Is Homemade Baby Formula Safe?
Across the county, a baby formula shortage is causing empty grocery store shelves and panicked parents. Many have been asking an important question: Can I make homemade baby formula? Unfortunately, while DIY formula would alleviate some of the formula-driven anxiety, experts and organizations advise against it. Crafting the perfect blend of ingredients and nutrients is no easy task, and getting it wrong can be downright dangerous for your baby. Here's what parents need to know.
The Potential Dangers of Homemade Formula
Search online and you'll see homemade baby formula recipes on forums, social media groups, and blogs. But these recipes are "definitely not advised," says pediatrician and Parents advisor Ari Brown, M.D., author of Baby 411. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) also advises against it because the recipes aren't regulated.
Homemade formulas often lack important nutrients.
Your baby requires a very specific balance of protein, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals. Without professional regulation of homemade formulas, there's a risk that your baby may get too much or not enough of each particular nutrient, leading to "severe nutritional imbalances," according to the FDA. Also, with the multiple steps required to prepare DIY formulas, parents can inadvertently make errors in measurements. An improper balance of nutrients can lead to malnourishment, excessive weight gain, or other health complications.
Some ingredients might not be safe.
Many homemade formula recipes call for unpasteurized cow's milk or goat's milk as a base; others use meat broth. Babies shouldn't consume raw milk because it may contain bacteria like E. coli, Salmonella, and Listeria, which can lead to severe or deadly infections, says Jatinder Bhatia, M.D., a professor of pediatrics at Children's Hospital of Georgia.
In addition, "full-fat milk, skim milk, goat milk, and other milks have levels of nutrients, both excesses and deficiencies, that are not well-suited for meeting the infant's nutritional requirements," Dr. Bhatia says.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that infants be fed breast milk or iron-fortified infant formula, even if infants are weaned from breast milk before 12 months. Cow's milk, goat's milk, and soy milk are not recommended during the first 12 months of life.
Contamination is possible with homemade formula.
Even if the formula isn't milk-based, there's still a risk for bacteria. "The AAP and other organizations have strict instructions about preparation, handling, and storage of commercial formulas to reduce the risk of contamination," says Dr. Bhatia. But with homemade formula, there are no guidelines. And with all the time-consuming cooking steps, there are many opportunities for contamination.
What's more, ingredients for DIY formulas often need to be purchased online or from multiple companies, which means that you may be putting the safety of your baby at risk because of uncertain manufacturing practices, says Bridget Swinney, R.D., author of Baby Bites: Everything You Need to Know about Feeding Babies and Toddlers in One Handy Book.
Why Commercial Formula Is Best
Experts believe commercial formula is the next best thing to breast milk. "Formula companies put millions of dollars into research to make formula as close as possible to breast milk," says Swinney. "From prebiotics to nucleotides to antioxidants and DHA, the many ingredients in infant formula make it a complex product not matched in a home kitchen."
Another reason to choose commercial formula: It's regulated by the FDA. This means the organization requires formula manufacturers to use safe ingredients, meet federal nutrient requirements, and test their products for pathogens before distribution. The FDA also conducts yearly inspections of all facilities that manufacture formula, and it collects and analyzes samples from all production facilities. These requirements and steps are in place to ensure that your baby gets a safe product.
If you're still looking for "healthier" formulas, an organic one may be worth a try. Other ways to be sure the formula you use is safe for your baby include following the instructions for proper preparation and storage, using clean bottles and nipples, checking the expiration date of the formula, and making sure the container doesn't have dents, rust spots, or leaks.
Another important step in finding the right formula for your baby is to read the ingredient list. Sure, many of the ingredients look like something out of your high school chemistry class, but generally, those terms are the scientific names for the different vitamins and minerals that make up the formula. "Alpha tocopherol is vitamin E and pyridoxine hydrochloride is vitamin B6," Swinney says. If you have questions or concerns about any ingredients, Dr. Bhatia recommends always asking a dietician or physician to explain the ingredients and their purpose in the formula.
