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NC parents driving to different states, considering alternatives amid formula shortage

Some parents in North Carolina say they're having to drive cross state lines to feed their children as the baby formula shortage worsens across the United States.

Posted Updated

By
Leslie Moreno
, WRAL reporter
NASHVILLE, N.C. — Some parents in North Carolina say they're having to drive cross state lines to feed their children as the baby formula shortage worsens across the United States.

Colleen Calford, who lives in Nashville, says she's been spending hours searching for baby formula at stores and online. Calford said she's had family members travel out of N.C. more than once in order to feed her 5-month-old baby.

"There was so much outrage about toilet paper and I don’t see that for formula,” said Calford.

Calford's child was born premature and now requires special formula. She said in the last four months, she's had to change her baby’s formula three times because of the shortage.

"I have to scour to find stores. We live in a pretty small town so I'm scouring the different Food Lions, Walmarts within at least an hour radius of us,” said Calford.

Experts said the formula shortage stems from a combination of recalls and supply chain issues, which is causing prices to go up. However, White House officials have asked all state attorneys to crack down on price gouging.

"What we seen in our reports about people buying hard to find baby formula from stores is they immediately go online ... and post them at an exorbitant price. That's against the law here in North Carolina," said North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein.

With prices so high, some parents are turning to other alternatives.

"It's terrifying," said Calford. "I find myself googling things that I have never imagined like — how do you make food for a baby?"

Health experts say parents should never dilute formula, though. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently issued a warning a parents that too much water in formula can have dangerous, long-term effects.

"If a baby has [incorrectly mixed] formula, it could result in electrolyte abnormalities. They can have poor weight gain [and] failure to thrive. It's those electrolyte abnormalities that really scare us and could lead to swelling in the brain seizures, even death,” said Harnett Health pediatrician Dr. Lori Langdon.

Experts recommend parents call their pediatrician to see if they have some formula in stock, or options for safe alternatives.

Congress is also planning to address the shortage in a meeting on May 25.

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