FAQ-Homemade Baby Formula |
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| Written by Marie Bishop, Sally Fallon and Mary G. Enig, PhD |
| September 22 2005 |
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The advice to make homemade baby formula as an alternative to commercial formula has been one of the most controversial positions taken by the Weston A. Price Foundation—and also one that has elicited the most grateful praise. While government officials and orthodox pediatricians are often appalled at the thought of a parent mixing up baby formula—and one based on raw milk, no less—the feedback we have received from parents has been extremely positive. Some breastfeeding advocates have also criticized our stance, claiming that by providing a more healthy alternative to commercial formulas, we are discouraging breastfeeding. Make no mistake: the best food for baby is breastmilk from a healthy mother. However, many situations call out for a good substitute: adopted and orphaned babies, babies born to mothers with serious health problems, and babies whose mothers do not have enough milk (a situation that does happen occasionally) deserve to receive something better than commercial formula. The following questions have been compiled by the authors over a period of several years and should cover most situations encountered by parents giving homemade formula to their babies. Refer to these Q&A when using our Recipes for Homemade Baby Formula. See also videos on making the formulas by Chapter Leader Sarah Pope: Milk-Based Formula Video, Liver-Based Formula Video.
Iron Supplementation?Q: Does there need to be iron supplementation with cow's milk formula? My son's pediatrician freaked out when I told him I had my son on homemade formula (I didn't tell him it was raw milk however to avoid another discussion). He told me my son needed to be on iron supplements because he wasn't on commercial iron fortified formula. There is no mention of needed iron supplementation with the cow's milk formula only the goat formula. Also reading I have read that iron from cow's milk is not easily digestible for infants. I did notice there is 4% iron in the nutritional yeast. A: Mother's milk is low in iron for a reason--iron competes with zinc, which is needed for neurological development. However, the lacto-ferrin in raw milk helps the baby absorb all the iron that is there in the milk. If you will look at the nutrient charts for our formula recipes (see below) you will see that there is actually more iron in the homemade formulas than there is in breast milk, so there is no need whatsoever to add additional sources of iron up to the age of six months. At that time, the baby does need additional iron. This should be given in the form of egg yolks and liver--liver is the first weaning food in traditional cultures for this very reason--because at the age of six months, the baby does need additional iron. Mixing the FormulaQ: When I give the formula to my baby, the oils float to the top and the baby ends up getting a lot of oil that makes him gag. So he ends up not getting all the oil in the formula. A: Try this: gently warm the amount of formula you are going to give the baby, and then blend in the blender. The baby most likely will finish taking the formula before the oils separate. You can also give the cod liver oil separately, with an eye dropper, to ensure he is getting all he needs. Q: Once I heat the gelatin until it dissolves it's still hot and I mix it with the cold dairy ingredients and blend -- should I let it cool off before mixing it with the dairy products in the blender? A: In my experience, the gelatin did not get hot enough for it to matter about adding it to the colder ingredients. In fact, I melted all the ingredients that I had previously frozen. Above is my process, which may offer a little help. Q: After I've blended the ingredients I'm left with quite a bit of foam on top of the mixed formula. I've been tossing out the foam -- is that correct or should the foam settle to blend in with the liquefied formula underneath? A: About the foam, I do remember there being a little that formed after blending, but once I poured it into the bottles and let them sit for a little bit it seemed to dissolve back into the formula. I would try leaving it and see what happens, if anything it is one less step you have to do. Using the Lact-AidQ: In order to continue to nurse while I am giving formula to my baby, I am trying to use the Lact-Aid device (which carries the formula through a small tube that the baby takes in his mouth while also suckling on the breast). But the formula is too thick and keeps clogging up the tube. A: Be sure that the formula is well blended (in a blender) before putting it in the Lact-Aid and also that it is warm enough. It is best to use the Lact-Aid with raw milk, not cultured milk, as the latter tends to be thicker. You may also try leaving out the gelatin. One other option is to add about 1/4 cup more water to the formula. The nutrients will be less concentrated, but he is also getting your breast milk. Additive in Acerola PowderQ: I notice that the NOW brand acerola powder for the formula contains maltodextrin. I am concerned about giving any additives to my baby, especially one derived from corn. A: At the moment, the only acerola powder available to us is the NOW brand, which contains maltodextrin as a flowing agent. Acerola powder really does get caked up without some kind of agent. So, until we find a brand with a better flowing agent, this is the best we can do. Baby really does need vitamin C and the amount of maltodextrin is very small. Reaction to the FormulaQ: My baby threw up repeatedly from the formula. Through a process of elimination, I found that my baby was having a severe reaction to the added nutritional yeast. My baby was born with a very weak system and we, her parents, are very sensitive also. What does a parent do for what’s missing without the nutritional yeast? A: The yeast is not absolutely necessary in the cow’s milk formula but it is in the goat milk formula. If goat milk is the only milk available to you, then switch to the liver-based formula (see the next question). Spitting UpQ: What modifications do I make if my baby is spitting up frequently? A: If you are using the cow’s milk formula, first try eliminating the nutritional yeast, which may be causing the problem. If that does not work, then switch to the goat milk formula; if the problem persists, try the liver-based formula. We can cite several examples of babies who had extreme reactions to any milk-based formula (including projectile vomiting) who did beautifully on the liver-based formula. Commercial Formula BrandsQ: Is it possible to use other commercial brands of formula when making the Fortified Commercial Formula recipe? I’ve seen other suggestions made on mercola.com. A: The only formula brand we recommend is the one made by Mead Johnson. It is the only commercial formula that we know of that uses lactose and it also contains coconut oil. The