How to make a nourishing homemade goat milk baby formula that mimics human breastmilk as closely as possible.
I nursed all 3 of my children exclusively until they started solid foods. In addition, I practiced extended breastfeeding, nursing each of my first two children for 2 years and the youngest for 4 years. I only used homemade formula occasionally such as after surgery.
I adored every. single. minute.
Nursing my children was a glorious experience the memories of which I will cherish forever!  I’m sure most breastfeeding mothers would report the same.
The topic of homemade formula, even the more widely accepted goats milk formula, is a highly charged and controversial subject. In reality, it is a very important option for women to consider and have available who are not able to have a breastfeeding relationship with their baby.
This is because unpasteurized, donor breastmilk is not always available from reputable sources and in sufficient quantities to meet a baby’s growing appetite. A friend of mine is dealing with this very situation right now with her adopted daughter.
While she does her best to secure quality donor milk, the truth is that it isn’t enough, and she must supplement. Her first choice depending on local farm availability is formula made with raw goats milk as it seems to be digested a bit better by her baby.
Of course, all brands of commercial formula even if organic are best avoided if at all possible. The graphic above summarizes the problems with commercial formula quite succinctly.
Why Goat Milk is Healthy for Baby Formula
With commercial formula best avoided and relying solely on donor breastmilk a risky proposition, the homemade formula becomes an option well worth consideration.
But why goats milk formula in particular?
The reasons could be as simple as the availability of goat milk versus cow milk. The homemade formula is best made with a clean source of raw milk and some parts of the country have raw goat milk far more readily available than raw cow milk.
Another reason could be the digestibility of the formula. The natural homogenization of the fat globules and different structures of the goat milk proteins do make it easier to digest for some babies.
If a baby has trouble with a homemade formula made from raw grass-fed cow milk, for instance, then the next best option would indeed be goats milk formula.
I always suggest to mothers to try homemade formula made with cow milk first.
This is because although goat milk is wonderfully rich in brain-building fats, it must be used with caution in infant feeding.
Unlike cow milk, goat milk lacks folic acid and is low in the nutrient vitamin B12 both of which are critical to the proper growth and development of a baby.
Fortunately, if goats milk formula does indeed become the necessary choice, the inclusion of small amounts of nutritional yeast and organic grated or desiccated liver in the formula easily remedies this dilemma.
Infant Formula?
Below is the recommended recipe for goats milk formula as published by the Weston A. Price Foundation and originally published in the cookbook Nourishing Traditions in 1996.
I personally know at least a dozen women who have used this recipe with great success when raw grass-fed cow milk was either unavailable or did not digest well for their baby.
*You can order all of the required ingredients for the homemade baby formula in one easy package from Radiant Life by clicking here.
Because the goat formula contains liver powder, be sure to use bottle nipples that are designed for thicker flowing liquids. You can get them here.
Homemade Goat Milk Formula Recipe
A nourishing homemade goat milk formula made from goat milk, yogurt or kefir devised and tested by Dr. Mary Enig that matches the nutritional profile of breastmilk as closely as possible.
Ingredients
- 2 cups raw goat milk OR whole goat milk yogurt
- 1 7/8 cup filtered water
- 1/4 cup liquid whey
- 4 Tbl goat lactose
- 1/4 tsp bifidobacterium infantis powder
- 2 Tbl raw or pasteurized cream
- 1/2 tsp cod liver oil unflavored
- 1/4 tsp butter oil unflavored
- 1 tsp sunflower oil preferably organic
- 1 tsp extra virgin olive oil preferably organic
- 2 tsp virgin coconut oil preferably organic
- 2 tsp nutritional yeast
- 2 tsp raw chicken liver OR 1/4 tsp desiccated liver powder
- 2 tsp gelatin
- 1/4 tsp acerola powder
- 1 tsp molasses optional
Instructions
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Fill a 2 cup Pyrex measuring cup with filtered water and remove 2 tablespoons (this will give you 1 7/8 cup water).
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Pour about half the water into a pan and turn burner on medium.
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Add the gelatin and lactose and let dissolve, stirring occasionally.
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When gelatin and lactose are dissolved, remove pan from heat and add the rest of the water to cool.
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Stir in the coconut oil and butter oil until melted.
