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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.
The beef epic bone broth has jalapeño and sea salt, is that ok to give? And can I put dha supplement in the formula?
I recommend the Epic chicken broth instead of the beef. The chicken broth ingredients do not contain jalapeno.
Please note that it is best to only use the Epic bone broth in a pinch. You really should make it yourself! These commercial bone broths are all watered down. Note that they do not gel in the refrigerator like homemade does.
After I make the formula could I freeze some and thaw to use at another time? Similar to breastmilk?
Yes, you can do this. Freeze only what you will need for emergencies. It is best to make it fresh every day or two.
Hi there, I wanted to know what a good alternative would be for the coconut oil? My son produced an IGE response to coconut when we had him tested.
HI Sarah, one more question. Can you replace the liver with molasses for iron?
Thanks
Molasses can’t hold a candle to liver in terms of nutrition. No substitutions please unless indicated in the recipe itself.
My husband and I lead very busy lifestyles. How can we make this formula or the dairy based one work for us? We are out with baby alot. But that said, we feel he needs to change off normal formula.
It only takes about 10 minutes to make a batch. This can be easily prioritized into daily life even a busy one.
Hi Sarah,
I have my son on this formula, but I am a little confused about the liver measurements. The receipe calls for 2oz liver, but in your video you say 2 tbsp. 2 tbsp is 30ml, but 2 oz is around 56mls. Could you clarify, I am worried I am giving him too much liver.
Thanks.
2 oz of beef or chicken liver is the correct amount per 36 oz batch of formula.
Hi Sarah, my baby has developed some severe eczema and we think it might be from the organic cows milk formula we been buying for supplementation. We have started to make the Weston Price milk based formula with goats milk but will love to the meat based one if there is no improvement. You mentioned not to use whey from cheese making. Why is this? Our goat milk provider can give us raw whey but I’m pretty sure it will be from his cheese making.
As mentioned in the recipe, using cheese whey curdles the formula. Just take the whey from a quart of plain, organic whole milk yogurt if you can’t get it from your farmer. Pour the whole container into a large plain white dishtowel (not too thick), tie it up over a bowl and let the whey drip into the bowl. Super easy. Video and recipe here: https://www.thehealthyhomeeconomist.com/separating-whey-plain-store-yogurt/
Hi Sarah, I noticed the probiotic has dairy in it. My lo has a true allergy to dairy and I was wondering what you would recommend to substitute that probiotic. Also, is there a substitute for the sunflower oil? Thanks so much!
This one is dairy free: http://amzn.to/2q5xXUB
There is no substitute for sunflower oil.
My baby seems to like this formula best made with chicken broth. I’ve also made with beef broth and lamb broth. It’s wonderful that we can have variety there if needed due to allergies or a baby’s personal preference.
Hi I am trying to make this recipe with one cup of bone broth. Do you know how to break the measurements down? Also does it have to be bone broth can it be home made broth? Thank You for this recipe!
Some of the ingredients have small quantities so best to make the whole batch at minimum. Homemade bone broth is best … I don’t recommend any of the bone broths on the market *except* for Epic in glass jars. The other ones are packaged in plastic or aseptic cartons where the bone broth was sealed into the containers when boiling hot which would leach chemicals into the broth no matter what the company may claim. Here’s a link to Epic’s chicken broth: http://amzn.to/2p3yuFV