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A nourishing homemade baby formula using safe, whole ingredients. This recipe was developed and tested by Dr. Mary Enig, a PhD Nutritionist and originally published in Nourishing Traditions cookbook in 1996. It was formulated to match breastmilk as closely as possible and is also suitable for infants. Source: Weston A. Price Foundation
There is no doubt that breastfeeding your baby is the best option for the child’s long-term health and development. Human breastmilk from a well-nourished mother is the perfect food for baby. However, in circumstances where the child is adopted or the Mother finds herself unable to breastfeed, formula feeding becomes necessary. In those cases, homemade baby formula is best.
Using a baby formula recipe that closely matches the nutritional profile of breastmilk is a far better choice than even organic baby formula from the health food store. More on this below.
Note: Donor programs are widely available for human breastmilk. But, the diets of the donor mothers are unknown and most likely nutritionally insufficient. In addition, breastmilk banks pasteurize the donated breastmilk which destroys much of the nutritional benefit. Unless you are fortunate to have a trusted and direct donor milk source in your community, avoid this option!
Dangers of Commercial Formula
Commercial formulas are always a poor choice for a number of reasons. First of all, formula manufacturers line the cans with the chemical BPA. This substance disrupts hormone development and is a probable contributor to early puberty in girls, and ADHD, urogenital abnormalities, and other ills in boys.
The European Food Safety Authority found that canned commercial formula is a significant source of BPA for infants, exposing the child to 13mcg of BPA per kg of body weight per day! BPA-free formula cans are no better. The chemical BPS is typically used instead which is just as dangerous.
Beware that manufacturers pack even organic commercial formula like Earth’s Best in BPA cans. Worse, they use organic brown rice syrup as the primary sweetener which is known to be frequently contaminated with arsenic.
In addition, all commercial milk formulas are processed at extremely high temperatures which violently denature the fragile milk proteins, render them allergenic, and add carcinogens to the final product. Soy infant formula is the worst. Obscenely high processing temperatures not only denature the proteins but large levels of phytic acid in soy block mineral absorption by the infant. Moreover, soy-based plant estrogens disrupt the hormonal development of the baby!
It seems that for the concerned Mother who is unable to breastfeed, learning how to make baby formula at home with safe, pure ingredients is the most prudent way to go!
Why Make Homemade Formula Even if You Are Breastfeeding
In the video below, I show you how to make your own safe, healthy raw milk homemade formula for your baby.
The recipe I follow was originally published in the cookbook Nourishing Traditions in 1996 and developed by Dr. Mary Enig.
Even though I breastfed each of my children for at least 2 years, I made this exact formula for my own children when I was away for the day or the evening as pumping was not an option that worked well for me.
I even used this homemade formula for an entire day once when I had some dental work done and was advised to pump and discard for 24 hours.
As a result, even successfully breastfeeding Moms can use this wonderful homemade formula as a supplement when necessary to their own nutrient-dense breastmilk!
It is advised that even breastfeeding Mothers have the ingredients for this formula on hand for an emergency. If Mom is sick or otherwise unable to nurse, Dad can step in and make this safe alternative until Mom is back on her feet. It takes a few days to a week to gather all the ingredients together to make this formula, which is why I advise having them on hand at all times.
Homemade Most Nutritious
The image below lists the reasons why it is worth it nutritionally to make formula yourself for your precious baby!
You can order all of the required ingredients for the homemade baby formula in one package from this reputable, vetted source.
Moms who have successfully used this formula feeding your children, please post about your experience in the comments section to encourage those who are considering it and need some Mom to Mom encouragement!
Where to Source Quality Milk
The most widely available grass-fed milk around the world is from cows. This is usually the most budget-friendly and easily sourced milk for this recipe for homemade formula.
If only goat milk is available in your area, this recipe for goat milk baby formula can be used instead. When using milk from ewes, please refer to the linked article for an adjusted recipe; one of the benefits of sheep milk is that it is higher in healthy fats than either goat or cow milk.