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Put remaining ingredients in a glass blender. Be sure to use only liquid whey and never powdered whey from making cheese as it will curdle the goat milk formula.
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Add the water mixture and blend for about 3 seconds.
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Pour goats milk formula into glass baby bottles or a large glass jar and refrigerate.
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Before giving to baby, warm glass bottle in a pan of hot water or a bottle warmer (I like these). Never microwave baby bottles!
Recipe Notes
Do not substitute pasteurized milk or goat milk powder as these are heavily processed, denatured and allergenic foods. You may use plain, whole milk goat kefir or homemade goat yogurt in place of the milk portion of the milk if raw goat milk is not available in your area. Whole Foods has a quality brand of goat milk kefir available.Â
Cow lactose may be substituted for the goat lactose.
Do NOT use ultrapasteurized (UHT) cream. It is highly allergenic. Raw or pasteurized cream is acceptable.
Use only organic, unrefined, low oleic, cold pressed sunflower oil for this recipe. The brand linked to in the ingredients list is recommended.
The raw chicken liver should be frozen for 14 days or longer as recommended by the USDA for safe consumption. Â It is easiest to grate raw liver when it is frozen! Alternatively, 1/4 tsp of raw, desiccated liver powder may be substituted (find it here).Â
Collagen powder may be substituted for the gelatin in a pinch (more on peptides in baby formula in this article).
Use the optional molasses only if baby has issues with constipation. Only use as needed.
Homemade Goat Milk Formula Video
Below is an instructional video I filmed for the Weston A. Price Foundation on how to prepare a homemade formula yourself. Â Enjoy!
More Information
Homemade Nondairy Baby Formula
Why Soy Formula Even if Organic is So Dangerous for Babies
Traveling with Homemade Baby Formula
Feeding an Adopted Baby Without Commercial Formula
State Threatens to Take Baby Over Homemade Goat Milk Formula
Goat Milk Versus Cow Milk
This helps so much! Is there a reason why apple juice isn’t mentioned, but prune juice is? Just curious. Also, what age do babies get off formula and switch to only raw milk?
Apple juice is high in pectin which could be very irritating for the baby’s immature digestive system.
Hey Sarah! Since my local goat farms this season are currently having dry goats, I found a raw cow milk instead to make the formula with. After a month of switching to this formula, my baby is thriving and is healthy. However, I do have a couple of questions and concerns. Since the switch, my baby has had a change in bowel movements (now only having one a day, instead of two or three). I’m not sure if this is normal or not?? Also, for the past couple of days, my baby has had trouble having a bowel movement without it being painful. Since my baby’s been on the formula, my baby will have trouble occasionally and I’ll give my baby a little bit of apple juice and that usually does the trick, but this time, it doesn’t seem like it’s helping much. Is there something in the formula that might contribute to this?
Also, my baby is 7 months old (born a month premature) and I’ve read that at this stage in life, babies need extra iron, so what do you recommend (if you recommend- if not, please explain)? Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions!
You can try to make the formula with raw yogurt or kefir (substitute for the milk portion … all other ingredients the same). This can be more digestible for some babies.
Hey, Sarah! I had issues getting raw goat milk, especially during this season, however, I managed to find raw cow milk, so I’ve been using that instead and my baby is thriving on it! It’s been almost a month since the switch to this homemade recipe. I did have a couple of questions and concerns, however. I have a 7 month old (17 1/2 lbs.) and I know that my baby, at this stage in life, is going to need more iron. Do you recommend anything specific that I could add to this recipe that would help? Also, at this age, how much should my baby be drinking? It seems, since the switch, my baby drinks a little less than usual (roughly 28 oz. a day now) and also, instead of three dirty diapers, my baby now gets one a day. I’m not sure if this is normal or not? I just want to make sure my baby is getting enough nutrients each day. Thank you for your time!
