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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.
Hello. My first and only son is 2 months old. I was only able to breastfeed him for 2 weeks. The pediatrician had us switch from regular formula to soy then to hypoallergenic to help him not spit up so much. I’m interested in making my own hypoallergenic formula but my husband is still on the border about it. Do you have any recommended readings to help him make a decision. Another important factor to me is the fact that we are not going to vaccinate him, would you suggest supplementing anything to help build his immunity?
The fermented cod liver oil link no longer works. Green Pasture Products does not carry “salty cod” or “antioxidant free.” Which supplier are you referencing? Thanks
PLEEEEASE help me! All of this confusion is making me literally sick. I can’t eat or sleep. I have tried 5 different commercial baby formulas on my 2nd son who is now 1 month old (our first son is 4 & 1/2 years old and was bottle fed Soy based commercial formula, which I am now scared to death that I did an awful terrible thing by doing that). We’ve tried 3 different Similac formulas (One specifically for sensitive tummies, and one called Alimentum Expert Care that I swore my baby was going to choke to death on, we actually had paramedics out to our house one morning because I couldn’t get his airways cleared of this thick sludge that was coming out of his nose and mouth 🙁 ,and the original milk based one) none worked. So we tried 2 Enfamil formulas, newborn and ProSobee, the ProSobee is what he’s on now. It’s soy based. It’s the only thing that he is actually a happy baby on. I tried a goats milk formula and all he did was scream. He seemed to be in pain and he wanted to eat and eat annnnd EAT! But yet when he would eat he would pull away from the bottle and scream. It was horrific to go thru. It was not a regular cry, he was screaming in pain, grabbing my face and shirt, and unable to stop squirming 🙁
I am soooo utterly confused at this point. I am TERRIFIED to try something else, we’ve already tried 6 things, one was completely organic (I made it myself at home, the goats milk one) and supposed to be hypoallergenic as well and it didn’t work. I don’t want my son to have health issues, but I also don’t want to put him thru anymore pain like with the first 4 commercial formulas and the goats milk one. Please help me figure out what to do!!!
Another concern I have is that, if I start him on this liver formula, how much does it cost to make? I d on’t want to get him started on it and then run into more financial struggles and not be able to purchase what is needed for it. Can you please tell me an estimate of how much it costs to make??
I’m sorry this post is so long, I’m desperate for help with this subject. Ugh
Thank you soooo much for taking the time to read this and I VERY much look forward to hearing from you!………..Stephanie
This isn’t a lot of answers for you, but you’re not alone. I too am heart broken, and my husband thinks I’m nuts of how upset I get for my baby’s eating needs. He doesn’t understand that the mom, no matter how she feeds her baby, holds a huge responsibility. Our baby’s have a gut problem, and should have never had dairy. I found this out late. My daughter is 9 months old, and struggling. She kind of likes the liver-based, but not quite. Today I just bought a Digestive Tonic for her to add in with the liver-based formula. The Liver based formula should aid her in healing, which may very well take a long time. I’ve just read moms had to give this tonic with slippery elm bark for 3-4 months until the child was fine without it for every meal! My daughter also has a cold, which complicates things. I just have to remind myself, it will take some time for healing to take place. My current problem is that she gets loose stools from this, in which I’m waiting for an answer. I know when I introduce solids, this will change. Anyways, you’re not alone, you’re an awesome mom putting forth so much effort for her baby, and it will pay off.
Hi Sarah – don’t think I saw this question addressed. I want to start feeding my 3 month old the liver based formula but am concerned about the high level of Vitamin A (as per the Weston A. Price web site – 20,000 IU vs. 946 IU in breasmilk). Is this a concern and if not, why?
Thanks in advance for you help. This is a great site!
The fact that no one has taken the time to answer yours and many others questions and comments about the high levels of vitamin A found in this formula is VERY concerning!!!
Natural vitamin A is not a problem nor any concern in this formula .. it is SYNTHETIC vitamin A that is toxic and should be avoided.
Hi Sarah! My 7 month old has been suffering from eczema for the past 4 months, and after trying various natural treatments and making extreme dietary changes, it looks like she might be having a reaction to the casein in my breastmilk, so I’m going to try this formula.
How long will this formula keep in the fridge and freezer?
Also, we’ve had trouble offering her a bottle before, so if she takes just a little, but doesn’t finish the entire bottle, can I store the leftover formula and offer it again at a later time? Or should I dispose of any leftover formula since her saliva would’ve already come in contact with it?
