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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
Is there a difference between nutritional yeast and Brewers yeast to put in the baby formula? Would either work?
Thanks
Must use nutritional yeast … the brand indicated in the recipe as it is MSG-free.
Can we replace the coconut oil with MCT oil? I’m just wondering as the coconut oil makes the formula clumpy. And if the goal of using coconut oil in the formula is for the medium chain triglycerides then I’m curious if MCT oil would work?
No, you absolutely CANNOT replace the coconut oil with MCT oil. The reason is that MCT oil is heavily processed … most if not all the lauric acid has been removed which is the most important fat in coconut oil which baby needs for antimicrobial purposes.
Simply warming the formula for a bottle will eliminate the clumps from the coconut oil solidifying.
I used this formula with my son about 3 years ago and now I’m using it with my newborn daughter. My only problem is my daughter is getting extremely constipated while on this formula & I remember I had the same issue with my son. Prune juice worked for my son but surprisingly not for my daughter. Other than adding molasses to her batches, are there any other suggestions you make to help her with the constipation? Thank you!
I suggest substituting homemade 24-hour yogurt or kefir for the milk portion of the recipe (recipes for making these are on this blog). This has worked for many mothers I’ve talked to over the years.
Hi Sarah,
Regarding adding the molasses for constipation, can that be for a baby of any age, or is that only for babies past a certain month mark?
Thanks!
Hi there! How long is the formula stable for in the refrigerator? If I am going to transition my baby to this then I’ll have more than needed in the batch until she is on full formula. I know it can be frozen but is it stable in the fridge a day or two?
One day at the most. Make it fresh everyday is best.
Thank you for sharing this recipe, Sarah! I’m looking to use it like you did (primarily breastfeeding my baby, but occasionally supplementing with homemade formula). Since I’m only using a small amount at a time, can I freeze the extra like I would breastmilk?
Yes you can! You can use breastmilk bags for the homemade formula too.
We bought the ingredients for this baby formula when my wife was pregnant with our first daughter. She breastfed until baby number 2 came along two years later so that we never had to make it for her. At baby number 2’s four month check up, doctor told us she wasn’t gaining enough weight so we decided to supplement with this formula, and it was/is perfect. She immediately gained weight and turned out to be the best sleeper after that. We supplemented with baby number 3 right out the gate, and she was the happiest/easiest baby. Baby number 4 just turned 1 a few weeks ago and she primarily uses this formula because mom’s milk supply isn’t what it used to be. We feel so fortunate to have found this recipe because the formula alternatives are scary. Radiant Life is a great place to get all the ingredients, but Amazon also has a lot of them too.
My son is 3 months old. I ran out of LifeStart probiotic and left it out in one batch. While waiting for it to arrive, in the next batch, I added a little yogurt (~1 tbsp) that was made with a probiotic containing some B. infantis in addition to other strains because I figured that would be better than omitting probiotic. Is this horribly bad? How important is the probiotic to the recipe? I almost think I see a patch of eczema so I’m super hoping I didn’t screw up his gut from one week of formula sans probiotic.
Hi Sarah. I love in Rwanda. There is a big milk vulture here and many sources of raw milk, but I am a bit weary of trusting it if I am not sure where exactly it came from and how clean the milking process was. Do you think it could still be okay to use the raw milk or could it be dangerous? I am also not able to get some of these ingredients here. I have no idea, for example, where I could find lactose or those two types of powders that you mention in the ingredients. Are all these ingredients absolutely crucial, or would it be okay to leave these three out?
Hi Pallua, if you are unsure of your raw milk source, you can ferment the raw milk into 24 hour yogurt or kefir … “bad” raw milk will not culture, so this is a check on the cleanliness. You can substitute the yogurt or kefir for the raw milk portion of the recipe.
Here are other ideas. https://www.thehealthyhomeeconomist.com/how-to-drink-raw-milk-even-when-unsure-of-your-source/
The nutritional yeast and gelatin can be left out in an emergency, but the lactose is very important as it is present in large amounts in human breastmilk. The substitution for this is nonGMO dextrose or sucrose.
Hello, why sunflower (seed) oil? These are bad fats – can we replace with more olive oil instead?
Omega 6 fats are not “bad” in small quantities if the oil is cold pressed and unrefined. Babies need them and they are present in small amounts in breastmilk!
This recipe was developed by a PhD in Nutrition (Lipids were her specialty) to match breastmilk fatty acids as closely as possible.