What is a good recipe for Homemade Infant Formula?
ByI read that FDA says not to give infants homemade formula but I do not fully trust and never have trusted the FDA they could be in cahoots with the Infant Formula companies. I read some of the ingredients in some of the commerical infant formulas on the market today. I was not impressed. Homemade formula seems like a better choice to me. Of course Breastfeeding is best. But does anyone know of a great recipe for Homemade Infant Formula?
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9 Comments
April 13th, 2010 at 5:27 am
That would be about impossible.
Baby needs every nutrient that is in store bought.
April 13th, 2010 at 5:59 am
The only safe homemade formula is breastmilk. Only. Period. Making your own formula (like store bought) is child endangerment as far as I’m concerned. Breastfeed or buy the store stuff. Your child’s health should be your #1 priority.
April 13th, 2010 at 6:40 am
Depends on how many babies you put in the formula. I prefer 2 scoops of infant, with a dash of toddler and to spice it up, I add some jalepenos and louisiana hot sauce.
April 13th, 2010 at 7:03 am
I don’t have any recipes but I heard goats milk is closer to bm than any formula is. I’m not exactly sure if it has all the necessary nutrients and vitamins though. How old is your child? Perhaps you could try relactating, which is hard work but not impossible.
edit: I’ve found a few links online but I would be hesitant to try them, as online sources are not always reliable. One even states to use raw egg yolk…I don’t even eat raw egg yolk. Supposedly, there is a yahoo group formed for mothers who make their own formula. You might want to talk to the mothers there, research a little more on this, and then make your decision.
April 13th, 2010 at 7:41 am
http://www.askdrsears.com/html/0/T000100.asp#T031014
There are lots of others, but I haven’t researched enough to be able to judge which are safe. However I would trust Dr Sears (mostly I still suggest you do some more research).
You are right not to trust the FDA, they can’t even prevent the sale of formula they deem unsuitable:
http://kellymom.com/
# FDA information on infant formula. Did you know that infant formulas are not FDA- approved? Per the FDA, “The law does not require that FDA approve infant formulas but instead requires companies to provide certain information to FDA before they market new infant formulas. Manufacturers must provide assurances that they are following good manufacturing practices and quality control procedures and that the formula will allow infants to thrive. If such assurances are not provided, FDA will object to the manufacturer’s marketing of the formula; however, the manufacturer may market the new infant formula over FDA’s objection.”
April 13th, 2010 at 7:41 am
Homemade formula is breast milk.
April 13th, 2010 at 8:11 am
another option, although pretty expensive, is obtaining donated breastmilk.
April 13th, 2010 at 8:57 am
I don’t know how great any of the recipes for homemade infant formula are, but there are several to be found online. Here is a website that has recipes for cow-milk based, goat-milk based and liver-based infant formula. http://www.mercola.com/2005/oct/11/healthy_alternative_to_conventional_infant_formula_part_1.htm
Regardless if you exclusively breast feed your baby, use a commercially made infant formula or try one of the recipes for homemade, you will find many opinions on the pros and cons of each choice. I have heard of a few people who claim not to “trust” the FDA, and certainly caution is always prudent, but infant formula is one of the most regulated products on the market. I can only imagine the lawsuits facing the FDA if they did not test and improve infant formula on a regular basis. People get very testy when their children’s lives are messed with. Few pediatricians recommend using homemade infant formula. Even websites that promote healthy food alternatives for babies rarely recommend homemade infant formula. http://www.wholesomebabyfood.com/tipbabyinfantformula.htm
I have 4 children of my own, 1 grandson, and I have provided child care in my home for 20 years. I have fed babies breast milk, commercially prepared infant formula, and 1 baby got goat’s milk. I have never fed a baby homemade infant formula. I can only say based on my experience that both breast milk and commercially prepared infant formula are fine choices. Many of those “babies” are now grown adults and all are healthy, intelligent, and happy individuals regardless if they received breast milk, commercial infant formula or a combination of the 2. Try searching for “homemade infant formula” and you will find many websites to read through before making your final decision.
April 13th, 2010 at 9:42 am
Here’s a link to a good recipe. Keep in mind that you need to adjust it some. I recommend using BGH-free whole milk. It also has Vit. D included, so you don’t need the cod liver oil. This recipe mimics the additives in formula. If your baby has problems, then consider switching to goat milk (usually does not have added vit. D).
I agree with you. Most of the studies comparing whole milk with formula were not only paid for by formula companies, but also were comparing apples with oranges. It’s mostly politics, not which is better. Moms are perfectly capable of adding additives recommended by current guidelines. My relatives twins stopped having signficant problems with acid reflux when they went on a homemade formula regime. They are healthy 4 year olds.
Also, I would like to remind all of you that virtually every person you know over the age of 25 started life on whole cows milk and Gerber baby cereal. Your doctor even. Do you think he’s short a brain cell or two? Probably not. The fact is that formula is NOT SUPERIOR to whole cow’s milk with additives. How anybody can think giving an infant corn syrup daily is more nutritious makes me wonder about them.