Thanks so much for the video!
HI Janelle, my son is about the same. 6.5 mo old. 4 months of horrible skin – lots of natural treatments and remedies, and a very extreme diet for me… and no real changes. I’ve been able to nearly eliminate the eczema, but he remains very rashy and itchy. I’m wondering how you discovered it might be the casein in your milk that was causing your baby’s issues? I assume you weren’t consuming dairy since it’s such a huge offender. Thanks for your help!
I just made hits formula to supplement for baby as he’s very low weight and clearly has digestive issues so am hopeful for the gut healing that should come with it.
Sarah, thank you so much for helping other mothers to feed their families well. Obviously, God is blessing your work. Please forgive me, I wasn’t sure whether to post this question in your section with coconut milk tonic or in this non-dairy baby formula section. We are missionaries living on the American side of the border with Mexico. We have only been here for 2 months, and have been giving my 8 month old the raw cows milk formula since her birth. We have raised our previous 5 children on the same formula (we had a family cow for several years, and sold cultured dairy products), and they have thrived beautifully on it! During the first 5 weeks of being here, I used frozen raw milk from California while we searched for a farmer here. We looked and looked, and could not find anything within 4 hours of here, except for tainted milk over the border in Mexico. Shipping milk is not going to be affordable. And I dont currently have access to any good quality meats on a regular basis to make the hypoallergenic formula. So I’d really like to make formula with coconut milk- our family does well on all forms of coconut- but Im not sure about how much to use to parallel the cows milk in the formula recipe. We are big on superfoods, so anything that is desperately lacking in the coconut milk, I feel confident I can make up somehow. She is very happy with egg yolks and with other nutrient-dense foods, when they are available, and likes nutritional yeast. I want to make sure she is getting as much nutrition as she can, but not to overload her system. We will continue to search for cows milk, as the whole family needs it fresh and kefir-ed, but if you have any suggestions on how much canned coconut milk to use in the recipe, and secondly, how much if I can make homemade coconut milk with shredded coconut, as you demonstrate, as well as on the Tropical Traditions web site- I would very much appreciate that. I know the homemade should have a much better nutritional profile, I just have no idea how much, and several hours of research into nutrition facts have turned up little information, especially concerning the homemade version. I thank you in advance for your time considering this; I will anxiously await your reply! Thank you!
Did you ever hear back from her regarding this? I would love to know if that is another option
Hi Sarah! I wish I had known about this formula when my daughter was an infant. She’s 3.5 now and still drinking Similac Alimentum RTF(the liquid one in a bottle). She’s very small for her age and has food allergies and I’ll have to find substitutes for the dextrose/sugar/whey. We’re avoiding sugar too. Would honey work you think? And do you think this will be a good replacement to the ones she’s drinking right now? I’m willing to try, anything to get her off this formula that has tons of sugar and soy oil. It’s the only one she’s tolerated. Thoughts? Advice? I hope she will drink this. Also what can I use to sub for sunflower oil? She’s sensitive to sunflower too. Would safflower oil work?
Can I leave out the whey? She’s very sensitive to dairy as well. Sorry for all my questions.
Thanks so much!
Hi, I love your website. I have a 9 mo. old and I’ve been giving him breastmilk plus organic formula made by earths best. I started giving him formula when I went back to work and I’m not making as much breastmilk as before so I supplement with that. I was just wondering if you think this is a good formula? I chose it because it was one of the few organic ones I could find. Do you know of a better organic formula other than your homemade one? I do want to try making yours and freezing it to use. What do you think some of the best first foods are to feed him because he has been eating food now also since he has 8 teeth now and loves it 🙂
In your opinion would switching between chicken and beef stock be hard on my infants digestion? Once I begin with the chicken should I stay with that? Also I want to tell you how much the videos help me! I am a visual learner and they have encouraged me to feel like this is definitely something I can do! I am so thankful for this recipe because the only other alternative for my baby is nutramingen. 🙁
Thank You Sarah for getting back with me! I have a question about the whey. The protein in the whey is different than the protein from the milk itself right? I don’t really understand why that is. If for some reason my son has a reaction to the whey would coconut milk work to possibly make whey? And if I have to leave the whey out altogether is there enough protein in the formula for him from the stock?
Hi Natalie, no you can’t make whey from coconut milk. Leave out the whey if your son has a reaction to it.