How should parents who can’t find formula feed their babies?

Parents in the United States are struggling to find baby formula, spend hours driving to local stores, and rummaging through shelves for nutrition for their children.

Millions of babies depend on formula and more than 40% of the most popular brands are sold out in stores across the countryaccording to a Datasembly grocery stock analysis.

For parents who can’t afford their baby’s regular formula products, pediatricians and maternal health experts have some tips on what to do and what not to do. in the midst of scarcity.

Try whole cow’s milk

For most babies who have no special needs and are six months or older, whole cow’s milk is a safe alternative to formula, as long as it is only used as a substitute for a short period of time, according to the doctor. Steven Abrams, a professor of pediatrics at Dell Medical School at the University of Texas at Austin.

“But for babies under six months of age, it’s a real problem, especially in the first few months. Whole cow’s milk is not a good alternative, nor are adaptive cow’s milk formulas,” said Dr. Abrams on CBS MoneyWatch.

Look for samples in your pediatrician’s office

Most pediatric offices store samples of formulas that parents can take for a short period of time until the stores can be refilled. Also ask your pediatrician about European formulas that may be similar to a product that is temporarily unavailable in the U.S.

Buy branded products from the store

Consider switching to store-branded baby formula products.

“Unless a baby has a specialized formula, most of the ingredients are similar,” said Jackee Haak, a breastfeeding care provider who serves on the board of the U.S. Association of Breastfeeding Consultants. . “For the normal formula, changing brands isn’t as scary as people used to think it was, so there are opportunities for that as well.”

Breastfeed if you can

Parents who are considering breastfeeding may contact a breastfeeding consultant if their baby is currently dependent on a formula diet. Most insurers will also cover the cost of buying a breast pump.

“You can pump and bottle feed if you don’t want to paste [the] baby. This can be a short-term choice for a parent until that changes, “Haak said.

Not everyone has the ability to breastfeed, Haak noted. “It’s a misconception that everyone has the ability to breastfeed. Barriers make this difficult.”

Come to the breast milk banks

The Association of Human Milk Banks of North America, made up of 30 non-profit milk banks in the United States and Canada, urges more women to donate their own breast milk, which is distributed to banks and pharmacies in the United States. local milk and is made available to parents who need it.

Usually, parents looking for breast milk given to their babies can get a prescription from their pediatrician.

“Milk banks receive donations, process and do a lot of testing and pasteurization, then freeze and distribute it,” said Natalia Summerville, an expert on breast milk and formulas and a professor at Duke University and the Massachusetts Institute. Technology said. “A lot of that goes to NICs, but when they have a surplus they go on to donate it to pharmacies.”

He added: “It’s similar to blood donations. Mothers take out milk and give it and do a fantastic job handing it out.”

Start by consulting your pediatrician and ask for a prescription if the given breast milk is considered appropriate for your baby. If so, contact your local breast milk bank and ask if they have excess milk available. It is usually provided free of charge to families in need.

“Many mothers who have more than enough milk to feed their own babies and have a surplus are willing to contribute to it for the social good,” Summerville said.

Connect to social media

Look for support groups on social networking sites, such as Facebook, that are dedicated to helping parents find formula through crowdsourcing.

“There are supply bags in different areas,” Haak said. “Some people are finding supply, and there’s a lot to share. I’ve seen people post things like, ‘I’m in this area, that’s what I see, does anyone want me to buy this for them?'”

Jennifer Kersey, 36, of Cheshire, Connecticut, said she was up to her last can of formula for her 7-month-old son when someone saw her post on a Facebook group and handed her a few cans. of sample.

She told The Associated Press that she had just started getting in touch with people, “Hey, do you have that formula?”

It is a collective effort. Group members who find formula in stock help get it to mothers who need it.

“If someone offers me and says,‘ I have these three, ’I’ll say,‘ I’ll grab the purple can and then put the others on this website, ’Kersey said.

Do not dilute the formula

“Of course, we don’t want parents to over-dilute their formula. It’s definitely better to use cow’s milk than to over-dilute,” said Dr. Abrams of UT Austin. Diluting the formula is “basically the same as giving extra water to the baby. All it does is fill the stomach; it doesn’t really provide nutrition. It doesn’t do anything to strengthen the baby and it’s the same as using juices.” , he said.

“If you dilute the formula, it changes the baby’s electrolytes and it could be diverted. They won’t get the nutrients and calories they need and it’s not really recommended,” added Haak, the breastfeeding care provider.

You don’t do it at home either

“We can’t recommend the use of homemade formulas or anything like that; it’s just dangerous, especially in the first few months of a baby,” Dr. Abrams said.

“The formula is really designed and strengthened with all the things your baby could need. Many recipes [are] floating by what my grandparents told me, but this is absolutely not recommended. A lot of damage can be done, “Haak said.

—Associated Press contributed to this report