It is clear that when it comes to nutrition, immune function and neurological, as well as emotional and psychological development of a newborn human being - breast is the absolute best and there are no alternatives that come close to all that breast milk and breastfeeding give to both the child and the mum.
However, there are times and cases when for various reasons breastmilk stops being an option. And then parents are faced with the crude reality of a myriad of commercially sold 'formulas', 99% of which are not only not beneficial as the ingredients are non-organic and synthetic, but can also contain GMO derivatives such as glyphosate, residues of other toxic chemicals and allergens. All of this leads to perforating the child's internal lining of the gut which from birth is still in a developing stage, and that, in turn, creates a gateway for allergens, bacteria, viruses and chemicals to enter the bloodstream and lymph wreaking havoc on their immature immune systems. Result? Multiple food sensitivities, all sorts of autoimmune issues like eczema, dermatitis, pre-diabetes, poor digestive function, imbalanced gut flora, impaired immunity.... all of which is setting the stage for further and much more grim risks in the future.
So, what do we parents do about the fact that the 'solution' provided to us by the food and drug industry (there's a reason it's called an industry) is most of the time detrimental to our children's health? We take back control and responsibility over what goes into the bodies of our babies and make the effort to ensure it's safe and beneficial. How? By making your own homemade formula.
I write a lot about the negative effects dairy has on our body and how the A1 protein molecules in cow's milk are hard to digest for humans and are highly allergenic. So here's an almost VEGAN formula recipe that will keep your child well nourished and free from unwanted toxic junk (prep time = 5 min).
INGREDIENTS (makes approx 1 L of formula):
- 500 ml canned organic coconut milk

- 250 ml organic coconut water

- 90-100 ml of bottled (boiled) or distilled water (depending on thickness of other ingredients you may need to change quantity)
- 1,5 tablespoons of hemp protein powder (all essential amino acids)
- ¼ teaspoon unflavored cod liver oil (or a normal one like Rosita Fish oil), vitamins A and D and OMEGA's
- 1 teaspoon of hemp oil (the ideal OMEGA 3-6-9 ratio)
- ¼ of adult's marked dosage of liquid B-complex with B9 as folate (never as folic acid!), B12 and others

-1-2 teaspoons of organic blackstrap molasses (B vitamins, iron, trace minerals and relieves constipation)
- 1 teaspoon liquid natural vitamin E (d-alpha tocopherol) from organic sunflower oil
- 4 tbsp organic maple syrup (Grade B at least)
- ¼ teaspoon bifidobacterium infantis (BioKult Infantis sachets are great for this)
- 2 teaspoons of raw extra virgin organic coconut oil (for the very important lauric acid)
- 1/2 teaspoon of organic acerola powder (Vit C)

Mix all of this in a blender and serve (in a BPA free baby bottle). You can add 1 teaspoon of organic spirilina powder to the mix too, and as the child grows, from 1 year there are other supplements and nourishing foods you could include too.
Now, we all know that 'not your mother - not your milk' and the culprits of dairy have been discussed here a lot. However, if you have difficulty getting hold of proper coconut milk and coconut water, there is one alternative that could work - using 100% organic/bio goat's milk, as it is different in structure to cow's milk (A2 type casein molecules that are closer to human breastmilk than to cow's) and therefore often doesn't present the same sensitivity response. To use that simply substitute the first three ingredients in the listed recipe for:
- 500 ml of organic goat's milk (pasteurised or unpasteurised)
- 500 ml of boiled bottled water or distilled water (from 9 moths gradually decrease the amount of water and increase the amount of goat's milk)
- 150 ml of liquid whey from live goats kefir (optional)