Milk. It does a body good.
But does it do as much “good” as we think?
Giving our children milk after their first birthday is a nutrition protocol that many parents follow. And understandably so. Milk supplies the calcium, vitamin D, vitamin B12, protein, and other important nutrients that our growing children need. However, there’s some debate on whether our little ones need to drink milk at all, and whether the benefits of dairy outweigh the costs. For example, we believe milk equates to stronger bones, yet a large BMJ study shows that high milk consumption is associated with increased mortality and hip fractures. This topic (to drink or not to drink milk) warrants a whole other post – I’ll save that for another day.
The reason I bring this up is that some parents choose not to ‘follow the herd’, and opt not to use cow milk as the primary source of nutrition for their kids.
Our milk of choice for Sienna has been a homemade dairy-free formula (made with hemp milk). While our daughter has yet to drink cow’s milk per se, she had tried other varieties (both dairy and non-dairy) since weaning from breastmilk.
When we are travelling or short on ‘formula’ ingredients, a quality sheep or goat milk has filled the void. Last summer I also sourced biodynamic water buffalo milk from a local farmer. Buffalo milk surfaced while searching for the most nutrient and calorically-dense option for our small and slow-growing daughter. Because Sienna drank no more than a cup of milk per day, and she ate even less, that cup needed to be jam-packed with goodness. Buffalo milk contains all the nutrients found in cow milk but in higher proportions, making it was a great beverage to alternate with her hemp formula (which is in her cup 80% of the time).
Why hemp milk vs. cow milk?
- Sienna suffered from constipation, reflux, and other digestive issues, so I wanted to avoid taxing her system further by limiting potential irritants including dairy and wheat. Hemp is not a concern here. Also, I want to point out that the smaller fat globules in goat and sheep milk make them easier to digest vs. cow milk.
- Children are more likely to have an allergic reaction or intolerance to cow milk because it contains high amounts of the casein protein alpha S1. There are trace amounts of this protein in goat and sheep milk, hence a child can be allergic to cow milk while doing fine with goat/sheep. Hemp seeds do not pose the same allergic threat that tree nuts or dairy do, and to date, there have been no reported reactions to hemp.
- Calcium, found in all dairy products, competes with iron for absorption. This is a particular concern for small children like Sienna who eat such limited quantities of iron sources to begin with. Hemp milk, on the other hand, is a moderate source of this essential mineral (plus I add molasses for an iron boost).
- When examining macronutrient ratios in cow milk, hemp milk is very comparable (second next to soy). It contains all 10 essential amino acids, making it one of the best sources of protein for vegetarians (and picky eaters). Hemp is also a great source of fat (essential for our little one’s brain) and with the proper ratio of Omega-3 and Omega-6 essential fatty acids.
- While the Canadian government does not permit hormones or antibiotics in cattle, I can’t be sure how the cattle are raised. So unless I know the source, I like to play it safe. There is also peace of mind for a mom knowing exactly what’s going into her child’s cup or bottle. With this hemp formula, I don’t need to worry about preservatives, carrageenan, or other unnecessary additives.
That’s why I chose a homemade dairy-free formula (made with hemp milk).
BUT (yes, there is a ‘but’) hemp milk is not perfect.
Homemade Hemp Milk (Dairy-Free) Formula
Ingredients:
- 1 cup hemp seeds (Manitoba Harvest) – complete protein and essential fatty acids
- 4 cups water (preferably filtered)
- 1/4 tsp. to 1 tsp. cod liver oil (Nordic Naturals, Carlson or other recommended sources available in your country) – essential fatty acids, Vitamin A and Vitamin D
- 2 tsp. child’s multi-vitamin (Genestra Pediatri Vite)
- 1-2 tbsp. flax oil (Omega Nutrition) – essential fatty acids
- 2-4 tbsp. protein powder, unsweetened (Sun Warrior) – complete protein
- Start with 2 tablespoons and work your way up, reducing quantity if child experiences any digestive discomfort, constipation, etc.
- 1 tbsp. blackstrap molasses – iron, B vitamins, and calcium
- 2 drops Vitamin D (D Drops) – Vitamin D (obviously
- 2 scoop probiotics (Genestra – HMF Baby F) – beneficial bacteria
Directions:
- Mix all of the ingredients into a high-speed blender.
- Store in a glass jar and refrigerate for up to 48 hours.
A few notes:
- I’ve included the brands I use above, but feel free to source your own (note that dosing will need to be adjusted).
- I’ve assumed that the 4-cup batch will last two days so the recipe is designed to give a child an adequate amount of daily nutrients.
- This formula was tweaked to meet my daughter’s needs based on age, weight, and other factors (again, doses may need to be adjusted for your little one).
- TIP! You can get hemp seeds from Costco for a more reasonable price than you would find at your local grocer or health food store.
