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. 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.
Dairy-Free 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 only if baby cannot tolerate
- 5 Tbl goat lactose
- 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
Simmer liver cut up into small pieces gently in the homemade broth until just cooked through.
Liquefy the liver in the broth using a handheld blender or a food processor.
Let the broth cool to room temperature, then stir in the remaining ingredients or blend for a few seconds in a blender.
Store formula in glass jars in the refrigerator.
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.
Sarah Pope has been a Health and Nutrition Educator since 2002. Her work is dedicated to helping families effectively incorporate the principles of ancestral diets within the modern household. She is a sought after lecturer around the world for conferences, summits, and podcasts.
Her work has been covered by major media including USA Today, ABC, NBC, and many others.
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I am wondering if this could be made in batches for several days ahead and frozen in individual portions? I am trying to be prepared for a baby that we are hoping to adopt. I am worried that I will have some crazy days and rely on commercial formula too much if I am constantly having to prepare this formula. I have had some of my own health issues and have had to relearn to cook things in order for me to eat!
Sarah, off topic but just to let you know, you can induce lactation for adoption. I JUST DID IT!! we adopted on January 29th. Blessings to you during your adoption
I heard you had to take hormones to induce lactation. And that it is very difficult to do and most women don’t produce enough milk. So I was just curious if you had to take hormones. Also if you don’t mind me asking, was this your first child? I heard that it is easier with women who have given birth before as opposed to women who have never been pregnant. Just curious to hear your experience and would love to know more about it. 🙂
I forgot to ask this: If our source for raw milk is not stable, could we just start with and rely on this one instead?
Hi Sarah, yes this formula can be made ahead and frozen until ready to use much like you can freeze breastmilk.
Sarah, you can switch back and forth between the milk based and hypoallergenic baby formulas depending on whether or not you can get access to clean, organic raw milk.
Thank you for sharing this! Making homemade formula always seemed so complicated on paper, but seeing it done is so informative! I'm going to share these with my readers on FB. (Nourishing Creations!)
Thank you Elizabeth .. I am so glad the videos make it seem easy. That is the ultimate purpose of me doing them, so that is a wonderful encouraging comment to me!
I've requested Google to block baby formula ads from Enfamilk, parentschoiceformula and planningfamily.com If you see any other stupid commercial baby formula ads, please email me the URL at thehealthyhomeeconomist AT gmail.com and I will block them too.
Is there a substitution for the liquid whey? It is against the law to buy raw cow's milk in my state.
Hi Sarah Jane, you can make the liquid whey with plain organic yogurt from the store. You don't have to make it with clabbered raw milk. It is the same process as shown in my "how to make whey" video which is linked in with the whey ingredient in the above recipe.
Hi Sarah,
I just wanted to ask you if you knew of a formula that was not beef based. Could I substitute homegrown chicken livers? My 18 month old is allergic to "the whole cow". So that means for him, nothing beef, nothing from a cow (lactose or whey even!) period.
He is allergic to soy as well but has been drinking almond milk. He has extreme reflux and I am having to watch everything that goes into his body at this point even. I was just wanting to change things up a bit to ensure he doesn't become allergic to the almond milk. He gets gas with rice milk but I can cook with it for him and my 4 yo who is also allergic to milk but can eat beef.
Anyway, he is my tenth child and my most allergic one as well.
Thanks!
Dear MamaAnt,
I would love to talk to you! My 4th baby is showing the worst allergy symprtoms too. Would you mind if we emailed back & forth!?
Theresa
Hi MamaAnt, you can also use lamb liver or buffalo liver and turkey, lamb, or buffalo stock as well. I know a lady that has the same issue with her infant and has been using lamb broth and lamb liver with great success.
how about pork broth? the only organic bones that i can source around me is pork bones…
If the pork is very clean and pasture raised, then that’s ok. Do NOT use conventional pork broth/bones.
Yay! That is good to know!
Thanks
Hi Sarah,
I'm a new Mom, and so far just breastfeeding and starting to feed egg yolks to my daughter. I was thinking of making this or the milk-based formula as a back-up in case of emergency, and freezing it. Then I got to thinking about when my daughter sits up in her highchair to eat. What do you think of making this as a drink for a baby/toddler to sip with meals, or to use as the liquid base in pureed homemade foods for baby? Thanks!!
Shannon
Hi Shannon, I would stick to just introducing foods as you are doing and use breastfeeding as the primary source of liquid for your child. Breastmilk from a well nourished Mom is always the best. I breastfed my children for 2 years each (the last one for 3 1/2 years until self weaning as she was my last child) and always used breastmilk as the primary liquid unless they just needed some water for thirst or whatever. If you use the homemade formula at mealtimes this will reduce the breastfeeding which is not the best choice unless of course you simply can't nurse in which case this is the next best alternative!
I’m just curious…….would a baby that has been accustomed to breastmilk be accepting to this formula? my baby has allergies to clearly my breastmilk but no matter what i cut in my diet doesn’t seem to help, so i would like for her to try this next best thing but how would she take the taste of it? any recommendation?
You will have to transition and see as recommended by lactation specialists. Don’t switch wholesale as this would be very distressing to baby.
Is sucrose and sucanat the same thing? I use sucanat already and wondered if I could use this in the formula recipe.
Hi Sarah Jane, no it is organic sugar which is sucanat with the molasses removed. See down below in the Amazon store for a brand suggestion. This is not a great alternative by any stretch, but if the baby can't do lactose, dextrose or sucrose are really the only viable alternatives.
I am making this recipe for an infant that may have issues with corn and I cannot find the acerola powder without maltodextrin (corn). Is there a good substitute for this? Is it added for the Vitamin C only?
Hi Sarah Jane, I do not know of any substitutes for the acerola powder with the maltodextrin. Yes, it is added for the whole foods based vitamin C only. You can leave it out if you can't find anything else that the infant can tolerate.
What about camu camu powder? Also freezing the raw milk dairy formula is a no go, our baby hurls the formula back up. It has to be fresh.
for the expeller pressed sunflower oil, what if i can only find regular sunflower oil?
Expeller pressed sunflower oil IS regular sunflower oil.
I have been making this formula for a friend with a 13 month old who has been on nutramagin (sp?) — yuck!!! I am making it for him to hopefully help some of his problems. I am learning how to do it now so when my husband and I adopt an infant (hopefully within a year) I will be a pro. 🙂
The only problem I am having is that the liver clogs the bottle. Since he is 13 month old it is not too much trouble, but with a newborn it would be a problem. For one the whole in the nipple would be too small and would it cause them to choke if a chunk did get through the nipple. I tried straining the liver and broth before mixing the other ingredients in, but it seemed as though I strained out ALL the liver. I don't want to sacrifice the nutrition if there is a better way.
Hi Sarah Jane, the liver really needs to be as close to liquified as possible. Perhaps your need to try a more powerful blender/food processor?