recipe should be made up for one day only. The Mead Johnson formula is only a stop gap formula to be used in emergencies or when the ingredients for homemade formula are temporarily unavailable. Update: We are sorry to report that the Mead Johnson (Enfamil) Low Iron formula is no longer available. In fact, all commercial formula now contains iron, by FDA decree. The best choice for commercial formula today seems to be Baby's Only Organic Dairy Formula. It contains iron but otherwise contains higher quality ingredients than any of the other commercial formulas. It is also the only brand on the market at this time without the Martek DHASCO and ARASCO additive. If you are forced to use commercial formula, make sure that baby is getting cod liver oil, either added to the formula or given with an eye dropper or syringe. As soon as possible, introduce solid foods like egg yolk, liver, meat and bone broths. Powdered WheyQ: Can I use dry milk powders from high quality sources like Garden of Life’s Goatein, if I can’t find a good source of raw or organic milk? A: We do not recommend powdered goat whey—it is lacking in casein. And no matter how carefully it is processed, whey proteins are very fragile and the proteins are going to be altered in processing—that is why scientists do not use whey-based feed in animal experiments. Instead, they use dried casein, which is a much less fragile protein. We heard from one parent in California who was using Goatein, when she could have gone out to the store and bought raw milk. If you can’t get raw milk, you should make the meat-based formula. Powdered whey is not appropriate—this is a whole foods formula. Making WheyQ: I’m having trouble getting raw milk to separate to make fresh whey. Basically it sours but never separates. One recipe for whey calls for bringing milk with added salt to a boil, adding 2 tablespoons lemon juice and stirring until it is curdled. Is it OK to make whey this way? A: It takes longer to make fresh whey from raw milk than it does from yoghurt, sometimes up to 5-6 days for the milk to really separate, especially in cooler weather. Set raw milk on the counter in an airtight glass container. When the milk looks really awful, then you know that it has separated. If you are still having trouble, make whey out of already cultured milk (yoghurt or kefir) or with a top brand of commercial whole milk yoghurt, such as Seven Stars Farm or Brown Cow. With yoghurt you can make whey overnight. Making whey by adding lemon juice to boiled milk negates all the good things about your raw milk, and you will not be putting back any good enzymes or bacteria, which is what happens in yoghurt making. Freezing the FormulaQ: Can I freeze the formula? What is the best method to thaw? I am guessing warm water. I would freeze the formula in mason freezer jars that are 8-ounce capacity. A: We recommend making the formula fresh daily—this is part of your new baby routine. The exception might be when you are traveling and yes, you can set the jars in warm water to thaw. However, raw milk may be frozen with no ill effects. Many parents must drive long distances to pick up their raw milk, and the solution to this is to obtain it in large quantities and freeze it. When the raw milk thaws, there will be small clumps of cream that can be smoothed out with a whisk or by putting the milk in a blender. Modifying the FormulaQ: My daughter has 5-month-old twins and we’re in the process of weaning them off of infant formula. I have ordered milk from one of the dairy farmers mentioned on the Weston A. Price Foundation’s website. This particular farmer does pasteurize his milk but only to a degree that does not destroy the enzymes in the milk. My question to you is what variations can be made in the formula that would make this affordable as well as a good formula for the twins. My daughter and her husband are on a budget that won’t allow a large monthly expense for the ingredients. Is there some way that the formula can be varied so that it won’t cost that much for them? Also, I know my daughter won’t have the time to make the easy whey recipe. Please give suggestions as to how to make this work affordably for them. My daughter is on the WIC program and the ONLY formula approved is the Similac (which is what the twins are on now). A: We do not recommend altering the formula to save money. You could be compromising a child. The recipe was formulated to exact specifications to mimic nutrient-rich human mother’s milk. If you find that raw milk with shipping is too expensive, then do the meat-based formula, which is less expensive. The homemade formula ingredients cost just under $4 per day, through mail order with shipping charges, or when purchased locally with sales tax. This does not include the cost of the milk and cream, which varies widely. Similac costs around $4 per day, including average local sales tax. So while the initial homemade formula cost including milk and cream will be higher, over the long run it is much cheaper considering the typical health challenges and costs that come with conventional formula. This, of course, says nothing about creating a superior foundation for your child’s optimal development and lifelong health. If your daughter must rely on the only formula that WIC allows, she should use the fortified formula recipe. Unfortunately, from reports we receive from parents, Similac is one of the most problematic formulas for babies. In fact, virtually every parent we’ve heard from, who has had their baby on commercial formula before using the homemade formula, reports very unfortunate stories. We recommend fortifying commercial formula only as an emergency backup. We have hundreds of customers report to us that when they get their babies off commercial formula, their health issues disappear and the babies thrive. They become radiant babies with vibrant health and beautiful dispositions. I can really appreciate the circumstances of your daughter, and not with just one baby, but two! As far as the quick way to make whey, if she doesn’t have time to take a container of yogurt, pour it into a strainer lined with cheese cloth and collect the liquid after it drains, she really doesn’t have time to be doing any part of this recipe. Once you get into the routine, it is very easy. Parents report that it’s very fast and easy to make up the formula. Just think of how time-consuming it will be when these twins are age 2 and eat solid food and meals have to be prepared for them! Draining whey from yogurt will look easy! Refrigerated IngredientsQ: Which of the added ingredients should be refrigerated? A: Sunflower oil and bifidum; keep the cod liver oil in a cool, dark place. Is Bifidum Infantis Necessary?Q: Would you need to put bifidus in the formula if you were using cultured milk? Wouldn’t cultured milk contain bifidus? A: No, bifidum infantis is a beneficial gut flora that predominates in the infant until age 7. Infants can’t get it except from the mother in the birth canal, and then it’s still helpful to get more. Is Raw Milk