How much ‘milk’ do toddlers need?
Whichever ‘milk’ you choose, most children over the age of 1 should have no more than 18 ounces (2 cups) of milk per day. It’s essential that they get their nutrients from a wider variety of foods (unless there are other complications). The more milk they drink, the less food they’ll want, and the less nutrients (especially iron and zinc) they will obtain. Having said that, if milk is your child’s primary source of nutrition, be cautious with how you make the transition so we don’t jeopardize their overall caloric intake.
What about the other non-dairy milks?
Hemp is not the only option if you decide to avoid dairy milk. There are a variety of dairy-free alternatives (also known as ‘alterna-milks’) including soy, rice, almond, hemp, flax, coconut, oat. I take a closer look at each of these in this post.
If you aren’t sure your kids will want to even touch this healthy recipe, I cannot recommend the Curious Cookie Mat enough, it is the ultimate meal exploration tool. By using their senses, your kids will explore new or previously rejected food for themselves. Parents have seen a massive improvement since implementing the placemat into their mealtime. Try it for yourself, order the Curious Cookie Mat now.
Hi I was giving my son a formula similar to yours but his poop smelt horrible. We started supplementing with it at 5 weeks along with breast milk because I had to go back to work. I have changed to store bought formula now because I was a bit concerned. Do you know what could have been wrong?
Hi Chanell – Thanks for reaching out! It sounds like you have a 5 week old at home. If that is correct I definitely would recommend sticking with a store bought formula (a quality product such as Baby’s Only Organic, Nanny Care Goat, Hipp, Holle, etc). While non are perfect, I feel that they are more appropriate for an infant. I can’t say I noticed a change in my daughter’s bowel movements because they always seemed to stink. I would more so look at changes in the baby’s demeanour (i.e. if he seems uncomfortable). Does this help?
My 4 month old grand baby hair is faller out and skin is very dry and patchy. He is currently on Gerber. Similac was not a good choice neither is Gerber. What is your intake
Love this! My little boy is 13 months old and he’s suffered from eczema since birth. It’s due to food allergies, mainly from what I’m eating since I’m breastfeeding. It’s difficult for me to eliminate allergens like dairy and soy because I’m not sure what exactly he’s allergic to. I would love to continue breastfeeding if I could. My husband and I have decided to wean him next week. We are going to start him on hemp milk since it seems like the best alternative compared to all the different milks. Would this recipe be suitable for a 13 month old? Thanks.
Hi Victoria! Yes it would be great for his age. Have you tried eliminating dairy for both you and him?
Hi Danielle,
Yes I tried to eliminate dairy from my diet, but the eczema just keeps coming back. I’ve tried eliminating the top 8 allergens from my diet, but it’s hard pinpointing exactly what my baby is allergic to since the eczema rashes can have a delayed reaction. It’s heartbreaking to see him scratch all the time so hopefully weaning him off breastmilk and starting the hemp milk will help him not scratch and gain weight too. He’s a tiny little guy. Do you have any tips on weaning? Thanks!
How old was your daughter when you started using this recipe? Were you breastfeeding prior to starting this recipe? Do you recommend a good sippy cup? Thank you!
Hi Miranda!
She was about a year old. And yes I was breastfeeding prior to and during (somewhat). As for a good sip cup, the ones with a straw were a hit over here. I’ll have to take a peek at the brand names and let you know!
Hi there,,,, the drops for the vitamin D…. is that just two drops. Or two full droppers?
two single drops depending on the Vitamin D you have 🙂
Hi there,,,, the drops for the vitamin D…. is that just two drops. Or two full droppers? Confused momma over here
Hi there. I just made the for my almost 12 month old exactly as described. The hemp hearts don’t seem to be blending good enough because little pieces kept clogging the nipped and then he would cry and cry getting frustrated. Also my mixture was very bubbly. Please let me know if you have any suggestions. Thx so much.
Hi there! What type of blender are you using? The hemp seeds do require a good blend to fully break up. You can also strain with a cheesecloth as they do tend to clog bottles with smaller drinking outlets. I should have noted that we only used a sippy cup for the formula. Hope this helps!
My grandbaby is 4 months old, and he is not doing well with any formula. Would this be enough nutrition alongside of breast milk? My daughter is breastfeeding, but she hasn’t produced enough milk, they’ve been supplementing w alimentum since 4 weeks old, he’s VERYcongested, to the point he can’t breath while drinking…anyway, we r desperate, and all nurse practitioner and dr want to do is give him more dairy!!! I am a Chinese herbalist and have access thru my license to the best dr grade supplements. I really want to help him
Just wondering, did you end up supplementing w this?
