It has become extremely common for mom’s not to nurse their babies.  I believe the stats are about 1 in 10 women nurse, which is really unfortunate.  I know that a lot of moms have to go back to work and can only handle pumping for so long – totally understandable.  I have been a fortunate mom who has been able to be at home with her baby and nursed him up until this month, 17 months.  Even though I have always nursed him and never gave him commercial formula, there are times when I needed a supplemental source.  I did not have good success with the pump so when someone was watching him I needed something else to put in his bottle, besides the measly 1-2 ounces that I pumped.  Plus, after 5 months he was rarely satisfied with my milk supply and was always hungry, regardless of how much solid food he ate.  Having that extra bottle around was great.

I want to share with you a “formula” recipe that I have used for my son over the past year.  He absolutely loves it and now prefers it over nursing.  As he gets older, I simply modify the recipe, but it is still the same foundation: Goat Milk and Young Thai Coconut Water.  As I have written previously, coconut water has similar properties to breast milk and mirror our blood make up in many ways.  Goat Milk is also more similar to breast milk than cow’s milk – easier to digest, smaller fat and protein molecules and a more similar mineral ratio.

I will give you the variations of the recipes, depending on your baby’s age, if you are simultaneously nursing or giving only the bottle.  Also keep in mind that when making your baby’s bottle, always use alkaline water whenever possible.  Read more about alkaline water for pregnancy and babys: http://www.justgoodenergy.com/2009/08/30/alakline-mom-healthy-baby/

For babies up to 6 months that are not nursing: (They generally need about 2 to 2.5 times per each pound of body weight, of formula/milk).  For the first 6 months, since they are most likely taking no other food/drink in, you might want to combine my formula recipe with a good commercial recipe;  Only because the 1^st six months are so crucial and they need every balanced form of nutrients possible. Especially at this age be sure to speak with your pediatrician in case your baby has any special needs.

·          In an 8 ounce bottle, you would add…

·         3 ounces of goat milk

·         2 ounces of Young coconut water (I purchase them fresh)

·         ½-1 tsp Cod Liver Oil needed total for the day – give all at once or distribute amongst a couple of bottles.

·         One serving of a liquid multi Vitamin for babies or a full teaspoon if you are not giving them any other type of formula – this should probably be distributed over 2-3 bottles

·         Fill the rest of the bottle with alkaline water – about 3 ounces.

For babies up to 6 months that are nursing (A supplemental bottle only):

·         Unless your baby has cut back on nursing, there should be no need to add the multi or fish oil

·         The ratio of goat milk to coconut water to water would be 3:2:2-3

For babies that are 6 months to a year not nursing: (They are now including solids so they can get some nutrients from foods)

·         8 ounce bottle…

·         3 ounces of goat milk or goat yogurt (actually easier to digest)

·         2 ounces Young Coconut Water

·         1 ounce hemp milk

·         1 tsp Cod Liver Oil needed total for the day (I use Nordic Naturals) – give all at once or distribute amongst a couple of bottles.*If your baby doesn’t like the flavor in the bottle, try giving it seperately in a dropper mixed with the liquid multi

·         1 serving of a liquid baby’s multi Vitamin  – this should probably be distributed over 2-3 bottles

·         ¼ tsp Spirulina powder – great source of minerals, protein and B’s

·         Fill the remaining with alkaline water (about 2-3 ounces)

·         Tip – if using goat yogurt, it is a bit tangy and your baby will probably enjoy it better if you add a couple of drops of agave.

For babies/toddlers 12 months and up: (At this age they are eating a lot more solid foods and the bottle or nursing is not their main source of nutrition – for reference my son, 17 months, drinks 2-3, 8 ounce bottles daily, per his request)

·         In an 8 ounce bottle…

·         3 ounces of goat milk or goat yogurt (actually easier to digest) – you can try alternating them with each bottle.

·         2 ounces Young Coconut Water

·         1 ounce hemp milk

·         1 tsp Cod Liver Oil needed total for the day (I use Nordic Naturals) – give all at once or distribute amongst a couple of bottles..*If your baby doesn’t like the flavor in the bottle, try giving it seperately in a dropper mixed with the liquid multi

·         1 serving of a child’s multi Vitamin  – this should probably be distributed over 2-3 bottles.  If still nursing, don’t worry about this addition.

·         ¼ tsp Spirulina powder added to one bottle – great source of minerals, protein and B’s

·         Fill the remaining with alkaline water (about 2-3 ounces)

·         Tip – if using goat yogurt, it is a bit tangy and your baby will probably enjoy it better if you add a couple of drops of agave.

·         Option for 1½ to 2 years and up: add ½ – 1 tsp of Amazing Grass Kidz Superfoods to one of their bottles or sippy cups daily.  This product is packed with over 23 dried fruits and vegetables, green grasses and tastes great.  It is a great assurance if your child is a picky eater and doesn’t like their vegetables J It is like a whole food multi vitamin.

·         *This recipe can also be added to sippy cups if they are no longer drinking bottles, as an assurance of getting enough nutrients daily.

I know this seems like a lot, but your child’s health is totally worth it.  There is so much nutrition packed into one bottle, commercial formula can’t come close in purity and absorption levels.  Having said that though, I am not your pediatrician and always make sure they are on the same page as you.

I have analyzed the nutrients per bottle and they are probably the closest to breast milk naturally.  Here is the nutrient break down on average per 8 ounce bottle at 6-12 months…

One 8 oz bottle:

Calories :116; 18%RDA

Protein: 3.5 g; 30% RDA

Carbs: 6.4g; 7% RDA

Fat: 8g; 40%RDA

Vit A: 10%

B1: .29 mg

B2: .37 mg

B3: 37%

B6: .29mg

B12: .81mcg

Folate: 22%

C: 39%

D: .26mcg

E: 1mg

Calcium: 50%

Iron: 10%

Magnesium:18%

Phosphorus: 34%

Potassium: 21%

Zinc: 29%

Total DHA for the day is 14g and EPA is 9g

Related posts:

1. Baby Got Backed Up
2. Goat’s Milk or Cow’s Milk for Babies?
3. Recipes, Menus and Meal Ideas for your Baby/Toddler
4. The Health Benefits of Nutritional Yeast
5. Alkaline Mom – Healthy Baby