One of the questions we are most frequently asked is whether we sell toddler formula. There is a Nourishing World Toddler Formula; it is not, however, affiliated with us in any way. We looked into theNourishing World Toddler Formula and found that, while it did contain some great organic ingredients, many of the vitamins are synthetic. We always advocate for whole food vitamins, as the body can utilized these optimally.

What’s Wrong with Commercial Toddler Formulas?

Commercial toddler formulas are not only expensive, but they are also loaded with synthetic vitamins and other unhealthy ingredients such as corn syrup solids, vegetable oil, and GMOs. Take a look at the ingredients label for the PediaSure powdered mix we used in the nutritional comparison chart (below):

Corn Syrup, Corn Maltodextrin, Sugar, Corn Oil, Sodium & Calcium Caseinates, Soy Protein Isolate, Artificial Flavor, Potassium Citrate, Magnesium Chloride, Calcium Phosphate, Sodium Citrate. Less than 0.5% of the Following: Potassium Chloride, Soy Lecithin, Ascorbic Acid, Choline Chloride, dl-Alpha-Tocopheryl Acetate, Zinc Sulfate, Niacinamide, Ferrous Sulfate, Calcium Pantothenate, Manganese Sulfate, Cupric Sulfate, Thiamine Chloride Hydrochloride, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin, Vitamin A Palmitate, Folic Acid, Biotin, Chromium Chloride, Sodium Molybdate, Potassium Iodide, Sodium Selenate, Phylloquinone, Cyanocobalamin, and Vitamin D3

Right off the bat, you can see that the first ingredient is corn syrup. You might as well feed your toddler a bottle of corn syrup with some soy protein mixed in and a gummy vitamin — at least it would be cheaper! The 144 grams of carbohydrates in PediaSure, as shown in the chart below, include a whopping 81 grams of sugar. You’ll also note artificial flavors, corn and soy ingredients that are likely genetically modified, and a slew of synthetic vitamins. This is not what our children are meant to eat.

For these reasons, we’ve developed two toddler formula recipes that you can make on your own using whole food, organic ingredients. These formulas are great for young children who are picky eaters but no longer nursing, and they can provide nutrition when your toddler is sick. They can also be used to supplement the diet of elderly individuals, as an alternative to shakes such as Ensure or Boost.

The first formula is a raw milk toddler formula based on a recipe from Nourishing Traditions. If you are planning to use a toddler formula as a primary nutrition source, we’d recommend opting for this one. It is more nutritionally similar to breast milk than the second formula. The second formula is our Super Simple Toddler Formula, which is ideal for supplementation or as a secondary nutrition source. Compare the toddler formula recipes below.

Nutrition Comparison Chart:

Breast Milk vs. PediaSure vs. Homemade Toddler Formulas*

	Breast Milk	PediaSure Powder, prepared	Homemade Cow’s Milk Formula	Super Simple Formula
Calories	766	1080	856	822
Protein	11.3g	54g	18g	45g
Carbohydrates	76g	144g	79g	25g
Total Fat	48g	36g	52g	57g
Saturated Fat	22g	9g	28g	51g
Cholesterol	153mg	45mg	137mg	0
Vitamin A	946IU	3375IU	5000IU	2500IU
Thiamin (B1)	.15mg	1.35mg	1.05mg	2mg
Riboflavin (B2)	.4mg	2.68mg	1.2mg	1.2mg
Niacin (B3)	1.9mg	18mg	2.5mg	2.15mg
Vitamin B6	.12mg	1.8mg	.51mg	1.5mg
Vitamin B12	.5mcg	8.1mcg	1.9mcg	6mcg
Folate	57mcg	360mcg	236mcg	800mcg
Vitamin C	55mg	108mg	57mg	49.1mg
Vitamin D	480IU	540IU	450IU	660IU
Vitamin E	9.9mg	13.5mg	6.2mg	20mg
Calcium	355mg	1575mg	532mg	399mg
Iron	.33mg	8.1mg	1.4mg	20.48mg
Magnesium	37.4mg	180mg	91.3mg	184.5mg

^{*The nutrient contents shown are based on 36 ounces of milk or formula. PediaSure nutrition information is for the powdered formula mix prepared with 1% milk as directed. It is important to note that breast milk composition depends on maternal health and diet, and it changes as a baby grows. This chart is simply for rough comparison purposes, developed using available nutrition information for each ingredient. Exact nutritional content of these formulas may vary depending on brands used and preparation methods. Always consult your healthcare professional regarding your child’s dietary needs.}

Homemade Cow’s Milk Toddler Formula Recipe

Based on Sally Fallon’s baby formula recipe from Nourishing Traditions, this recipe attempts to mimic the composition of breast milk, which is higher in whey, lactose, and certain vitamins than cow’s milk. There are a lot of ingredients, but each one is necessary to provide complete nutrition. This toddler formula has a higher upfront cost, but because you are only using a small amount of the healthy oils and other supplements, they will last through many batches of formula.

