The baby formula shortage in the country has gone from a minor inconvenience to a full-blown national crisis that led many to turn to homemade baby formula.
However, pediatricians warn parents against it as it may lack the vitamins and nutrients necessary for an infant's growth. More so, it could be dangerous for babies and may lead to severe or life-threatening health problems.
3 Factors Driving the Baby Formula Shortage in America
There is always a shortage in one product or another, and it is usually not something new. However, the shortage in baby formula in America is turning into a national crisis today due to three factors, according to The Atlantic.
The first factor is because of bacteria. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recently investigated the deaths of two infants who died of a rare infection that may have been caused by infant formula. They found traces of the pathogen Cronobacter sakazakii in a Michigan plant and advised the public not to buy some formula tied to the plant.
The second factor is because of the virus. The pandemic has also affected the supply chain, which means that the market for infant formula is also affected. In the spring of 2020, sales of infant formula have skyrocketed because people have stockpiled. It also affected the supplies after the lockdown as production became difficult. Meanwhile, births in early 2022 have increased, pushing the demand for formula again.
Lastly, the country's regulatory and trade policy is so stringent that most stuff from Europe is illegal to buy due to technicalities. A study suggests that many European formulas have passed the FDA nutritional guidelines and might even be better than American formulas.
Read also: Mooove Over: Breast Milk's Antimicrobial and Anti-inflammatory Effects are Superior to Cow's Milk
No to Homemade Baby Formula
The shortage in infant formula has led some mothers to go creative and make their homemade baby formula. The recipe is said to be from 1960 that has been shared on social media in which mothers are encouraged to mix evaporated milk, water, and Karo corn syrup, Science Alert reported.
But the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has warned against this, saying that it will not meet the essential nutritional needs of babies and can be very dangerous to their growth and development or worse, it can make their babies sick.
Tanya Altmann, the founder of Calabasas Pediatrics in California, said that Karo syrup was once used to help ease constipation. Altmann didn't advise the homemade formula milk pointing out that it can also contain harmful bacteria.
Moreover, the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine has warned against giving juice, water, tea, or any formula substitutes to infants below six months.
Some even also recommended goat's milk, but experts said it does not contain enough nutrients for human babies. They advise concerned parents to consult their pediatricians about feeding options and urge them to be open to switching formula brands or using generic products, especially for infants who have not shown sensitivity to ingredients.
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