Safe?Q: If I’m not comfortable using the raw milk in the formula because the woman at the farm I spoke to did not recommend giving their raw milk to infants; she said that not every single container could be tested, so there was no guarantee that every container was bacteria-free. What could be some acceptable substitutes? I would think that if I cultured the raw milk with kefir powder or kefir grains, then the beneficial bacteria would kill any bad bacteria that might be in the milk. Another alternative that I thought of was to pasteurize the milk from the farm myself and then culture it. My only concern is that what if I don’t pasteurize properly, will the beneficial bacteria from the kefir powder take care of any mistakes I made. (I already experimented with this and it was difficult, even with constant stirring, to keep the top layer of milk at the right temperature.) A third alternative that I thought of is to use some good quality yogurt from the health food store. What do you think of these ideas? Can you help alleviate any of my fears about bad bacteria? I don’t want to take any unnecessary chances with my child. A: Farmers need to be careful when speaking to the public, but you can be assured that if basic sanitation measures are followed, raw milk is completely safe, in fact, safer than pasteurized milk. Raw milk contains many bioactive components that get rid of bad bacteria. When bad bacteria such as E. coli are added to raw milk, these components get rid of them. Of course, this marvelous system for getting rid of pathogens can be overwhelmed if the cows are very unhealthy and the milk gets dirty. Basic sanitation measures include testing of the cows to make sure they are disease free; washing the teats with iodine solution before milking; using a milking machine; and storing the milk in a stainless steel bulk tank, glass bottles or hard plastic bottles at a cool temperature. Most important, the cows should be on pasture as much as possible, and in the winter, in a well ventilated barn fed mostly hay. We do not recommend using any kind of milk, even raw milk, from cows kept in confinement, especially when the diet is based on grain and includes such additives as citrus peel cake and bakery waste. We recommend using cultured pasteurized milk only when raw milk is unavailable and in this case, the meat-based formula is probably preferable, given the way milk is processed today. We do not recommend pasteurizing your own milk, it is too risky. Pasteurized Cow’s Milk or Raw Goat Milk?Q: If you have a choice of cow’s organic, pasteurized unhomogenized milk that you have cultured or raw goat’s milk supplemented with raw liver, which would you choose? We do not have access to organic liver. A: Use the raw goat milk plus liver recipe. Just use the best that you can find. Probably in this case, you should use calves liver or lambs liver, which would be a cleaner product than chicken. Another solution is to use desiccated liver (Carlson’s brand is good). Safety of Raw LiverQ: I am afraid to use the raw liver, as called for in the raw goat milk formula. A: As long as you freeze the liver for 14 days, it is safe; however if you are concerned, you can simmer the liver before adding it. An alternative is the liver-based formula which calls for simmering the liver in broth. Dry Kefir CultureQ: Is Body Ecology’s dry kefir culture just as acceptable as the piima culture or culturing with kefir grains? GEM cultures has been a real problem for people—sometimes it takes six weeks to get their cultures. Do you like the powdered kefir culture? A: We hear that the powdered kefir gets really thick—like yoghurt—so it does not work very well in the formula. GEM cultures was initially overwhelmed by orders, but has now caught up and is shipping as soon as people order. Taxing the KidneysQ: I’ve read that the high solute load in goat’s milk results in a taxing of the kidneys. Can you explain this to me? What can I do to avoid this? Is just diluting the goat’s milk enough? A: Yes, this is why we dilute both the cow and goat formula with water. Cream in the Liver FormulaQ: Why is there no need for cream (or nutrients thereof) in the liver formula? Does the liver take care of what the other oils don’t? A: This is supposed to be a casein-free formula. The coconut oil supplies the saturated fats. Coconut oil is essential in this formula. Maximum Storage TimeQ: Is 24 hours the maximum you would consider storing mixed formula in the refrigerator? A: Yes, to be safe, you should mix up the formula fresh every morning. Beef or Chicken LiverQ: Is there a preference for beef or chicken liver? The goat formula recommends chicken liver but the meat formula just states “liver.” A: We used chicken liver for the goat milk formula because that gave us the best equivalent to the nutrients in mother’s milk. For the liver formula, beef or lamb liver give the best equivalents. However, for babies older than six months, you can use chicken, beef or lamb in either formula. Soy Feeding Of AnimalsQ: If a cow or chicken is eating soy, is there a concern for that with the liver? A: Of course, it would be better if the chickens were completely pastured and not getting soy but this is very rare. However, the estrogens would be stored mostly in the chicken fat and not in the liver. Beef is not fed much soy so the beef liver is also OK. ConstipationQ: My baby has become constipated on the goat milk formula. A: Goat milk is more likely to be constipating than cow’s milk, which is one reason we recommend a formula based on cow’s milk as the first choice. A small amount of diluted prune juice may help and one parent had good luck adding a little warmed molasses to the formula. The Digestive Tea in Nourishing Traditions is also a good remedy. It is very important that baby’s stool not become impacted. A baby suppository should help him evacuate his bowels if the other methods do not work. Q: I have been making the milk-based formula for 10 days and realize that it makes the baby constipated and she only has 1-2 bowel movements per day as opposed to the regular 4-6 she had on formula and they are more solid than liquid. A: Actually 4-6 liquid bowel movements per day is not normal and the 1-2 more solid bowel movements per day is appropriate. The stool should be firm enough to be shaped, but not hard. Feeding JuiceQ: A popular juice book recommends giving juices to a baby after 5 months. What do you think of this idea? A: It’s a terrible idea! Apart from a little prune juice in cases of constipation, babies should not be given juice. There is no real nourishment for babies in juice—the vegetable juices are difficult for babies to digest and many contain a variety of anti-nutrients; and the fruit juices will be too sweet. And this rule applies right through the growing years. Do not get your child in the juice habit—these juices are very high in sugar and difficult-to-digest carbohydrates and can take away their appetite for nourishing foods. Lost Weight on the FormulaQ: My 6-month-old baby was doing fine on