My Homemade Baby Formula
Before I ever got pregnant, I always envisioned breastfeeding my children until they were at least two. I visualized how my pregnancy, my home birth, and breastfeeding would be. I live a Holistic lifestyle, therefore it was tremendously crucial that my pregnancy, delivery, and postpartum rituals are as natural as possible. Thankfully, my pregnancy was easy and smooth. I was living in the Caribbean for the first five months of my pregnancy, eating a variety of raw fruits and vegetables all the time. I had no symptoms and no sickness.
My home birth was everything I had visualized and more. I knew exactly which date my daughter would come into this world on (which wasn’t my due date). She came out easily, first as I squatted, and then fully while on my hands and knees. No epidural. I also had the perfect midwife. She was so experienced, knowledgeable, and she made the process smooth for me. I had a Lotus Birth, which is an ancient practice that consists of keeping the baby’s umbilical cord connected to the placenta, until it comes off on its own. It allows the baby to receive the full blood supply and nutrients from the placenta, it increases hemoglobin levels and iron stockage for the first few months, improves red blood cell volume and circulation, and allows a gentle and natural transition from the womb to the outside world without damaging the belly button or cutting the cord too quickly.
Breastfeeding, however, was nothing like what I had envisioned. I was devastated when I discovered that my milk started drying rapidly, just a few days after giving birth. My baby was not latching, and by the time I started pumping, only a few millimetres came out. I tried everything, from eating foods and drinking herbs that boost milk production. It didn’t help much. After a few days, my daughter had lost a significant amount of weight, and we had to act quick. We got donor milk (thanks to a friend of mine who was overproducing), but it was not enough to feed her all day everyday. So I took the hard decision to give her formula. I was crushed. Though she would still get the small amount of milk I was producing daily (and donor milk), giving formula was never an option I would consider. Peace with it I made, and I opted for an organic formula that contained much cleaner ingredients, and consoled myself in knowing that she was at least still getting breast milk.
Certainly, breast is best. The first fluid produced by the breast is colostrum (premilk), which some even call a baby’s first vaccine, as it contains high levels of immunizing components such as antibodies and immunoglobulins that protect newborns against bacteria, viruses, and infections. Thereupon, regular breast milk (mature milk) is produced, which contains water, fat, proteins, amino acids, vitamins and minerals, carbohydrates, enzymes, and white cells. Some of these, formulas don’t provide.
People will quickly shame you for giving formula. However, numerous women who do genuinely want to breastfeed have difficulty breastfeeding against their will. I was one of them. But as soon as my daughter got to a stage where she could eat solids and had no reactions to nuts, I started making my own formula. And thankfully, my daughter loved it.
P.S.: If you’re going to make a batch of this homemade formula to store in the fridge for a few days, I suggest you remove the chia seeds from the recipe, otherwise you will find yourself with a pudding instead of a milk.
INGREDIENTS (for one serving of 16oz):
2 Cups Organic Homemade Hemp Milk (I also used homemade walnut milk and coconut milk)
1 Cup Organic Shelled Hemp Seeds
1 Tsp. Organic Black Chia Seeds
1 Tbsp. Seamoss
1/2 Tbsp. Bladderwrack
1 Tsp. Baobab powder
1 Tsp. Moringa powder
1/2 Tsp. Camu Camu
2 Organic Medjool Date, pitted
1 Tsp. Extra Virgin Olive Oil or Black Seed Oil
INSTRUCTIONS:
Put all the ingredients (except the oil) in a blender (I used Baby Bullet for one servings and Nutri Bullet for bigger servings to store in the refrigerator), and blend until you get a smooth consistency.
Warm milk in a pot (taste to make sure it doesn’t get too hot).
Add 1 tsp. of Extra Virgin Olive Oil in bottle, shake, and serve.
WALNUT MILK:
Almond milk is nutritious, low in calorie, lactose-free, dairy-free, low in sugar, and vegan. It contains significant amounts of calcium, needed for healthy bones and teeth; vitamin E, which is a powerful antioxidant, and vitamin D, crucial for good immune function. It also contains healthy fats, such as omega fatty acids, and B vitamins such as iron and riboflavin.
COCONUT MILK:
Coconut milk is rich, high in calorie, lactose-free, dairy-free, and vegan. It contains good fat and is a good source of several vitamins and minerals such as iron, magnesium, potassium, copper, manganese, selenium, vitamin C, and folate. Coconut milk has antibacterial properties, as it contains MCT (Medium-Chain Triglycerides), which help fight bacteria and viruses in your body.
HEMP SEEDS/MILK:
Hemp seeds have a rich nutritional profile. They are known to be a complete source of protein (they provide all nine essential amino acids). Hemp seeds are also high in fiber, healthy fatty acids (omega-3s and omega-6s), and vitamins and minerals such as calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, and zinc. They also have antioxidant properties.
CHIA SEEDS:
Chia seeds possess a rich nutritional profile as well. Just like hemp seeds, they are an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids. They are loaded in antioxidants, are rich in high quality protein, fiber, and numerous nutrients such as calcium, iron, phosphorus, magnesium, and more. Chia seeds protects against heart diseases and bone issues.
SEAMOSS:
Our bodies contain 102 minerals, and seamoss possesses 92 of them! Needless to say, it is highly nutritious, and it is considered to be a powerful superfood of the sea. There are too many benefits to name them all, but seamoss promotes regular thyroid function, promotes good digestion, improves metabolism and circulation, boosts the immune system, nourishes and protects nails, hair, and skin, supports a healthy heart. Seamoss is definitely a powerhouse.
BLADDERWRACK:
Bladderwrack is a seaweed rich in minerals, micronutrients and vitamins such as iodine, iron, zinc, magnesium, potassium, vitamin A and E. It supports a healthy functioning thyroid gland, as well as a healthy immune system and intestinal flora.
MORINGA:
Moringa, also known as the “Miracle Tree”, is a superfood packed with vitamins and minerals such as iron, calcium, vitamin C, vitamin B6, riboflavin, potassium, vitamin A, vitamin E, magnesium, and more. It is also a great source of plant based protein. It contains all the essential amino acids. It protects the liver and helps fight free radicals.
CAMU CAMU:
Camu Camu is a potent berry containing massively high levels of vitamin C and powerful antioxidants to support the immune system. Vitamin C is crucial in the absorption of iron. It also contains a few amino acids such as valine, leucine, and serine.
BLACK SEED OIL:
Black Seed Oil, also known as Black Cumin Oil, is extracted from tiny black seeds of the flowering “Nigella Sativa” plant. It contains omega 3, 6, and 9 essential fatty acids and phytosterols. It supports digestive health, the body’s master regulatory system, and healthy skin and hair. It also helps to treat allergies and asthma, reduce inflammation, and boost the immune system. It is anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and immune-modulator.
EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL:
You may be wondering: why fat? Well, fat is crucial for a child’s brain development, and fat also helps the body to absorb fat-soluble vitamins such as vitamin A, D, E, and K. And extra virgin olive oil is known to be one of the healthiest oils in the world. It is an excellent source of antioxidants and healthy fats, which protect against heart disease, and maintain cardiovascular health. EVOO is also anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial, and is an oil that is best used uncooked (which is why I recommend you add it at the very end).
I pray this helps many mothers out there who have had difficulty breastfeeding and are looking for a healthier homemade alternative.
Love and light,
Mama Oracle