Families across the U.S. are scrambling to feed their babies as formula becomes less and less available. According to CNN, a February recall of three brands of formula and ongoing supply-chain issues have contributed to shortages that have left store shelves empty. In response, White House press secretary Jen Psaki says the FDA is doing everything it can to shore up production to meet the demand, CNN reports. But for the time being, some families are left with few options for getting their babies the nutrients they need.
Gabby Orr, a reporter at CNN, is one of them. “The baby formula shortage is getting unreal,” she tweeted. “No grocery store near us has the brand we use, it is temporarily out of stock on Amazon Prime and the generic version that is ‘available’ on Amazon has a 1-2 month lead time.” Other parents told POLITICO that they are “panicking” over the shortage.
The problem may contribute to pre-existing pressures on women to shift to breast milk. But Northeastern experts say it would be a mistake to assume that breast milk is always a viable alternative to using formula, and the current crisis may make purchasing it riskier than ever.
