During a baby formula shortage, you may find yourself with a hungry baby on your hands. These three homemade formula recipes will help keep your baby healthy and satisfied. There’s even a dairy free option.
Before I even begin this post, please for the love of all things holy; read every word. Using homemade formula is not something you should take lightly.
If you have a tiny one, I’m sure you’ve noticed that there seems to be a bit of a baby formula shortage. Honestly after the shortages of 2020, I’m not sure why any of us should be surprised, but I’m certain that there are millions of parents out there who have been caught off guard.
It’s human nature to believe that something such as baby formula could never go out of stock.
However, our supply chain is incredibly fragile. Incredibly fragile. And it only takes one small crack in the links of that chain and the entire thing starts to wobble and fall apart. Once that happens, we find ourselves in a situation where we may have a hungry and very unhappy little one on our hands.
And in a situation like that, well, you’ll do just about anything to ensure your little one is taken care of. And that may just mean learning how to beat a baby formula shortage by making homemade infant formula.
Obligatory Disclaimer: I am not a doctor. What I am is a mother who feels compassion for those that may be struggling with feeding their baby. However, with that said, homemade baby formula should be your absolute last feeding option for your infant and should only be used in a true emergency and only after you have exhausted all other sources for finding formula. If you use one of the baby formula recipes in this post, you do so at your own risk as these recipes are untested by anyone here at Six Dollar Family.
Does Homemade Infant Formula Contain Milk?
This post contains three recipes for homemade baby formula. Two of them contain some form of cows or goats milk. The third contains homemade rice milk for those who can’t tolerate milk based formula. If you have come across other recipes for homemade infant formula that don’t contain either cow, goat or rice milk, I would be very hesitant in trying them.
I Thought Babies Can’t Have Milk Until They’re a Year Old?
Yes and no. It’s not that they can’t. It’s isn’t recommended for a whole slew of reasons. Aside from the fact that it can be hard on a baby’s digestive system, cows milk is high in protein which can be hard on newly developed kidney’s. Goats milk is low in both iron and folate; both of which are very necessary for a baby to be fully healthy.
Soy…soy milk is in it’s own world. If you are making your own baby formula, I would recommend that you only use soy milk powder instead of actual soy milk. It will combine better and may be a bit easier on little tummies.
Is Homemade Baby Formula Dangerous?
Not in itself. The danger in the possible kidney issues from cows milk and the possibility that your little one may not be getting all of the nutrients their body needs. Commercial formula does contain all the nutrients your baby needs. Homemade will not and that is the exact reason that I say this should be your final option.
Are There Any Other Options Other Than Making My Own Formula?
Yes-ish. Breast is always best for an infant. If you’ve recently given birth and have not lost your milk, consider switching to breastmilk before you do. This will entirely eliminate the need for formula period.
If your baby is older, however, that is not likely to be an option. In this case, you may be able to find a wet nurse or may be able to connect with someone who could donate breastmilk to you. As long as the wet nurse and/or the breastmilk is disease free, it is perfectly safe for your baby to use another Mom’s milk. It may be a bit off putting to you, but remember, this is your baby’s health we’re talking about; and potentially their life.
Do You Have to be so Morbid?
Yeah. On this topic, I do. If the shortages continue, we could have a whole lot of babies in a very bad situation. If you’re the type of parent who will refuse to use someone else’s milk because it skeezes them out, get over it. You’re a parent and an emergency such as a formula shortage is the most your infant will ever need you to be there for them.
Sorry, Cupcake. Mama loves you, but no sugar coating here.
Is It Really Safe?
In the end that is for you to decide. What I will say is that there are babies all over the world who drink homemade formula options without any issues. To be honest, you or your parents may have as well.
Weigh your options and in the end if you decide to, know that you made that decision the best you could.
What Should I Expect Feeding Homemade Formula for Infants?
