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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.
How long should it take to cook the liver in the stock at a simmer?
Just until it is cooked through. No longer.
Hello, My wife and I have just spent the past couple of days working on this, and after the first couple of feedings our 6 month old baby is showing some rashes which are perhaps worse than his rash from the milk based homemade formula (we used low temp pasteurized and non-homogenized milk because we don’t own a cow and have yet to locate true raw milk).
Anyhow, I am trying to isolate the problem. We did not add the whey or the lactose, and we’ve made another batch without the bifidobacterium and also leaving out the coconut oil. I am just trying to see if it will work for the baby and if he can tolerate the main ingredients… So I will update everyone once I find out. I am up at 3 am worried about this and I’ve now read through the 200 comments spanning 4 years or so and here is something that I do not see addressed and which only occurs to me after going through the process:
How do you get 36 OZ, Approximately, out of the recipe as listed? Please explain!
Unless I am totally missing something, even though I know I am making this without the liquid whey, and without the coconut oil, which would account for another 1 Ounce or so, this recipe makes WAY Less than 36 Ounces!! Am I missing something critical here? I am not a math major but if you take about 4 cups of broth, which is 16 OZ and add 2 OZ of cooked liver and a couple of teaspoons of oils, etc, as directed, how does that possibly add up to 36 ounces??
Is there supposed to be water added to the formula, or is there something else I have overlooked? Sarah, or others, please review this and advise! Thank you very much!
Oops, it is late… and my wife says she was short on the second batch she finished but clearly I am too tired to write the post I just posted… because there are 8 oz per cup, and that would / should just about add up… Sorry, just remove the whole comment and I will add a comment later about how our son is doing. Thanks!
I was wondering if I could put the liver in with my bones and veggies when I’m making the bone broth. Would that take away from its nutrients at all? It would save a time consuming step.
thanks
As if being a mother is not hard enough ! Geez !! Just breast feed people !!!
Sarah- you are probably a troll, but just in case you aren’t, I will reply to your unnecessary and rude comment.
Not all of us can breastfeed, or maybe are adopting a young baby. For many of us, this is a healthier and much more economical option than commercial baby formulas.
What Meghan said. I’ve been trying desperately to supply enough breast milk for my infant, and I just can’t. I’ll be damned if I’m going to buy corn syrup store brand, so this is a wonderful solution to help me feel slightly less worthless and ensure that I’m providing well for my son. Sarah H….good for you that you’ve got enough…enough milk and enough answers for everything, but some of us don’t.
Can you freeze the liver based formula and if so for how long?
I have frozen ours for several weeks at a time. I would think 3-6 months would be fine, but am not 100% sure of that.
once frozen liver based formula is thawed, is it safe to refreeze?
I wouldn’t do that.
Could you address the issue of high levels of Vitamin A in the meat based liver formula? I am concerned with vit.A toxicity. This formula has 20x the vit.A found in breast milk and is almost 3x the daily allowance for infants! This is VERY concerning to me and probably the only thing holding me back form making this formula for my baby.
Also, can you offer some guidance as to how to make the beef or chicken broth in detail? I was unable to find it on your site following the reference above in the comments. If I put my baby full time on this formula, how much should I be feeding my 3 month old? – the same amount as any other formula?
I fed my first baby WAPF goat milk formula, which I learnt to make on your website, with much success! My second baby who is 3 months, did not do well on it. He became very oilly and developed skin allergies, psoriasis and other skin issues in relation to milk proteins. I tweaked the formula, tried different variations, and store bought alternatives with no success. I have been asked to put him on hypoallergenic formula. All the hydrolyzed formulas are full of chemically processed junk. I would really like to make this meat based liver formula for him and see him thrive like my last child. Please help me. Thank you for your support and information.
Hello, how many pounds of bones do you use for a batch of stock? Also, I saw a website that says you can reuse bones many times to make stock because they continue to release gelatin and minerals especially if you use beef feet. Do you feel it’s ok to reuse bones for making the stock in this formula? Thanks!
If you check the category “soups and broths” on this blog all these questions including how to reuse the bones are answered.
I have a skeptical mom, though I am fed up with the powdered formulas. Can you show me statistics about the nutritional information of this formula? Can you show me statistics regarding how many babies and moms are using this formula. My instincts do tell me that this will be about a million times more healthy for my baby… and while it might be a bit less expensive than the premium commercial formulas it also comes with the added cost of lots of time making this… if my baby’s mom was motivated and ready to go we’d move forward. She prefers soy formula or neocate… and so between the time trying to make a second job of finding ingredients and making this formula and the uphill fight against momma, it looks like my baby will end up back on the powdered chalk if you cannot help provide me some research and stats… Any chance you can do that?? Sarah or anyone else that is part of this community? Your feedback and advice are appreciated. This is a stressful second job for a busy daddy with a baby allergic to all milk formulas and I really hate the soy but don’t know what to do?? Thanks!
nutrition and cost analysis can be found here http://www.westonaprice.org/health-topics/formula-homemade-baby-formula/#vgmf
best of luck. i’m about try supplementing with the liver formula…
If I leave out the whey, which nutrients am I missing out on? What else do I need to incorporate into my daughters meals?
I made the liver based formula and cant get it thru the nipple. Any tips? I tried low and med flow. I strained the broth and liver. Baby is 4 mth
Try a stronger blender.
Hi, Sarah
I was just trying to purchase Frontier nutrition yeast from an online source, and before I checked out a CA Prop warning popped up on the screen: “CA Prop 65 WARNING: These products contain a chemical known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. ” I am concerned to use this in my formula. Can you please explain? Thanks!
What is the chemical … never heard of this before. I would contact Radiant Life about this.
I am not sure what the exact chemical is. I contacted RL and they said that the are unaware of the chemical, but they are in fact looking for a new reliable supplier for their nutritional yeast. I am going to have to buy some from the health food store, but is there anything I should avoid in the ingredients when purchasing nutritional yeast?