How to feed your baby through the formula shortage

 

How to feed your baby through the formula shortage

 

Responding to a national shortage of baby formula, the American Academy of Pediatrics now says healthy babies who are at least 6 months old can start drinking cow's milk or toddler formula for short periods of time, if necessary.   The group’s existing guidelines had said to hold off transitioning to cow’s milk until children were about 1 year old.    The AAP said that giving cow’s milk or toddler formula to infants 6 months and older is not an ideal solution and should not become routine, but it is a better option than diluting infant formula or trying to make it at home. It added that parents should limit cow’s milk to 24 ounces a day.   The association added that the most important thing with cow’s milk is to make sure your child gets enough iron, with either iron-rich foods or a supplement.   Regardless, always speak with your pediatrician before making changes to your child’s diet.   Supply chain issues and recalls of formula by Abbott Nutrition, as well as  the closure of its plant in Sturgis, Michigan, have sparked a nationwide shortage of infant formulas. The most recent data from the tracking firm Datasembly found that 43% of baby formulas were out of stock for the week ending May 8.   While Abbott and the US Food and Drug Administration came to an agreement this week about the next steps to reopen the shuttered plant, it may still be a matter of week until shelves are full again. In the meantime, some desperate parents have tried to stretch their formula by adding more water or making it at home. But formulas are complex, and researchers spend years developing the right ratio to give babies the nutrients they need for proper development. If you’re having problems finding formula, call your child’s doctor and talk through options with them. If your child doesn’t have an allergy or sensitivity issues, you can likely switch brands.