Oklahoma parents searching for baby formula due to current national shortage
OKLAHOMA CITY (KOKH) — Across the U.S., parents are searching the shelves for baby formula, and some are being forced to travel to multiple stores to find the formula they need.
One Oklahoma mother said she had to travel to eight different stores on Tuesday to find a formulaand was only able to find two boxes of formula.
Experts say this shortage has been affecting families all year, and has only continued to grow as a major manufacturing plant operated by Abbott Nutrition was forced to close and recall several formula brands earlier in 2022.
The Abbott factory in Sturgis, Mich., closed in February due to contamination concerns, where four babies suffered bacterial infections, two of which died after consuming formula from that facility.
"There's a particular bacteria that can contaminate powdered formula in particular and called Cronobacter Sakazakii AI, and that can be fatal," said Executive Director of Oklahoma Mothers Milk Bank Becky Mannel.
The factory closure has only added to the COVID supply chain issue, causing formulas to become more difficult to find.
"That kind of has the ripple effect of, you know, now people are buying other brands of formula and so, will they have to try to ramp up production to meet that need because that factory is still shut as we speak?" said Mannel.
Families throughout Oklahoma are stressed, scared, and concerned.
One mother said her family spends hours searching through stores and websites to find the formula they use for their twins.
Experts say if you run out of your formula, you have a few options.
"If a mother is breast feeding and using formula, we highly encourage our mothers to breastfeed as much as possible right now due to the shortage," said Julia Nored from the Infant Crisis Center.
Breastfeeding is not an option for every mom.
"If you’re struggling to find a name brand, look for those generic formulas," Nored said. "They have the same nutrients, the same ingredients, and are gonna be just as good for your little one. We also encourage mothers to consult their pediatricians if they are thinking about switching formulas."
Parents can also contact the WIC clinic or the Infant Crisis Center for assistance.
Experts say one thing parents should never do is make their own formula or water down their formula. They say that can have detrimental effects on the babies' growth and the babies' health.
The FDA also released a statement on Wednesday, saying they are working tirelessly to ensure that infant formula products remain available in the U.S.
If you would like to help, you can donate to the Infant Crisis Center by clickinghere.
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