As the baby formula shortage continues, North Country families help each other fill in the gaps
The baby formula shortage has hit families across the United States hard. It’s a scary time for many North Country moms, who are struggling to feed their babies and dealing with the anxiety of not finding enough formula.
Local mothers are coming together to help each other.
Sarah LeMay of Chateaugay had her second son in April. She wanted to experience that breastfeeding journey that can come with new motherhood. But she could only produce a low amount of milk for her baby, Jax. So, she had to supplement with formula and was immediately hit with the hard reality of the national shortage.
"It’s stressful because I know that I’m not producing enough and then I do have to supplement with formula," she said. "I just wish I could produce enough so I don’t have to worry about if I’m not able to find his formula."
Jax drinks Enfamil Gentlease. That’s a specialty formula that’s easier on his stomach. These days, that makes it even harder to find.
A confluence of factors
The formula shortage has gone on for months. It came about due to a combination of factors.
First, there were pandemic-related supply chain issues. Then earlier this year a major Abbott Nutrition formula plant — Abbott manufactures Similac, one of the major formula brands — was shut down. Several babies got sick and were hospitalized with a bacterial infection after eating formula made there. The FDA says two deaths were reported.
Subsequent panic buying made shelves even emptier. Stores like Market 32 in Plattsburgh still have limits on the amount of formula customers can buy at one time.
In response, the Biden administration has shipped in formula from other countries and invoked the Defense Production Act to try to up supply. Additionally, WIC has made its formula guidelines more flexible.
Parents take to social media
But those actions have yet to result in steady and accessible supply for many families. So, many are taking to social media to find formula and help one another.
Moira resident Brittany Normandin created the Northern New York Formula Exchange Facebook group. She said when she had a hard time finding formula for her youngest son, Baylor, she would post about it on Facebook. She would get huge responses from friends and family willing to help.
"So I figured, why not gather everyone together in one spot that’s looking, and everyone can just help each other?" she said.
Babies often start out on a basic formula, then have to change for allergies or other reasons, Normandin added.
"So oftentimes moms have extra of kinds that their baby was on previously, so I know that they’re willing to share right now as well."
Crying over formula
Plattsburgh resident Keishawnna VanValkenburg said joining the group has helped, but she’s still scrambling to find formula. She said she never imagined she’d cry over not being able to find enough for her younger baby, Lukka.
"It’s scary just thinking ... I have the money to buy his food if need be, but if it’s not there to buy, I can’t do anything for him."
And Lukka isn’t the only baby she thinks about. VanValkenburg said she finds herself torn between the urge to stockpile the formula he needs and the knowledge that there are more babies who need the same food.
"It’s a very scary and rough time right now because you want to make sure your baby’s fed but then you don’t want to — well, if you’re like me, and think about other people, you don’t want someone else’s baby to go without," she said.
'It's not their faults'
That’s the approach Star Hendrix of Plattsburgh takes as well. She’s fortunate to have enough formula for the time being. When she goes into a store, she decides whether to buy extra based on what, if any, is on the shelves.
The shortage makes moms feel horrible, Hendrix said. They feel their babies are being punished, she continued, or they feel guilty that they can eat when their babies can’t. She has a message for them.
"It’s not their faults. Don’t feel guilty. Don’t give up. Just try your best. I know every other mom is trying their best out there to make sure their baby has what they need."
Moms taking care of moms
The Abbott plant had restarted production earlier this month. But less than two weeks later, it was closed again, this time due to flooding. It’s not expected to reopen for a few weeks, which pushes back the timeline for normalcy even further.
LeMay has found a connection for a more consistent supply of baby formula. But until things return to normal, she said, it’s moms taking care of moms.
"Well it is, it’s stressful. I know many mothers feel the same. But I feel like if we look out for one another, we can get through this. If everyone gets together and looks out for one another or just tries to help in any little way that they can that we’ll get through this."
Families who need formula can contact their local WIC office to see if they’re eligible for those benefits. Doctor’s offices may also have supplies. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends reaching out to your pediatrician about short-term solutions.