the cow’s milk formula but suddenly broke out in a rash and lost 3 pounds. Should I switch to the liver-based formula? A: Whenever there is a sudden weight loss after doing well on the formula, parents should look for other causes. In this case, with questioning, it emerged that the weight loss occurred after the baby had been given 4 vaccinations in one day! Exposure to pesticides or toxins is another culprit. If a cause like this can be pinpointed, then it would be best to stay on the formula that is working for the child. If no other cause can be determined, then try switching to another formula. When to Switch To Plain Raw MilkQ: At what age can we switch from formula to plain raw milk? A: The answer to this depends on the age, weight and maturity of the child. A child that was premature, very small or delayed in development may benefit from taking the formula in a bottle well past the first year. But a child who is growing well, sitting up, eating solid foods and able to sip from a cup can probably transition to raw milk sometime after the 8th month. Formula for Older ChildrenQ: I have a 3-year-old and a 5-year-old who suffer from asthma, bronchitis, eczema and other chronic issues. Can I use the formula as a supplement? I want a way to get really good nutrition into my kids. A: This is worth a try. You may want to give the cod liver oil separately. (You can do this with an eye dropper.) Feeding TubeQ: We have a child who is being fed with a feeding tube. Can we use the formula in this case? A: Yes, the formula would be very appropriate and would supply the child with good whole nutrition while he heals. Yahoo Group for ParentsQ: Where can I go to get advice and communicate with other parents using the homemade formula? A: A new Weston A. Price Healthy Babies Yahoo Group has been formed. Subjects will include preconception diets, pregnancy diets, breastfeeding, health issues and homemade formula. Anyone is welcome. To register, go to http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/newwaphb/ . Nutrient ComparisonQ: Do you know the nutrient profile for breast milk vs. your homemade formulas? A: See our nutrient comparison chart at the end of our Recipes for Homemade Baby Formula page. Liver-Based Infant FormulaQ. When making the liver-based formula, can I use chicken broth made with just the chicken or do I have to make it with vegetables and spices? Q. Should the chicken broth be made daily and should I only use organic chicken? Q. What is the shelf life of the formula? Do I have to prepare it daily? A. Daily is better but you can make it every other day if you need it while traveling or if your baby only takes a small amount. Q. I would like to supplement my breast milk with about 10 ounces a day. How do I figure the amount? A. I would make up the full batch and give half each day. Q. What type of liver should I use, lamb or chicken? A. Either is fine. Q. How do you include the coconut oil without it solidifying or clumping? A. The coconut oil is very important, be sure to warm it gently before adding. Cod Liver Oil in Formula/Too Much EPA?Q. I recently ordered the ingredients for home made infant formula and I have one concern. Although my wife and I take cod liver oil daily, I have read that fish oils contain too much EPA for babies. It is suggested that the EPA competes with DHA and can cause stunting of growth. The commercial formulas use an algal sourced DHA/ARA, but it doesn't seem to be available to consumers. I could buy Neuromins supplements and break them open, but that would not provide the ARA. Is the EPA a real concern? A. We do NOT recommend fish oil, not for babies nor adults, but high vitamin or fermented cod liver oil, which supplies A and D without giving too much EPA and DHA. The EPA in cod liver oil will not compete with the DHA--these two always occur together in food. And do not use the synthetic DHA/ARA, we have heard bad reports from this. The baby will get ARA from the butterfat in the milk. We have had nothing but good reports on growth from babies on our homemade formula Raw Milk FormulaQ. I have a question about the raw milk infant formula. My two month old adopted daughter has been taking the formula since she was about three weeks old, when we ran out of breast milk donated by a friend. She is doing very well on this but the pediatrician has concerns about the "low' iron in the formula. I have seen the comparison chart that shows about 3-4 times the iron content of breast milk. The pediatrician is comparing it to the high iron formulas that have about 10 times the amount of iron as the raw milk formula. Do you have any information or opinion whether I should supplement with more iron? A. You should NOT give extra iron in the first six months. Iron competes with zinc, needed for neurological development. Besides, the lactoferrin in raw milk helps the baby efficiently absorb the iron that is there. By 6 months, the baby does require extra iron and that is why the first weaning food in almost all cultures is liver. Egg yolks are also a good source of iron. So don't give supplements, but start with iron-rich foods by six months. Q. I have a 5-month-old baby whom I primarily breastfeed but also supplement with 8 ounces daily. I want to do your formula but am confused. I was told that babies should not have any oils added to their diet and that raw milk alone is sufficient to meet the baby's needs. The same person told me fish oil is toxic because of the extraction process and should not be consumed by anyone (her information is taken from the work of Aajonus Vonderplanitz). She said the oils are solvent reactive, binding to toxins therefore pushing detoxification in the infant. Is this information correct? A. If you do our formula, please follow the recipe exactly. It was designed to provide the same fatty acid profile as mother's milk, hence the addition of the oils. The cod liver oil is VERY important to add; it is not toxic, but provides much needed vitamins A and D. Aajonus is not right about everything, he is not a scientist. Mary Enig, who formulated these recipes, is a highly trained scientist. Go to the following links to read about the formula and the testimonials: We have a reprint on Children's Health that you can order from our Store. It will help you as baby transitions into solid food. Egg Yolks for InfantsQ. My 6 months old son is vomiting after eating egg yolk; what do you suggest? A. If your son is having trouble with the egg yolk, just hold off and try to introduce it later. We did have one mother who was having this problem, but when she added a small amount of liver and salt to the egg yolk, the baby was fine. Remember to also add the salt. A. It depends a lot on the baby, but 1 egg yolk and then perhaps 1/2 banana? Q: How do you suggest feeding my child egg yolk when he cannot sit? A: I would wait until the baby is sitting up before feeding the egg yolk. Give it on a spoon. You will have a mess the first few times, but then he will get used to it. Q: My son, now 11 months, doesn’t seem to be able to tolerate egg yolk and liver. I have tried giving him the yolk (less than a ¼ tsp) at 5.5 months, 7 months, and 9 months and each time he threw up about 3 hours after eating it. Then same thing happened with chicken liver. My doctor said that he might have developed hyper-sensitivity to them if I ate too much of these while pregnant. What can I feed him to give him enough fat-soluble vitamins? Q: I read that removing the gelatin from the formula makes the formula flow better through the Lactaid. QUESTION is, what's lost in removing the gelatin? (I.e. nutrition-wise?) Is the gelatin just for texture or does it have important nutritional value?  This article appeared in Wise Traditions in Food, Farming and the Healing Arts, the quarterly magazine of the Weston A. Price Foundation, Summer 2005. About the Author
