Natural & Organic Baby Formula Options

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Wellness Mama » Blog » Motherhood » Natural & Organic Baby Formula Options

I have a confession to make… and I feel like it makes me a terrible mother…

I’ve never enjoyed nursing my babies. In fact, it pretty much drives me crazy. And I feel guilty that I don’t enjoy it.

Don’t get me wrong, I’ve breastfed all of my children to at least 18 months or so, and I wouldn’t even consider not nursing them (unless there was a physical/medical reason that I could not). I’m super grateful that I’ve the ability to nurse them, but I truthfully don’t enjoy it at all.

I love the benefits that babies get from nursing, the improved brain development, the bond that it creates, the financial savings, but the act of sitting and nursing multiple times a day makes me stir crazy!

The Pain of Not Nursing

At the same time, I’ve seen the pain that several of my friends have experienced when physically unable to nurse their babies and longing to. I’ve held their hands through the tears of wanting to nurse their newborns, and I’ve donated milk to their preemies who desperately needed the nutrients.

Motherhood is hard, and the topic of breastfeeding is especially painful (and often polarizing) for many moms.

This post is not here to debate the issue, and certainly not to judge moms for decisions either way, but to offer some practical alternatives for those who don’t or can’t nurse their babies.

(Note: If you want to nurse but are unable to, check out this post about a potential easy-to-fix problem that can often dramatically improve a baby’s chance of nursing instantly.)

When Nursing Isn’t Possible…

Doctors agree that the best option for baby whenever possible is to breastfeed. Unfortunately, this isn’t always an option.

As a doula, I’ve seen many times that a mom could have nursed but chose not to. I’ve also seen cases where mom wanted to but had a physical problem that prevented her from doing so. I’ve also seen babies who were unable to nurse for one reason or another.

When breastfeeding is truly not possible, there are a few other options.

In past generations, wet nurses and milk donors often nursed these babies until they were old enough to eat. Eventually, crude substitutes were created or different types of animal milks were used. Now, the infant formula market is a multi-billion dollar a year industry.

Here’s the problem…

Most commercial formula options, even organic ones, contain ingredients, additives and preservatives that aren’t good for baby. Emily of Holistic Squid explains the ingredients in one of the best store-bought organic baby formula options:

  • Organic Reduced Minerals Whey – In its natural form, whey is a great source of protein and Probiotics. You can read a description of Reduced Minerals Whey from the American Dairy Products Institute here. I’m not sure why you’d want to reduce naturally occurring minerals in an otherwise healthy food. The issue with dried whey is that it is typically dried at high temperatures that denature the proteins and make them toxic. Furthermore, the heating and drying process will negate any probiotic effects of the fresh whey. NOT GOOD.
  • Organic Non-Fat Milk – Sounds benign enough, but there is NO reason a baby should ever consume non-fat milk. Not only do babies absolutely NEED the milk fat and cholesterol, but the process of making powdered skim milk creates a substance that is not only devoid in nutrition, but is also laden with oxidized cholesterol and neuro-toxic amino acids. NOT GOOD.
  • Organic Lactose – A necessary ingredient, lactose is a milk sugar that naturally occurs in breast milk. GOOD.
  • Organic Glucose Syrup Solids – This is a fancy way of saying sugar made from starch. Most glucose syrup solids in the U.S. are made from corn – making what’s also known as corn syrup! NOT GOOD. A better choice to mimic breast milk would be more lactose.
  • Organic Palm Oil Or Organic Palm Olein – Not the worst ingredient if it’s coming from a reputable source. QUESTIONABLE.
  • Organic Coconut Oil– Good choice to provide the special medium-chain fats found in mother’s milk. Should be expeller pressed only. OK.
  • Organic Soy Oil – Soy oil is not fit for human consumption and should not be in baby formula. It can act as a hormone disruptor among other issues. NOT GOOD.
  • Organic High Oleic (Safflower Or Sunflower Oil) – Good if expeller-pressed only. QUESTIONABLE.
  • Organic Whey Protein Concentrate – See issues with Organic Reduced Minerals Whey above. NOT GOOD.

Other non-organic formula options often contain higher amounts of corn syrup solids, hydrogenated oils, soybean oil and sugar.

In fact, most infant formula contains ingredients most of us would not cook with or use in our own food, yet 1/4 or more of us rely on this as the only source of nutrition for our children in their most important and developmental months/years.

Organic Baby Formula Options

What to do when you cant nurseWhat I’d personally choose if I was unable to nurse is a homemade organic baby formula.