Makes approx. 36 ounces

• 2 cups whole raw cow’s milk
• 1/4 cup liquid homemade whey (simply strain yogurt over a bowl overnight; the liquid that strains into the bowl is whey)
• 4 tablespoons lactose
• 1/4 teaspoon bifidobacterium infantis
• 2 tablespoons grass-fed cream
• 1/2 teaspoon Green Pasture Fermented Cod Liver Oil
• 1/4 teaspoon Green Pasture X-Factor High Vitamin Butter Oil
• 1 teaspoon expeller-expressed sunflower oil
• 1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil
• 2 teaspoons Perfect Coconut Oil, melted
• 2 teaspoons nutritional yeast
• 2 teaspoons Perfect Hydrolyzed Collagen
• 1 7/8 cups filtered water
• 1/4 teaspoon Organic True Whole Food Vitamin C

Heat about half the filtered water and add gelatin and lactose, stirring to dissolve (gelatin will clump if you skip this step!) Then blend the dissolved mixture with everything else in a blender until smooth. Store in a jar in the fridge. Gently heat portions as needed.

About the Homemade Toddler Formula Ingredients:

The Weston A. Price Foundation developed this baby formula recipe to come as close as possible to human breast milk. This is a whole foods formula with high-quality ingredients, designed to maximize nutrition and digestive health. It is low in iron so as not to compete with zinc absorption (which is crucial for neurological development). Ingredients such as fermented cod liver oil and coconut oil provide healthy fats, omega-3, omega-6, DHA, and EPA which we now know are necessary for growth, development, and brain health. Gelatin provides protein and nutrients while making this formula more digestible. Like breastmilk, this homemade formula is high in whey and lactose and low in casein.

Super Simple Hypoallergenic Vegan Toddler Formula Recipe

This is a simple, quick to prepare supplementary toddler formula with far fewer ingredients than the above recipe. We created this formula to be free of the top allergens: dairy, gluten, eggs, nuts, fish, corn, and soy. It also contains no animal products, so it is suitable for vegetarians and vegans. However, because it is vegan, this toddler formula contains no cholesterol. It is also lower in carbohydrates. Ensure that your child is getting carbohydrates (bread, pasta, fruit, etc.) and cholesterol (meat, dairy, eggs, fish) from other sources if you use this formula.

Makes: approx. 36 ounces

• 3 scoops Perfect Plant Protein Powder
• 1 cup full fat (canned) coconut milk
• 3 cups filtered water
• 1 tsp Sunwarrior Liquid Vitamin Mineral Rush
• contents of 1 capsule Vitamin Code RAW Calcium

Blend all ingredients well. Use within 24 hours.

Super Simple Toddler Formula Flavor Options

Toddlers are notoriously picky, so blend in the flavoring that your kid will enjoy the most! We tried these:

• 1 1/2 tsp vanilla
• 1 1/2 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 1/2 Tbsp Catie’s Vitamin C (tastes like fruit punch!)

You can also include nut or seed butter, a banana, or frozen fruit to suit your child’s palate. Because this formula recipe is so low in sugar and carbohydrates, you could add in a tablespoon or two of honey, maple syrup, or other natural sweetener to entice reluctant eaters, without compromising the nutrition of this whole foods formula.

About the Super Simple Formula Ingredients:

Perfect Plant Protein Powder is our protein of choice here for several reasons. It contains none of the major allergens and is completely free of soy and dairy. This protein powder is 100% plant-based, making it suitable for vegetarians and vegans. The protein in this powder comes from mushrooms, hemp, and brown rice, which is a very high-quality blend of raw proteins. Plus, Perfect Plant Protein Powder contains a blend of probiotics and enzymes to support healthy digestion.

Coconut milk works perfectly in this easy homemade formula recipe because it is rich in calories and healthy fats — perfect for weight gain. It’s hypoallergenic, so it’s a great alternative for most children with soy or dairy allergies. We used canned coconut milk in this recipe because it is the most concentrated — cartons of coconut milk are generally diluted with water and have synthetic vitamins and fillers added. Canned coconut milk has the highest fat and calorie content, so you would need to adjust the recipe accordingly if you chose to use another type of coconut milk or a different milk substitute.

Sunwarrior Liquid Vitamin Mineral Rush is a liquid multivitamin derived from organic fruits, vegetables, and other plants. It contains a full range of vitamins and minerals in their most bioavailable, all-natural forms. SunWarrior Liquid Vitamin Mineral Rush is vegan, Kosher, and raw.

Growing bodies need extra calcium — especially if they aren’t getting it from dairy or other sources. Unlike most calcium supplements which come in tablets, Vitamin Code RAW Calcium comes in capsules, so you can simply open a capsule and dump the contents into your formula. This calcium supplement is complete with conutrients like vitamin D, magnesisum, and vitamin K2, plus raw organic fruits and vegetables, probiotics, and enzymes.

 

By Ali Wetherbee