Oh, baby—we’re in trouble now.
The nation’s shortage of baby formula continues to worsen, and parents of infants across the country are beginning to notice. Now they’re posting pleas on social media for increased media coverage, and hopefully some meaningful political action, to resolve the crisis.
The current crisis began, as with so much else, during the COVID-19 pandemic, when manufacturers of baby formula began facing a series of supply-chain issues, including problems sourcing ingredients, acquiring packaging materials, and hiring enough labor. Then, in February, things got worse when Abbott Labs recalled certain of its Alimentum, Similac, and EleCare formulas, which were tied to five infants contracting a Coronobacter sakazakii infection. One of the infants subsequently died of the infection.
“How is this not the biggest story in America?” wrote New York Post columnist Karol Markowicz, after retweeting a post by a woman whose Amazon delivery of baby formula was canceled.
How is this not the biggest story in America? https://t.co/PsllDTQrNR
— Karol Markowicz (@karol) May 5, 2022
She’s not alone in asking this question. A number of frustrated moms have posted similar horror stories, and are wondering why the story isn’t gaining more traction in the mainstream media.
Its true, its insane how many of my friends can’t find formula. And yes, no one is talking about it besides moms🤦♀️ Guess, babies are not so important.
— nymom✡ (@Happymommmy2) May 5, 2022
This is a problem that my granddaughter who has twins is experiencing. It should be reported on more.
— Cheryl (@sherrilynn0420) May 5, 2022
Haven’t seen mine on the shelves the last 4-5 grocery trips. Subscription on Amazon has been out of stock for a while. Hoping my online order doesn’t get canceled! Thankfully my babies are 1 and currently being weaned off it but I can imagine the moms with infants 😥
— Nadia (@NPglko) May 5, 2022
This! I don’t have babies at home, but I noticed the other day at Publix that the baby formula shelf was empty- not a can in sight. I mentioned it to my husband. That is terrible. As a mom who couldn’t breastfeed her babies, I can’t imagine the anxiety new moms are feeling!
— Miriam (@Miriam070919611) May 5, 2022
“Haven’t seen mine on the shelves the last 4-5 grocery trips. Subscription on Amazon has been out of stock for a while. Hoping my online order doesn’t get canceled! Thankfully my babies are 1 and currently being weaned off it but I can imagine the moms with infants,” one mom wrote.
The problem has metastasized beyond the issue of finding specific formulas that a baby can tolerate. Now it’s a matter of finding any baby formula at all.
In New York, the mother of a newborn told Fox Business that she was reliant on baby formula to supplement her infant’s diet, but was having trouble finding any.
“When we ran to the local Target one day to get some [formula] just days after she was born,” the new mom explained, “the shelves were completely empty. My heart literally sank. Luckily she doesn’t need any special formula and I was able to order online, but not everyone has been as lucky. Our neighbor said her family member can’t find the sensitive type of formula for their newborn, who has stomach issues, anywhere. They’re in a panic daily not knowing if they’ll be able to feed their newborn tomorrow or the day after; my heart breaks for those parents.”
It’s a serious issue and one that illustrates how the economic, domestic, and foreign policy crises that have multiplied under the Biden administration are beginning to affect people’s lives. Few things are more terrifying than a mother who can’t feed her child and is looking for someone to blame. Increasingly, these mothers are taking to social media to demand action.
“The baby formula shortage is unreal!!! GET THESE BABIES SOME FOOD!!!!!!!!!!!” one mom tweeted, with pictures of empty shelves at a grocery store.
The baby formula shortage is unreal!!! GET THESE BABIES SOME FOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!! 😢 pic.twitter.com/GSlh3E3tVD
— britt🦋 (@billi0nairebrit) May 1, 2022
A report by Fox 29 underscores the bleak picture: Datasembly, a retail data firm, shows that 40-50% of major formula brands were sold out last week in 26 states. Even worse, six states—Iowa, South Dakota, Missouri, Texas, and Tennessee—had more than 50% of formula sold out. In response, major retailers including Walmart, Walgreens, Target, and CVS are implementing limits on how many cans of formula customers can purchase at one time.
Meanwhile, some are now calling on the White House to get involved.
This is my local Target, which is more stocked with formula than most other stores. This is a problem. Where is @POTUS on this? @PressSec any comments? pic.twitter.com/Qdn55wiRP9
— Kira (@RealKiraDavis) May 5, 2022
But most people aren’t holding their breath.
Probably spinning the Wheel of Blame right now. Will have an answer shortly I imagine.
— Joanna Barry 🇬🇧 🇺🇲 (@OxfordJo70) May 5, 2022
Don’t you follow @POTUS ?? The person who writes it tells us almost daily that this is the biggest economic boom in the history of our country!
— ATCZer0 (@ATCZeroo) May 5, 2022
It is Russias fault remember, according to his administration, everyone has to make sacrifices
— 🇺🇸 🇺🇸Cletis🇺🇸🇺🇸 (@CletisBee) May 5, 2022
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9 thoughts on “‘How is this not the biggest story?’ Young parents hit panic mode as baby formula shortage worsens”
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Mother nature gave you a pair of dispensers. Get a pump and us them. This just more fear porn.
Children who are breast fed are more robust and have a stronger immune system. Very few children should be on formulated poison.
Unfortunately this is just the beginning. Next will be shortage of drugs. Insulin, chemo drugs, vitamins, antibiotics……..etc then no natural gas, gasoline, oil! Then no wind or solar energy because, THEY DON’T WORK! Then china and puter nuke a few countries and then we all perish because of global warming. the end!
Order on line…………….or, get a “wet nurse.”
Break out the bobbies
I don’t think my mother used formula back in 1963. And I know she didn’t breastfeed. I imagine she gave us regular milk.
That could explain things…
When I had my baby at a military hospital in the Philippines the Exchange ran out of formula and the ship carrying it was weeks out. They gave us a recipe for baby formula which contained evaporated milk, water and Karo Syrup. I don’t remember the exact amounts but I bet it is on-line somewhere. It’s a lot cheaper than commercial formula and probably safer too.
seems there are a lot of search engines going for make your own, but didn’t see any answers on how to do it, so a lot of people are trying to get around the shortage or the price for that matter. Even if it was stocked, price has to be thru the roof.