How to Deal With Ongoing Baby Food Shortages
Being a parent of a small child is challenging enough, even without considering the additional challenges that come with a global pandemic. And so far this year, that has included shortages of baby food.
At first there were problems with the supply chain and the availability of ingredients. Then, in February, one of the country’s leading manufacturers announced a massive recall of its products after several children were hospitalized with bacterial infections associated with their formulas. Add to that the historical rate of inflation , and infant formula—an already expensive item—is suddenly out of reach for many families.
But despite all this, there are still non-breast milk feeding options for your baby (which is not for everyone). Here are some strategies to help you get through it.
Use the general formula
If you’re feeding your baby brand name formula, you’ve probably noticed that he’s the first to leave. But in fact, there is practically no difference between generic or proprietary formulas and formulas with familiar names. In fact, a 2017 article published in the journal Pediatrics reports that they are “nearly identical.”
Not only that, but it doesn’t matter where you buy your grocery store or drug store branded formula—Costco, Target, Walgreens, CVS, Amazon, Kroger, etc.—it’s all made by the same manufacturer: Perrigro . In addition, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires all infant formula, including generic brands, to meet uniform quality and safety standards , including nutrient, ingredient, and manufacturing process requirements.
Combine proteins and carbohydrates in a new formula
To make it as easy as possible for your child to switch to a new formula, choose one that contains the same proteins and carbohydrates as your previous formula, Bridget Young, MD , professor of pediatrics at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, recently said . Wire cutters .
She says protein compliance — such as switching from one formula containing skim milk to another — should be your top priority, followed by carbohydrates, including lactose, maltodextrin, or corn syrup solids.
Complete your supply with samples
It’s not a long term solution, but if you’re really stuck, free baby food samples can help. For example, if you have an appointment with your pediatrician, you can tell him about your problems with the lack of formula and ask if he has any recommendations. Ideally, they will offer some samples at this point, but if they don’t, you can always ask.
You can also check the websites of infant formula companies and order any free samples available. Again, if samples are not offered, you can call customer service to request one. If you go down this route, it’s best to check with your doctor first (whether or not they give you samples), especially if your baby has any special formula needs.
Switch to whole milk as soon as they are 12 months old.
According to Lauren Bean, MD , a pediatrician at Rainbow Babies & Children’s University Hospital in Cleveland, after your baby’s first birthday, they no longer need the special nutrients found in infant formula, and in most situations, they can switch to whole foods instead. milk.
How much milk should they drink? Bean says the ideal amount of whole milk for toddlers is 16 to 24 ounces a day—any more can lead to an iron deficiency.
Switch to a different type of milk as soon as they are 12 months old.
Bean points out that there are other milk options (including for babies as young as 12 months old) that are not from cows. Soy and pea milks are her top choices as they are the most nutritious as cow’s milk and are the only plant-based milks that can be used in place of formula (nutritionally).
“Other plant-based milks, such as almond milk, cashew milk, and oat milk, can be good sources of calcium and vitamin D, ” Bean says . “I always recommend checking labels to be sure, but [they] are generally not the best source of protein, fat, and calories.” Because of this, they can be used as complementary drinks, but not as an alternative to cow’s milk or formula.
What to Avoid During Formula Shortages
It’s also important to keep in mind that some of the strategies we can use during times of food shortages can be unsafe options when it comes to feeding our baby. Here are a few things to avoid:
home formula
There are many recipes for homemade infant formula, but according to the FDA , they should all be avoided. This is because, unlike commercial formulas, homemade versions may not contain the right nutrients in the right amounts, which can lead to nutrient imbalances, the agency explained in a 2021 statement .
The FDA also warns of potential contamination of homemade formula, which can lead to foodborne illness, which, like nutritional imbalances, can be life-threatening.
Diluting Formula
When you run out of liquid hand soap, you can add some water to the container to make it last a little longer. This strategy does not work with infant formula. Adding more water to the formula to make the container last longer is a bad idea, especially for younger children, because it means they aren’t getting the nutrients they need.
“In addition, babies’ kidneys are immature and unable to process the extra water in a diluted formula, ” Bean says . “If a child consumes a diluted formula, they can have very low levels of sodium in their blood, which can lead to convulsions and even death.”
Imported formulas
Infant formula imported from Europe or other parts of the world does not meet the same FDA standards as those made in the United States. As Megan Moravczyk Walbert of Lifehacker points out in this 2019 article , they include storage, nutrition, recall, and labeling requirements.
milk cans
Some areas have milk banks where women who produce extra milk while breastfeeding can donate it for others to use. But Bean does not recommend using milk cans as a way to get breast milk to replace formula during a shortage.
“The best use of this donor breast milk is in the neonatal intensive care unit,” she explains, noting that using canned milk instead of formula “could potentially affect the supply of neonatal intensive care units.”
Online shopping
Shortage or not, it’s best not to go to places like Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist to buy breast milk or formula, as you can never be completely sure what you’re getting and if it’s safe.
Giving formula to children
If your grocery store has run out of your regular infant formula but still has toddler formula, you can’t just swap one for the other if your baby is less than a year old. While there is no hard and fast timeline for weaning a baby from formula , it usually happens on the baby’s first day of birth. The Toddler Sum, intended for children over one year of age, is not really needed by most children.
But more importantly, the FDA doesn’t have the same standards for nutritional content and manufacturing of infant formula as it does for infant formula, including rules for pathogen testing, reports Wirecutter . But if you really don’t have any other options, Stephen A. Abrams, MD of the American Academy of Pediatrics , says it’s safe to give babies over six months of age infant formula for a few days.
And if in doubt, ask your pediatrician for advice. Given that they are familiar with your child’s medical history and any special needs they may have, they are best placed to answer your questions and provide guidance on how to overcome the lack of baby food.