- General
- Toddler Milk Drink
General
Where can I purchase Spring Sheep's, sheep milk products?
Our New Zealand Grass-Fed Sheep Milk products are available in select stores. [Click here](/stockists) to find your nearest stockist.
Why is sheep milk so good?
There are many reasons, including nutrition, gentleness, and taste! If you would like to know the general short version, [click here](/sheep-milk). If you consider yourself more of a scientist, [click here](/sheep-milk-science).
If sheep milk is so great, why am I only hearing about it now?
Sheep milk is a milk that has been around for thousands of years, very popular in Europe - particularly in France, Spain, the Netherlands and Sardinia. Most of the global sheep milk supply goes into cheese production, however, people are starting to see how its nutrition and taste attributes make it ideal for other products.
How do you ensure the quality of your sheep milk?
From the farm through to when our products end up in your hands, we have strict processes and procedures in place to ensure that you receive the world’s most gentle milk.
How do we do this?
It all begins with being gentle on the land – sheep milking is ~30-50% more environmentally sustainable than conventional dairy. We are gentle on our animals - having an environment that is low stress for our girls (sheep) is important along with letting them frolic in the grass and feeding them only the good stuff. Healthy sheep make healthy milk.
From parlour to packaging, our sheep milk flows gently through state of the art low agitation systems and we keep our milk really cold to ensure quality. We take care of our milk every step of the way by following special procedures that exceed the industry standard.
[Learn more](/quality-and-safety).
How do we do this?
It all begins with being gentle on the land – sheep milking is ~30-50% more environmentally sustainable than conventional dairy. We are gentle on our animals - having an environment that is low stress for our girls (sheep) is important along with letting them frolic in the grass and feeding them only the good stuff. Healthy sheep make healthy milk.
From parlour to packaging, our sheep milk flows gently through state of the art low agitation systems and we keep our milk really cold to ensure quality. We take care of our milk every step of the way by following special procedures that exceed the industry standard.
[Learn more](/quality-and-safety).
Are your sheep treated with antibiotics?
Spring Sheep milk comes from our flock of grass-fed, healthy sheep. Just like with our children, when our sheep are not 100% we do use modern medicine to get them healthy as soon as possible and isolate them from the milking flock during this time.
Our milk is 100% free of antibiotics. You can rest easy that no antibiotics reach our milk because every batch of milk from our farms is 100% tested for antibiotics.
Our milk is 100% free of antibiotics. You can rest easy that no antibiotics reach our milk because every batch of milk from our farms is 100% tested for antibiotics.
What is being done to ensure the welfare of your animals?
At Spring Sheep Milk Co. one of our core values is animal health and wellness. And not just because it’s critical to our survival as a business, but because it’s the right thing to do.
Every one of our animals is precious to us. We are incredibly fortunate to have a team of very passionate people who love working with ‘our girls’.
We believe that animal welfare is not simply the absence of negative experiences for our animals but the presence of positive experiences.
BEST OF BOTH WORLDS
Our sheep have the freedom to roam our lush green pastures and to enjoy fresh air, warm sun and shelter when they want it.
LOW STRESS
We believe in low-stress lives for our animals. We have eliminated unnecessary painful procedures, like tail removal, and we ensure noise is kept to a minimum in the milking parlour. Breeding follows a natural seasonal cycle and our sheep enjoy tight-knit family units. This suits their strong flocking instinct.
BEST VETERINARY SUPPORT
We have a dedicated team of experts that cares for all of our sheep. Our animals receive the very best veterinary support if they ever need it. We also constantly push the boundaries and challenge ourselves to find new and better ways to do things.
POSITIVE EXPERIENCES
It is now widely accepted that good animal welfare is not simply the absence of negative experiences, but rather the presence of positive experiences.
Our animal care team witnesses all the playful affiliative behaviours and positive vocalisations associated with healthy, contented sheep.
Spring Sheep also meets the New Zealand Animal Welfare Standards.
IT’S SOMETHING WE TAKE GREAT PRIDE IN.
Every one of our animals is precious to us. We are incredibly fortunate to have a team of very passionate people who love working with ‘our girls’.
We believe that animal welfare is not simply the absence of negative experiences for our animals but the presence of positive experiences.
BEST OF BOTH WORLDS
Our sheep have the freedom to roam our lush green pastures and to enjoy fresh air, warm sun and shelter when they want it.
LOW STRESS
We believe in low-stress lives for our animals. We have eliminated unnecessary painful procedures, like tail removal, and we ensure noise is kept to a minimum in the milking parlour. Breeding follows a natural seasonal cycle and our sheep enjoy tight-knit family units. This suits their strong flocking instinct.
BEST VETERINARY SUPPORT
We have a dedicated team of experts that cares for all of our sheep. Our animals receive the very best veterinary support if they ever need it. We also constantly push the boundaries and challenge ourselves to find new and better ways to do things.
POSITIVE EXPERIENCES
It is now widely accepted that good animal welfare is not simply the absence of negative experiences, but rather the presence of positive experiences.
Our animal care team witnesses all the playful affiliative behaviours and positive vocalisations associated with healthy, contented sheep.