Making baby formula sounds like a crazy idea when you first hear about it, since formula seems like an extremely complicated substance that would be impossible to make at home…

Then again, many people feel the same way about toothpaste, deodorant, or makeup at first glance too.

Certainly, baby formula is a much more important recipe to get right since baby’s health depends on it, but homemade baby formula is not nearly as complicated as you might expect.

Homemade Formula

The Weston A. Price Foundation provides recipes for homemade infant formula with a dairy option and a dairy-free option.

Unlike commercial baby formula options, the homemade versions have a base of milk or broth with added real-food, nutrient-dense ingredients like gelatin, probiotics, beneficial high-vitamin oils/fats and acerola powder.

This chart shows the nutritional comparison between breastmilk and these homemade formula options. Of course, there are other considerations that won’t show in a strict nutrient comparison, such as the beneficial bacteria transfer during breastfeeding and increased bonding, but this chart shows why homemade is comparable to breastmilk from a strictly nutritional perspective:

Breastmilk vs homemade formula comparison

I have friends who have used both the raw milk option and the dairy-free option with great success and these are the options I would use if I ever was unable to nurse or find donor milk for my babies.

All of the non-perishable ingredients for this recipe are available here.

natural and organic baby formula recipes

Homemade Baby Formula Recipe (with Dairy Free Option)

Homemade baby formula combines nutritionally dense ingredients like raw milk, whey, lactose, probiotics, cream, gelatin healthy oils and more.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Author Katie Wells

Servings

36 ounces

Ingredients

  • 2 cups whole raw cow’s milk preferably from pasture-fed cows
  • ¼ cup homemade liquid whey see recipe in “notes” below Note: Do NOT use powdered whey or whey from making cheese (which will cause the formula to curdle). Use only homemade whey made from yoghurt, kefir or separated raw milk.
  • 4 tablespoons lactose
  • ¼ teaspoon bifidobacterium infantis
  • 2 or more tablespoons good quality cream preferably not ultra-pasteurized, more if you are using milk from Holstein cows
  • ½ teaspoon unflavored high-vitamin or high-vitamin fermented cod liver oil or 1 teaspoon regular cod liver oil
  • ¼ teaspoon high-vitamin butter oil optional
  • 1 teaspoon expeller-expressed sunflower oil
  • 1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 teaspoons coconut oil
  • 2 teaspoons Frontier brand nutritional yeast flakes
  • 2 teaspoons gelatin
  • 1-7/8 cups filtered water
  • ¼ teaspoon acerola powder

Instructions

  • Put 2 cups filtered water into a pyrex measuring pitcher and remove 2 tablespoons (that will give you 1-7/8 cups water).
  • Pour about half of the water into a pan and place on a medium flame.
  • Add the gelatin and lactose to the pan and let dissolve, stirring occasionally.
  • When the gelatin and lactose are dissolved, remove from heat and add the remaining water to cool the mixture.
  • Stir in the coconut oil and optional high-vitamin butter oil and stir until melted.
  • Meanwhile, place remaining ingredients into a blender.
  • Add the water mixture and blend about three seconds.
  • Place in glass bottles or a glass jar and refrigerate.
  • Before giving to baby, warm bottles by placing in hot water or a bottle warmer. NEVER warm bottles in a microwave oven.

Notes

NOTE: All non-perishable ingredients for this recipe are available here. Homemade Whey Recipe: Makes about 5 cups.Homemade whey is easy to make from good quality plain yoghurt, or from raw or cultured milk. You will need a large strainer that rests over a bowl.If you are using yoghurt, place 2 quarts in a strainer lined with a tea towel set over a bowl. Cover with a plate and leave at room temperature overnight. The whey will drip out into the bowl. Place whey in clean glass jars and store in the refrigerator.If you are using raw or cultured milk, place 2 quarts of the milk in a glass container and leave at room temperature for 2-4 days until the milk separates into curds and whey. Pour into the strainer lined with a tea towel set over a bowl and cover with a plate. Leave at room temperature overnight. The whey will drip out into the bowl. Store in clean glass jars in the refrigerator.Source: Nourishing Traditions by Sally Fallon with Mary G. Enig, PhD.

Like this recipe? Check out my new cookbook, or get all my recipes (over 500!) in a personalized weekly meal planner here!

