Assuming you are a parent or know someone who is, you are surely aware of how difficult it is to obtain their baby’s formula.
Due to a number of factors, infant formula has been more difficult to find in supermarkets since the end of last year. Currently, 40% of the country’s formula supply is depleted. And, while switching from one formula to another or even cow’s milk may appear to be the best option, it is far from it.
One mother resorted to TikTok to convey why she is unable to purchase any brand for her daughter and that she is not alone. Kayzie Weedman wants to raise awareness about a serious problem that she and other parents who feed their kids formula are confronting: void racks.
She stated in her now-viral TikTok video that one goes to their local Target or Walmart and expects to get the formula your kid requires? But nope, the shelves are empty.
@momofrory Excuse my makeup less crying face 🥺 this #formulashortage is so scary. #formulamilk #formulacrisis #formulafeeding #formulafed #fyp #fypシ ♬ original sound – Kayzie Weedman
Kayzie revealed that she can’t use any formula for her kid since she has a “severe cow’s milk protein allergy.” Her baby, like many other newborns who rely on special formulae, develops a rash.
She asks what she is going to do if she can’t find the formula she needs on the shelves? She can’t even buy her daughter’s prescription formula from the pharmacy since it is six months out of stock. All she has to do is sit there and gaze at void racks, not knowing what to do next.
The problems arose early in the epidemic when formula was stored and steadily worsened. Last year’s problems involved labor interruptions, transportation, and raw supplies, and things swiftly worsened after Abbott Nutrition canceled several major brands in response to reports of four babies becoming ill after ingesting formula from a Michigan factory.
We should be talking more about how vulnerable the supply chain is for our most basic and important goods.
— Matt Karolian (Media3.eth) (@mkarolian) May 6, 2022
The baby formula isles at the Target and Walmart near our home.
This should be setting off major 🚨 pic.twitter.com/wH2twVjAEJ
Because most infant formula contains protein from cow’s milk that is simpler for newborns to digest, babies who have a protein allergy are unable to simply transition to a more widely accessible type.
While many recommend nursing instead, Kayzie expressed that the idea is more irritating than useful. She was unable to nurse Palmer due to his immune system and allergy requirements. Her breast milk was gradually killing her daughter, and if she hadn’t had formula, she would have fared far worse.
Although it is advised that parents exclusively breastfeed their infants for the first six months, research reveals that just 26% of newborns were nursed during that time period in 2018. This might be related to a variety of circumstances such as physical issues, trauma, and a lack of parental leave.
Formula shortage is a disaster. No moms can’t make more milk. Some kids can’t latch. There are many issues at work. This is starvation level event hitting the U.S. And no one seems to care.
— Cernovich (@Cernovich) May 11, 2022
Kayzie, like many other parents, turned to social media for assistance in locating her daughter’s formula. Fortunately, she was able to locate 12 cans, which she claimed would last her three months. She added further that no one has no idea how much this means to her, and it’s incredible how social media can be used.
We got the cans we needed WOW! I am blown away by the amount of people that want to help myself and my daughter! We have…
Posted by Kayzie Priebe Weedman on Thursday, 21 April 2022
It is extremely upsetting to watch so many parents struggle to feed their children. Worse, many people do not have options.
Please spread the word about the infant formula scarcity and why parents can’t readily transfer from one brand to another.
