How to make a nourishing homemade goat milk baby formula that mimics human breastmilk as closely as possible.
I nursed all 3 of my children exclusively until they started solid foods. In addition, I practiced extended breastfeeding, nursing each of my first two children for 2 years and the youngest for 4 years. I only used homemade formula occasionally such as after surgery.
I adored every. single. minute.
Nursing my children was a glorious experience the memories of which I will cherish forever!  I’m sure most breastfeeding mothers would report the same.
The topic of homemade formula, even the more widely accepted goats milk formula, is a highly charged and controversial subject. In reality, it is a very important option for women to consider and have available who are not able to have a breastfeeding relationship with their baby.
This is because unpasteurized, donor breastmilk is not always available from reputable sources and in sufficient quantities to meet a baby’s growing appetite. A friend of mine is dealing with this very situation right now with her adopted daughter.
While she does her best to secure quality donor milk, the truth is that it isn’t enough, and she must supplement. Her first choice depending on local farm availability is formula made with raw goats milk as it seems to be digested a bit better by her baby.
Of course, all brands of commercial formula even if organic are best avoided if at all possible. The graphic above summarizes the problems with commercial formula quite succinctly.
Why Goat Milk is Healthy for Baby Formula
With commercial formula best avoided and relying solely on donor breastmilk a risky proposition, the homemade formula becomes an option well worth consideration.
But why goats milk formula in particular?
The reasons could be as simple as the availability of goat milk versus cow milk. The homemade formula is best made with a clean source of raw milk and some parts of the country have raw goat milk far more readily available than raw cow milk.
Another reason could be the digestibility of the formula. The natural homogenization of the fat globules and different structures of the goat milk proteins do make it easier to digest for some babies.
If a baby has trouble with a homemade formula made from raw grass-fed cow milk, for instance, then the next best option would indeed be goats milk formula.
I always suggest to mothers to try homemade formula made with cow milk first.
This is because although goat milk is wonderfully rich in brain-building fats, it must be used with caution in infant feeding.
Unlike cow milk, goat milk lacks folic acid and is low in the nutrient vitamin B12 both of which are critical to the proper growth and development of a baby.
Fortunately, if goats milk formula does indeed become the necessary choice, the inclusion of small amounts of nutritional yeast and organic grated or desiccated liver in the formula easily remedies this dilemma.
Infant Formula?
Below is the recommended recipe for goats milk formula as published by the Weston A. Price Foundation and originally published in the cookbook Nourishing Traditions in 1996.
I personally know at least a dozen women who have used this recipe with great success when raw grass-fed cow milk was either unavailable or did not digest well for their baby.
*You can order all of the required ingredients for the homemade baby formula in one easy package from Radiant Life by clicking here.
Because the goat formula contains liver powder, be sure to use bottle nipples that are designed for thicker flowing liquids. You can get them here.
Homemade Goat Milk Formula Recipe
A nourishing homemade goat milk formula made from goat milk, yogurt or kefir devised and tested by Dr. Mary Enig that matches the nutritional profile of breastmilk as closely as possible.
Ingredients
- 2 cups raw goat milk OR whole goat milk yogurt
- 1 7/8 cup filtered water
- 1/4 cup liquid whey
- 4 Tbl goat lactose
- 1/4 tsp bifidobacterium infantis powder
- 2 Tbl raw or pasteurized cream
- 1/2 tsp cod liver oil unflavored
- 1/4 tsp butter oil unflavored
- 1 tsp sunflower oil preferably organic
- 1 tsp extra virgin olive oil preferably organic
- 2 tsp virgin coconut oil preferably organic
- 2 tsp nutritional yeast
- 2 tsp raw chicken liver OR 1/4 tsp desiccated liver powder
- 2 tsp gelatin
- 1/4 tsp acerola powder
- 1 tsp molasses optional
Instructions
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Fill a 2 cup Pyrex measuring cup with filtered water and remove 2 tablespoons (this will give you 1 7/8 cup water).