For babies with allergies to dairy, the Weston A. Price Foundation recommends these variations:

  • Using goat milk in place of raw cow’s milk, but making sure to add nutritional yeast and liver for the necessary B-12
  • OR, using a broth-based formula with liver, though this recipe has some concerns with too high of levels of Vitamin A

Of course, sources agree that breast milk is the best option for baby, but if nursing is truly not possible, these are the options I would use. I would absolutely recommend (and choose myself) to find a qualified and knowledgeable doctor before using this or any other option besides breast milk for babies.

Important Notes

  • There is a great list of answers to commonly asked questions about homemade formula in this article.
  • Based on new landmark research, consider adding a product like this one to baby’s bottle starting at 4-11 months to help reduce the risk of developing a food allergy. More to come on this soon, but I’ve researched this product extensively and would give it to my babies based on the research and experts behind it.
  • Always check with a qualified doctor before using this or any other recipe with a baby.
  • Serenity Kids has a Toddler Formula (ages 12 months+) that is a clean and nutrient-filled option that is easy to digest, made with quality fats, carbohydrates, and various essential prebiotics, vitamins, and minerals.

Organic Baby Formula: The Bottom Line

Breast milk is absolutely the best choice when it is possible. Good lactation consultants can help moms who are struggling with breast feeding to work through most problems. You can find trained lactation consultants in your area here.

Many times, an underlying tongue or lip tie can be the cause of breast feeding problems and a professional specifically trained in correcting these is needed. (Here is a guide to help diagnose a tongue or lip tie)

For the cases where breastfeeding is truly not possible, and donor milk is not an option, homemade baby formula can be an alternative to store-bought highly processed formula to provide baby necessary nutrients. It wouldn’t be my first choice, but if I was unable to breastfeed at any point, it is the option I’d turn to.

What was your experience? Were you able to nurse or did you have to turn to other options? Please share below!

Katie Wells Avatar

About Katie Wells

Katie Wells, CTNC, MCHC, Founder of Wellness Mama and Co-founder of Wellnesse, has a background in research, journalism, and nutrition. As a mom of six, she turned to research and took health into her own hands to find answers to her health problems. WellnessMama.com is the culmination of her thousands of hours of research and all posts are medically reviewed and verified by the Wellness Mama research team. Katie is also the author of the bestselling books The Wellness Mama Cookbook and The Wellness Mama 5-Step Lifestyle Detox.

Comments

149 responses to “Natural & Organic Baby Formula Options”

  1. Ashley Avatar

    Wow! I’ve never heard of making your own formula! Definitely bookmarking this page. We are in the process of adopting an infant, so I am starting to research what our options are. Thank you!

  2. Joan Avatar

    We made the recipe above, but by the 4th day, one month old baby was constipated and cried a lot. What can we do to alleviate this problem? Should we switch out the raw cow’s milk to goat’s milk? Anyone else have this problem and how did you fix it? Thanks so much.

  3. Yevette Avatar

    I am wondering what the additional ingredients are for? Are they to supplement nutritional defecits in cows milk that are present in breast milk? I ask because I have a 2 week old that had a tongue/lip tie revised a week ago. Her weight is steady now but she is not gaining and my LC wants me to supplement formula until she relearns to latch and draw milk more efficiently. So I am still breastfeeding but using an SNS to supplement. So since my baby is getting the majority of her nutritional needs from breast milk, could I not just give her raw cows milk by itself?

  4. Keelie Avatar

    5 stars
    Hi there!

    Love the article! My son is about 18 months an we had enough frozen milk to get him this far. What is your suggestion on what to do next? We don’t want to give him straight cow’s milk the the Pediatrician recommends…we are not sure!

  5. Marisa Avatar

    How long can this stay in refrigerator after making? Can it be frozen and taken out as needed? I am breastfeeding by 5 month old but he is not getting enough. I need something to help supliment a couple times a day. I am also doing all I can to increase my own supply.

  6. Susan Avatar

    Please let me know long this recipe lasts once made. How long in the fridge? How long if taken on an outing?
    Thank you

  7. Susan Avatar

    Can you tell me about storage? How long can it stay in the fridge. How long in a bottle (if we take it with us on an outing)? Etc. Thank you!

  8. Karen Avatar

    5 stars
    Can I just not use the liquid whey? I am nervous about making it. Second, can it be raw goat milk whey?

  9. Abby Avatar

    5 stars
    I have a pumping/storage question and was trying to find which of posts would be most related to ask my question. Once you are no longer able to nurse exclusively, which pump did you use? Also, what did you store your milk in while refrigerating and freezing? I see a lot of bags that don’t look too appealing. I have purchased glass bottles for feedings in the future, but what do you do about storage?
    Thank you in advance for your help! I’ve been enjoying all of your posts 🙂

  10. Melissa Avatar

    Is it normal for this formula to get thick and chunky once it gets cold in the refrigerator? Also how long does it last in the fridge?

