Homemade Formula

that sounds like a very old school formula & I would NOT feed that to a baby! Buy some formula.. the sugar alone, would make me steer of it, but formula is enriched with many vitamins & nutrients that condensed milk would never have.

*breastmilk should be enough, feed him more & it will increase!!! (or buy real formula if you want to supplement)

many things from our mothers and grandmothers day were awesome and vastly superior to our chemical and technology-ridden lives today.
this formula recipe does not fall into that category. it wasn't good for babies back in the day, and it's not good for them now.
bite the bullet and supplement with good organic formula.
seriously.
khairete
S.

I would never make a homemade formula without checking with our pediatrician or a medical professional. Those ingredients do not sound like anything I would want to put in my infant.

He may probably be hitting a growth-spurt.
At these times, they feed MORE and more frequently.
IF you nurse, on-demand... your breasts are supposed to produce enough breastmilk to keep up with your baby and its increases.
This is what growth-spurts also do... make your breasts produce more milk. In order to keep up with your baby's appetite.

If you supplement him with other stuff/Formula... instead of breastfeeding, then your breasts will NOT produce enough milk... because your breasts will think it does not have to produce enough... because you are supplementing with Formula.

MANY babies, also do what is called "cluster feeding" and this means they feed even EVERY single hour. And this is normal.
He is growing.

They get fussy when hungry. Thus, nurse on-demand.
If he is satisfied, after nursing and falls asleep, then he is probably satisfied and got enough milk.
Yes, babies can take a long time to nurse.
Mine did.
And I nursed from BOTH breasts, each session. My kids as babies, drank me dry.

DO you see, your baby actually sucking AND swallowing? If so, then he is latching on properly and getting intake.

I would not, make this homemade Formula.
It is NOT... balanced nor full of essential nutrients. It is, nutritionally empty. It only has calories... from sugar.

DO NOT do this.

Feed your baby on-demand.
Check with a Lactation Specialist, if you think you are not producing milk.

When a baby is 'fussy' and wants to eat more... then they want to eat more. So nurse him. He is probably hitting a growth-spurt.

My kids as babies, had GINORMOUS appetites... and they nursed anywhere from every.single.hour... to 2 hours. Day and night. 24/7.
And I nursed, on-demand.
Then my boobs, kept up and produced enough milk.

If a baby needs to nurse, then nurse.

How old is your son? This sounds very similar to the way my sons behaved when they were about to have a growth spurt. They would "cluster feed," eating every 30-60 minutes. I kept thinking there was no possible way my body was producing enough. But within a few days, maybe a week, they would go back to eating every 2 or 3 hours. It's their way of preparing your body for the fact that they are going to grow and require more food. Hang in there. It won't be long before he's back to an easier pattern.

Do not do it! The ingredients you just listed don't even come close to the nutrition you provide (fat content, nutrients). If you think your baby isn't getting enough to eat, contact your local lactation consultant, nurse, or le leche league member for help.

60 years ago, they made formula that way. Evaporated milk does not have the nutrients that an infant needs. I wouldn't give him that. Ask your baby's doctor if it's safe. I am not a fan of formula but if you must use it, buy an organic formula from the store. This sugar milk formula won't give your baby the nutrition he needs. It is normal for a breastfed baby to eat every couple of hours, and if he's going through a growth spurt, he will want to eat more often. You don't need to see how much he is eating. If he is still giving good output and not losing weight, he is getting enough to eat. Supplementing any formula will not increase your supply, you'll decrease it. If you pump in addition to breastfeeding, you can increase supply. See a lactation consultant.

DON"T USE THAT RECIPE!! It lacks iron and other essential nutrients your baby needs to develop properly.

He is most likely going through a growth spurt and just needs to feed more, all his nursing will result in your body getting the signals to produce more milk, keep at it. Contacting a lactation consultant will help also. If you really need to supplement, buy formula.

Please see a professional lactation consultant or nurse specialist in lactation ASAP. Have that person observe you breastfeeding and check whether the baby has a good latch and is therefore getting enough milk when he feeds. Also have them check whether you are producing enough milk -- you may be producing less than you realize. If you are producing plenty, pump and store it appropriately for when it's the middle of the night or for your husband to do some feedings.

