Real food for little bellies, made in your own kitchen
When I couldn't make enough milk for my son Cooper, I made his formula myself from raw whole foods. It's raw, gluten-free, soy-free and vegan, and the recipe is free for every parent who wants it.
Hi, I'mCooper!
How Cooper's recipe began
Like many mothers, I couldn't produce enough breast milk to keep my newborn growing. I read the labels on the cans in the store and couldn't bring myself to use them.
So I built a recipe from avocado, hemp and pumpkin seeds, coconut water and greens, blended fresh every day. Cooper thrived. Soon other mothers were calling to ask what I fed him, and I've been sharing it ever since.
Read more about usLab-tested by Midwest LaboratoriesPer 8 oz serving: 160 calories, 12g healthy fats, 3g protein, 5g fiber and 80% of daily vitamin B12. No soy, gluten or added sugar.
See the nutrition factsCooper's first year, month by month
The free recipe in three steps
Gather
Whole foods from your grocery store and bulk aisle: avocados, seeds, coconut water and your choice of milk.
Blend
Everything goes into a high-speed blender until perfectly smooth. One batch lasts the day.
Check with your pediatrician
Every baby is different. Talk it through with your doctor before changing how your baby is fed.
Babies Should Eat Like a Baby
The truth about infant formula, and the whole-food recipe I made for my son.
Cooper's birth story, what's really in store-bought formula, the full recipe with notes for every age, and the baby food recipes we lived on. Instant download for $2.99.
Get the book
“Within a few weeks, her reflux and itchy red eyes cleared up. I have recommended it to friends and neighbors with the same struggles.”
Jess, mother of Grace
Read more storiesCoopers Recipe FAQ
What is Coopers Recipe?
Coopers Recipe is the whole-food baby formula Lohra Ballinger made for her son Cooper when she couldn't make enough breast milk. She shares the full recipe free on this site, and her e-book Babies Should Eat Like a Baby tells the whole story.
Is the recipe really free?
Yes. The full recipe, with every ingredient, the amounts and the directions, is free on the Free recipe page. The e-book is optional and every copy supports Sacred Soul Farm, a non-profit.
What is in Coopers Recipe?
Avocado, hemp seeds, flax seeds, pumpkin seeds, coconut water, unsweetened milk of your choice, coconut or flax oil, Himalayan salt or sea moss, liquid chlorophyll, vitamin C, and a greens powder and mineral powders. It is raw, gluten-free, soy-free and vegan when made with a plant milk.
Has the formula been lab tested?
Yes. Midwest Laboratories in Omaha, Nebraska analyzed an 8 oz serving in 2014 (report 14-177-4018). It measured 160 calories, 12 g fat, 3 g protein, 5 g fiber and 0 mg cholesterol. The full report is on the Nutrition page.
Which milk should I use?
The lab test was made with almond milk, but you can use any unsweetened milk you like: flax, almond, hemp or goat's. Lohra recommends flax milk because flaxseed is naturally rich in ALA, a plant omega-3.
Can I make it for a baby under 6 months?
The recipe amounts are for babies 6 months and older. For younger babies, Lohra used half of each amount except the milk and the coconut water. Always talk with your pediatrician before changing how your baby is fed.
Where can I buy Goofy Greens, Power Powders and Mighty Minerals?
Those were Lohra's own blends and are no longer sold. The free shopping list PDF shows the products used in the original tested recipe and similar alternatives with links. The alternatives have not been tested in Coopers Recipe.
Is this medical advice?
No. Coopers Recipe shares one mother's experience and research, not medical advice. Please talk with your pediatrician before using any formula recipe.