by Kim Reavis

Created on: September 16, 2007   Last Updated: May 17, 2010

I am a strong advocate of nutritional wellness and have studied nutrition for several years. When I got pregnant with my son, I made becoming savvy at prenatal nutrition my first priority. As I approached the end of my pregnancy, I began to shift my focus away from prenatal nutrition and towards postpartum dietary wellness. I became a fan of the nutritional benefits of breastfeeding and read many La Leche League publications. There was never a doubt in my mind that I would be able to breastfeed. I was, after all, the bookish nutritional sales girl who ate the best diet that I could find.

Once my son was born I experienced the devastation of not being able to produce milk for him. I was utterly shocked and confused. How could someone so diligent at nutrition be unable to lactate? I felt as though I had somehow failed my baby. I was even further hurt by the fact that all of my attachment parenting resources were adamant that I would eventually lactate. They persuaded me to use the breast pump every one to two hours and to take large doses of lactation stimulating herbs. In the first week of my son's life I spent $400 trying to produce milk. In half that time he had become severely dehydrated and began to have seizure-like activity due to the lack of nourishment. At wits end and in a puddle of tears, I had to face the fact that my son needed sustenance regardless of whether it was my milk or not.

Research has shown that infants fed commercial baby formula are six times more likely to get cancer as adults. This and many other distasteful facts have convinced me that I absolutely will not feed my son commercial baby formula. Organic baby formula was then my next option. Not surprisingly, Lex did not respond well to the dairy in the organic formula. He also refused to drink the organic soy formula. Feeling completely helpless, I once again found myself in a puddle of tears. I calmed down enough to remind myself that I was now responsible for another life. My sorrow and tears wouldn't solve anything. I needed to review my options and make decisions. Thinking outside of the box, I began to research homemade baby formula options.

There is an extremely limited amount of information available concerning homemade baby formulas. I eventually came across a book called "Nourishing Traditions" that featured homemade baby formula recipes advocated by the Weston Price Foundation. I am familiar with and trust the Weston Price Foundation, so I chose to work with one of their goat

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