Marie A. Bishop, CDC, is co-founder and co-director of The Radiant Life Wellness Catalog. As a Certified Diet Counselor she has conducted classes and private consulting on traditional foods and natural healing. She also worked as a staff nutritionist for Recovery Systems, a groundbreaking clinic run by Julia Ross, author of The Diet Cure and The Mood Cure. While pursuing a Master's in Somatic Psychology she discovered that true body/mind healing must include wellness at the cellular level through nutrition. Committed to helping others realize their true genetic and spiritual potential, she founded the Radiant Life Wellness Catalog as a vehicle for spreading Dr. Price’s teachings through nutrient dense foods, education, and resources for radiant living. She currently resides in Marin County, CA.  <p><strong>VIDEO</strong>: Chapter leader Sarah Pope has posted videos about making both the raw milk and liver formulas:</p>
<ul> <li>Milk-Based Formula: <a href="http://www.thehealthyhomeeconomist.com/2010/09/video-homemade-milk-based-baby-formula.html" target="_blank">thehealthyhomeeconomist.com/2010/09/video-homemade-milk-based-baby-formula.html</a></li> <li>Liver-Based Formula: <a href="http://www.thehealthyhomeeconomist.com/2010/09/video-hypoallergenic-baby-formula.html" target="_blank">thehealthyhomeeconomist.com/2010/09/video-hypoallergenic-baby-formula.html</a></li> </ul>
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concerned about kidneys on this formula
written by Jennifer L Smith, Feb 05 2012
My 6 month old is on the homemade cows formula. I add some 1/2tbs maple syrup and 1/2tbs blackstrap molasses b/c he originally had problems with having bms. Anyway, he has not been having as many wet diapers as he should (can go 10 hours and diaper is barely wet) but isn't showing any other signs of dehyrdation. A concern that has been brought up on several sites is that the homemade formula is taxing on the baby's kidneys and can result in dehydration and kidney problems later in life. I would not give any heed to these warnings except that he isn't urinating as much as he should. I would love some advice and information to help contradict the kidney concerns.
...
written by amy, Jan 19 2012
Can you amke suggestions with how to travel while baby is on the weston price formula? I know I can bring a few bottles on the plane but what if you are traveling for a week? Please advise.
Fontier brand?
written by Stephanie, Jan 06 2012
Is there a reason Frontier brand nutritional yeast is recommended? I bought Innovative KAL Quality Nutritional Yeast Flakes, would this work?
Thank you, Stephanie
cow's milk or goat's milk?
written by Kendra Krieg, Jan 04 2012
My 5 month old daughter is currently on the Baby's Only Organic Lactose Free formula and has had constipation issues for quite a while. To be honest, I'm not quite sure she is lactose intolerant-we switched her from the regular milk based Baby's Only formula to the Lactose when she became constipated on that as well. I am wondering if I should start her on your raw cow's milk or the raw goat's milk formula?
Extra Whey
written by Claire, Dec 06 2011
As I am unable to breastfeed I have been using the cow's milk formula for my 3 month old son for about 2 weeks. He loves the formula and so far has done very well on it - it has meant so much and I am SO pleased to have a healthy option to feed him. The first few days I was making the formula I had misread the ingredient quantities and was using 1/2 cup of whey rather than the 1/4 cup listed. The transition from powdered formula went well and his bowel movements were excellent. However after I realized and corrected my mistake with the whey, his stools have become very hard. He is still regular, but he passes hard pellets instead. I have added a little more water to the formula but with no luck. Is there any danger in going back to the 1/2 cup whey - ie, can he have too much whey, or can an excess cause any problems I'm not aware of? Thank you for the formula and thank you for your help! Claire (Victoria, Australia)
Reply to Craig
written by tjboyd, Nov 18 2011
If baby is reacting to the cows milk formula, the next step is to try the goat milk formula, and then the liver formula. Don't be afraid of the liver formula, it has saved the lives of a few babies. (Answer from Sally)
Baby spitting out homemade formula and smells acidic
written by Craig B, Nov 18 2011
Please help. Unfortunately my wife had several severe breast infections and had to stop breast feeding. We then moved our 4 month old son to the WAP homemade formula but he is spitting small chunks out and it smells very acidic. I see this was also mentioned in a post by a lady below (but no response). WOuld love a response. Kind Regards. Craig
spitting up written by Jennifer, Mar 07 2011 I just started my baby on the raw goats milk formula.(4 weeks old) I am breastfeeding her but don't have an adequate milk supply.(This is number 7 and I have never had this problem).So far I have only needed to supplement with 4 ounces of the formula a day.Everytime I give her the formula she spits up a bit of solid curds and her breath smells very acidic. (like throw up) She never had this when I was giving her the Baby's Own formula.Does anyone else have this problem? is this sour smell something I just need to live with for the sake of my baby getting a good and healthy supplement?
Reply to Aileen from Sally
written by tjboyd, Oct 24 2011
Try leaving out the yeast and possibly the gelatin. You may also need to leave out the cod liver oil. Hopefully this will work.
Reply to Katie from Sally
written by tjboyd, Oct 24 2011
Yes, if BPA-free bottles are available, this should be fine. The formula should be cooled before being put into the plastic bottles.
Glass Bottles
written by katie kimsey, Oct 10 2011
I just started my 2 mo old son on the goat milk formula and he loves it. Is there a specific reason to use only glass bottles and jars? Would the formula still be good if placed in BPA free plastic bottles and refrigerated?
Glass Bottles
written by katie kimsey, Oct 10 2011
Is there a specific reason to use only glass bottles and jars? Would the formula still be good if placed in BPA free plastic bottles and refrigerated?
