From social media to donations: What options you have when dealing with the baby formula shortage and what to avoid
It’s been a challenge for some families to find baby formula in grocery stores.
That’s where social media comes into play, allowing those on the hunt to connect and help one another during a crisis.
Ana Rhyne lives in Raleigh. Like any baby, her daughter Alice needs all the nutrients she can get.
Rhyne says tracking down her usual baby formula in stores is difficult.
"The formula she was originally drinking we can't find," said Rhyne. "I went to Target the other day and the shelf was nearly completely empty."
With bare shelves across the nation and supply of formula hard to locate some people are going online, willing to lend a helping hand with formula donations.
"It gives me hope for humanity that there are so many women out there looking to help others and be there," said Rhyne
During desperate times, donor breast milk has become an alternative.
WRAL News found several mothers seeking and donating breast milk in a Facebook group "Human Milk 4 Human Babies - North Carolina".
Shauna Jones was willing to help by donating the milk she produced from her surrogate pregnancy six months ago.
"I just packed it. I write the date, how much it was and deep freeze it," said Jones.
Feeding your baby donor milk may not be an option for everyone.
"You have to feel comfortable with it," said lactation consultant Ann Conlon-Smith. "You need to meet your donor."
Dr. Lori Langdon with Harnett Health said if you go this route use caution.
"The most important guideline is to have the donor screened, so we recommend medical screening for the donor," said Langdon. "That can include a look at infectious concerns and you can also rule those out by evaluating prenatal labs."
Rhyne considered breast milk for her little one but is making ends meet using formula brands similar to the ones used to feed baby Alice.
"Right now we’re puzzle piecing three different formulas, trying to bridge the gap until we get there," said Rhyne.
5 on Your Side previously compiled some things that parents should avoid doing:
- Do not dilute formula in an attempt to 'stretch' it out.
- Do not use goat or cow's milk in place of formula.
- Do not use friend or family member's breast milk as a supplement.
Here is more guidance from the DHHS:
WIC is the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children that provides healthy food and health care support for low-income families. For infants enrolled in the program, WIC provides assistance to cover the cost of specific milk- and soy-based infant formulas in the first year of life.
The standard milk-based or soy-based powder formulas that WIC covers are widely available in the retail marketplace at this time. However, if WIC participants are having trouble locating formula should contact their local WIC agency for assistance.
A few tips and best practices to help all families navigate these challenges include:
- Community organizations, reputable online retailers, distributors, and manufacturers are sources for finding formula.
- Families using a combination feeding of breast milk and iron-fortified infant formula may wish to consider increasing the frequency of breastfeeding or pumping to decrease the amount of formula needed. Families participating in WIC may also contact their local WIC clinic for additional breastfeeding support and possible breast pump issuance.
- If an infant has been prescribed a specific formula and the availability of safe products is limited, families should work with the child’s health care provider to determine the best feeding plan.
- Families are strongly advised to not use homemade formula and not to add extra water when mixing formula. Families are also advised against using cow’s milk before a child’s first birthday. These practices can be harmful to infants.
