When I had my son, I planned to breast feed as long as he wanted. I figured that would take me until he was at least 2 years old. How wrong was I when my feisty little guy started to wean at 6 months old.
I went on a mad search for the best quality formula I could find. I knew it would have to be organic and hoped the ingredients would be superior. Unfortunately, that simply was not the case. My expensive organic formula still contained a lot of crappy ingredients in it. What was I going to do? I did A LOT of research and reading. I also questioned myself over and over again, “Who am I to make my own formula? I don’t know anyone who does this, will I screw things up?”
As the mother of my son, I should be able to know best what my son’s needs are. After a lot of contemplation, further research, and utilizing my TCM education I decided to move forward with making my own formula.
I decided to use goat milk because of how close it is to breast milk in nutritional composition. Plus, it tends to be better tolerated compared to other formulas. I based my recipe off of this amazing website: Mt. Capra Goat Milk Formula Recipe – Original
**VIDEO ADDED** Watch me whip up a batch of goat milk formula! (click on video)
GOAT MILK RECIPE 6-9 months old (yields 32 oz)
5 Tbsp – Mt. Capra Goat Milk Powder (I purchase from Iherb.com)
1 slightly heaping Tbsp – Organic Virgin Coconut Oil (I use Nutiva brand)
1 slightly heaping Tbsp – Organic Flax Oil 0r Organic Avocado Oil
3 Tbsp – Organic Maple Syrup (I use medium grade, not light, nor dark)
1/2 tsp – Organic Unsulfured Molasses
4 cups warm filtered water
2-3 droppers – Dr. Christopher’s Kid-e-Mins Glycerine Extract (whole food multi-vitamin)
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I gave this ONCE per day, put into a bottle just prior to feeding
500 iu – Thorne Liquid Vitamin D (1 drop) www.thorne.com
1 level scoop – Genestra HMF Natogen Probiotics www.seroyal.com
1. Place all ingredients into glass measuring cup (except Vit D & probiotics). 2. Heat filtered water in kettle, pour in, and whisk until well combined. 3. Pour into glass bottles. Store in fridge.
GOAT MILK RECIPE 9+ months old (yields 32 oz)
8 Tbsp – Mt. Capra Goat Milk Powder (I purchase from Iherb.com)
1 slightly heaping Tbsp – Organic Virgin Coconut Oil (I use Nutiva brand)
1 slightly heaping Tbsp – Organic Flax Oil 0r Organic Avocado Oil
3 Tbsp – Organic Maple Syrup (I use medium grade, not light, nor dark)
1/2 tsp – Organic Unsulfured Molasses
4 cups warm filtered water
3 droppers – Dr. Christopher’s Kid-e-Mins Glycerine Extract (whole food multi-vitamin)
optional: 1 tsp – Nutritional Yeast (I use this as a food source of Vit B12)
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I gave this ONCE per day, put into a bottle just prior to feeding
500-1000 iu – Thorne Liquid Vitamin D (1-2 drops) www.thorne.com
1/2 scoop – Genestra HMF Powder Probiotics www.seroyal.com
The recipe is easy and takes me about 3 minutes to make 1-2 days worth of bottles. I feel good knowing I’m giving him the best next to breast.
Now that my son is 14 months old, I still offer this homemade formula, except I’ve removed the maple syrup, as he eats a lot of solids now and doesn’t need the extra carbohydrates.
Hi Tara, this is great!
Except my daughter just turned 4 months old so it’s too early for this recipe.
But I’m happy I found your blog 😉
By the way, you should check out mine, Pure Ella – it seems like we have the same ‘food as medicine’ philosophy 😉
xo Ella
ps. I’m from yummy mommy, thanks for answering my question 😉
Ella you can definitely start before 6 months. Check out the details here for milk/water ratio. http://www.mtcapra.com/discover-how-this-homemade-goat-milk-infant-formula-changed-my-daughters-life/
I will definitely check out your blog, thanks for your reply 🙂
Hello,
What is the price comparison to powdered formula, is it a money saver in the long run? How many recipes can you get out one powdered goat milk jar? If I’m too concerned with my baby having everything organic, would I be able to substitute non organic products are they interchangeable 1:1?