VOMITING
written by Aileen, Aug 14 2011
I'm getting ready to go back to work so I want to start my 5 month old on this homemade formula, I made a fresh batch yesterday and he VOMITED. I have followed the recipe, so I know I am making it right. I'm currently nursing and supplement with Organic Baby's Only Dairy Formula (which he loves because it taste delicious) so I know he doesn't have any dairy allergies. What can be going wrong? Please HELP!
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written by Megan, Jul 01 2011
Hi there. I have been giving my 6 month old daughter the raw cows milk formula before bed as I do not produce enough milk to sustain her through the night. When she gets the formula, her urine smells really really bad and stinks up her entire room. Could it be e gelatin? She is fine with the formula, but I'm not sure why this is happening with her urine. We have not introduced any different solids than she was already having either.
Thanks!
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written by Jen, Jul 01 2011
My 6 month old has been on the raw milk formula (cow) for 3 months. He spits up a lot! Recently I was low on raw milk, out of yogurt, and out of whey. I left the whey out of the formula for 2 days, until I received my raw milk delivery. During this time he did not spit up at all. Is it safe to leave the whey out of this formula to avoid the constant spitting up? I use all other ingredients, including those listed as optional. Thanks.
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written by Nikki, Jun 28 2011
Hi there,
So far my baby is a whole foods baby & at 11 months, has had only breast milk, no formula. I'm a working mom & notice I am not pumping as much any more for him during the day. I am wondering at 11 months can I give him raw milk? Or should I make the formula you suggest? I have not given him codliver oil yet, he has been getting that through my milk. I just started him on meats (oops, I feel awful - I'd been giving him pureed vegetables since 6 months) he just stared eating banana's & strawberries. I will try the egg yolk w/sea salt this week. Do you think I could switch him over to raw milk, well mix it with the breast milk I am able to pump during the day? Can't wait to hear from you. Thanks for all you do!
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written by Elena, May 15 2011
Need a little help here; I have been making formula for about 4 months now, and every now and then I have the same problem, the formula looks grainy, and when I go to gently warm it up it curdles. Why? Is there a problem with the whey or the temp. of the water I heat up the gelatin in?
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written by Darillyn Starr, Apr 25 2011
I am an adoptive mother of six, the youngest of whom is nearly 16. I nursed all of them, at least for a while. My third through sixth children self-weaned, three at about two years and the other at four years. My kids came with a wide variety of challenges, which required me to learn a great deal about breastfeeding and various formulas. My fourth child, Julia, provided me with the biggest challenge; getting a 9 pound six month old, who had been fed through a gastrostomy, feeding totally by mouth and catching up on her growth and development.
I first used raw goat milk with Julia. Because she was older, I did not make a formula out of the milk, but I did make sure that she got other foods and liquids throughout the day. For the first two months or so, I was trying to get her to catch up on her weight, so I figured a way to get her a little more fat from the goat milk. Although goat milk does not separate like cow's milk does, if you let it sit in a glass bottle overnight and hold it up to the light, you can see that the top part is somewhat richer than the bottom part. I started putting it into a quart bottle with a small spout and propping it upside down in the fridge overnight. In the morning, I would hold it over a bowl, open the lid and let out about a cup of the thinner milk before turning it right side up and shaking it. My son, Joseph, whom I got at 15 days, got a formula based on raw goat's milk, in addition to my milk. He didn't tolerate cow's milk formulas, and was on soy formula when I got him. I have lots of reservations about soy formulas. In addition to those shared on this site, I am also allergic to soy. I used the Lact-Aid to supplement at the breast, so whatever formula I used in it was on my skin several hours a day. Soy burned my skin badly. I would have loved to get the products available here, for adding to the goat's milk. I just had to do the best I could to provide the nutrients he needed, but he did extremely well on roughly equal amounts of breast milk and formula. When he was about eight months old, I started decreasing the amount of water and lactose I added so that he was being supplemented with unaltered goat's milk by about eleven months. I was glad to see the Lact-Aid discussed on the FAQ and suggestions given for using these formulas in it. Most adoptive mothers who just start nursing on demand with the Lact-Aid will produce a significant amount of breast milk, from the suckling alone. I wish more mothers who have trouble producing enough milk to totally sustain their babies would use the Lact-Aid. A mother who gave birth to her baby and needs to supplement can use the Lact-Aid on a regular basis, as well as an adoptive mother can, although I haven't heard of many who have done so. That way, the baby still gets the benefits of human milk, along with whatever supplement is needed, while all suckling is done at the breast. The Lact-Aid tube is very tiny and there are some things that won't go through it but, generally, if you strain the formula through a very fine strainer, it will be fine. I think everything in the goat milk formula would go through but the chicken liver which, perhaps, could be fed with a spoon. To avoid having the whey curdle the milk, it could be fed separately in a Lact-Aid. Where a baby is getting a significant amount of breast milk, along with the formula, there is a little more margin for error than if it is the only thing the baby is getting. Darillyn Starr This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
about the raw cow milk
written by Nicole, Apr 09 2011
I live in canada, and it has been a BIG challenge to find raw milk. Farmers are very reluctant to sell it because of regulations...can I use organic homongenized cow milk, or is this a no no. My son is a year old, I am still breastfeeding, but would like to offer him just a bit more milk. He's very tiny and did not do well on any formula. Please any advice.
spitting up
written by Jennifer, Mar 07 2011
I just started my baby on the raw goats milk formula.(4 weeks old) I am breastfeeding her but don't have an adequate milk supply.(This is number 7 and I have never had this problem).So far I have only needed to supplement with 4 ounces of the formula a day.Everytime I give her the formula she spits up a bit of solid curds and her breath smells very acidic. (like throw up) She never had this when I was giving her the Baby's Own formula.Does anyone else have this problem? is this sour smell something I just need to live with for the sake of my baby getting a good and healthy supplement?
