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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.
Hi Sarah. Is this formula lower in fat than the milk based ones? Since there is no cream added, and milk naturally contains fat, how is this comparable?
Also, can you substitute the liver in this with desiccated liver? If so, how much would you use?
Does this formula contain less nutrients? I would assume that milk contains a greater variety of vitamins/minerals. Am I wrong?
Yes, there is slightly less fat in the nondairy formula. Here is a nutrient comparison chart: westonaprice.org/health-topics/childrens-health/formula-homemade-baby-formula/#chart
Do not substitute desiccated liver for the liver portion of the formula.
It took about a week for my baby to transition to this formula, but he loves it now! I am so relieved to not have to use soy formula!
Hi Sarah, I bought the kit through radiant life and there are a few ingredients in the kit that don’t appear in the recipe above- could you please give me direction on how much to add of the following per batch?
-bovine gelatin
-Nutritional yeast
Thanks so much!
Both of those ingredients are for the dairy based formula. They are not needed for the nondairy formula. Perhaps you can return them and receive a partial refund?
Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge. Our family of 5 is reaping the benefits!
once I have used the raw chicken with bones can I eat the chicken then cook the bones again for broth?
I roast a chicken, use the meat and then make broth with the bones. If that’s what you mean, then yes 🙂
If my little one is allergic to whey, can I leave it out? Or is there a substitute?
If my little one is allergic to whey, can I leave it out? Or is there a substitute?
Yes, you can leave it out if the baby doesn’t tolerate it.
Ah. Makes perfect sense, thank you! You can disregard the same question I posted to your other reply in the goat milk recipe. It’s basically a duplicate to this.
I noticed you didn’t mention fish as an option for the homemade stock; however, in other recipes for babies you mention how beneficial fish stock is for infants. Is there a reason you didn’t include it as an option in this recipe?
Fish stock might not taste very good mixed with liver … competing flavors. I don’t think baby would enjoy it much. You can certainly use it if you want! Just be SURE the fish is from a clean source and is a non-oily, low mercury fish.
I am vegetarian, what can I substitute the liver and stock with?
There are no substitutes. There are some nutrients you can only get in bioavailable form via animal foods.