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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.
I very much want to try this as my 6 week old son has been diagnosed with a dairy intolerance and as you said, it is the protein and not the lactose. I only use formula as a supplement for when my breast milk supply drops as it often has and then spikes again. The doctor and lactation consultant gave me Enfamil nutramigen and similac altimentem and i HATE them both, poorly made from sickening ingredients. Is your recipe safe/recommended for such young infants? I have been searching for an alternative to the nasty formulas but can’t find anything totally dairy and soy free.
This recipe was developed by Dr. Mary Enig, a researcher and nutritionist to be suitable for very young babies too.
Hi! I’m excited to try this formula as my son has eczema (naturopath said no dairy, soy, wheat, gluten or corn for me while breastfeeding and of course for him directly) and I need a back up to breast milk (I experience a huge drop in milk supply the week around and during my cycle). Can you give me more info on what the reasoning is behind the cod liver oil, the sunflower oil (isn’t this high in inflammatory omega 6?), the whey and ecerola powder? Thank you SO much!
Can I use this recipe while my 9 month infant has leaky gut. Will this help his gut to heal ? Are all of these ingredients good for healing his gut? He recently just got on Elecare Formula, which amino acid base. I am no longer breastfeeding anymore because of a low milk supply.
It might help him heal somewhat as it is very digestible, but you will need to reach out to a functional specialist about that.
Hello! So sorry if I missed this…just wondering how long this would last if you tried to make larger batches for convenience? Thank you!
It is not a good idea as some of the nutrition (a small amount) is lost by freezing. Also, the cream and milk can sometimes develop little clumps after thawing. Only freeze some for emergencies.
After blending the stock and liver thoroughly there is still quite a bit of liver ‘bits’ that settle to the bottom…is that normal?
Yes this is normal. Do you have a vita-mix that can blend it better. Otherwise, just mix it up the best you can with each bottle.
I have candida overgrowth right now. I just started full gaps diet. My daughter is 10 m old. She is starting to have slight signs of eczema. I had her on 5 foods. Egg yolk, liver, banana, peaches, squash. But recently stopped. I am trying to get my milk supply up. However it’s taking time so I thought this recipe sounds good. The bone broth along with a few other ingredients could really help heal and seal her gut. However, there is some ingredients in this recipe that may do further damage I think. I would love your opinion Sarah! Also can the bio Kult infant one be given instead of the one that is on here?
You cannot subsitute biokult for the infant probiotic linked to in the recipe.
What if your baby can’t handle goat or cow lactose?
If you check again, the recipe indicates what to do with a link to recommended substitute.
Hi – my son is on a prescription amino-acid based formula because of his CMPA and my paediatrician said it would be very detrimental to his health to use this recipe. Would you please let me know your thoughts on amino-acid formulas?
I would suggest a second opinion from a doctor not bought and paid for by the AMA. MANY babies on amino acid formula have done extremely well with this formula. That much I can tell you in the nearly 8 years since I posted this recipe/video.
Thank you so much for this amazing how-to! Our 5 month old son has eczema and cradle cap, we’ve tried several things to help externally but our naturopath would like us to try to get him on a completely dairy free formula. I believe this recipe would still be a major improvement over the organic HIPP cow milk formula he is currently on. Do you think using cow lactose would be an issue? I can source goat lactose from the US but we live in Canada and I can get the NOW real food lactose 1 lb bags more readily.
If baby is tolerating the cow milk then the cow lactose is likely fine too.
My son is on a hypoallergenic formula as a precaution because of gut inflammation that may be unrelated to milk entirely. Can you tell me why goat lactose is used here? Just to keep regular dairy out entirely? Is it acceptable to use cow lactose as well?
Yes, you can use cow lactose 🙂