Some parents might be interested in making their own infant formula. But commercially prepared formula is the best and safest choice for babies who aren't breastfed. Online formula recipes may look healthy and promise to be nutritionally complete, but getting too little — or too much — of important nutrients can cause serious problems for infants. Commercially prepared formula must meet high nutrition and safety standards. It is hard — if not impossible — to meet these standards at home. Problems with homemade formula include: Contamination and infections. Preparing formula at home can lead to contamination. Formulas that use unpasteurized raw cow milk or goat milk may cause infections, like Salmonella or E. coli. Nutrient deficiencies. Homemade formulas may not have enough important nutrients, including protein, vitamins, and minerals. For example, vegan and dairy-free formulas don't provide enough calcium, which can lead to feeding problems, irritability, and seizures. Nutrient excesses. Some formulas may have too much of some nutrients. For example, too much salt or protein can be hard on an infant's kidneys. Poor growth and learning problems. These can happen when a baby does not get proper nutrition over time. Why Might Some Parents Want to Make Formula? Parents might want to make their own infant formula for a lot of reasons. They might be looking for healthy, natural, or organic options, while some families need to spend less on store-bought formula. For parents who can't or choose not to breastfeed, commercially prepared formula is the best choice. These formulas contain the right balance of protein, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals and are made with safety in mind. If you cannot afford formula, talk to you doctor or call 211 to help you find local resources. Families may be eligible for assistance through: Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Back to Articles Related Articles Calcium Milk and other calcium-rich foods help build strong, healthy bones. But most kids and teens don't get enough calcium. Here's how to make sure that yours do. Read More Low Calcium in Babies (Hypocalcemia) Hypocalcemia is when the blood has too little calcium. It can be treated with calcium and vitamin D supplements. Read More Vitamin D Vitamin D is needed for strong bones, but is hard to come by because it's found in few foods. Here's how to make sure kids get enough vitamin D. Read More Formula Feeding FAQs: Getting Started Shopping for formula-feeding supplies can be daunting. Here are answers to some common questions about formula feeding. Read More Feeding Your Family on a Tight Budget Everyone needs enough healthy food, but many people can't get it all the time. Here are programs that can help. Read More Formula Feeding FAQs: How Much and How Often Get answers to some common formula-feeding inquiries, from how much newborns eat to what their diapers might look like. Read More Formula Feeding FAQs: Some Common Concerns Read about how to manage common formula-feeding concerns, from spitting up and fussiness to gas and milk allergies. Read More Formula Feeding FAQs: Starting Solids and Milk Find answers to common inquiries about introducing solids and whole milk to formula-fed babies. Read More Breastfeeding vs. Formula Feeding Making a decision to breastfeed or formula feed your baby is a personal one. There are some points to consider to help you decide which option is best for you and your baby. Read More Feeding Your Newborn These guidelines on breastfeeding and bottle feeding can help you know what's right for you and your baby. Read More Feeding Your 1- to 3-Month-Old Whether you've chosen to breastfeed or bottle-feed your baby, your infant will let you know when it's time to eat. Read More Feeding Your 4- to 7-Month-Old Is your baby is ready for solid foods? Learn how and when to get started. Read More Feeding Your 8- to 12-Month-Old At this age, babies start to explore table foods. Read More Bones, Muscles, and Joints Without bones, muscles, and joints, we couldn't stand, walk, run, or even sit. The musculoskeletal system supports our bodies, protects our organs from injury, and enables movement. Read More 3 Ways to Build Strong Bones We build almost all our bone density when we're kids and teens. Kids with strong bones have a better chance of avoiding bone weakness later in life. Here's how parents can help. Read More Rickets Rickets is when bones become soft and weak, usually because a child doesn't get enough vitamin D. Most kids with rickets get better with treatment. Read More Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor. © 1995-2021 KidsHealth®. All rights reserved. Images provided by The Nemours Foundation, iStock, Getty Images, Veer, Shutterstock, and Clipart.com.