Camel milk formula is another option that is a particularly digestible form of dairy and growing in popularity around the world.
Alternatively, you can use low temp (vat) pasteurized, non-homogenized whole milk cultured with a piima or kefir starter. Then substitute the piima milk or kefir for the raw milk portion of the formula recipe. Cold-pressed raw milk also must be cultured before using it as it contains no probiotics.
Do NOT use ultrapasteurized (UHT) milk even if organic as it is too highly processed and extremely allergenic!
It is also best to avoid all types of powdered milk for this recipe. The factory process of making milk powder reduces nutrition considerably and denatures it, which makes it more likely baby will have an allergic reaction.
Dairy Allergy Option
If all types of dairy prove unsuitable for your baby, make this nondairy baby formula recipe instead. It uses a base of homemade bone broth as a substitute for milk. It is important not to utilize a plant-based or otherwise vegan baby formula recipe.
Avoid buying bone broth to make the dairy-free formula. Make it yourself! Manufacturers of commercial bone broth, even if authentic, may water down the end product. This is apparent if it does not gel when chilled in the refrigerator.
Many brands have toxic packaging issues as well. If you must buy it in a pinch, see my shopping guide page for vetted brands that are safe.
Homemade Baby Formula Recipe (for infants too)
A nourishing baby formula recipe you can make at home with safe, whole ingredients developed and tested by a PhD nutritionist to match breastmilk as closely as possible. Also suitable for infants.
Ingredients
- 2 cups raw cow milk OR organic whole milk yogurt
- 1 7/8 cups filtered water
- 1/4 cup liquid whey
- 4 Tbl lactose
- 1/4 tsp Bifidobacterium infantis powder
- 2-4 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 gelatin
- 1/4 tsp acerola powder
Instructions
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Fill a 2 cup Pyrex measuring cup with filtered water and remove 2 TBL (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.
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Add the water mixture and blend for about 3 seconds.
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Place formula in glass baby bottles or a 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. NEVER microwave baby bottles!
Recipe Video
Recipe Notes
If using raw cow milk from holstein cows, use 4 Tbl of extra cream (otherwise use 2 Tbl extra cream).
If choosing to make this homemade formula with camel milk, be sure to include 4 Tbl extra cream as camel milk is lower in cream than cow milk.
Do not use high oleic sunflower oil. Use only the brand recommended in the ingredients list which is cold pressed, organic, unrefined, and low oleic.
*Do NOT use powdered whey from the store as it is denatured. Avoid whey from making cheese as it will curdle the formula.
*Do not substitute pasteurized or powdered milk as these are heavily processed, denatured and allergenic foods.
*Do NOT use ultrapasteurized (UHT) cream. It is highly allergenic. Raw or pasteurized cream is acceptable.
*Do NOT use fish oil or krill oil instead of high vitamin cod liver oil as they do not contain any Vitamin D and very little to no Vitamin A.
Collagen powder may be substituted for the gelatin in a pinch (more on peptides in baby formula in this article).
If you are wondering where is the iron in homemade baby formula, this article provides an explanation.
If baby experiences constipation using this formula, try adding 1 tsp of molasses to each batch. This should help move things along.
How to Transition to DIY Formula
Once you’ve viewed the video, gathered the ingredients, and made your first batch, how do you feed it to your baby for the first time?
It is important not to switch all at once as this can cause gas, excessive spit-up, or an uncomfortable change in diaper habits such as constipation or overly loose stools.
Start by giving your baby three-quarters of the old formula blended with one-quarter of the homemade. Try this ratio for a day or two and see how your infant responds.
If no digestive upset or major change in diaper habits occurs, increase the amount to a 50-50 blend of old formula to homemade. Observe for another day or two as before.
If no major issues, increase once again to three-quarters homemade formula to one-quarter old formula. If baby does well on this blend for a third time, you are ready to fully transition to the homemade formula.
At any time during the transition, symptoms of intolerance emerge, back up to the previous successful blend ratio and stay there for a day or two before attempting to increase once again.