Spring Sheep also meets the New Zealand Animal Welfare Standards.
IT’S SOMETHING WE TAKE GREAT PRIDE IN.
What does Spring Sheep think about breastfeeding?
At Spring Sheep, we believe that breastfeeding is best for babies and provides the optimal balance of nutrition and protection during growth and development.
We also understand that each family is different, and however you choose to feed your baby, Spring Sheep is here to support you. In preparation for and during breastfeeding, it's important that mums must eat a healthy, balanced diet. If you're considering bottle feeding we recommend always seeking professional medical advice first.
Introducing bottle feeding either partially or exclusively may reduce the supply of your own breast milk, and it may be difficult to reverse should you change your mind. Consider the financial and social implications when deciding on a feeding method for your baby.
When using infant formula, always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for use carefully, as unnecessary or improper use may affect the health of your baby.
We also understand that each family is different, and however you choose to feed your baby, Spring Sheep is here to support you. In preparation for and during breastfeeding, it's important that mums must eat a healthy, balanced diet. If you're considering bottle feeding we recommend always seeking professional medical advice first.
Introducing bottle feeding either partially or exclusively may reduce the supply of your own breast milk, and it may be difficult to reverse should you change your mind. Consider the financial and social implications when deciding on a feeding method for your baby.
When using infant formula, always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for use carefully, as unnecessary or improper use may affect the health of your baby.
I have specific questions about your products?
Please contact Susan and she will be able to help solve your problem. Email [mailto:info@springsheep.co.nz](info@springsheep.co.nz) or complete connect with us [here](/contact-us).
Toddler Milk Drink
What is a toddler milk?
Toddler milk is a formulated supplementary food for young children which may be used to address situations where intakes of energy and nutrients are not adequate to meet an individual’s requirements.
Please seek advice from your healthcare professional (such as GP or Registered Dietitian), if you are concerned about your toddler’s nutritional needs.
Please seek advice from your healthcare professional (such as GP or Registered Dietitian), if you are concerned about your toddler’s nutritional needs.
What age is Gentle Sheep® Toddler Milk suitable for?
Gentle Sheep® Toddler Milk is suitable for toddlers aged 12+ months and has been designed to complement their regular diet.
Can infants younger than 12 months have Gentle Sheep® Toddler Milk?
Growing infants have different nutritional requirements at different stages.
Gentle Sheep® Toddler Milk has been specially designed to supplement the nutritional needs of toddlers aged 12+ months and is not suitable for infants younger than 12 months.
Gentle Sheep® Toddler Milk has been specially designed to supplement the nutritional needs of toddlers aged 12+ months and is not suitable for infants younger than 12 months.
Can my toddler drink too much of Gentle Sheep® Toddler milk?
Yes. The amount your toddler drinks should follow what is outlined in the feeding table on-pack or based on your Doctor’s advice.
Having too much toddler milk can mean that your toddler may fill up on milk, rather than having other foods from their diet. This can result in your toddler not meeting all their nutrient requirements.
Please seek advice from your healthcare professional (such as GP or Registered Dietitian), if you are concerned about your toddler’s nutritional needs.
Having too much toddler milk can mean that your toddler may fill up on milk, rather than having other foods from their diet. This can result in your toddler not meeting all their nutrient requirements.
Please seek advice from your healthcare professional (such as GP or Registered Dietitian), if you are concerned about your toddler’s nutritional needs.
What are FOS and GOS?
FOS and GOS are types of dietary fibre that are unable to be digested. They are also known as prebiotics.
What are DHA and ARA?
DHA and ARA are polyunsaturated fatty acids.
• DHA - Docosahexaenoic acid is an omega-3 fatty acid.
• ARA - Arachidonic acid is an omega-6 fatty acid.
• DHA - Docosahexaenoic acid is an omega-3 fatty acid.
• ARA - Arachidonic acid is an omega-6 fatty acid.
My toddler is a fussy eater. Will Gentle Sheep® provide them with all the nutrients they need?
No. Gentle Sheep® has been designed to complement your toddler’s regular diet, rather than being a substitute for it. While Gentle Sheep® has been formulated for toddlers 12+ months, it should not be relied upon as your toddler's only source of nutrition. It is not a meal replacement or a complete source of nutrition.
Please seek advice from your healthcare professional (such as GP or Registered Dietitian), if you are concerned about your toddler’s nutritional needs.
Please seek advice from your healthcare professional (such as GP or Registered Dietitian), if you are concerned about your toddler’s nutritional needs.
Can my toddler get all the nutrients they need from Gentle Sheep® Toddler milk?
No. Gentle Sheep® has been designed to complement your toddler’s regular diet, rather than being a substitute for it. While Gentle Sheep® has been formulated for toddlers 12+ months, it should not be relied upon as your toddler's only source of nutrition. It is not a meal replacement or a complete source of nutrition.
Please seek advice from your healthcare professional (such as GP or Registered Dietitian), if you are concerned about your toddler’s nutritional needs.
Please seek advice from your healthcare professional (such as GP or Registered Dietitian), if you are concerned about your toddler’s nutritional needs.