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A nourishing 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. It was formulated to match breastmilk as closely as possible and is also suitable for infants. Source: Weston A. Price Foundation
There is no doubt that breastfeeding your baby is the best option for the child’s long-term health and development. Human breastmilk from a well-nourished mother is the perfect food for baby. However, in circumstances where the child is adopted or the Mother finds herself unable to breastfeed, formula feeding becomes necessary. In those cases, homemade baby formula is best.
Using a baby formula recipe that closely matches the nutritional profile of breastmilk is a far better choice than even organic baby formula from the health food store. More on this below.
Note: Donor programs are widely available for human breastmilk. But, the diets of the donor mothers are unknown and most likely nutritionally insufficient. In addition, breastmilk banks pasteurize the donated breastmilk which destroys much of the nutritional benefit. Unless you are fortunate to have a trusted and direct donor milk source in your community, avoid this option!
Dangers of Commercial Formula
Commercial formulas are always a poor choice for a number of reasons. First of all, formula manufacturers line the cans with the chemical BPA. This substance disrupts hormone development and is a probable contributor to early puberty in girls, and ADHD, urogenital abnormalities, and other ills in boys.
The European Food Safety Authority found that canned commercial formula is a significant source of BPA for infants, exposing the child to 13mcg of BPA per kg of body weight per day! BPA-free formula cans are no better. The chemical BPS is typically used instead which is just as dangerous.
Beware that manufacturers pack even organic commercial formula like Earth’s Best in BPA cans. Worse, they use organic brown rice syrup as the primary sweetener which is known to be frequently contaminated with arsenic.
In addition, all commercial milk formulas are processed at extremely high temperatures which violently denature the fragile milk proteins, render them allergenic, and add carcinogens to the final product. Soy infant formula is the worst. Obscenely high processing temperatures not only denature the proteins but large levels of phytic acid in soy block mineral absorption by the infant. Moreover, soy-based plant estrogens disrupt the hormonal development of the baby!
It seems that for the concerned Mother who is unable to breastfeed, learning how to make baby formula at home with safe, pure ingredients is the most prudent way to go!
Why Make Homemade Formula Even if You Are Breastfeeding
In the video below, I show you how to make your own safe, healthy raw milk homemade formula for your baby.
The recipe I follow was originally published in the cookbook Nourishing Traditions in 1996 and developed by Dr. Mary Enig.
Even though I breastfed each of my children for at least 2 years, I made this exact formula for my own children when I was away for the day or the evening as pumping was not an option that worked well for me.
I even used this homemade formula for an entire day once when I had some dental work done and was advised to pump and discard for 24 hours.
As a result, even successfully breastfeeding Moms can use this wonderful homemade formula as a supplement when necessary to their own nutrient-dense breastmilk!
It is advised that even breastfeeding Mothers have the ingredients for this formula on hand for an emergency. If Mom is sick or otherwise unable to nurse, Dad can step in and make this safe alternative until Mom is back on her feet. It takes a few days to a week to gather all the ingredients together to make this formula, which is why I advise having them on hand at all times.
Homemade Most Nutritious
The image below lists the reasons why it is worth it nutritionally to make formula yourself for your precious baby!
You can order all of the required ingredients for the homemade baby formula in one package from this reputable, vetted source.
Moms who have successfully used this formula feeding your children, please post about your experience in the comments section to encourage those who are considering it and need some Mom to Mom encouragement!
Where to Source Quality Milk
The most widely available grass-fed milk around the world is from cows. This is usually the most budget-friendly and easily sourced milk for this recipe for homemade formula.
If only goat milk is available in your area, this recipe for goat milk baby formula can be used instead. When using milk from ewes, please refer to the linked article for an adjusted recipe; one of the benefits of sheep milk is that it is higher in healthy fats than either goat or cow milk.
Camel milk formula is another option that is a particularly digestible form of dairy and growing in popularity around the world.
Alternatively, you can use low temp (vat) pasteurized, non-homogenized whole milk cultured with a piima or kefir starter. Then substitute the piima milk or kefir for the raw milk portion of the formula recipe. Cold-pressed raw milk also must be cultured before using it as it contains no probiotics.
Do NOT use ultrapasteurized (UHT) milk even if organic as it is too highly processed and extremely allergenic!
It is also best to avoid all types of powdered milk for this recipe. The factory process of making milk powder reduces nutrition considerably and denatures it, which makes it more likely baby will have an allergic reaction.
Dairy Allergy Option
If all types of dairy prove unsuitable for your baby, make this nondairy baby formula recipe instead. It uses a base of homemade bone broth as a substitute for milk. It is important not to utilize a plant-based or otherwise vegan baby formula recipe.