Homemade Formula FAQ
Weston Price Foundation
Feeding an Adopted Baby
Traveling Tips with Baby Formula Made at Home
Iron in Baby Formula
Collagen Peptides instead of Gelatin for Homemade Formula?
Hi Sarah,
Thank you for sharing your knowledge. I am learning a lot and very thankful for the video.
Can I use Flora- Udos choice probiotic for infants ( I already have this)
Nobody here seems to know the answer for where des the iron come from?
Can you please address this question.
Mohana
Breastmilk is naturally low in iron for a reason because iron competes with zinc, which is needed for neurological development of the infant. There is lacto-ferrin in raw milk which helps the baby absorb all the iron that is there in the milk (yes there is actually iron in raw milk). Check out this link for the nutrient comparison of iron in breastmilk versus iron in the homemade formula. There is actually more iron in the homemade formula. ttp://www.westonaprice.org/childrens-health/formula-homemade-baby-formula/#chart
As a result, there is no need to add additional sources of iron up to the age of six months. At six months old, the suggestion is to beginning slowly transitioning baby to solid food with egg yolk with a bit of grated liver which supplies additional needed iron at that time. https://www.thehealthyhomeeconomist.com/video-first-food-for-baby/
Hi! Do you know if Pure Radiance C by Pure Synergy can be substituted for NOW Acerola Powder which has maltodextrin in it and Ascorbic Acid? Wondering if WAPF is aware of this. Thanks!
That is what I have been using for a few months now. I am doing extra research on it now, but I don’t believe at this point that it has had any negative effects on my six month old boy. 🙂 (I either way don’t feel comfortable using the NOW brand vitamin C source with the additive in it; I’d just keep looking for something better if there is something in the synergy vitamin C that wouldn’t be good for a baby – it would probably be along the lines of digestibility if there wee any problems.) 🙂 I don’t ever remember my son having any reactions to the change, personally.
On another note, I have been taking the synergy vitamin C for a long time now, and it is certainly the highest quality vitamin C I’ve EVER taken.
HI, I am going to start my 2 month old on this raw milk homemade formula. I have a question about the cod liver oil. Does it have to be unflavored or can I use cinnamon flavor? The reason I ask is I have a friend who is currently using this homemade formula for their 18 month old and they have been making it since he was 6 months old. They told me to use the cinnamon flavored cod liver oil because the unflavored is very strong? I would like to know your opinion since I want to do what is safest for my son.
Use unflavored as mentioned in the article.
Can I use cream from the top of the raw non homogenized milk?
The farm close to me sells raw milk but is gathered from a variety of cows is that ok? How do I measure the cream when the milk is a mix?
In the cows milk formula where does the iron come from?
If the milk is pasteurized, then no. The milk and the cream for this formula must be raw.
Hi Sarah,
I made the raw milk formula last night and put it in the fridge. This morning it surprised me, it is not in a liquid state. It’s in a solid state. Is this how it is suppose to be?
The gelatin will solidify the formula a bit. When you warm it up, it will liquify again.
Dear Sarah,
Thanks again and again for your site and specially for the baby formula. We are using it for our twin boys, almost 4 months old now, and they are growing healthy and beautifully.
I have a question though. Some times they are constipated. You say that for avoiding constipation we can use yogurt or kefir milk. What that means? That we can use yogurt or kefir instead raw cow’s milk? Please, let us know how to proceed to change the formula for adressing constipation.
Thanks again and blessings!
Hi Marina .. .simply replace the raw milk portion of the recipe with raw milk yogurt or raw milk kefir. It’s that simple 🙂
Using the raw milk yogurt or raw milk kefir usually fixes the constipation issues.
Hi – I am curious to know if substituting the raw milk helped with your childs constipation? What did you use – the kefir or yoghurt?
I just started trying out this formula for supplementing for my almost 2 month old and her poops went from 5 a day to 1 large poop a day. I remade the formula today for half the portion to see how she tolerates it again.
