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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.
Hi!
I have a 4 month old with moderate eczema due to milk allergies and probably other unknown allergies. I stopped giving him commercial formula about a month ago and gave him goat’s milk but it was unsuccessful. Then, about 2 weeks ago I started the liver based formula and noticed it help clear up his eczema, not completely but it dried out his flare ups but gradually my son weaned himself from the liver based formula and has been reluctant to go back on it. Now he’s sticking to breast-milk but my problem is that I don’t have enough to give him. I started giving him almond milk and he’s taking it but I’d like to know if you’ve heard of any infants that have thrived on it? Would you happen to have a almond-milk baby formula I can use? I’ve tried this formula, but I feel like it’s lacking some ingredients.
Thanks,
Michelle
Hi Sarah,
I came across your website after diving headfirst into the super nutrition book for babies I bought. My baby is on soy formula right now and I cant help to think that every time i feed her im giving her CRAP. I think about it constantly! five years ago with my son i didnt read labels, but working in the healthcare field has taught me ALOT. He was on Nutramigen. Can we say CORN SYRUP SOLIDS?! YUCK!!! Anyhow, I am going to try this formula out. I think im a little scared just because its so out of the ordinary (at least for me) to give her liver and soup at 6 months of age. What are your thought on cholesterol? We’re always taught about high cholesterol this and thats. This is good for you that is bad for you…Its all so overwhelming!! Im assuming babies thrive on it?
I have been feeding this formula to my twins since they were two months old (partially breastfeeding as well), and now, at five months, they are doing great! They are meeting all developmental milestones and growing as they should. Babies need cholesterol (well, so do adults), so I wouldn’t worry about it. From the research I did, I found that there used to be commercial meat-based formulas on the market, but these were eventually replaced by soy.
Isis has normalized after 9 days of this formula, I left out the whey and the lactose and added 1 cup of apple juice and she now thrives. Thank you so much.
Hi! I have a 9 month old lil guy who has a very high intolerance of Caisen and is doing very well ( finally after tons of formula trials) on nutramigen AA. Since this Is a hypoallergenic Amino acid based formula, not the one on any drugstore shelf, it’s $65 a can and we are really struggling t ok pay for it since he goes through a can in 2 days. We are down to our last 3 cans and I’m desperately seeking an alternative. Do you think this would be ok to give him?? I can’t add the whey or lactose. But really would be a blessing if this would work! Would love to hear back!!!! Thank you!!!!
Okay, so I have gathered all the ingredients for this formula BUT… not only is my baby highly allergic to lactose but is also allergic to corn. So the dextrose I bought will not work and sucrose is supposed to be a NO NO. Not really sure what choice I have as far as a sweetener goes. I am currently giving her soy which she is also allergic to but mildly. Any thoughts?
How about beet sugar or agave nectar?
I used a cup of apple juice to sweeten this formula, hoping my baby would drink it and she downed it.
What about maple syrup or molasses?
I never thought of maple syrup Ill have to see whats in it, but I know for sure that molasses contains corn and sucrose.Thought probably not as sweet as with a sugar sweetener, my baby really likes the hint of apple in the formula, and it adds a natural sweetness.:)
Is it normal for babies to have watery poo when starting on this formula?
Hi Kristie,
I do not use homegrown bones. I use grass fed and pasture raised beef bones. My formula also solidifies. Though it does not seem to be much of a problem. I just scoop it out, and when I warm the bottle it turns into liquid. It does not require much heat for my formula to liquify. As far as the liver, I use fresh liver and my blender is able to break it up enough. Though I am at a point where I am using level 3 nipples, so that may be a difference. Hope that helps.
Thank you! Yes, that does help. I just wanted to make sure I wasn’t the only one with “formula jelly.” 🙂
I have been using this formula for a few days now to supplement breastfeeding my twins–their doctor said they weren’t gaining enough weight and sent me home with 4 cans of formula. I do not want to feed them that powdered crap though. But I digress…
The babies seem to be taking to it alright, but I am only giving them about 4 ounces each a day so far. I don’t want my milk production to drop. I have been using the dessicated liver capsules from Radiant Life rather than frozen liver, and I too had issues with the nipple getting clogged from particles. I have been filtering the formula once through cheese cloth, and then a second filtering through some milk filters that we have.
An issue I have been having however, is that since my homegrown chickens are so gelatinous, the formula is solidifying upon refrigeration; it turns into jelly. I have to scoop it out of the jar and try to get it into the bottle in this solid state, so it can be a bit messy. In addition, the fat is rising to the top, so I have a firm layer of fat on top of jelly. I try to stir the fat back in, but that makes quite a mess too. Any others using this formula have the same issue?
Hello! I cannot find an answer anywhere as to how many desiccated liver capsules to use in the goat milk formula instead of the raw liver. Can you please help me out? I started making this formula and so far have not added the desiccated liver because I can’t find anywhere that tells how much, only for the raw liver. I would greatly appreciate if you could tell me how much you use or point me to the source where you found dosage amounts since the serving size on the bottle is for adults. Thank you!
Ok. Thank you for your advice. 🙂
On a side, note it seems to me the term “pediatric nutritionist” is an oxymoron.
Her advice shows her ignorance. Consult with someone who actually understands Vitamin A … biodynamicwellness.com does Skype consults and helps folks with the homemade formula all the time. Kim Schuette and her staff are very helpful in this area.