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A nourishing, hypoallergenic 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. Source: Weston A. Price Foundation
Many health-conscious parents first try a homemade milk-based baby formula when it becomes apparent that breastfeeding is not an option. If baby demonstrates an intolerance even when using fresh, grass-fed whole milk or yogurt, the non-dairy homemade formula recipe is an excellent alternative to use instead. A detailed how-to video tutorial is also provided.
This dairy-free DIY formula is based on homemade broth and a small amount of cooked, organic grass-fed liver instead of milk as the source of protein.
The recipe was originally published in the cookbook Nourishing Traditions in 1996 and developed by Dr. Mary Enig.
Traditional cultures sometimes used liver pre-chewed by the Mother as a baby first food. Liver is very easily digested and full of nutrition and cholesterol for the baby’s rapidly developing brain.
Commercial nondairy formulas rely on soy as the protein source. Soy formula is a devastating food for babies as it is loaded with plant estrogens which wreak havoc with the baby’s developing hormonal system. In addition, soy contains some of the highest levels of phytic acid found in any food. Phytic acid contributes to poorly developed, cavity-prone baby teeth and poor bone structure (i.e., turned-in feet, flat feet, crowded teeth, sunken chest, etc) as it blocks mineral absorption.
Whatever you do, if your child cannot drink a milk-based formula, DO NOT use soy! Other types of plant-based DIY baby formula can cause growth problems as well.
What a relief for a concerned parent that a safe, healthy, non-dairy homemade formula can be made at home with nutrient-dense, whole-food ingredients.
Most babies who cannot drink the homemade milk-based formula THRIVE on this hypoallergenic homemade formula.
You will immediately notice that whey and lactose are used in this hypoallergenic recipe. The vast majority of babies will do fine with these milk-derived ingredients as it is the milk protein (casein), not the lactose or whey that was causing the problems with the milk-based formula. In the rare case that the infant is not thriving on this homemade dairy-free formula, remove the whey and substitute GMO-free dextrose or sucrose for the lactose.
Nondairy Homemade Formula
Click here for where to source all the ingredients for the dairy-free homemade formula such as gelatin, lactose, and acerola powder, etc. See the dairy-free baby formula video below for visual details.
One batch of 36 ounces takes about 10 minutes to make.
Be sure to use bottle nipples designed for thicker flowing liquids when feeding this formula to your baby. Get them here.
If your baby is only allergic to cow milk, but not other types of dairy, this article provides a how-to for making homemade goats milk formula if you would like to try that first. A sheep milk formula is an option too. Or, if you cannot get goat milk in your area, you can make homemade formula with camel milk.
Dairy-Free Homemade Formula Recipe
A nourishing, dairy-free homemade baby formula that uses bone broth as the base instead of raw milk that was developed and tested by Dr. Mary Enig to match breastmilk as closely as possible.
Ingredients
- 3 3/4 cups bone broth
- 2 oz grassfed liver beef, bison, or lamb
- 1/4 cup liquid whey leave out if baby cannot tolerate
- 5 Tbl goat lactose OR nonGMO dextrose if baby cannot tolerate
- 1/4 tsp bifidobacterium infantis powder
- 1/2 tsp cod liver oil unflavored
- 1 tsp sunflower oil preferably organic
- 2 tsp extra virgin olive oil preferably organic
- 1 Tbl virgin coconut oil preferably organic
- 1/4 tsp acerola powder
Instructions
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Simmer liver cut up into small pieces gently in the homemade broth until just cooked through.
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Liquefy the liver in the broth using a handheld blender or a food processor.
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Let the broth cool to room temperature, then stir in the remaining ingredients or blend for a few seconds in a blender.
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Store formula in glass jars in the refrigerator.
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To serve the homemade formula, pour into glass baby bottles and warm in a baby bottle warmer or in a pan of hot water. Never microwave baby bottles!
Recipe Video
Recipe Notes
You may make bone broth yourself (most budget-friendly) or buy it. Be aware that almost all bone broth on the market is not quality. Even if it is quality bone broth, it comes in toxic packaging. Watch out! The only brand I have found as of this writing that is worth purchasing is bone broth packaged in shelf stable glass jars.
Most babies allergic to milk formula are allergic to the milk proteins, so liquid whey is tolerated well. If baby shows signs of intolerance try using goat whey (strained from goat yogurt or goat kefir). Leave out only as a last resort. DO NOT use powdered whey from the store or whey from making cheese.
Substitute nonGMO dextrose or sucrose
If your baby has a true dairy allergy and is not just dairy sensitive, this infant probiotic is dairy free to use as a substitute.
**Do not use krill oil as a substitute for the cod liver oil. It contains no Vitamin D and very little Vitamin A.
Can you use bone broth instead of stock?
Yes.
Hi Sarah, I need to get started making this formula asap, and I’m wondering if you can clear a couple of things up for me please? Firstly, can I make this head of time and freeze in portions with all ingredients? Or should I leave out the probiotics (or anything else) and add once defrosted? Also, I live in Australia where raw dairy products are illegal. Can I use an organic natural yoghurt, in which the farmers have used the lowest possible heat allowed to make the whey? Thank you so much x
It is best to freeze the raw milk and then keep unthawed raw milk in the fridge for what you need to make the formula fresh every day or two. Whey from pasteurized organic yogurt is fine, but making it from clabbered raw milk would be better.