All of which is to say: Please get professional help and do not resort to this so-called formula which is mostly sugar and more sugar (evaporated milk is sweetened!) and as others note, totally lacks other nutrients the baby MUST have. If you feed him this you may be setting him up for illness, reflux, giving him cow's milk when he's not ready for it yet, and more. Please get yourself, your feeding practice and your milk supply double checked instead. And if all those are well, then accept that a healthy growing baby just has a huge appetite. He may be having a growth spurt and needing to feed more. If you do supplement, use a real formula made with all the essential nutrients -- it's made to keep your child alive. I know. I could not produce breast milk despite drugs and other interventions, and that canned formula you're rejecting is what fed my child.

That sounds like a terrible thing to feed your child! I would definitely talk to your dr!!!! I wouldn't even drink that myself, and for surely would never feed my child that!! YUCK!!!
Look into Organic Baby Formula!!!!

That sounds like the recipe my grandmother used over 60 years ago, except that it was Karo syrup instead of white sugar.

It does nothing at all to adjust the proteins to be suitable for a human baby or to adjust any other nutrients to meet a human baby's needs. It is definitely not preferable to breast milk, or even to commercial formula.

Taking 30-60 minutes to feed, falling asleep in the process, and wanting to eat every couple of hours are all completely, 100% normal for a healthy breastfed baby. How old is he? Babies start out at about 1.5 to 2 hours from start to start, then slow down, then hit a growth spurt (about 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, iir) and want to nurse more often until production catches up, then they slow down again.

Best way to tell if he's getting enough: 1- how many wet diapers? If he's wet 6-8 times a day, he's doing okay (this can be hard to tell with the really good absorbent diapers, and I'm a bit unsure about the number). 2- is he gaining weight? If he seems to be passing both these, I wouldn't worry about supplementing, especially since you don't want to go with commercial formula.

Hi J.,

2 oz goat's milk, 2 oz distilled water and 2 oz juiced carrots is a perfect formula. Goat's milk is closer to breast milk and doesnt have the problems that cow's milk does. The carrots provide the fiber and the water keeps the little one hydrated. Sugar in the formula, or corn syrup, simply breeds yeast (thrush). Yeast breaks down the immune system...

Hope this helps.

M.
www.squidoo.com/ifyourbabycouldtalk

I'm thinking that's not a good idea. If you are in need of formula, especially just as a supplement to breast milk, I'm sure your pediatrician would give you samples. We had to supplement for the 1st six weeks , due to medical issue I had that made my production low. I didn't have to buy formula, during that time.

First, it sounds like your baby is completely normal and healthy. To nures that long and fall asleep while doing so is normal. Wanting to eat more is also normal for a growth spurt and a smart baby! I would not supplement. The best "cure" for when your supply seems low is to nurse more. Your body works on a supply-demand model when it comes to nursing. Supplementing will interrupt that and increase your problems, not your supply!

That being said, in case anyone is looking for info on homemade formula, I'll throw out a few considerations. Yes, formula is made up of many chemicals, most of which we can't pronounce! Any pediatrician will tell you NOT to make your own formula. And in the case of the recipe above, I see why. It has no sound nutrition for your baby. If anyone is seriously considering making your own formula, look at the book Nourishing Traditions by Sally Fallon and the work of the Weston A. Price Foundation, which promotes a Traditional Foods diet. If you are on a SAD diet, some of it will seem radical. But if you are interested in eating whole foods and looking at the wisdom of our ancestors, this would be of interest. They have several nutritional recipes for baby formula and it has been used by MANY people:
http://www.westonaprice.org
Good luck!

Try feeding him 10 minutes on one side-then burp him and 10 minutes on the other. Formula has a lot of vitamins and nutriants that are beneficial to a baby's health, growth and development. Either breastfeed or use formula-and give him vitamins to supplement-based on what we know now-there are no substitutes.
http://organic.lovetoknow.com/Organic_Infant_Formula

First, check with your child's pediatrician and a lactation consultant (look into the Le Leche League/your local hospital for a cheap/free consultant) to see IF your baby is not getting enough breast milk (and that there are not ways to increase your supply, should that be your desire).

