*Always speak with your Holistic Practitioner or doctor when adding supplements to your eating plan.
Not all mothers can use only breast milk to feed their babies. Many women around the world make their own formula. Originally used as a supplement to breast milk, this recipe can be also used in place of vitamin shakes if dairy or soy is an issue for you.
Humans and coconut palms have evolved together over millions of years. Not only are the fats, minerals and enzymes provided by this plant incredibly similar to those in human breast milk, they offer immune boosting and brain development powers of great benefit to humans - babies and adults alike. It’s a natural choice for breast milk supplementation.
Whether your baby is recovering from antibiotics or illness, preparing for a trip or daycare, was born early, needs to gain weight, or is healthy and growing, he or she may benefit from an addition of probiotic bacteria to the diet. This supplemental formula is designed as a complement to breast milk and is a healthy, living alternative to commercial formulas and meal replacements which may contain soy, cow’s milk, synthetic vitamins, and supplements of chemical or animal origin.
The ratios of ingredients were established using nutritional data analysis of human breast milk (from the USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference) and two types of commercial soy formula. What's great about making this supplement yourself is that you can tune the ingredients to your situation and baby's tastes. Our son (MJ, pictured above) is gaining and growing well now so we are tapering off on the sugars. If you would like a vegan version, omit the egg yolks.
Base: coconut water, spring water, coconut yogurt, young Thai coconut meat
Fats: coconut oil, hemp oil, olive oil
Proteins: nutritional yeast, egg yolk powder
Carbohydrates (sugars): coconut nectar, maple syrup
Probiotics: raw coconut yogurt, probiotic supplement
Supplements: Honest Company multi vitamin (contains iron), baby DHA, vitamin D3
Once you get used to working with all the ingredients, it takes about 15 minutes to put together a batch and is as easy as making a superfood smoothie. I keep my ingredients in 2 bins in the fridge and the cupboard so when it's time to make a batch, everything is together. It can be frozen and has a shelf life similar to breast milk (since it's a living food).
I taste each batch I make - if I don't think to myself, "Man, I should make a batch for me!", then it doesn't go to the baby.
I wouldn't be a mom if I didn't say this - breast milk is important. Always offer a breast before a bottle. And while hygiene and cleanliness are always part of well-run kitchen, remember your baby doesn't live in a lab. That's why we love probiotics!
Disclaimer
Nutrient facts of this supplement are based on nutritional data analysis and have not been molecularly or chemically tested by a third-party. This information is not intended to diagnose or treat any disease.
I can only speak for use of the brands specified in the links in this recipe. I receive no incentive for using these brands.
Baby Coconut Yogurt
2 cups Young Thai Coconut Meat
3/4 cup Warm Spring Water
2 tbsp Coconut Nectar or Maple Syrup
Blend all ingredients in a clean blender. Pour into clean jars, leaving room for expansion (about half), and allow to ferment on the counter covered by a clean towel for 12 - 18 hours. Refrigerate. Lasts 3-5 days.
Makes 2-3 batches of formula. Alternately, you can use an additional 1/2 cup young Thai coconut meat and 1 tsp infant probiotic in the recipe below as a substitute for the yogurt.
Coconut Formula
1/2 cup Baby Coconut Yogurt (above)
1/2 cup Young Thai Coconut Meat
2 cups Spring Water
1.5 tbsp Fortified Nutritional Yeast
1 tbsp Egg Yolk Powder
2 packets Honest Baby & Toddler Multi Powder
0.25 ml Vitamin D3
2 ml Baby DHA
1 tbsp Hemp Oil
1.5 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 tbsp Virgin Coconut Oil
1.5 tbsp Coconut Nectar
1.5 tbsp Maple Syrup
0.5 tbsp Coconut Aminos (or 1/16 tsp Sea Salt) Do not use table salt
2 cups (16 oz) Fresh Young Coconut Water
Combine all ingredients (except coconut water and 1 cup spring water) in a high speed blender. This recipe makes 1 blenders-worth (6 cup capacity).
Emulsify ingredients by adding slowly while blending and finish with the remaining cup of spring water. Run blender on high for about one minute to homogenize. Switch off blender and add coconut water. Blend on low until mixed.
Squeeze through a nut milk bag into a bowl or pitcher if using nipples. This mixture flows through a number 3 or fast flow nipple. Keep in refrigerator. Recipe makes a little over 42 ounces and can be kept fresh using the same protocol as breast milk. Keeps in the refrigerator about 3-4 days. It can also be frozen and may separate on standing.