FAQ-Homemade Baby Formula
written by Kristina Gillinghm, Feb 25 2011
Would like to get the 'Healthy Baby Issue' and 'Heart Disease Issue' and would like to see the other Issues available
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written by Judy, Jan 11 2011
From my understanding Green Pasture's no longer make the fermented cod liver oil with the sea salt or salty cod. The formula calls for salty cod. If I purchase fermented cod liver oil can I add sea salt or celtic sea salt and what amount do I add to the 8oz bottle of oil.
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written by sujatha, Nov 30 2010
Is it safe to use baby'only organic dairy formula for my 2 months old baby. The pack says it is 'Toddler Formula'
Please help me
boil raw milk
written by brags, Nov 23 2010
hi there
is it ok if i boil the raw milk before making the formula??
reflux
written by britt, Nov 08 2010
My 8 week old has what we were told is acid reflux. She is on 2 medications plus we are giving her the homeopathic gripe water, Colic Calm. She still has not gotten any better. She is drinking Simiiac Alimentum because we thought it might be a milk allergy. Should I try the cows milk formula or go straight to the goats milk? Maybe its not reflux?
Once you've warmed the formula, how long can you keep it for?
written by Julie, Nov 06 2010
Hi,
can anyone help answer this question..once you've warmed the home made formula, how long can you keep it for if baby doesn't drink it all? Thank you!!
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written by lhiez, Oct 02 2010
Nicole,
I have similar concern when I had my first Son...Variety of Pediatricians recommended me to try almost everything(change of diet or prescription)but got no positive results from all of it. My Son suffered severe rashes all over his body and face,aside from all the discomfort of itch. Until I was advice by a relative to consult with an Allergologist/Immunologist. The right medicine and diet prescribed worked tremendously on my baby's condition.What a total relief from worries as well as relief from all the discomfort my baby suffered. The medicine and recommended diet seriously worked. You can check with specialist like I mentioned and I hope your baby gets the right help possible.
Iron
written by Erin, Sep 28 2010
I want to put my 9 month old on the liver formula, but am concerned about the high amount of iron. I have read that iron competes with zinc and that they are both vital to infant brain development. Is the amount of iron safe for an infant?
If I only need 8oz formula daily...
written by Liz, Aug 02 2010
Hi!
I see that I should make the formula fresh daily and that it shouldn't be frozen. I am breastfeeding my 4 month old, but bc of a recent pregnancy then miscarriage, my lacation dwindled and is now coming back. SO, I just need maybe 1, maybe 2 bottles per day and hopefully less in the near future. Do I make less of the cow milk formula daily or will that mess up the proportions of the ingredients? Also, any suggestions on increasing my breastmilk supply? Thank you!
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written by Jane Sherwood, Jun 05 2010
Lei,
Nutramigen contains corn, so that could be a culprit.
Nicole
written by Jane Sherwood, Jun 05 2010
I have a 6 year old with many allergies and intolerances (bf for over 2 years) so I feel your pain!
MountainRoseHerbs.com has an organic acerola powder with tapioca filler, not corn. My DS really improved on the Pharmax human strain probiotics. RockwellNutrition.com The Pharmax Neonate is dairy protein free (unlike the Natren LifeStart which has milk powder) but it does have lactose. Usually it's the milk protein that provokes the allergy. All other Pharmax versions are totally milk/soy/corn etc. free they are grown on agar. Ditto high vitamin butter oil, it has the milk protein removed. Unless he has been tested IgE allergic to dairy, these are worth a trial. I wouldn't necessarily conclude that b/c you had problems breastfeeding it was the lactose in bm to blame. Usually it's the food proteins in your milk that a sensitive babe reacts to. I had to eliminate several foods while bf'ing. There is some evidence that immune complexes due to food allergies in the nursing mother are passed on to and acted upon by the immune system of the breastfeeding child.  The sealing of the gut in the baby is important esp. the younger they are to stop the reactive cycle. Both bifidobacteria probiotics and also glutamine, in bone broths or supplements, are important. You could do IgG food "intolerance" testing, which can be a finger stick, otherwise the IgE, the classic true allergy reaction, is a traditional blood draw. And if you cannot find an answer quickly, I would do a short trial of the commercial hydrolyzed formula just to see if you can get the reactions to calm down, to baseline, then start again with testing. You will have to look for corn free formula though, I know that's a problem with some but not sure which ones (Nutramigen, Alimentum, etc.) I'm not sure GAPS is the total answer, it wasn't for my DS. It is also high in food chemicals which, unfortunately, is another catagory that can cause GI reactions, and is a major key to my DS's food intolerances. Food chemical intolerance (salicylates, amines, oxalates) does not involve the immune system, but instead the detox pathways which run on nutrients, particularly the methylation and sulfation pathways. They also can be clogged by toxic load of the body (metals, etc). C'mon over to Mothering.com/discussions for some support... in the Allergies and the Traditional Foods forum there are lots of mamas like us focused on natural healing for these most modern diseases. We'd love to see you there and say hello to me (JaneS).
Re: Allergies??