Avoid buying bone broth to make the dairy-free formula. Make it yourself! Manufacturers of commercial bone broth, even if authentic, may water down the end product. This is apparent if it does not gel when chilled in the refrigerator.
Many brands have toxic packaging issues as well. If you must buy it in a pinch, see my shopping guide page for vetted brands that are safe.
Homemade Baby Formula Recipe (for infants too)
A nourishing baby formula recipe you can make at home with safe, whole ingredients developed and tested by a PhD nutritionist to match breastmilk as closely as possible. Also suitable for infants.
Ingredients
- 2 cups raw cow milk OR organic whole milk yogurt
- 1 7/8 cups filtered water
- 1/4 cup liquid whey
- 4 Tbl lactose
- 1/4 tsp Bifidobacterium infantis powder
- 2-4 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 gelatin
- 1/4 tsp acerola powder
Instructions
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Fill a 2 cup Pyrex measuring cup with filtered water and remove 2 TBL (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.
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Add the water mixture and blend for about 3 seconds.
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Place formula in glass baby bottles or a 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. NEVER microwave baby bottles!
Recipe Video
Recipe Notes
If using raw cow milk from holstein cows, use 4 Tbl of extra cream (otherwise use 2 Tbl extra cream).
If choosing to make this homemade formula with camel milk, be sure to include 4 Tbl extra cream as camel milk is lower in cream than cow milk.
Do not use high oleic sunflower oil. Use only the brand recommended in the ingredients list which is cold pressed, organic, unrefined, and low oleic.
*Do NOT use powdered whey from the store as it is denatured. Avoid whey from making cheese as it will curdle the formula.
*Do not substitute pasteurized or powdered milk as these are heavily processed, denatured and allergenic foods.
*Do NOT use ultrapasteurized (UHT) cream. It is highly allergenic. Raw or pasteurized cream is acceptable.
*Do NOT use fish oil or krill oil instead of high vitamin cod liver oil as they do not contain any Vitamin D and very little to no Vitamin A.
Collagen powder may be substituted for the gelatin in a pinch (more on peptides in baby formula in this article).
If you are wondering where is the iron in homemade baby formula, this article provides an explanation.
If baby experiences constipation using this formula, try adding 1 tsp of molasses to each batch. This should help move things along.
How to Transition to DIY Formula
Once you’ve viewed the video, gathered the ingredients, and made your first batch, how do you feed it to your baby for the first time?
It is important not to switch all at once as this can cause gas, excessive spit-up, or an uncomfortable change in diaper habits such as constipation or overly loose stools.
Start by giving your baby three-quarters of the old formula blended with one-quarter of the homemade. Try this ratio for a day or two and see how your infant responds.
If no digestive upset or major change in diaper habits occurs, increase the amount to a 50-50 blend of old formula to homemade. Observe for another day or two as before.
If no major issues, increase once again to three-quarters homemade formula to one-quarter old formula. If baby does well on this blend for a third time, you are ready to fully transition to the homemade formula.
At any time during the transition, symptoms of intolerance emerge, back up to the previous successful blend ratio and stay there for a day or two before attempting to increase once again.
Homemade Formula FAQ
Weston Price Foundation
Feeding an Adopted Baby
Traveling Tips with Baby Formula Made at Home
Iron in Baby Formula
Collagen Peptides instead of Gelatin for Homemade Formula?
I started feeding my baby this formula once he came home from the hospital. I thought I would be able to breast feed, however, my implants cut into some ducts so I wasn’t successful. I’m so thankful for this formula recipe! My son did go through about a two month time period where his reflux was a problem. During that time my pediatrician told me to try Similac Alimentum (sp?) ready to feed. This worked with my daughter’s reflux so I tried it with my son and it worked for him as well. I really hated putting him on commercial formula, but he was screaming and wouldn’t take a bottle all of a sudden. I mixed the fish oil and probiotic from this recipe with the Similac which I read on Dr. Mercola’s website and it made me feel a tad bit better. Anyway, at four months I reintroduced this formula and we haven’t had any more problems. He is one healthy happy 9 month old baby! Thank you so much for all you do!
Hello Sarah, this looks amazing and I can’t wait to try it out! Thank you!
I have one question, I like to make yoghurt for my little one, would this homemade formula be suitable to warm to approximately 40 degrees Celcius and then incubated? Have you any experience doing it and has it been ok?
Great website by the way!
