Over the 15+ years we’ve been producing raw milk for North Dakota, we’ve been honored to serve dozens of families who seek out a trusted raw dairy source in order to make raw milk formula.

The problem with conventional formulas is that although they may be FDA approved, many of the ingredients are highly processed and may contain synthetic ingredients, including vitamins and fillers that are unnatural for a child.

Thankfully, there is a completely natural alternative to conventional formula that has been popularized by the Weston A Price Foundation.

Raw milk formula using raw cow’s milk as a base, along with added natural ingredients, can meet the needs of early child development and help them thrive without synthetic ingredients commonly found in commercial formula.

What is the recipe for raw milk formula?

The Weston A. Price Foundation’s raw milk formula uses fresh raw cow’s milk as the base, combined with whey, lactose, gelatin, coconut oil, olive oil, nutritional yeast, and small amounts of fermented cod liver oil and acerola powder for natural vitamins A and C. Each ingredient plays a role in mimicking the nutrient profile of human milk—offering bioavailable fats, proteins, and minerals that support healthy growth and digestion.

Here is the ingredients and instructions for creating raw milk formula from the Weston A Price Foundation.

Ingredients

• 2 cups whole raw cow’s milk, preferably from pasture-fed cows. Where to find: Realmilk.com or your local WAPF Chapter 

• 1/4 cup homemade liquid whey. Where to find: See recipe for homemade whey using raw milk or yogurt below. Note: Do not use powdered whey or whey from making cheese (which will cause the formula to curdle). Use only homemade whey made from yogurt, kefir or separated raw milk.

• 4 tablespoons lactose. Where to find: Check local health food store or order through  Radiant Life, LD Carlson 1994 Lactose (on Amazon), Cellar Science Lactose (on Amazon), NOW Foods (on Amazon), Sunshine Valley (on Amazon) MT Capra Goat Milk Lactose (MT Capra Website)

• 1/4 teaspoon bifidobacterium infantis. Where to find: Many health food/grocery stores, in addition to Amazon and department stores like Walmart, sell organic bifidobacterium infantis (infant probiotic) powder and/or liquid.

• 2 or more tablespoons good quality cream (preferably raw or not ultra pasteurized), more if you are using milk from Holstein cows. Where to find: Raw cream can be scooped off the top of a jar of raw milk.See RealMilk.com and/or WestonAPrice.org/LocalChapters for raw milk sources.

• 1/2 teaspoon unflavored high-vitamin or high-vitamin fermented cod liver oil or 1 teaspoon regular cod liver oil. Where to find: See WAPF’s recommended cod liver oil brands here.

• 1/4 teaspoon high-vitamin butter oil (optional). Where to find: Radiant Life, Green Pastures

• 1 teaspoon expeller-expressed sunflower oil. Where to find: Nearly any health food/grocery store, in addition to Amazon and department stores like Walmart/Target

• 1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil. Where to find: Nearly any health food/grocery store, in addition to Amazon and department stores like Walmart/Target

• 2 teaspoons coconut oil. Where to find: Nearly any health food/grocery store, in addition to Amazon and department stores like Walmart/Target

• 2 teaspoons Frontier brand nutritional yeast flakes. Where to find: Local health food stores or available to order through Amazon

• 2 teaspoons gelatin. Where to find: Nearly any health food/grocery store, in addition to Amazon and department stores like Walmart/Target. Note: WAPF does not recommend collagen hydrolysate. WAPF recommended brands can be found in our shopping guide

• 1-7/8 cups filtered water

• 1/4 teaspoon acerola powder. Where to find: Check local health food store or order through Amazon here or here or Radiant Life

Instructions

• Put 2 cups filtered water into a pyrex measuring pitcher and remove 2 tablespoons (that will give you 1-7/8 cups water).
• Pour about half of the water into a pan and place on a medium flame.
• Add the gelatin and lactose to the pan and let dissolve, stirring occasionally.
• When the gelatin and lactose are dissolved, remove from heat and add the remaining water to cool the mixture.
• Stir in the coconut oil and optional high-vitamin butter oil and stir until melted.
• Meanwhile, place remaining ingredients into a blender.
• Add the water mixture and blend about three seconds.
• Place in glass bottles or a glass jar and refrigerate.
• Before giving to baby, warm bottles by placing in hot water or a bottle warmer. NEVER warm bottles in a microwave oven.

Where can someone get safe raw milk?

If you’re in North Dakota, raw milk can be delivered to your door from Bartlett Farms. Simply subscribe to an ongoing delivery option and receive fresh raw milk every other week. You can freeze raw milk to last even longer than the typical 7-10 days raw milk lasts fresh.

How safe is raw milk formula? Does it work?

When made with milk from a carefully managed, clean dairy, raw milk formula has been used safely for decades. The Weston A. Price Foundation reports hundreds of success stories—babies thriving, gaining weight steadily, and experiencing fewer allergies and digestive issues.

One customer of Bartlett Farms shares the following testimonial:

“My twins have been consuming a raw milk formula I have made for them since coming home from the NICU. I unfortunately couldn’t keep up with my own milk supply to feed them both so turned to doing half and half with the raw milk formula. My twins thrived and still today drink the raw milk formula and I get my raw milk from Bartlett Farms! They are a year and 8 months now.” Danika N, Bottineau (2025)

When is it safe to feed a toddler straight raw milk?

Once a child is eating a varied, nutrient-dense diet—typically after 12 months—many parents transition to plain raw milk. At this stage, the nutrients in full-fat raw milk can support continued growth and immune strength without the need for added ingredients.

We are continually amazed by the stories of real families who nourish their children from the earliest days on raw milk formula. By using only natural ingredients, parents can have the peace of mind knowing they are not exposing their tender young to potentially harmful synthetic ingredients.

Are you looking to try raw milk for a raw milk formula? Bartlett Farms has been serving over 200 families for over 15 years with no confirmed illnesses from the raw milk produced by our dairy cows.

Click here to get started on raw milk today!