Because of the probiotics, this formula should not be heated in a bottle warmer. Warm bag or bottle in a container of hot tap water if needed. Thaw similarly in cold tap water.
If you're uncomfortable fermenting raw yogurt, replace with an extra 1/2 cup coconut meat and 1 tsp of probiotic powder.
Notes
Baby Coconut Yogurt (homemade) is a source of probiotic colonies of bacteria that proliferate in the baby’s intestine – improving digestion and protecting from illness. Using an infant probiotic for fermentation insures the baby’s maturing gastrointestinal tract can metabolize the acids made by the bacteria.
Infant Probiotic is added to enrich gut flora and maintain intestinal integrity. Serving is 40 billion CFUs per day in a base of inulin derived from chickory root. Ther-Biotic® Infant Formula is designed to support a normal infant microflora that can be easily disrupted by cesarean section delivery, formula feedings, antibiotics, toxin exposures, and a maternal diet lacking in fresh fruits and vegetables.
Young Thai Coconut Meat is used as a thickener and source of lauric acid, medium triglyceride saturated fats and living enzymes that aid in digestion and metabolism. Thicker formula aids in swallowing and helps to prevent spit-up.
Humans and coconut palms have evolved together over millions of years. Not only are the fats, minerals and enzymes provided by this plant incredibly similar to those in human breast milk, they offer immune boosting and brain development powers of great benefit to humans - babies and adults alike. But don't take my word for it. Even a small amount of research into the coconut palm will explain why it seemed like a natural choice for breast milk supplementation.
Spring Water is free of added fluoride or chlorine and retains natural trace minerals.
Fortified Nutritional Yeast is a complete protein source. It has been fortified with vitamins, including B12 from bacteria.
Egg Yolk Powder is used as a source of protein, cholesterol and choline. Recipe can be made vegan by omitting egg yolk powder, but realize that human breast milk is an animal product and babies are not vegan by nature. Egg yolk is not considered an allergen as egg whites are.
Baby Multivitamin Powder from The Honest Company is an all whole-food-based multivitamin that contains minerals, vitamins, superfoods and probiotics. It is free of gluten, soy, wheat, casein, gelatin, sodium, dairy, eggs, lactose, sweeteners/HFCs, starch, tree nuts, peanuts, fish/shellfish, GMOs, dyes/colors, parabens, phthalates, preservatives, salicylates, artificial flavors, pesticides, herbicides, heavy metals and synthetic additives.
Vitamin D3 (from Lichen) is added to provide an additional 200 IU per day.
Baby DHA (from Algae) is a hexane-free source of premade DHA and EPA and also a source of calcium and iodine.
Hemp Oil has a ratio of 3:1 Omega-6 to Omega-3 fatty acids and is a source of the Omega fatty acids used to make DHA. It is also used to balance the ratio of saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats as it is mostly composed of polyunsaturated fats. Hemp oil does not contain THC.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil is used to balance the ratio of saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. It is mostly monounsaturated fats. Also a source of the Omega fatty acids used to make DHA in the body.
Virgin Coconut Oil is a source of saturated fat from medium chain triglycerides similar to those found in human breast milk. It is easily digested and used as energy in the body. Saturated fat is an important part of a baby's diet.
Coconut Nectar is a raw sweetener that exudes from the blossoms of the coconut tree. It is a low glycemic carbohydrate source that does not spike blood sugar levels in the body. It contains 17 amino acids, minerals, vitamin C, broad-spectrum B vitamins, has a nearly neutral PH and is enzymatically alive. Maple Syrup can be substituted for coconut nectar if needed.
Maple Syrup is a high glycemic source of carbohydrates and minerals. Grade B is less-processed and has a higher mineral content than Grade A. Coconut nectar can be substituted for maple syrup if needed.
Coconut Aminos (Coconut Sap, Sun-Dried Sea Salt) is used to balance the sodium potassium ratio. Aminos are enzymatically alive and contain 17 amino acids, minerals, vitamin C, and broad spectrum B vitamins. Sea Salt be used in place of aminos, but table salt should not be used as it may contain talc and synthetic iodine.
Fresh Young Coconut Water has a mineral composition similar to human plasma and contains lauric acid. This, along with enzymes, amino acids, microminerals and nutrients contribute to its antioxidant, antibacterial, antiviral, anti-protozoal, and antifungal properties. See Coconut (Cocos nucifera L.: Arecaceae): In health promotion and disease prevention.
Harmless Harvest coconut water has been pressurized rather than pasteurized to remove potentially harmful bacteria.
