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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 !! Do you have nutritional information for this formula ?
I’m speaking with my pediatrician about trying this recipe for my daughter who is having a milk and soy sensitivity and I want to be sure she is getting all of the nutrients.
thank you
There is a link in the article to a chart put out by the WAPF on the nutrients in this formula compared with breastmilk.
Could I use powdered liver capsules instead of actual liver?
It is best to use fresh liver for this recipe. In a pinch or when traveling you can use desiccated, but really look to source fresh liver instead.
Please, instead of feeding this, breastfeed or use donor milk. Nowadays it’s possible to find mothers near you who are willing to help each other. Get to know your donors and ask them about their health history. Breast milk cannot be replaced with any man-made substitute. Use what nature intends!
Unfortunately, many babies who need this formula cannot tolerate breastmilk! A very unfortunate situation, but one that is actually not that uncommon.
Hi Sarah,
I have made this formula for a week now and so far its going good. My son does at times have a itchy red spot on his forehead, so I have removed whey. but it still comes and goes at times. I know you had suggested using non GMO dextrose and dairy free probiotics. do you know how much of the dextrose to add in?
The amounts are indicated in the recipe.
Hi, I just started making the liver formula for my son and had a few questions. How long does it last in the fridge? my son doesnt eat a lot of volume at the moment and I dont want to waste it. Can it be frozen and thawed each day, or does freezing this dilute any of the vitamins or nutrients? if i cant freeze it, what would you suggest?
Yes, you can freeze and thaw what you need each day. It won’t harm the nutrients.
Hi Sarah, my baby has a dairy allergy but I don’t want to put sucrose/dextrose in her formula (unless absolutely necessary) and I was wondering if it’s possible to substitute maple syrup or raw agave nectar for the lactose?
Organic sucrose or dextrose would be better than maple syrup or agave nectar. https://www.thehealthyhomeeconomist.com/agave-nectar-latest-health-food-scam/
Hey Sarah my little love bug has a cows milk and goat milk intolerance what could we use to sub out goat lactose?
Are you sure it is the lactose or is it perhaps the dairy proteins that are causing the intolerance? If you’re not sure, try the nondairy formula using the lactose first. If there continues to be a problem, there is a substitute for the lactose indicated in the notes section of the nondairy recipe above.
Hi Sarah, thanks so much for your knowledge and resources! What do you make of the negligible calcium in the liver/bone broth formula? Would the collagen in the bone broth account for this? Is there any reason to supplement calcium in another way?
There is no reason to supplement with calcium. Supplementing with this mineral in isolation is dangerous anyway. Be sure to use fresh liver as directed in the formula as this provides many of the necessary minerals. Also, use homemade bone broth and not purchased. Commercial bone broth is watered down and not as nutritious as homemade.
I’m making this formula for my daughter I believe she is allergic to milk and when I make it how much broth how much water do you add to the chicken to make broth then I have another question the liver after I blended is getting caught up in the nipples is not wanting to go through the nipples so I strain it after I blended in the broth is that okay
This post has a how-to with regard to making chicken broth. https://www.thehealthyhomeeconomist.com/video-traditional-stocks-and-soups/
You should not strain the broth. You will need to try to blend it up more finely or get nipples with slightly larger holes. You may be using the tiny ones.
Hey also if I do the epic bone broth would I still do the grass fed liver beef?
Yes, you will still need the beef liver part of the formula recipe.