  11. Alesha Avatar

    Hi, I was wondering how long the homemade whey would be good for in the fridge since it makes 5 Cups but the recipe only needs 1/4 cup. Thanks!

    1. Paul Avatar

      4 stars
      I am wondering the same thing. I haven’t come across anything that says no, there are some recipes that use camu camu powder.

  12. Mark Avatar

    Hi

    Hoping you could potentially shead some light

    My nephew has been having trouble since birth with feeding. We have changed the formula to an organic goats milk which has helped.

    He still is having trouble and I believe that his body does not want any animal proteins.

    Would your non dairy recipe be suitable ?

  13. April Avatar

    Hi Katie,

    I was just wondering your opinion on my situation. I have exclusively breastfed my 10 month old son, but am struggling with low supply. He was premature by about 4 weeks. I know I won’t be able to nurse him much longer due to these supply issues. I was considering making this homemade formula. My question is do you think it necessary to go to formula after I “run out” or do you think I could just switch him to straight raw cow milk?

    1. Wellness Mama Avatar

      That’s tough. I’d definitely check with a doc, but I have friends who have transitioned kids to just milk at that age, or added probiotics and some extra vitamins for a while.

  14. Cassandra Avatar
    Cassandra

    Hi! You mentioned adding liver to the goats milk but do not say how to do it or how much? I am literally picturing tossing a boiled liver into the blender and adding the paste to the formula. What does ‘add liver’ mean?

  15. Amy G Avatar

    5 stars
    Yes, I have gone through TSA with the formula in a small softsided cooler with icepacks-already mixed (minus the water) and also with all ingredients mixed (except the milk AND water.) I added them later when I arrived at my destination…I just traveled on the plane with a couple of premade bottles…wonderful formula!! My 2 adopted-at-birth babies did super well on the formula! I highly recommend it!

  16. NIKKI Avatar

    5 stars
    I absolutely love this recipe and have been using it for a little over a month now so thank you!! My chiropractor and naturopath recommended your site!

    So here is my big question …
    We are traveling out of state and TSA is crazy strict. Any recommendations on how to travel with the refrigerated items/nutrients? I make my own kefir and then whey too so was going to freeze the kefir since I know my kefir culture won’t live through travel ..
    And then there is my 1 days worth of formula I’d like to bottle and take for trip to feed my baby for the long air and car travel. I’m pretty sure the formula will pass TSA fine but has anyone traveled with the cold nutrients to make the formula?
    I even found a cow to get raw milk from while we are on our trip as the company of get my raw milk from can’t send to another state.

    Thank you so much for your help and your blog!!!

  17. Anyal Avatar

    4 stars
    Katie, Since the doctors are saying no raw milk of any kind we are going with the Liver-Base. Who can be contacted to find out if instead of making live broth if some amount of a opened capsule of Vital Proteins Beef Liver can be used as a substitute? Who would know if those caps opened will be the nutrients the twins need and if they are safe for infants, please? Maybe you know or you could find out or tell me who to contact, please? Or maybe you know of other healthy substitutes? Thank you so very much for your help. We pray there will be breast-milk enough, but if not intending on being prepared. Thank you for your help!

  18. Stefania Avatar
    Stefania

    5 stars
    Hi, Katie! What is your opinion of using organic coconut milk in place of raw cow’s milk? I have found that when my babies are young, they can’t tolerate cow’s milk and raw goat’s milk costs $8.00 per quart in my area. Very pricey for me and I don’t want to use the powdered or canned goat milk.

      1. Stefania Avatar
        Stefania

        Thanks. Any nutritional adjustments I should make if using the coconut milk?

  19. Marie Avatar

    My little 4 month old loves this recipe… He had a ruff start in this world but I pumped everyday for him knowing the importance of the breast milk for his health and still pump to this day for him but he needed more weight and my milk wasent coming as often and enough for him as I am solely pumping. So we added this milk based formula in to his daily feeding and wow… He gobbles it up. Never spits up or gets gassy. Burps every 2-3 ounces. It’s smells nice yet it super gooey in the milk glass bottles as there is tons of good oils and fats in this. I feel so good feeding my little one both breast milk and this milk based formula. He is enjoying it to. I think I’m going to incorporate the bone broth one as well. Not only will he enjoy three different tastes but all meals are packed with vitamins , nutrients, and natural compounds. Thank you for posting!!!

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