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Pour about half the water into a pan and turn burner on medium.
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Add the gelatin and lactose and let dissolve, stirring occasionally.
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When gelatin and lactose are dissolved, remove pan from heat and add the rest of the water to cool.
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Stir in the coconut oil and butter oil until melted.
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Put remaining ingredients in a glass blender. Be sure to use only liquid whey and never powdered whey from making cheese as it will curdle the goat milk formula.
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Add the water mixture and blend for about 3 seconds.
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Pour goats milk formula into glass baby bottles or a large glass jar and refrigerate.
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Before giving to baby, warm glass bottle in a pan of hot water or a bottle warmer (I like these). Never microwave baby bottles!
Recipe Notes
Do not substitute pasteurized milk or goat milk powder as these are heavily processed, denatured and allergenic foods. You may use plain, whole milk goat kefir or homemade goat yogurt in place of the milk portion of the milk if raw goat milk is not available in your area. Whole Foods has a quality brand of goat milk kefir available.Â
Cow lactose may be substituted for the goat lactose.
Do NOT use ultrapasteurized (UHT) cream. It is highly allergenic. Raw or pasteurized cream is acceptable.
Use only organic, unrefined, low oleic, cold pressed sunflower oil for this recipe. The brand linked to in the ingredients list is recommended.
The raw chicken liver should be frozen for 14 days or longer as recommended by the USDA for safe consumption. Â It is easiest to grate raw liver when it is frozen! Alternatively, 1/4 tsp of raw, desiccated liver powder may be substituted (find it here).Â
Collagen powder may be substituted for the gelatin in a pinch (more on peptides in baby formula in this article).
Use the optional molasses only if baby has issues with constipation. Only use as needed.
Homemade Goat Milk Formula Video
Below is an instructional video I filmed for the Weston A. Price Foundation on how to prepare a homemade formula yourself. Â Enjoy!
More Information
Homemade Nondairy Baby Formula
Why Soy Formula Even if Organic is So Dangerous for Babies
Traveling with Homemade Baby Formula
Feeding an Adopted Baby Without Commercial Formula
State Threatens to Take Baby Over Homemade Goat Milk Formula
Goat Milk Versus Cow Milk
Hi Sarah,
I am having a hard time finding the age and “how to” on tapering your child off this formula? I’ve seen you say it is only ment for 1 year and younger, but what then? I would imagine they need tapered off? And tapered off to plain raw goats milk without all the other ingredients? Or is there a schedule of taking out specific ingredients at certain ages…?
I would suggest just switching to plain raw goats milk, and yes, leaving out the other ingredients. However, the cod liver oil would be a good idea according to the Weston Price Foundation to continue as a daily supplement. 1/2 tsp for that age.
The only possible exception is if the child is not eating much food yet. Then, you can make the personal call to keep with the formula (even half formula, half goat milk) until enough food is being eaten on a daily basis.
Hi Sarah!
My baby has been on the goat formula for about 6 months now. She is 8 month now. However our goats supply is dropping drastically. I am able to find raw cows milk to start introducing to her. To clarify, all I see as a difference in the recipe is the desicated liver and optional molasses?
I am also wondering if you have a chart or resource on how you transition from formula to just raw milk? I had asked you awhile back for a friend if a one year would follow the same recipe and you said no, just raw milk and cod liver oil is sufficient at that age. So how do you transition from formula to just the milk and at what age?
Hi Sarah,
We have started our 4 month old on this goat milk formula recently. He was on commercial formula prior since breastfeeding was not successful. Since starting the goat milk formula, he has been terribly constipated. His stools have been hard, and he screams in pain when unable to pass it. We have tried giving him warm organic, no sugar added prune juice at 4 oz/day, but that still doesn’t not produce a bowel movement for him. He was having bowel movements every day while on commercial formula. I really don’t want to put him back on commercial formula, but I can’t stand to see him struggling like this. Do you have any suggestions? Thanks
I forgot to add that I have been adding the 1 tsp optional molasses, and I did not see that if I was using the desiccated liver to cut it down to 1/2 tsp. I have been adding 2 tsp to his formula! I am worried that I may have hurt him now. He has been on this formula for about two weeks.
