Temporary formula substitute

Temporary formula substitute recipe videos

Temporary Formula Substitute, often referred to as 'evaporated milk formula' or 'Klim' in some regions, is a homemade infant feeding solution used in emergencies when commercial formula is unavailable. It is typically made by diluting evaporated milk with water and adding sugar or corn syrup for calories. This mixture was historically common in the early-to-mid 20th century, particularly in Western countries like the United States and Canada, before the widespread availability and regulation of commercial infant formulas.

🍽️ Nutrition at a glance

This substitute is high in carbohydrates from added sugars and provides a moderate amount of fat and protein from the milk base. It offers basic macronutrients but is nutritionally incomplete for infants, lacking essential vitamins and minerals like iron and vitamin D, and has a rough calorie ballpark of 120-150 kcal per 8-ounce (240 ml) serving.

Nutrition breakdown

Calories	135 kcal
Protein	6 g
Carbs	16 g
Fat	6 g
Fiber	0 g
Sugar	16 g
Sodium	100 mg
Calcium	200 mg
Vitamin D	1.0 mcg
Phosphorus	150 mg
Vitamin A	75 mcg
Riboflavin (B2)	0.3 mg
Vitamin B12	0.5 mcg
Potassium	250 mg
Magnesium	20 mg

Per 8 fl oz (240 ml) · estimated, varies by recipe

💡 What's interesting

Culturally, this recipe represents a historical stopgap measure from an era before modern nutritional science and product safety standards for infant feeding were fully established. Nutritionally, its high sugar content and lack of key micronutrients highlight why it is considered an inadequate and potentially harmful long-term substitute for breast milk or properly formulated commercial formula.