What If Parents Can't Find Formula
Many parents can't find formula right now, which is naturally causing panic across the country. After all, the majority of babies rely on formula as their main or supplemental source of nutrition. Some infants also need speciality formulas because of dietary restrictions and food intolerances—and if they don't get it, they can suffer negative health consequences. Instead of making homemade formula, experts recommend taking the following steps if you're facing supply issues.
- Talk to your pediatrician, who might be able to help you secure formula
- Check for formula at grocery stories, pharmacies, local shops, drugstores, the manufacturer's website, and online marketplaces
- Consider switching formula brands (but get the green light from your doctor first)
- Supplement with solids if your baby is old enough
- Never dilute formula or feed a baby cow's milk before age one
Comments (7)
Yes, true. But what is better in an emergency- what if a mother has no formula or breast milk and their baby is hungry screaming and crying ? Should they spend hours making phone calls to the pediatrician, charities, and milk banks only to come up empty handed? This is absolutely ridiculously. Leaving a baby hungry for hours and hours could be life threatening. It can cause brain damage and cause organs to shut down.
In this case, as in many other cases, America's beaurocratic medical system are showing themselves to be complete idiots.
Come on Parents.com, please think and use your mind! You have a responsibility for the health and livelihood of so many mothers and babies- please take this seriously.
For any mother who is in the emergency situation described above, I would recommend the recipe from the World Health Organization: found on p 39 of the document titled " Infant Feeding in Emergencies"
" If you cannot get any commercial baby milk and you can obtain
a regular supply of local cow’s milk. Use the following recipe:
– Boil 1/3 cup of water and
– 2/3 cup of boiled cow’s milk, to make 1 cup (200mls) of feed.
– Add 1 level teaspoonful (5ml) of sugar.
You can also use this recipe if you make up the milk from
tinned whole milk powder. First make up the milk to the label
instructions, then modify it to the recipe.
Never use whole milk (whether fresh or tinned) for a baby
under 6 months without modifying it to the recipe above"
Seriously, the super unsafe thing is for exhausted mothers to search everywhere looking for formula, come up empty handed, get desperate, and then go to the first homemade formula recipe they find online, which may or may not be safe....why can't the medical system just publish the W.H.O. recipe....I'm sure thousand, if not millions of women have used this recipe in Europe and other countries, and their babies have been safe and fine. In Emergencies, it works.
Read MoreYes, true. But what is better in an emergency- what if a mother has no formula or breast milk and their baby is hungry screaming and crying ? Should they spend hours making phone calls to the pediatrician, charities, and milk banks only to come up empty handed? This is absolutely ridiculously. Leaving a baby hungry for hours and hours could be life threatening. It can cause brain damage and cause organs to shut down.
In this case, as in many other cases, America's beaurocratic medical system are showing themselves to be complete idiots.
Parents.com, you have a responsibility for the health and livelihood of so many mothers and babies- please take this seriously.
For any mother who is in the emergency situation described above, I would recommend the recipe from the World Health Organization: found on p 39 of the document titled " Infant Feeding in Emergencies"
" If you cannot get any commercial baby milk and you can obtain
a regular supply of local cow’s milk. Use the following recipe:
– Boil 1/3 cup of water and
– 2/3 cup of boiled cow’s milk, to make 1 cup (200mls) of feed.
– Add 1 level teaspoonful (5ml) of sugar.
You can also use this recipe if you make up the milk from
tinned whole milk powder. First make up the milk to the label
instructions, then modify it to the recipe.
Never use whole milk (whether fresh or tinned) for a baby
under 6 months without modifying it to the recipe above"
Seriously, the super unsafe thing is for exhausted mothers to search everywhere looking for formula, come up empty handed, get desperate, and then go to the first homemade formula recipe they find online, which may or may not be safe....why can't the medical system just publish the W.H.O. recipe....I'm sure thousand, if not millions of women have used this recipe in Europe and other countries, and their babies have been safe and fine. In Emergencies, it works.