I never really price compared because I’ve almost always made my own formula, other than to supplement initially. The Holle brand goat milk formula I started out with was about $120/month. One jar of the Mt Capra goat milk gets me 10-11 days of bottles for the 6-9 month old recipe. I think it is about the same price at the end of the day, maybe a bit more, but I also use great quality ingredients. You can interchange in what you feel is appropriate. Know that anything organic that you give is not an all or nothing scenario, everything counts. 🙂
Just curious..why do you add the maple syrup?
Kaitlyn, I chose maple syrup because it’s a good carbohydrate with minerals in it. I did try coconut palm sugar, but felt with the coconut oil it would be too many coconut products to give on a daily basis. I used my gut instincts with that decision.
I’d love to see a “share” link for facebook to you “Homemade Organic Baby Formula Recipe – next to breast, this is best!”. I wanted to share it w/my son for his newborn; also, can he give this milk to a 3 wks old???
Thanks Mita, I will work on adding that. You can always copy and paste the weblink in the address bar above for the meantime. 🙂
I created this formula for 6 months +. Take a peek in my post, I list a weblink to Mt. Capra goat milk where they gave milk dilutions for younger babies.
I just tried this recipe today for my 11 Month old little one. She has an intolerance to cows milk. Should I be adding a form of DHA to the recipe. Also, how much Maple syrup should I add. She is eating solids at this point.
Tara, I am so happy you shared this recipe for homemade baby formula! It is exactly what I have been looking for. There is so much junk in the store bought versions, even the organic / healthier (more expensive) options… it is so frustrating as a new mama wanting to give your baby the best quality possible. THANK YOU! Can’t wait to try this out.
Curious, until what age would you continue giving homemade formula to your little one?
Of course Lee, I’m so glad you’re going to try it: you’ll love it.
I gave this to Koa until about 20 months; the decision was purely based on feeling. Then I switched him to coconut water (sometimes almond milk).
I will tell you though, as most of his calories came from food, I did reduce the oils and maple syrup because he didn’t need it. However, when I made the video last month, I gave him that batch of milk and he begged me for it for the next few weeks. Knowing how good it is, I happily gave it to him.
Hi Tara,
A FB friend suggested I try this recipe because my son has a sensitivity to cow’s dairy.
I have a few questions:
1- Do you think I could just use cow’s milk instead of the powder? Wouldn’t it be less processed this way?
2- He eats a ton of avocado and coconut oil as is, are these ingredients necessary for binding?
3- What’s the purpose of the maple syrup and molasses? Flavouring? I know molasses is high in iron but also VERY high in sugar
Thanks so much 🙂 I looking forward to following your blog on FB and making my own formula….
Hi Celissa (of course you can call me Tara, that’s my name 😉 )
1. Yes you could use cow milk, but if he has a cow milk sensitivity, then I would suggest you try goat milk to not create irritation.
2. If you were to give him formula or breastmilk still, then yes add in the fats they are essential to brain/body health.
3. Carbohydrates – very necessary for brain function. He would be getting that amount of sugar in breastmilk/formula – I just did a direct replacement with whole food sweeteners.
Thank you Tara, I will be trying this after I order the powder. A doctor I workout with also suggested goat’s milk so it’s worth a try. He seems to be fine on the formula but is definitely not on other dairy products which makes me wonder about a cow’s based formula….
If I want to just supplement a bottle or two while breast feeding for a 4 month old. Should I keep the recipe the same?
What I did Christina was supplement a bottle while breastfeeding and my son slowly weaned himself from 6 months to 9 months.
Hi there I love this recipe but I have a local source for fresh goat milk and how would u recommend I do the recipe instead of the powder? Do u think it would be as good or maybe I need to dilute it with water? Any suggestions? Thanks!!
Before babe is 9 months the milk is more diluted. I’m not sure how you would do that as I only worked with the powder. Let me know if you find something that works for you.
Hi Tara,
I want to try this recipe and only found Meyenberg goat milk powder brand at my local farmers market. Will this brand be okay to use? Also, do you know how many scoops to use to make the 32oz batch? Thanks in advance. I can’t wait to try this recipe for my baby boy.
Maria
I’ve never used Meyenberg, but I heard of it. Perhaps look online to see if the ingredients are the same and proceed with the recipe. Let me know how it goes for you Maria!
