Table of Contents[Hide][Show]
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
-
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.
Hi Sarah,
I have two questions:
How long can the formula be kept in the fridge, and also, can the cow’s livers be frozen, or must they be fresh?
Thanks,
Maryellen
Hi Maryellen, the cow liver can be frozen .. that is fine.
The formula is good for about 1 week. Feel free to freeze it in 4 or 9 oz servings just like you would human breastmilk.
Dear Sarah,
Thanks again for your wonderful resource. Being a health-freak makes me feel like such a cantankerous minority sometimes when I interact with the rest of the world. I appreciate your rigor and commitment to being healthy and helping others make good decisions. I have several questions about the ingredients used in this formula. I appreciate your patience in answering these questions:
Would it be alright to use a product called coconut nectar by coconut secret instead of the lactose? So far, my baby has taken to it well. It is supposed to be very high in inulin and has a fairly low glycemic index. If you think it is okay to use, what amount would you recommend?
Would you say that “Bifidobacterium Infantis Powder” is the only probiotic we could use or could we use other strains?
Why is fermented cod liver oil used? Why not plain? Also, if I can find the amount of vitamin A and D levels, can I use krill oil? Or give the krill/cod liver oil separately through a dropper?
I have read and heard that sunflower oil and olive oil are higher in omega-6’s so is there a reason to give the baby these oils or can they be excluded from the recipe? Do you know the omega 3 to omega 6 ratio of coconut oil?
Since liver contains a lot of vitamin C, I am wondering about the purpose of using acerola powder.
How do you know when the liver is cooked through? Is there a test I can do?
Can the whey liquid come from organic pasturized cow yoghurt? We are having a lot of trouble finding raw milk.
Peace,
Ranjani.
Hi Ranjani, I would stick with the lactose .. there is lactose in human breastmilk. Best to stick with nature’s prescription. As for the omega 6 oils .. please remember that omega 6 fats are ESSENTIAL fats. The body cannot make them and so MUST be included in the diet for health. The problem with them ONLY comes in when folks overconsume them in the form of rancid vegetable oils in processed foods. The fermented cod liver oil is a much better choice than the krill oil, which is highly processed at obscenely high temperatures. Adding the acerola powder, is again, to mimic the nutrients in human breastmilk. Using whey from store yogurt is absolutely fine, although raw whey would be best. The liver is cooked through when there is no more pink in the center.
Hope that helps and the best to you and your baby!!
Oh, and coconut oil does not have omega 3 and omega 6 fats in it and neither does olive oil (which is an omega 9 oil). Coconut oil is a medium chain saturated fat.
I just wanted to tell you Sarah that what you are doing is a wonderful thing! Spreading this formula and others like it from the Weston A. Price Foundation is doing such a service to those of us who are sick and tired of mega-corporations telling us that the chemicals they put in their products are just the same as those vitamins found in food. I can personally say that these Home made formulas work great! My Daughter(now 2 years old) thrived on it. She is healthy and vibrant and a curious bright little girl. My 2 month old is doing wonderfully as well because of the home made formula. I only wish I knew of this recipe sooner so my 4 year old son could have also been fortunate enough to get such great nutrition. He was raised on Enfamil sadly and I regret it to this day.
I strongly suggest anyone considering this formula to go ahead and do it! Don’t have a second thought! It is so worth your time and effort(which isn’t as much as it seems) and you are investing in the health of your children which is invaluable. My kids don’t get sick that often and I often attribute it to a healthy start in life(and continuing good nutrition).
Making this formula will be one of the best decisions you could ever make as a parent of an infant, I promise you that!
Thanks Colin for taking the time to post your positive experience using this formula! I’m sure it will prove very beneficial to others.
Hi Colin!
Would you be able to connect with me via email? I have some questions for you! Sarah has helped me a lot so far in my quest to find a healthy formula for our daughter. Awesome to hear you had success with this recipe!
Hi Sarah Jane,
Thank you sooooo much – I tried iherb and my lactose is on its way for under $8. So grateful for the tip!!
Shannon
Shannon,
Try iherb.com. I think they ship to Canada.
Hello there,
I'm a Canadian reader, having a heck of a time getting the lactose milk sugar. Amazon won't ship it to Canada, and through radiant life, it's $5 for the product, and $25 to get it here. Any Canadian readers out there who have sourced this domestically?
Thanks!
Shannon
Hi Shannon,
I live in Toronto and have been ordering lactose from bulkfoods.com. You can buy it in 5lb bags. The shipping is more than the product though.
What brand of immersion blender do you use?
Oh, and I cook the liver until it is just done. Not a minute longer.
Hi Sarah Jane, try a food processor. This should work fine if you are having blender troubles.
I tried twice now, to liquify the liver. I used a cheap blender the first time and a Bosch blender the 2nd. Both times, there were still chunks. What brand do you use to liquify the liver? Is it possible that I have overcooked the liver? Could you give some details as to how long you cook the liver?
It is amazing at how well the baby that is now on this formula is doing!! In spite of the chunks!!!
I appreciate your blog so much!!!