Marina – did the substitution work? What did you use the kefir or yoghurt? My almost 2 month just went on the raw milk (supplementing due to low supply) and has gone from 4 to 6 poops a day to one big poop. I do see her straining at times. Would appreciate any help with this. Thank you!
Please help. My 5 month old is SO constipated from the raw milk formula. She has no rashes, eczema and hardly spits up. Her poop looks healthy, but is very pasty – almost like clay and she has a very hard time passing stool (i.e. it is waking her up from naps, sometimes her face will turn red she is pushing so hard)
I have tried removing yeast. Any other suggestions would be very appreciated. Really hoping not to have to make the liver formula :-/
My 10 month old son has been on this homemade formula since he was 4 months old. I believe this has truly saved his health. I am so grateful to Sarah and her sources for putting this info out there. I breastfed the best i could exclusiviely until he was 2 months but he contracted RSV and also had not gained nearly the weight he should have as a breastfed baby. By the time he was 4 months he had been on 2 rounds of antibiotics and all i could see was sickness for him and his compromised immune system for a long time after. I researched a LOT because i refused to keep Cai on the commercial formula i had been supplementing with. Long story short I came to this website. I started supplementing with this wonderful homemade formula when cai was 4 months. I had to start with low temp pasteurized non-homogenized grass fed cows milk that i cultured back to life…until i could source some raw milk! Which is hard in Mississippi – believe it or not! Since then we have used raw grass fed goat and cow milk, as i can get both.
I would encourage any parent looking into this to not give into fear – the fear of messing this up or just the thought of actually making your baby’s primary food all on your own…dont give in to fear. Do your research, source your ingredients (the milk is the biggest challenge) and don’t over think this. Your baby is worth it. Its a commitment…but is not your child and their health as it is? They are worth this investment.
We use Dr. Browns glass bottles – love them, a bottle warmer when at home and i order a cup of hot water when out and about. My son does best with a powdered probiotic blend that i add after the bottle is warmed, usually just when at home. Adding a probiotic to the formula and then heating it up, risking killing the probiotic didn’t make sense to me, and he stays much more “regular” this way.
Cai has been sick only ONCE since getting him on this formula. I believe it has everything to do with the amazing, living ingredients in the formula.
I just want to encourage you that you can OWN this and watch your baby thrive. You can do this! It is such an amazing feeling to know that i can give my baby the next best thing to breast milk (i wasn’t able to continue breast feeding after he was 7 months).
Thanks Sarah for your help and wisdom!
Natalie
Hi Sarah,
When I had my first son I was unable to breastfeed due to blockage in my nipples . I had not researched any other formulas or what was best health wise because i was fully expecting to breast lfeed.
Now that we are expecting again I am adamant about breastfeeding but in the even I am not able to I would like to be prepared. So I would like to have more than 36 oz ready when going into the hospital. My question is how long does this formula last on a day basis and is freezing recommended?
It really is best to make at least the day before you will need it or have some frozen in little breastmilk bags to be gently thawed for baby. It’s always in my opinion to have a few frozen bags always on hand in the future as well. And of course for everyday it’s best to make fresh ????
Hi Sarah,
I am starting to use your homemade baby formula with goat’s milk for my twin boys (2 month old) since the cow’s milk based one does not work for them.
The liver powder blocks the nipple of the bottle time to time. i wonder if using a liquid b complex would be advisable. And if yes, which brand you would recommend?
I also worry for the lack of folic acid of the goat’s milk …. any suggestion about it?
Thanks a lot for your dedication to nutrition and for sharing it with us all! It is a big relieve for us to do not have to use commercial formula but still know that our babies are getting what they need for to grow healthy!
Thanks!!!
Ocean, Arthur, mom & dad
The liver powder is what adds the B12 and folate in a whole foods base. It is not advisable to substitute with a manmade supplement that isolates those vitamins in a liquid complex. An occasional clog is a small price to pay for using the whole food version of these nutrients.
Hi Sarah,
What are some sites I can get the Raw milk from living in Ohio? Thank you so much for your help and time.
Check out realmilk.com