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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?
thank you for posting this. We plant o use this for our daughter who was adopted. How long can this formula be kept in the refrigerator (thinking making a large amount ahead). Also, what about making in large amount and freezing?
The recipe states that the formula is best made fresh every day or every other day. You can freeze a small amount for emergencies and store in breastmilk bags like a nursing mother would do.
Hi Sarah, I finally sourced all of the ingredients and made my first batch of the formula. I used a high quality sheep kefir in replace of the raw milk (since we are unable to safely source in Canada). I made the batch in the afternoon and am now finding the milk separating – slightly curdling in the fridge. My guess is that this is not normal. Should the milk seperate at all? Would using sheep yogurt versus kefir be better? Any ideas on what could have caused this? I used liquid whey from plain yogurt. Thanks again!
This is normal … it is just the gelatin solidifying in the fridge. It will reliquefy when you warm a bottle for baby.
I noticed in a comment you told someone to try leaving out the liquid whey all together? Is this something that would not make a huge difference? Is the amount of protein the idea behind adding the whey? Im really wanting to make this formula but would like to find something In place of the liquid whey, or just removing it all together?
It is much better to leave the liquid whey in. The formula is more complete and closer to breastmilk this way. Leaving it out should only be done if the baby cannot tolerate the full formula as is. Not sure what the problem is for you adding the liquid whey? It’s super easy to get! If you can’t find raw milk, just use a quart of plain whole milk yogurt. https://www.thehealthyhomeeconomist.com/separating-whey-plain-store-yogurt/
Can I substitute plant based protein powder instead of liquid whey? Or any other substitutions you would recommend?
You absolutely CANNOT substitute protein powder IN ANY FORM for this recipe. You MUST use liquid whey. The recipe clearly states this 🙂
Hey Sarah,
Regarding my previous comment about the milk cuddle, I make whey from raw milk no cheese whey. But that’s normal for it to cuddle?
No, it’s not normal for the formula to curdle after just an hour or so on the counter. Perhaps your raw milk was not that fresh or your home is very warm?
Hi,
I am interested in making this formula for my LO in replacement of the two formula feeds I give her daily. She has a cows protein allergy but I don’t want to make the bone broth recipe. Can I replace a few if the ingredients in the recipe? I was going to use sheeps milk. Sheep kefir to make the whey. Does butter oil contain dairy protein? If so Can I use ghee butter instead of butter oil? Can I also use coconut cream instead of raw cream? If not what can I sub the cream with for the extra fat?
Yes, you can use sheep milk to make this formula and sheep kefir for the whey. The butter oil is an optional ingredient, but you can use ghee instead.
You CANNOT use coconut cream for the raw dairy cream. HOWEVER, if you make the formula with sheep milk, you don’t need to add additional cream anyway as sheep milk is much higher in cream than cow milk. Here’s the formula recipe for sheep milk. https://www.thehealthyhomeeconomist.com/sheep-milk/
Hey Sarah, I wonder if your homemade formula ever turned curdle after sitting out for couple hours? It happened to me more than twice so I’m a little concern
Are you using cheese whey? This curdles the formula very fast.
Thanks so much! I really appreciate your prompt feedback and commitment to helping us raise healthy children 🙂
I am considering making this formula for my 7 month old and have been doing much research into homemade recipes. So far, I believe this is the best option, however I have a couple questions before I get started. (1) Is it possible to substitute the sunflower oil for a different oil i.e. Avocado Oil? In addition to being skeptical about vegetable oils, I am finding it hard to find an accessible organic, cold pressed, unrefined, low oleic option in Canada.(2) Is the amount of iron found in the non-homogenized cow’s milk option (using kefir kit) adequate? The FAQ only makes reference to iron found in raw milk. Could a natural non GMO iron supplement be added to the formula? (3) I have also read much about the mineral benefits in seamoss and bladderwrack. Could this be safely added to the recipe? Thanks in advance!
If you click through to the baby formula kit in the post above, they offer a low oleic, cold pressed organic sunflower oil. They also ship to Canada. Here’s the link https://www.radiantlifecatalog.com/product/flora-sunflower-oil/79/?a=58537
Almost ALL sunflower oil in the healthfood store is low oleic, so if you can’t get this brand shipped, buy an organic, unrefined sunflower oil at the healthfood store and it is almost 100% for sure low oleic and good for this formula. In fact, I’ve never seen anything but low oleic sunflower oil at the store 🙂
You absolutely *cannot substitute avocado oil for the sunflower oil* as these two oils have a totally different fatty acid profile.
Kefir made from non-homogenized (I’m assuming grassfed?) low temp milk would have similar iron levels to raw milk. Do not add iron, herbs or anything else to this formula. It was developed by Dr. Mary Enig specifically to mimic breastmilk as closely as possible. Adhere exactly to the recipe above making only adjustments mentioned in the article that are acceptable.
What is the deal with Desert Farms Raw Camel Milk? They don’t have it on their site to order? I don’t have access to any other raw milk.
Unfortunately, the FDA has recently cracked down and is bullying the raw camel milk producers. Hopefully, it will be available again in the future. I would suggest using the plain goat milk kefir available at Whole Foods for making the homemade formula if you have no raw milk access. Look for this brand. https://amzn.to/2JbvWgz
Also, be sure to use the goat milk formula recipe: https://www.thehealthyhomeeconomist.com/goats-milk-formula/