The goat milk formula has desiccated liver added which is loaded with iron.Here’s an article on the iron in homemade formula using cow milk to give you further info. https://www.thehealthyhomeeconomist.com/iron-homemade-baby-formula/
Regarding your babies diaper routine, know that as a baby gets older and the intestines mature, there are fewer dirty diapers per day. At least that is what I observed with my own 3 children! If you think your baby is a bit constipated, this article contains some suggestions. https://www.thehealthyhomeeconomist.com/relieving-baby-constipation-naturally/
I have searched until I am blue in the face for raw goat’s milk. Nothing is available within an hour’s drive until April because everyone breed’s their goats over winter and they dry up. I have 3 children 4 and under so I need something sustainable. I understand the powdered goat milk is not a good option. I am looking for the next best doable option but I am a little unclear because I read that goat milk yogurt could be fine but pasteurized is not good. I am just wanting to make sure I’m doing the best for my baby. I know the brand Redwood Hill Farm has a plain cultured goat milk kefir available at my local healthfood store. Is this my next best option to raw goat’s milk? Thank you for your time and for sharing what you have to help so many people.
Try using sheep milk yogurt. A2 like raw goat milk and sheep yogurt is available at Whole Foods and Trader Joes. Here’s the recipe. https://www.thehealthyhomeeconomist.com/sheep-milk/
Thank you, I will try that. Regarding the texture and taste of the recipe, from your experience, what is it suppose to taste and look like?
It looks just like the picture 🙂 Best to make a batch and taste for yourself.
Hey Sarah, thank you for making a great alternative to commercial formula! I have a couple of questions regarding this recipe. There is a local goat farm where I live, however, my state only allows farm-sale so I’m not completely confident that the goats are pasture-fed and the milk is being handled properly. Do you think I should buy the milk anyway? The only other milk option for me is pasteurized (low-heat, non-homogenized) cow milk, but I know the formula calls for raw milk. I also wanted to know what the recipe is suppose the taste and look like (as in, the color and texture). I’ve read mixed information and wanted to know what your experience is when you make it. Thank you!
As I responded to a previous comment below and as indicated in the recipe above, PASTEURIZED MILK IS NEVER OK to use for homemade formula under any circumstances. Powdered goat milk is also NEVER OK TO USE. I would suggest that you investigate the farm where you can get raw goat milk and ask questions and take a tour to determine if it is quality that you feel comfortable with. Other options are to use plain whole milk kefir or yogurt properly fermented in place of the raw milk.
Hello, Sarah! Currently I am unable to get raw cow milk from where I reside and I do not have the means to order it online, so I wanted to know if pasteurized cow milk will be okay to use in the meantime? I am in the process of finding a goat milk farm nearby that sells raw milk. Is it lacking something nutritionally that I can make up for it with something else?
Also, I have made the recipe using pasteurized cow milk, pasteurized cream, and whole milk kefir and I was wondering if it’s normal for the recipe to taste oily and very similar to butter? Thank you for your time!
PASTEURIZED MILK IS NEVER OK FOR THIS RECIPE. PLEASE DO NOT USE IT ELSE YOU RISK THE DEVELOPMENT OF DAIRY ALLERGIES IN YOUR CHILD.
Just looking for a healthy supplement as I’m having trouble pumping for when I leave once a week for a few hours. Because my baby is getting 99% breast milk, would one serving of plain powdered goat milk be bad?
PLEASE do not use powdered goat milk! It would be better to use goat milk yogurt which is available at many healthfood stores instead (made on small family farms rather than large commercial factories). Substitute 1:1 for the milk portion of the recipe. And … please make the recipe as directed. Do not just use the goat milk yogurt
Since i started using this recipe she (8 months old) has been gettimg a little bit of diaper rash. I myself am very sensitive to yeast. I think it may be the nutrotional yeast. Is therr an alternative to make sure she’s getting the b12 and.folate?
You can try leaving the nutritional yeast out. The desiccated liver powder provides the B12 and folate. A thought though … she is 8 month sold which is teething age. Teething gives many babies diaper rash. I know it did for all three of my children. It might not be any of the formula ingredients at all.
Hello Sarah, I would like to know if nanny care infant formula a good goat milk formula to use or not. My 9 month old baby is breastfed however I don’t produce a lit but he feeds often. Pretty much on demand. I would like to have a back up plan and he took to that formula more than any other one I have tried
There is not a single commercial formula on the market that is healthy. Powdered milk is a horrible, factory food that is highly allergenic even if it came from decent quality milk and/or is organic.
You MUST make it yourself with fresh ingredients.