written by Nicole, May 24 2010
We too, are having the same severe allergic reactions with my 9 month old as you mention, John. Quite a different experience than we had with our now 3 year old twins who thrived phenomenally with the homemade baby formula. They grew beautifully plump and clear skinned and perfectly well-natured. Now my youngest seems to be sensitive to nearly EVERYTHING I introduce him to. The cow's milk formula made to exact specifications (with the exception of the CLO which he has reacted with severe rash to from the beginning) he appeared to be doing very well except for pesky eczema(which we attributed to detergents and other environmental factors) for nearly 5 months. When I tried to introduce egg yolk, he projectile vomited and had skin rash almost immediately. Same scenario with beef liver. This past week, the cow's milk formula is no longer being tolerated without severe full body rash and intolerable itching. He's losing his always cheery disposition and peaceful sleep. After giving the same recipe a shot with goat milk instead (to no avail), as a last resort I moved him to the meat based formula and cut out the lactose, cream and whey to remove the dairy allergen. He almost instantly began to improve (or so I thought) though then he began to starve and lose weight within a few days. Then even in my next batch of broth, his allergic reaction again flared up which brought me to a pretty confident conclusion that he is severely allergic to corn which is an unavoidable ingredient in the acerola powder as maltodextrin and a possible explanation for his reaction to the broth of chicken's diet of corn during winter months as a culprit. Even though free range chicken from our farmer. The variables are many and complex and this emotional and physical roller coaster has got us at our wits end! I don't know how to nourish him safely! And I have no doctor to turn to that won't just automatically recommend a dreaded commercial brand of formula or prescription made in a lab. I would love to hear more from this circle on the topic of these seemingly more common allergies. I understand the nature of their origins and how my pregnacy and pre-pregnancy diet and lifestyle most likely contributed to his plight, but I can't undo what is done and I need an option for how to help my baby recover now. I also am open to GAPS and have begun that regimen with my older children but I can not put my 9-month old on such a restrictive diet when he is already in need of more nourishment and doesn't seem to improve on straight homemade fat and gelatin rich broth. I have an allergy appointment on the calendar for him where they may be able to determine other allergies which could have developed such as cocoanut oil? olive oil? maybe even just lactose which could account for why he also had trouble the 4 months that I nursed? I am so grateful that my twins did well with this homemade formula recipe and I still promote it to everyone and anyone that I can, but for my youngest, it's not an answer to his allergies. Would love insight and assistance from my favorite women Sally and Mary. Warmest Regards ~Nicole Geisinger
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severe Eczema on my 11 month old daughter
written by Lei, May 18 2010
Hi. I am a mom of an 11 month old daughter who has a bad case of eczema. She already switched to Soy based infant formula, even on Nutramigen but that didn't help as well. I am curious on trying goat's milk for her, but does it have to be home made? Thank yoU!
Allergies?
written by John, May 16 2010
Hi. Thank you for the great website and great info. I have a question about my little guy.
I have an 11 month old boy who is severely allergic/cannot tolerate the majority of a long list of foods we have tried to introduce, including: cow and goat milk and yogurt, cod liver oil (haven't tried the fermented one yet), eggs, nuts, pears, raw apples, flax seed oil etc. He still mostly eats amino acid formula and soy formula. He breast fed exclusively til 7 months, but he also had severe allergies through the breast milk his whole colicky life. He seems to be also allergic to something in the formulas. What foods would you recommend we start trying and what order? We're going to try cutting out the formula and introducing some more foods one at a time, but want to be sure he's getting enough nutrition while we're experimenting. I was going to try egg yolks then the liver next. Best, John
runny bowel movements.
written by Stephanie, May 02 2010
I switched my 4 1/2 month old daughter to the raw milk formula 5 days ago. Now she seems to have 4-6 very runny and liquidy BM's a day. When she was on formula I always felt that she was a bit constipated, but this seems a bit extreme. Is this just a transition thing? How long should I let her adjust? Otherwise she is loving the formula and eating heartily. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks.
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written by Crystal, Apr 24 2010
If I substitute Orangic Milk for Raw milk in the formula, what woould I have to add to make up for some of the nutrients I am missing out on in the Raw milk?
Curdling
written by Wendy, Feb 23 2010
Brad - It's so interesting that you wrote this. Just this morning I bought raw goat's milk to try in place of the pasteurized goat's milk I've been using to make the Weston Price formula for the last five months. I haven't made up the formula yet but I'm anxious to see what happens when I do. Would you let me know if you can figure out why it is curdling? This seems peculiar and disconcerting. Thank you. Wendy:
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Curdling
written by Brad D, Feb 22 2010
I have been making the goatmilk formula with pasturized goatmilk until this week and our daughter is doing quite well. I found a good source of raw goat milk and am now using that to make her formula. Every time I warm a bottle of it to room temp, it curdles. The milk is very fresh and hygenic. How do I avoid this and do you have any idea what is causing it. Can I blend it and feed it to her still?
... written by Cleoka Lucas, Jan 01 2009
I am interested in making the goat milk formula for my 4 month old. I am finding it difficult to find raw cream. Is this absolutley essential in the formula? Also where can I find yoghurt or kefir to make whey. Can this be purchased in a whole foods market?
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| Last Updated on Thursday, November 18 2010 17:27 |
Sally Fallon Morell is the author of Nourishing Traditions: The Cookbook that Challenges Politically Correct Nutrition and the Diet Dictocrats (with Mary G. Enig, PhD), a well-researched, thought-provoking guide to traditional foods with a startling message: Animal fats and cholesterol are not villains but vital factors in the diet, necessary for normal growth, proper function of the brain and nervous system, protection from disease and optimum energy levels. She joined forces with Enig again to write Eat Fat, Lose Fat, and has authored numerous articles on the subject of diet and health. The President of the Weston A. Price Foundation and founder of 
Mary G. Enig, PhD is an expert of international renown in the field of lipid biochemistry. She has headed a number of studies on the content and effects of trans fatty acids in America and Israel, and has successfully challenged government assertions that dietary animal fat causes cancer and heart disease. Recent scientific and media attention on the possible adverse health effects of trans fatty acids has brought increased attention to her work. She is a licensed nutritionist, certified by the Certification Board for Nutrition Specialists, a qualified expert witness, nutrition consultant to individuals, industry and state and federal governments, contributing editor to a number of scientific publications, Fellow of the American College of Nutrition and President of the Maryland Nutritionists Association. She is the author of over 60 technical papers and presentations, as well as a popular lecturer. Dr. Enig is currently working on the exploratory development of an adjunct therapy for AIDS using complete medium chain saturated fatty acids from whole foods. She is Vice-President of the Weston A Price Foundation and Scientific Editor of Wise Traditions as well as the author of Know Your Fats: The Complete Primer for Understanding the Nutrition of Fats, Oils, and Cholesterol, Bethesda Press, May 2000. She is the mother of three healthy children brought up on whole foods including butter, cream, eggs and meat.
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