Hi, I have been planning for a while now to make the switch to a homemade formula, simplified from the version offered on Capramilk’s website. I have been using a commercially available (though still hard to find in my area) goat’s milk formula. If you don’t mind my asking, about how much do you spend per month on the ingredients for this?
Also, do you recommend the Evenflo bottles for storage? I am still breastfeeding my eight month old about fifty percent of the time, so his bottles are more like 4-5 oz. I do have large mason jars, but pouring anything out of those is such a mess.
One last thing, do you use the full-fat milk, or nonfat?
Angelina, for my recipe I spent about $120/month. I used a variety of glass bottles ranging from 4-8oz for storage and then pulled the bottle from the fridge when I would feed my son. No need to store in a larger container. Hope the transition goes well for you!
Hi Tara,
I have been using your recipe for the last month as a supplement to my breast milk. My baby love your formula.
My question is: Can this exact recipe be used for every feeding for my 7 month old? My milk supply is dropping.
Thank you, Taylor
Hi Taylor, I’m glad your baby is enjoying the formula. For my son, he fully weaned from me by 8 months and we used this recipe exclusively.
Hi Tara,
Ok so I am currently pregnant with baby#2. I breastfed my son until he was about 11-12 months old then he went on cows milk, it made him constipated. But overall he turned out healthy as ever and is now 3 yo.
My questions to you are
1. How much containers of powdered goats milk did you need to buy per month?
I plan on breastfeeding as much as I can but supplementing when baby turns 6 months old…maybe lol
Thanks!
2. Does the formula need to be stored in glass bottles or would plastic be fine,
3. What temp should the formula be warmed up to?
Congrats on your pregnancy.
I believe I went through 2-4 bottles of the Mt Capra goat milk a month. It depended on his age.
I also would only store in glass because plastic leeches into the formula and I didn’t want my babe to consume it. If you’re taking the time to give him the best in terms of organics and nutrients, I would consider getting glass bottles as well.
I just heated up the milk until it was lukewarm, like the temperature of breastmilk.
All the best to you!
What if I don’t have the space for bottle glasses in the fridge? Can I use a thermo instead and keep it in the fridge? Thanks!
Absolutely! I also have stored it in a large 32oz mason jar if I’m traveling for a day and want and extra batch on hand.
Hello
My son is 5 months my supply is dropping I’m working Mom and pumping is just not working out like I had planned- I’ve been trying to find something natural for my babe and like you said it’s not out there even the pre done goat milk formula is expensive and has ingredients I don’t want! So here we are ready to get started on the homemade formula
My questions are how long does the formula last in the refrigerator?
Also how long does it last out of the fridge? After being warmed?
Courtney, I’ve gong through the exact same thing as you are… twice! My youngest baby started weaning from my at 5 months because my supply and let down reflex really dropped. I make a 32oz batch per day and that’s one day of bottles. I keep it in the fridge for 2 days max for freshness.
After heating, use within the hour and then discard the rest.
How long will it last in the refrigerator for? I’m lookong to only add what I’m not producing to his diet! But I’d hate to make to much and have it go to waste!
Moriah, I’d halve or quarter the recipe so you’re not wasting any. I let it sit in my fridge for 2 days tops. I prefer it to stay super fresh.
Thanks so much for the recipe! My 9 month old son cannot have grain and a lot of store bought formulas contain it. He doesn’t usually like the taste of goat’s milk, but I made a half batch of the formula and he loved it! Thanks for taking the time to share this recipe!
I’m so glad he loves it. After trying store bought formula, I found this to smell and taste delicious. I’ve modified the formula a bit for my now youngest 6 month old son and he gobbles this up as well.
Woukd ghee work well as a substitute for one of the oils?
You could try using ghee instead of coconut oil when you introduce dairy at 9 months old. However, you need to see if nutritionally it’s a direct exchange since I haven’t tried it.
Hi, I am wondering your thoughts on Baby’s Only new pea protein formula as an option for babies needing a dairy-free option?
I’ve never heard of it before, I wonder if it’s new. Sounds like it could be a good option. Is the pea protein fermented? I’ve noticed that sometimes pea protein can be hard for people to digest. However, if it’s fermented pea protein, I’ve seen that it’s better tolerated. How’d your little one doing on it?