Read MoreYes, true. But what is better in an emergency- what if a mother has no formula or breast milk and their baby is hungry screaming and crying ? Should they spend hours making phone calls to the pediatrician, charities, and milk banks only to come up empty handed? This is absolutely ridiculously. Leaving a baby hungry for hours and hours could be life threatening. It can cause brain damage and cause organs to shut down.
In this case, as in many other cases, America's beaurocratic medical system are showing themselves to be complete idiots.
Parents.com, you have a responsibility for the health and livelihood of so many mothers and babies- please take this seriously.
For any mother who is in the emergency situation described above, I would recommend the recipe from the World Health Organization: found on p 39 of the document titled " Infant Feeding in Emergencies"
" If you cannot get any commercial baby milk and you can obtain
a regular supply of local cow’s milk. Use the following recipe:
– Boil 1/3 cup of water and
– 2/3 cup of boiled cow’s milk, to make 1 cup (200mls) of feed.
– Add 1 level teaspoonful (5ml) of sugar.
You can also use this recipe if you make up the milk from
tinned whole milk powder. First make up the milk to the label
instructions, then modify it to the recipe.
Never use whole milk (whether fresh or tinned) for a baby
under 6 months without modifying it to the recipe above"
Seriously, the super unsafe thing is for exhausted mothers to search everywhere looking for formula, come up empty handed, get desperate, and then go to the first homemade formula recipe they find online, which may or may not be safe....why can't the medical system just publish the W.H.O. recipe....I'm sure thousand, if not millions of women have used this recipe in Europe and other countries, and their babies have been safe and fine. In Emergencies, it works.
Read MoreYes, true. But what is better in an emergency- what if a mother has no formula or breast milk and their baby is hungry screaming and crying ? Should they spend hours making phone calls to the pediatrician, charities, and milk banks only to come up empty handed? This is absolutely ridiculously. Leaving a baby hungry for hours and hours could be life threatening. It can cause brain damage and cause organs to shut down.
In this case, as in many other cases, America's beaurocratic medical system are showing themselves to be complete idiots.
Parents.com, you have a responsibility for the health and livelihood of so many mothers and babies- please take this seriously.
For any mother who is in the emergency situation described above, I would recommend the recipe from the World Health Organization: found on p 39 of the document titled " Infant Feeding in Emergencies"
" If you cannot get any commercial baby milk and you can obtain
a regular supply of local cow’s milk. Use the following recipe:
– Boil 1/3 cup of water and
– 2/3 cup of boiled cow’s milk, to make 1 cup (200mls) of feed.
– Add 1 level teaspoonful (5ml) of sugar.
You can also use this recipe if you make up the milk from
tinned whole milk powder. First make up the milk to the label
instructions, then modify it to the recipe.
Never use whole milk (whether fresh or tinned) for a baby
under 6 months without modifying it to the recipe above"
Seriously, the super unsafe thing is for exhausted mothers to search everywhere looking for formula, come up empty handed, get desperate, and then go to the first homemade formula recipe they find online, which may or may not be safe....why can't the medical system just publish the W.H.O. recipe....I'm sure thousand, if not millions of women have used this recipe in Europe and other countries, and their babies have been safe and fine. In Emergencies, it works.
Read MoreYes, true. But what is better in an emergency- what if a mother has no formula or breast milk and their baby is hungry screaming and crying ? Should they spend hours making phone calls to the pediatrician, charities, and milk banks only to come up empty handed? This is absolutely ridiculously. Leaving a baby hungry for hours and hours could be life threatening. It can cause brain damage and cause organs to shut down.
In this case, as in many other cases, America's beaurocratic medical system are showing themselves to be complete idiots.
Parents.com, you have a responsibility for the health and livelihood of so many mothers and babies- please take this seriously.