Expect some tummy upset when you first switch. In fact, it may be a good idea to pick up some infant gas drops or gripe water to help with any gas or colic issues that pop up. You may also want to consider infant probiotic drops as well. A probiotic will help eliminate gas and colic before it gets started whereas the gas drops only treat it after your baby is screaming.
Ideally, you should start feeding your recipe slowly to give your baby time to adjust. Mix your bottles with 1/4 homemade and 3/4 commercial for a few days. Then, move to 1/2 and 1/2 and so on. This is of course a best case scenario option and frankly, if you can’t do it, you can’t do it.
Homemade Infant Formula with Cow’s Milk
-Makes approx. 1 quart
- 12 oz. evaporated milk
- 20 oz. purified water
- 2 tbsp. granulated sugar OR 1 tbsp. light corn syrup
- Infant Vitamin D Drops, optional
- Infant DHA Drops, optional
- 2 tsp. nutritional yeast, optional
Combine the liquid ingredients in a quart size container. Add the sugar or corn syrup and shake or stir until fully dissolved. Feed immediately. Refrigerate any leftovers and use within three days.
Notes: Do not use whole milk, 2% or skim milk. 13 oz. evaporated milk has more calories and nutrients than 13 oz. fresh milk due to its concentrated state. Also, DO NOT use honey to sweeten the formula instead of the sugar or corn syrup. Honey is NEVER safe to give to a child under the age of one due to the risk of botulism.
If you want to make this a bit more healthy, you may want to consider adding one or two vitamin D drops and a teaspoon of nutritional yeast. This will boost the vitamin D content as well as the B vitamins and folate in your homemade formula. If you do use these additions, keep them in a separate batch and only feed that batch once a day.
Homemade Formula for Babies with Goats Milk
- 8 oz. purified water
- 1 serving goat milk powder, according to the package
- ½ tsp. nutritional yeast
- 1 tsp. brown rice syrup
- 2 tsp. blackstrap molasses
- ½ tsp. cod liver oil, optional
- Infant Vitamin D Drops, optional
- Infant DHA Drops, optional
Combine all ingredients in a quart sized container and mix until fully dissolved and incorporated. Refrigerate any unused formula immediately. Discard any unfinished bottles.
Notes: The nutrition in goats milk is far different than cow’s milk. The additions in this recipe are necessary in order to boost the nutrition that your child will need. The nutritional yeast adds B vitamins and folate. The brown rice syrup and molasses give necessary carbs and iron. The cod liver oil is fed once a day adds vitamins A&D.
This recipe does not keep long. Discard any ununsed formula after 24 hours. Because of this short lifespan, it is usually best to make this formula recipe by the bottle vs. a larger batch.
Homemade Rice Milk Baby Formula
- 1 c. brown rice, cooked
- 4 c. purified water
- 2 tbsp. granulated sugar or 1 tbsp. light corn syrup
- Infant Vitamin D Drops, optional
- Infant DHA Drops, optional
- 1 tsp. nutritional yeast, optional
Add all ingredients to a blender. Blend until the mixture has completely liquified. This will take at least five minutes, but may take longer depending on your blender. Refrigerate any leftovers and use within 48 hours.
Notes: White rice may be used, but brown rice has more nutritional value. Again, do NOT use honey to sweeten as it poses a risk of botulism in children under the age of one.
Can I Feed My Infant Formula Made from Raw Cows Milk?
Yes. You can. You can technically feed your infant anything you want. Is it healthy for them? Well, that’s debatable. While my own family drinks raw milk, I am not ashamed to admit that I am woefully under-educated about babies and raw milk. As such, I don’t feel comfortable adding a formula recipe that contains it.
However, if you would like one, you can find a homemade infant formula recipe with raw cow’s milk at the Weston A. Price Foundations website.
If none of these options will work for you, Simple at Home has quite a few other great ideas for what to do when you run out of formula. They are sure to help anyone who may not feel comfortable feeding homemade. formula.