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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.
Can I make the liquid whey for this from my own breast milk? I plan to make the whey according to how you made it on your other whey making video, only using my breast milk rather than using raw milk which I cannot get in my Stste.
I love coming to your website for information, thank you for all the helpful tips. I have a 3 year old and a 5 month old. I gave my 5 month old bone broth today because shes not seeming to get enough breast milk. I was thinking of giving her some formula along side breastfeeding. I came across some organic formula that looks good and i just was curious what your opinion of the ingredients are
Ingredients
Skimmed milk** (Germany, Austria), sweet whey powder* partly demineralised, vegetable oils* (palm oil, rape oil, sunflower oil), maltodextrin*, calcium chlorid 414mg/100g, Vitamin C 85mg/100g, Vitamin E 9.5mg/100g, ferrous lactate, zinc sulphate 3.7mg/100g, niacin 3.7mg/100g, calcium-D-pantothenate, copper sulphate, vitamin A, vitamin B1, vitamin B6, manganese sulphate, vitamin B2, potassic iodate, folic acid, vitamin K1, sodium selenate, vitamin D
* organically grown
** organically grown to biodynamic standards
thanks in advance!
I was wondering what I could substitute the whey with?I see the dextrose to replace the lactose but nothing said about the whey can it be replaced with coconut kefir. Also Bernard Jensen makes a powder whey , why shouldn’t it be used? Which Bifidobacterium Infantis Powder is recommended, I have a few different brands? Thanks again and I know you cannot get back to me personally, however if you can just answer these questions here I can read them and be blessed with that. 🙂
Yesterday after I sent you the comment I talked to a friend of mine who also suggested I try Goya brand Coconut milk to supplement with the breastfeeding . I tried and he really liked it however the can doesn’t say BPA free and it looks to have no real nutritional value can you tell me if using it is safe.
I want to say thanks so much for all that you do. My baby has milk Protein allergy I knew there had to be something I could do. I breastfeed exclusively but almost everything has whey or something in it that causes him gas. So i am gonna substitute. Also can I buy any of the ingredients needed at Whole Foods or Treasure Island in Chicago?
Hi Sarah,
Thanks for this video. I was wondering if I could use chicken livers instead. I have a bunch in my freezer that I don’t use often and I’d like to use them up with this. Is there any reason you didn’t list chicken livers as well?
Suzanne,
Yes, you can use chicken liver. I have emailed back and forth with Sally Fallon about this formula and chicken liver is wonderful to use.
Sarah, the babies have been throwing up on the milk based formula. I took out the yeast and one of them still threw up tonight. What do you suggest? Should I try this liver based or could it be the lactose? Please advise. I’m going crazy trying to figure this out!
Thank you!
Hello,
I just came across your website as I was looking for a healthy way to start my baby on solids. He is 5 months old, and has been diagnosed with Galactosemia, so he cannot have any lactose or galactose, his DNA does not produce the enzimes to digest them. It broke my heart to have to feed him soy formula because I am aware of the effects on the body, but that was the only alternative I was presented by the geneticist caring for him. I breastfed him for several days, and partially for a few months, and even though my baby did not show any symptoms, I was told to stop because all his tests show he does have the disorder. He is a big boy, healthy, and developing and growing just fine, by God’s grace. He has been exclusively on soy formula (the organic one) for about a month, but I want to introduce solids so he does not have to consume so much soy. I like the idea of your meat-based formula, and I would like to try it for my baby (I suspect my doctors will not approve, though). But, are there any modifications I would need to make for my baby’s particular situation, as far as lactose or galactose? I would very much appreciate your knowledge and experience. I have struggled so much with the issue of my baby’s food, and I would like to be more proactive in this matter. Thank you so much!
I have been using the liver formula for my 3 month old since he was born. (He is my third and after trying for months to breastfeed/pump for my first two babies, supplements, lact-aide, oral motor therapist etc etc… I never had more than about .75oz per feeding) I’ve always made homemade formula for my babies but I noticed my newest seems to have some issues. He seems to sleep better and be more comfortable when I eliminate the whey and I’m considering subbing the lactose but I really don’t want to. Something seems to bother him. I make him the digestive tea and give it to him all the time even though he hates it. He has never had a solid poo or even one with shape. It’s always runny. I’m concerned. Do you have any suggestions? Maybe something I’m doing wrong that I can fix? For my first two I made the raw milk formula but I have had some health issues and wanted to give him the broth based one because I felt it was more healing for his gut. Am I wrong? If he seems to do better without the whey I can’t imagine he’d do better on the raw milk one. What do you think? What should I do differently?
Hi Sarah,
We are foster parents and are getting ready to pick up a premee baby from the hospital. He was born two and a half months ago and is just 5lbs. We are already using this formula for our 17 month Down Syndrome child and he is doing well on it.
Would you suggest using this formula for the premee? Do you think the milk based formula would be better? We do have goats, but our other child could not tolerate milk.
Also, we have lots of beef liver in the freezer. Do you just shred some liver off each time or thaw the liver? That seems to be the hardest part for me. I actually stopped using liver and started using farm fresh raw egg yolks in his formula. Please tell me if this is a bad idea. He seems to be doing good on it though. Everything else I fed him, including goats milk caused him to be constipated, refluxy and he did not gain weight very well.
I do appreciate your sight. I am sooooooo grateful for this formula too. It has been a lifesaver. And I can finally sleep at night. 🙂
Thanks so much!
Kerin