For any mother who is in the emergency situation described above, I would recommend the recipe from the World Health Organization: found on p 39 of the document titled " Infant Feeding in Emergencies"
" If you cannot get any commercial baby milk and you can obtain
a regular supply of local cow’s milk. Use the following recipe:
– Boil 1/3 cup of water and
– 2/3 cup of boiled cow’s milk, to make 1 cup (200mls) of feed.
– Add 1 level teaspoonful (5ml) of sugar.
You can also use this recipe if you make up the milk from
tinned whole milk powder. First make up the milk to the label
instructions, then modify it to the recipe.
Never use whole milk (whether fresh or tinned) for a baby
under 6 months without modifying it to the recipe above"
Seriously, the super unsafe thing is for exhausted mothers to search everywhere looking for formula, come up empty handed, get desperate, and then go to the first homemade formula recipe they find online, which may or may not be safe....why can't the medical system just publish the W.H.O. recipe....I'm sure thousand, if not millions of women have used this recipe in Europe and other countries, and their babies have been safe and fine. In Emergencies, it works.
Read MoreYes, true. But what is better in an emergency- what if a mother has no formula or breast milk and their baby is hungry screaming and crying ? Should they spend hours making phone calls to the pediatrician, charities, and milk banks only to come up empty handed? This is absolutely ridiculously. Leaving a baby hungry for hours and hours could be life threatening. It can cause brain damage and cause organs to shut down.
In this case, as in many other cases, America's beaurocratic medical system are showing themselves to be complete idiots.
Parents.com, you have a responsibility for the health and livelihood of so many mothers and babies- please take this seriously.
For any mother who is in the emergency situation described above, I would recommend the recipe from the World Health Organization: found on p 39 of the document titled " Infant Feeding in Emergencies"
" If you cannot get any commercial baby milk and you can obtain
a regular supply of local cow’s milk. Use the following recipe:
– Boil 1/3 cup of water and
– 2/3 cup of boiled cow’s milk, to make 1 cup (200mls) of feed.
– Add 1 level teaspoonful (5ml) of sugar.
You can also use this recipe if you make up the milk from
tinned whole milk powder. First make up the milk to the label
instructions, then modify it to the recipe.
Never use whole milk (whether fresh or tinned) for a baby
under 6 months without modifying it to the recipe above"
Seriously, the super unsafe thing is for exhausted mothers to search everywhere looking for formula, come up empty handed, get desperate, and then go to the first homemade formula recipe they find online, which may or may not be safe....why can't the medical system just publish the W.H.O. recipe....I'm sure thousand, if not millions of women have used this recipe in Europe and other countries, and their babies have been safe and fine. In Emergencies, it works.
Read MoreThis article is full of incorrect information, which is highly misleading, almost borderline propaganda. Pasteurization is a highly unnatural process which destroys nutrients that aid in it's digestion; pasteurized dairy is the source of lactose intolerance-we created the phenomenon ourselves. I urge anyone reading this to reconsider their viewpoint on raw dairy and to do their research from multiple independent sources. Human breast milk is RAW. Any food can be contaminated with bacteria, and milk is no exception, but that does not mean to heat it to unnaturally high temperatures which chemically degrade the product. Raw milk is RARELY contaminated, FAR, FAR less than common foods like lettuce and chicken, and when it is it's from poor farming practices or improper storage (milk is best consumed within a few days given it is kept cold, now how old is your milk?). Scalding the milk at home is more than enough to make it safe without destroying it like pasteurization. My baby is safer on real milk than commercially available sick-milk, and so is your's. Today's generations have completely lost touch with the instinct on how to listen to what the human body needs and this is why we are all sick and dying young. This article only goes to further this downfall, being what I like to call "disinformation". Live natural, don't believe everything (or anything) the health officials tell you, because they are a million times more interested in the money that corporations dish to them than they are our wellbeing. Hopefully my comment is not censored, as it came from the heart. Heck, the only other comments here are literally spam (ads) from false accounts, and I'm supposed to believe this article isn't propaganda? Get back to reality people! Take back your health! Thank you.
Read More