If it is determined that your baby needs a formula supplement, and you can't afford real formula, go to your local WIC office and see if you qualify for free formula coupons.

Cow milk and sugar are not a good (or even fair) substitute for breast milk OR formula.

Best of luck!

http://www.lllofaz.org/
http://www.azwic.gov/

Do you have any idea the chemicals that are used to make white sugar nowadays? No?

Read:
http://askville.amazon.com/refined-sugar-made-white-added...

I have a can of evaporated milk and some left over formula (I keep it because it is GREAT in cooking and makes foods taste thicker and creamier) and the EM has about 1/3 the nutrients... it doesn't have fatty acids for brain development at all... it seems a very poor substitute... though I bet the consistency would be about the same.

I don't understand why you think that the chemicals would be less, but it is your child. I would keep in mind though that if your child starts shaking violently that you need to tell the doctors the recipe of what s/he has been eating so they understand why the seizure is happening and can make sure to give the right nutrients in the IV.

Dear J., I'm writing to let you know that it sounds to me like your baby is perfectly normal. I have 4 boys and nursed all of them a minimum of a year; 18 months for my oldest. I can assure you that a baby falling asleep while nursing is totally fine. And wanting to eat every 2 hours...also completely fine. My 1st born son ate at least 45 minutes (usually an hour) at every feeding and only made it an hour and a half between feedings. I literally felt like a cow getting sucked on all day, but it's what he needed and what I was blessed enough to be able to do being a stay at home mom. We did not have a schedule, and it was a dream come true for me because I was able and willing to be the life support for this amazing little miracle that my husband and I had created. And he grew like gangbusters. If your son is growing and sleeping well, then you have nothing to worry about! :-)

That said, I just want to echo everyone else's advice that nursing more = more milk supply. If you supplement with anything, your milk supply WILL decrease. I DO NOT recommend supplementing with anything if it is not absolutely necessary - ESPECIALLY canned milk! The "formula" you were given is nothing more than a poor substitute for your milk. It might make him "full" - if by some miracle it doesn't first have some other terrible adverse reaction - but it won't give him everything his brain and body needs for proper development. YOU are his best source of nutrition. And to be honest with you, it sounds like you are doing a great job! He could be going through a growth spurt, thus the fussiness and wanting to eat more - that happens A LOT during their 1st year. You didn't mention how old he is, but most children go through massive growth spurts every couple of months. And when they do, all they want to do is eat.

My best advice I can give to you one mommy to another...eat a good, healthy, well balanced diet, take your vitamins, drink tons of water, stay away from caffeine and artificial sweeteners, and keep doing what you're doing! It is not often that a mother's body doesn't make the quantity of milk her growing child needs - it just takes some time to adjust. If all else fails, get yourself to a lactation specialist at your nearby hospital. Seeing them is free - you just have to make an appointment, and they will educate you even further on the art and miracle of breastfeeding.

Enjoy that little man every moment you have with him. My oldest will be 13 in August, and it doesn't seem possible that so much time since he was completely dependant on me and I was nursing him what felt like 24/7.

Good luck with your sweet boy.

I'll just answer the formula part... I wouldn't use that recipe at all. I am extremely into natural eating / healing, etc and I used formula (+ breastmilk) with both of my kids. Formula's are very researched to have just the right balance of the various nutrients babies need. I used to be anti-formula, but now I think it is fine if you need it. I don't like the corn syrup ingredient either, but there it is. Look into earth's best or other health food store formula's. They may have better ingredients (but for me, they gave my daughter gas). I used enfamil and had it checked with my natural docs who said it was the best quality. Plain cow's milk is deficient in iron and folic acid and some other things that babies need. Yes, in the old days women made up their own formula, but babies had health problems from lack of those nutrients. I wouldn't worry about formula. I am about to switch my 10 mos old from formula to goat's milk which is the best, but it too lacks certain nutrients younger babies need. I wouldn't mess around with formula's. If you need a commercial one for a short time, it is fine. Check with your pediatrician.

