Homemade Baby Formula for Emergencies (2024)

Tired of the ever-rising costs of baby formula? Say hello to your new homemade baby formula! Discover delicious, nutritious, and affordable recipes that you can make at home. Give your baby the love and care they deserve without breaking the bank.

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’ve paid for baby formula lately, I’m sure you’ve noticed the cost has increased significantly over the past few weeks. Adding to the cost is the fact that sometimes there is an FDA approved baby formula shortage if the formula manufacturers have an issue like we saw a year or so ago. For parents who may already be struggling, this can lead to hard decisions.

One of those probably led you to this post and these homemade baby formula recipes. Vitamins and minerals are so important to the nutrition you need when you’re making a batch of formula and since infant feeding is so much different than what adults need, you will want to ensure that the blend you’re using is safe and nutritionally sound and as close to what store-bought formula offers your baby.

Can You Make Homemade Baby Formula?

Yes. You can provided you know a few things. Homemade formula in general should be used only in an emergency situation. This could include not being able to afford regular formula, the store shelves are empty, extreme weather and so on. While the ingredients of these formula recipes are safe and nutritionally sound for your baby, they generally won’t provide what they need if used as their sole source of nutrition long term.

Because of this, I personally recommend you only use them when you have no other choice. If you’ve exhausted all other options to feed your family when you can’t afford to such as visiting your local food bank, applying for SNAP (or the special supplemental nutrition program) borrowing from friends and family, and so on, use one of these mixtures until your situation resolves itself.

Does Homemade Infant Formula Contain Milk?

This post contains three recipes for homemade baby formula. The first two are milk-based formula recipes; one cows milk and a goat milk formula. 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.

Can Emergency Baby Formula Be Made from Soy Milk?

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.

But with that said, soy milk generally does not contain anywhere close to the nutrients that an infant needs. Its for this reason that I did not include a soy milk baby formula recipe here. If you need something other than a milk-base4d formula, opt for the rice milk formula recipe instead.

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 long-term and that is the exact reason that I say this should be your final option.

But this is the reason that a pediatrician will tell you that it isn’t safe.

Are There Any Other Options Other Than Making My Own Formula?

Yes-ish. Mother’s milk is always best for an infant. If you’ve recently given birth and have not lost your milk, consider switching to breast milk 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.

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.

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.