Hi Sarah, I’d love to know if I can make this in bulk and freeze it in portions. And also, I live in Australia where we don’t have access to raw dairy product. Could I use a natural yogurt from an organic grass fed company that uses the least heating allowed by law to make the whey? Thanks x
It would be better to freeze the raw milk .. and then thaw and make the formula fresh every day or two.
When my son was a baby he had very BAD GERD. I was able to breastfeed with a specific diet. The GERD never got better as he aged. Now he has CROHN’S disease dxed at 10 yrs old. He had been on Neocate splash unflavored and gets most nutrition through a G/J tube but can still eat. I read the ingredients on this formula and it is gross. I spend all my effort trying to give him the best chewable food only to pump him full of junk. It also made him gain too much weight and hurts is guts.
Id like to make this formula for him because it follows the Paleo and SCD diet and has all anti-inflammatory fats in it. What do you think the calorie content is? I have to keep it thin so I cant add carbohydrates to it.
The Dr,s always want to know what the calorie consumption is. Will it gel up in a pump bag? I can keep it warm with a heating pad or hot packs.
I have made these formula for 2 babies that have began drinking it around 9mos. They have done absutely great with it!!!
We make it in bulk and freeze it but I am wondering about canning it – due to freezer space & ease. I could leave the probiotics out and add them in the bottles.
Do you have any thoughts on this Sarah or anyone else?
how about pork stock?
Yes, that’s fine … just be sure the pork is pastured and from a clean source. NOT conventional pork bones.
great! thanks! also, for expeller pressed, organic sunflower oil, is it ok if i replace it with something else? from where i live, i have to order this and it says it takes 10-16 days for shipment to arrive my area. i have placed the order but i don’t want to wait that long to offer this formula to my baby, any suggestions?
also, in the recipe, there is TBL as units for various items, just wanted to double check and confirm with you that TBL is tablespoon?
Yes
can i replace sunflower oil with olive oil just for now before i get it in the mail?
Olive oil is already part of the formula. Sunflower oil has a completely different fat profile than olive oil so it can’t serve as a substitute. You could use sesame oil as a sub in a pinch.
hello, i’ve seen this asked before but not answered: what nutritional value is lost when we omit the whey? also, do you salt your chicken broth when preparing it for baby? i always salt our weekly batch, but wasn’t sure about using salty broth for this formula. THANKS!!!
Can you use organic beef broth from the store instead of making your own stock? Also, what would be an alternative to the bifidobacterium powder and the fermented cod oil?
No, absolutely not. Processed stock from the store is nutritionless and full of MSG. There are no substitutes for the fermented cod liver oil and baby probiotic. Please do not change this recipe or make substitutions!
Substitutions and omissions are necessary for my daughter or I just can’t use this recipe at all. She can not have whey, coconut oil, sunflower oil or lactose and I can’t afford probiotics but her organic multivitamins have them already. So, she doesn’t need them from another source.
For some babies changes are just a must. There are literally no recipes that I can follow for her without changes due to her very very many allergies and intolerances.
I’m in the same situation as you Tina so if you figure this out please let me know. My baby is allergic to dairy, whey, casein, lactose, oats, sunflower, safflower, soy , and a bunch of other stuff.
Hello,
My baby is allergic to sunflower and cod. Could I maybe add a little avocado or something else to replace this. She is also allergic to whey. I am struggling so bad to find something she can have due to all her allergies. She is allergic to dairy, casein, oats and many other things. When I make the stock will the vinegar be ok since it is for a baby? Also she is allergic to onion and carrot so what should I add to the stock? I desperately need some help finding a healthy option for my baby that she can tolerate. Please someone help. We are seeing a naturopath but she isn’t sure on what to give her. Is the high vitamin A a concern? When I showed her this recipe that was her concern. Please help! If anyone knows who I can contact to help my baby girl I would be so grateful. She is 6 months old. Thanks
Please contact the staff at Biodynamicwellness.com They can walk you through the proper substitutions.
I have been giving my 7 week old this liver/broth formula for three days now and it has given him liquid stools.This is normal to start off with? How long should it take for him to have more normal bowel movements? I am concerned with him becoming dehydrated.
Did you transition slowly from the last formula he was on? You shouldn’t switch wholesale from one to the other.
I was in a hurry to get him off the powdered soy formula so he was not transitioned. I hope I have not shocked his system too much.
I certainly understand the hurry! You should probably try the raw dairy formula first … many babies that have problems with commercial formula that is dairy based can tolerate it.
If not, then transition more slowly. I would start 75-25 and work up from there … getting fully over to the homemade formula within a week or two.
I tried him on the raw dairy formula first. First with the goats milk and then with cows milk. He reacted with screaming, constipation, bloating, bad acne, eczema and cradle cap. I am seeking help through a homeopath and she believes he is lactose intolerant. I am doing a non dairy run to see how he will respond. So far he has improved. No more screaming and his acne is drying up. We are dealing with his loose stool now.
Should I transition him now even though he has been on the broth formula 100% since last Thursday? It seems that could mess things up further. I understand transitioning him next time.
It’s really up to you. You’re his mother, make the call as best you can. Transitioning so quickly to any new formula generally causes problems for a time.
For clarification The milk I used in the formulas was raw.
Could you use the Radiant Life Desiccated Liver in this formula? If so how much would you recommend?
You really should use fresh liver for this formula.
Can I use pork stock and chicken liver? That’s the only bones and liver I can access that’s drug free in my area….
Yes, that will work.