforeseen delays.   

We completely understand how confusing and upsetting this news may feel, especially after the recent launch of our new blend. 

As parents ourselves, we know how important it is to feel secure and confident in your little one’s feeding journey, which is why sharing this news has been incredibly difficult for our team. 

Unfortunately, it has become unsustainable to ship into Canada due to a number of issues and therefore we cannot guarantee supply for Canadian families. 

Please know this decision was not made lightly. We care deeply about our LittleOak families in Canada and are actively exploring long-term solutions. Ultimately, our goal is to create a more reliable and seamless experience for Canadian families long-term. 

At this stage, we do not yet have a confirmed timeline for when the situation will be resolved, and we do expect this to be a longer-term situation. 

We know this is likely not the news you were hoping for, and we understand how stressful formula changes can feel when your little one depends on a feeding routine that is working well for them. 

To help avoid any sudden disruptions, we recommend that Canadian families begin transitioning to another goat milk formula brand in the meantime. 

Please know that we are here to support you through this transition. We will continue to keep families updated via email and our Canadian website as soon as we have any major updates to share. 

The challenges affecting our Canadian region are unique to Canada. Unfortunately, these challenges have made it increasingly difficult and no longer sustainable for us to continue supplying stock there at this time. 

We know this is frustrating and disappointing for our Canadian families, especially when you can see LittleOak available elsewhere.