The best way to know if you baby is getting enough to eat is if he is peeing and pooping. Plus you can weigh him (and measure him). If he has output and is growing, then he is fine. You can try to pump between feedings to increase your milk supply, but a pump is not nearly as effective as your baby. More nursing = more milk production. If your son falls asleep, it is normal but if you feel that he is not nursing enough, when he falls asleep move him around, rub his cheek, change his diaper...do something and then offer again. My guess is that he is just wanting to use you as a pacifier.

As for the formula, I don't think most people have actually looked at the ingredients of formula. We are all so brainwashed that we need to buy commercial from the store because we could not make them at home. But women used to, and we are all still here. I think if you took your recipe and added a multivitamin the you would have what is in the can. Yes, there are specific vitamins and nutrients in commercial formula (like DHA which is not proven to improve brain growth in children, but can), but basically the ingredients you have listed is what is in the can. Some formulas first ingredient is Corn Syrup Solids (which I am pretty sure when you add water turns into High Fructose Corn Syrup). So, whatever you decide to do just read the labels.

Sounds like alot of work. Pump instead. The more he drinks the more you make. At least that way you will know how much you make. You may be surpised. You can rent or borrow a pump and if he's just fallen asleep during a feeding and your milk feels like it let down, pump. Freeze a bunch in little baggies and save it for when you are really feeling frustrated. Your dr will tell you on your regular visits (all those shots, i remember) if he's thriving or not. They also have the right formula/supplements for different needs (coupons and samples). my second was a breastfed budda (so many rolls of fat) and anemic at about 10 month, she had to be put on iron. At a year she was called "petite" (slimmed down icredibly when she started walking). she's 16 now (tall and gorgeous figure). Point is, the dr. tells you what to do.

PS My oldest sounds like yours but would nurse ALL NIGHT in his sleep. used me like a pacifier. I had to put him in bed with me and put a leg over my husband so i wouldn't roll over on him. when he got older it was sippy cups of milk all night. Had to put a mini fridge by his bed. you'd think he'd be fat with bottle mouth. but he turned out fine. tall and skinny and not a cavity (he's 18 now). he still can't eat normal size meals, lives on snacks so he can't gain a ton of weight (a problem because he is a college Division 1 athlete) but he turned out fine, a bit spoiled, but fine.
Basically, d o what you are doing and he'll be fine. (my 3rd kid is normal somehow)

Do not feed your baby this concoction. There is absolutely nothing wrong with commercial prepared formula. It is a complete food. It has all the vitmains and minerals that the baby needs. If you need to supplement buy a can of powdered formula and mix up and once or two for the baby. A can of powdered formula is only $10 and makes about 100 oz. I think you can afford 10 cents per ounce.

Most likely you do not need to supplement. He is probbly growing. babies eat more when they are growing. it is normal to nurse a lot when they are young. nursing during hte early months is a full time job.

If you think your milk supply is low take fenugreek.. it will increase milk productuion.. it is safe per my md.. but you can ask your dr too.

Homemade formula is an extremely bad idea. You are very unlikely to meet your infant's nutritional needs and nutritional deficiencies develop much faster in infants due to their rapid development and lack of pre-existing stores of minerals and other nutrients. If you are nursing and he is gaining weight normally you do not need to supplement. Have you consulted your pediatrician? La Leche League also provides nursing support.

Have you considered getting a breastmilk donor? My sister was unable to nurse both of her children and found fantastic donors for both. She would freeze the milk, so she always had plenty on hand. Many people think that's weird, to feed your child someone elses milk, but it's no weirder than feeding them what is in formula. Formula is a chemically processed powder made from milk, corn syrup, a blend of oils, and various forms of vitamins...along with some other stuff that most people have no clue about. Someone else's breastmilk is no different other than that it is a NATURAL product of a natural body...not some metal machine processing it with chemical formulas.

Full disclosure - I used formula for my preemie who never nursed, and my other baby was 1/2 breastmilk, 1/2 formula. But had I done my research, I would have found a donor. Both my boys turned out just fine...but I can't help but wonder if they'd be even more amazing if they had been given the natural nutrients found exclusively in breastmilk.

My sister interviewed her donors to be sure she approved of their lifestyle and eating habits. Some women are blessed with an over-abundance of milk...for those of us who aren't.

I absolutely would not make the homemade recipe you detailed. You have better options.