I have an 8 month old and would love to give this in addition to breastmilk
Hello! Would you be able to supplement almonds for the hemp to make homemade almond milk and still get the same nutritional value using the same added ingredients?
Hi there! I would work with your health professional to determine whether the swap is ok depending on the rest of the diet. Depending on how it’s made, almond milk may contain too little protein, etc.
Hi can you freeze this recipe to make enough to last a week
I haven’t tried that so can’t recommend freezing. It’s pretty easy to make once you get the hang of it 🙂
What is your thoughts on adding spirulina and or brewers yeast in lie of protein powder and vitamin drops
Hi,
I was briefly able to breastfeed my baby but then had to put him on formula. We chose Holle Goatmilk Formula and he did fairly well on it for a year. We just found out he has a casein allergy and we want to transition him to something else. At 1 year he’s eating some solids but not enough where I feel comfortable giving him just a milk alternative. Would you suggest this hemp formula for him? Thanks so much!
Hello,
My almost 1-year-old son has been on Holle Goat Milk Formula since he was 2 weeks old. We just found out he is allergic to casein so I wanted to find an alternative formula to make him. He isn’t eating a lot of solids just yet so I don’t feel comfortable transitioning him over to an alternative milk only. Do you think the hemp formula would fit the bill right now until he’s eating more solids?
Thanks so much!
Did you give your newborn baby this recipe instead of formula? I truly believe formula is not healthy for babies. I was blessed with an abundance breastmilk supply and chose to stay home with my babies while working alongside from my phone to help our family stay out of the red. I want your recipe to share with my friends who can’t nurse or have a low breastmilk supply. Thanks!
Has anyone tried serving this recipe to a 1 year old through a bottle with success?
Hi Michelle. I started giving my 11 month old hemp milk at 7 months. I don’t make this specific recipe, though. Ours is made with organic hemp seeds, organic medjool dates, irish sea moss, bladderwrack, chlorella, fulvic acid mineral drops, sea salt, and magnesium.
Did you have to change the nipple at all?
What appliances/ tools do u use to makes this. I make the same for my son and I’m trying to find an easier way to make it lol.
Vitamix!
My son has a severe milkAllergy and I have been going crazy trying to find one that works for him. I’m on the top of the line formula I can’t even buy it in stores it’s the most broken down formula and it’s still not working for him he still has blood in his stool a lot of discomfort because of gas and he is still puking up about half of what he eats everytime he eats and I noticed that the first ingredient is high fructose corn syrup and a lot of unnecessary stuff That doesn’t seem necessarily healthy. So I’ve been trying to find any other type of formula I’ve gone to so many gi doctors hospitals and they just keep telling me they don’t know to just keep switching his formula to pretty much the same thing made by different manufacturers so only little things like the sugars are gonna change. He is almost 3 months old and I understand about the health factor of this formula but it seems like he is barely gaining weight on these formulas anyways so if he could actually hold down his food he could actually start gaining. I know you’re not a doctor or anything but I just wanted to ask your opinion because I’m so stumped on what to do!!
I don’t know where your located but I am in the same boat with my daughter still breast feeding and supplementing with formulas all of which she’s been allergic or reacting badly to or out right refusing. After extensive search I have found Premiriz rice protein formula if your in the US there’s some affordable sellers. I’m in Canada so paying $90 a box after exchange rate and desperately seeking a healthy balance homemade option.
Hey Kayleigh
I tried replying already but didn’t seem to work. Just wanted to share with you as I’m in the same boat I’m bf and formula supplementing but she is allergic or outright refuses all formulas I’ve tried, not to mention all of the nasty ingredients I just got mind blown in discovering in the conventional formulas.After extensive searching I’ve found Premiriz a French rice protein based formula if your in the US it’s affordable for me in Canada I’m paying $90/box hence searching for homemade balanced alternatives
What recipe / exact measurements do you use for yours?
Can I get that recipe??
Hi Danielle,
By hemp seeds do you mean hemp hearts? Are these the same thing? A couple of questions: my son has to be fed formula at night to maintain adequate blood sugar levels. I would love to make this to stay away from pediasure. My only concern is the consistency; Does this come out super thin / possibly thin enough to go through a feeding tube? With this recipe are there adequate levels of carbohydrates compared to other formulas? It’s worth a shot! Thank you!
Yes they are the same thing 🙂
Is there a substitute for the cod liver oil? My daughter has a fish allergy. Thx!
Hey. My son is 6 months old. We’ve been using Holle organic goats milk since he was born and he has had bad eczema since birth. The doctors have recommend putting him on a HA milk which we don’t feel comfortable doing because it’s not organic. Is this recipe okay for a baby his age. The doctors keep giving us steroid creams but I really don’t want to use that crap! Got a load of hemp seeds, distilled water and and good blender so I want to try this straight away if it’s okay for him,