Thank you Sarah for your response. I realized that I have been using 2 tsp is radiant liver powder instead of of 1/2 tsp as it says in the notes. W
Is that bad for my baby?
Too much would potentially be problematic as the desiccated liver is concentrated. Hopefully, you haven’t been using long.
My baby has been spitting up/ throwing up and never has before the slow into to raw milk formula. Is she allergic? Where should I go from here? Eliminate the nutritional yeast and gelatin? Or go to goats milk formula? Please help!
Perhaps you transitioned too fast. It takes about 2-3 weeks to fully move over especially if the baby has been on commercial formula for awhile. Another option is to remove the nutritional yeast and/or the gelatin and see if this helps. The last resort is to move to the dairy free formula, recipe also on this blog.
IS it normal that the gelatin makes the formula too thick? Wondering if may have done something wrong
When a bottle is warmed the gelatin will be liquefied. The formula does thicken in the fridge .. this is normal. But, when you warm up a bottle everything liquefies again 🙂
Would it be okay to use this recipe with raw goat milk but cow lactose? Or is it not good to mix the animal source lika that?
Yes, you absolutely can do this.
My adopted baby girl has been on donated breastmilk since birth. She is 6 mths old now. She just started egg yolks, cod liver oil and high vitamin butter. I was wanting to make her bottle with 1/2 donated breastmilk and 1/2 raw cow or raw goat milk. Do I need to do the recommended formula for the cow or goat or can straight milk just be added to 1/2 her bottle of breastmilk? Thank you!
You need to make the formula whether mixing it with breastmilk or using full strength until she is one year old.
Thank you so much for your quick response. I don’t have access to raw sheep milk. So would it be okay to just omit the cream from the goat milk formula? (it is a very high fat goat milk variety). Last question 🙂 We tried the cow formula. She LOVED it. No gas, didn’t spit up, but would have a couple red dots around her mouth after eating so we assumed cow milk allergy. What are your thoughts on this? Try cow again before switching to goat?
The sheep milk formula is made with sheep yogurt available online and at many Whole Foods.
I wouldn’t just “assume” an allergy. You should see a practitioner if you suspect a problem.
If your baby has a cow allergy what do you use in place of raw cow cream? And cow whey? I don’t believe you can get goat cream? Can you make goat whey from goat yogurt?
Yes you can get whey from goat yogurt. I would recommend sheep milk formula as sheep milk is high in cream than either cow or goat milk, so you wouldn’t need to add any additional cream. Recipe here: https://www.thehealthyhomeeconomist.com/sheep-milk/
PLEASE do not leave out any of the other ingredients besides the goats milk in this recipe. They help to digest the hard to process goats milk. Better yet, use the sheeps milk formula. Using goats milk without the other i gredients can cause acidosis in very young babies… and that’s only the the beginning
Based on your published responses to my previous post on this this very topic you are recommending 1/2 teaspoon of the Rosita cod liver oil. You consider this brand to be high vitamin. Please go back and read your response. I know you don’t use Rosita. I know you don’t endorse Rosita. The question was in regards to your recommendations on dosage of high vitamin or regular cod liver oil not your recommendation of cod liver oil. Also, I was able to confirm with WPF that Rosita is not considered high vitamin therefore 1 teaspoon should be used as per their recipe. Your recipe according to the instructions on WPF is incorrect in regards to the dosage for cod liver oil.
The dosage is 1/2 tsp high vitamin CLO and 1 tsp for regular CLO. The definition of “high vitamin” is the A/D content. Rosita has the same A/D as other high vitamin brands last time I checked .. so 1/2 tsp would be sufficient. Perhaps Rosita has changed it’s product to low vitamin. If you have called the WAPF and they say it is not high vitamin, then go with that recommendation.
I use Dropi and recommend this brand, as it is what I use and keep up with.