Thank you
I am considering making this recipe for night supplementing for our 4 month old, but was wondering if I can use grass Fed collagen (like vital proteins or great lakes brand) in stead of gelatin which needs heating to dissolve?
My baby has pretty bad silent reflux and he refuses to eat unless he’s basically asleep. Even then, it’s a struggle to get him to eat. The only thing that has worked is adding “gelmix” to his formula (originally used Baby’s Only.) the gelmix is a organic carob bean supplement that thickens the milk. (We add the gelmix to water first, to make really thick water and then add formula powder to the water.) Anyway, I’ve been wanting to try the homemade formula for awhile. I made it the other day and added small amounts to the thickened baby’s only. My baby seemed to do just fine. But then when I tried to switch over completely he showed all the silent reflux signs again and I could tell he needed the thickened milk. The gelmix only works if you heat the liquid up before adding to activate it. So I heated the homemade formula on the stove. It got pretty hot– basically boiling. Pretty hot is the only way to get the gelmix to work. I added the gelmix but after heating so much the formula looked and smelled pretty different. It smelled a lot more soured and tasted more soured too (I had tasted it a few times prior to this time that I heated it.) I was afraid heating it had made the oils go rancid or something. So- is this okay? To significantly heat the formula after it’s been made? Even to a boil? And should there be any reason that adding gelmix (it’s just carob bean) would mess anything up? I really want to be able to feed this to my baby but he simply won’t drink if his milk isn’t significantly thickened!
Sarah
my kids have 2 and a half years. Eat a lot and the weston price. Could you tell me if I’m prospering well with this menu:
morning: pressed beet juice, carrot, Apple, banana milkshake, kefir and gem.
lunch: rice and beans sprouted in bone broth, meat and vegetables.
snacks: they’re not hungry
dinner: 3 beaten egg yolks with raw milk
I love this information and read your article on commercial formulas, but for someone who is traveling or does not have the resources available, what organic pre-made formula would you consider the better choice?
Unfortunately, I don’t believe any of them are worthy of a recommendation 🙁 I suppose buying an organic one would be best, but even that is a sub-par choice.
My daughter has been on this formula for about two months. She is thriving! Best alternative to not being able to give breast milk. Also a very economical alternative to commercial formula and easy to make
Hi Sarah,
Can I use regular cow’s pasteurized milk available in the super market instead of raw milk?
No, absolutely you cannot use supermarket milk! You also cannot use organic pasteurized milk. You MUST use raw milk!
Hello,
Can the formula be frozen, for travel, once prepared? The baby will be traveling with us for 5 days and we will be staying in a hotel.
Here are the options for traveling with the homemade formula: https://www.thehealthyhomeeconomist.com/hitting-the-road-with-homemade-baby-formula/
Hi – I live on an island with a lot of cows but no fresh milk, much less raw, is sold here. I could talk to a farmer but while they are trustworthy there are no guarantees that the milk will be from healthy cows all the time. There’s a very small risk the milk is actually contaminated. much more importantly, raw ilk goes bad pretty quickly. Finally, her mum is afraid to give our 9 months old daughter any milk, even pasteurized, because of intestinal bleeding. Any comments you may provide on all this would be greatly appreciated. Thank you
Question? I have been scouring the Internet for an answer and haven’t found this on any site including the Weston price site…. Does anyone know this. What is the consistency,color , shape, and frequency of the babies bowl movements at the appropriate age group with the homemade formula… We breast feed and used some organic formula so I understand what that is supposed to look like which both where totally different and now that his homemade was posted I would like to know about the finding son this because it will probably be different than breast milk and also formulas… Please respond if anyone has experience with this. Thanks:)
Well, I don’t know where you guys are getting raw milk from but it’s illegal in many states. If your lucky enough to have a farmer that will sell it to you, most will not and I haven’t found one; which kinda scares me. I get that it’s “better” but it can also be bad. So, any alternatives?
Um, actually raw milk is completely legal in 42 of the 50 states! You can also get raw camel milk from Desert Farms shipped to your door even if you live in one of the 8 states where it is not yet accessible. http://desertfarms.evyy.net/c/253664/277737/4454
This is because camels have feet (like humans), not hooves, and as such are exempt from the federal shipping regulations against raw milk from hooved animals.
I posted a question in the blog but couldn’t find it so I want to ask directly. What is the shape, color, conistanncy, per day average , smell ect… Of this homemade cows milk formula for age appropriate babies. I’m asking for 4-6 months myself. But I understand what the breastfed and formula is as they are big different. But the homemade cows I can’t seem to find that info anywhere… Please help of you have experience or info. Thank you