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
Is this a safe formula? I’ve heard so many negative things about homemade formula and how dangerous it can be. I haven’t asked the pediatrician yet, but I can only image they will tell me it’s not a good idea. However, my LO couldn’t nurse properly even though we tried for WEEKS to. I decided to exclusively pump and did so for 6 months, but made the choice to wean from the pump. He has had such a difficult time transitioning to commercial formulas, I’m desperate for something that will work.
Hi ,we are almost at the end of our journey with this wonderful goat milk formula my baby did great on it. And now my question is how do i transition her from the infant goat milk formula to toddler? Thank you.
hi sarah! how much milk to water if i want to do a half batch. im supplementing now
Hello!
I realize that making this fresh every morning is ideal but there will be days I need to make a double batch and have it be good for 2 days. Is that okay to do? Is it also okay to make extra and freeze?
Yes, that’s fine on occasion. Fresh is the best for the homemade formula.
One more question on Goats Formula. Can it be heated twice?
Probably not a good idea. Only warm just what you need for a single feeding.
How long can a bottle of goats formula sit outside the fridge? How long can you freeze it and we seem to be having a problem with the babie bottle nipple gettig plugged. We are straining it but wondering if we are doing something wrong.
Thank you very much for this information.
Thank you for this formula – our baby loves it. When a baby is allergic or highly sensitive to lactose, what else can or should be used to replace the whey/cream, etc?
There really isn’t a substitute for these ingredients. You can always try the hypoallergenic formula made with bone broth instead if the dairy is a problem. I also have a blog recipe plus video on that (listed in More Information section above).
Hi Sarah,
I was wondering:
for those of us who, for whatever reason, do not have access to ALL of these ingredients, is there a recommended version of homemade formula I can use, which is still better than store-bought formula? For instance, I don’t believe I’ll be able to obtain Lactose, Liquid Whey or Fermented Cod Liver Oil. If I can obtain Raw, grass-fed Cow’s or Goat’s milk, what are the minimum additions that need to be made as a truly healthy and safe alternative to breast milk, if needed?
Thank you!
PS: A general question about milk: If one is able to obtain organic, grass-fed milk which is pasteurized but not homogenized, is this preferable to the conventional pasteurized & homogenized milk, if those are the only two available?
Thanks
You really need to use all the ingredients. Liquid whey is easily made from plain store bought yogurt (whole milk). See my video on how to separate very quickly and easily. The other ingredients can be obtained via mail order here: http://www.radiantlifecatalog.com/product/nourishing-traditions-kit-homemade-baby-formula/baby-child-care/?a=58537
Sarah I know for goat milk formula you must use all ingredients. But I’m pretty sure that the nutritional yeast is bothering my baby’s stomach. What if I use a good B vitamin liquid drop or something? Surely there is a good substitute. Thanks!
You can leave out the nutritional yeast if you suspect a problem with your baby’s tolerance of it.
Hi
I am so new to this raw milk formula. My daughter wouldn’t drink enough of my breastmilk and started to not gain wt. so we fortified my Bm with simliac to make more cals per oz. let’s just say the mess started her. She puked, new formula, she dry heaved, new formula, stooled all the time, new formula-wouldn’t drink it!! It stunk too. My desperate approach to look for a new direction, we found she possibly has a dairy allergy. My nutritionist I was working with suggested I should start talking about a feeding tube with my child, who is just about 10 months old. I was devastated, I knew she just didn’t like the formula! Long story short, I tried raw goats milk, nothing added but probiotics because I wanted to see if she would eat it. And SHE DID!!! We are only in our 2day with it and she is up to 13 oz, with solids! She was down to 5oz a day with that elecare stuff.
My question is, since she is 10 months, do I have to put the water in the formula? Or modify it knowing she has a dairy allergy? She tolerating the milk great, now I want to make it the most nutritional for her since we need some wt gain. Suggestions would be much appreciated!
Hi there! My son is about to be two years old, but I struggle to keep him full during the day and through the night despite offering lots of fats, proteins, and veggies (and fruit of course–though I try to spread it out and add a fat like almond butter) throughout the day. We still nurse a couple times during the day as well, but he’s not getting much.
I was wondering if I should make a modified version of this formula for toddlers to give him before bed or if he wakes up during the night hungry. If so, how should I modify it?
Thank you!