Michelle Toval
India Choquette
English composition
11/15/2022
Baby formula shortage
Do you know someone that had to change their baby formula brand these past few months? As some of you may know, a few months back there was a sudden shortage for baby formula. But did you know that the shortage is still going on to this day. With the baby formula shortage, women who are able to breastfeed should consider donating to families. Parents are currently suffering trying to buy baby formula for their kids as many brands have gone out of stock. States like North Dakota, Texas, Iowa, and more are suffering the most with this shortage for baby formula. Some people wonder why this crisis has come out of nowhere. Some causes are the recent pandemic, high demand, low stock, “covid babies”, rise in prices and much more. If you’d like more information, details are down below.
In the news article, “Why is baby formula still so hard to find” July 25,2022, the author Brooke Shafer, journalist and former news reporter asserts that one of the main reasons for the baby formula shortage is because of a company called Abbott Nutrition. She backs up this claim by saying how this company in America shut down for having their products contaminated, which is another story itself. Shafer appears to write in hopes of informing in order to help the readers understand one of the main reasons why this crisis is happening. Because of the authors concerned tone, it seems as if she writes for an audience who wants more information about one of the causes of the shortage.“The Biden administration has taken steps to fix the formula shortage, launching Operation Fly Formula in May to speed up imports from overseas formula producers. The U.S. flew in millions of pounds of formula from Europe.Yet, a big issue that remains is Abbott Nutrition’s production of baby formula. The company’s Michigan factory, which closed in February over contamination, contributed to the national shortage. Production resumed earlier this month.”( shafer)
New york times writers, julie Creswell and michael Corkery wrote a new york times article “store shelves are no longer bare, but baby formula remains in short supply” published in september 12, 2022, addresses the topic of baby formula and argues that the baby formula shortage in america can cause long term effects in the future. They support this claim by quoting a mother who is worried about children who might suffer from a change in formula. The writer’s purpose is to extend on the fact that the United States were receiving baby formula form the UK to help families since the brands from the US were always low in stock. Once the US goes back to average production, they are worried that switching back can affect the babies consuming it, especially if they have sensitive digestive issues. They adopt a worried tone, it seems as if they write for parents and parents whose babies have sensitive digestive issues. “But some parents say relying on foreign manufacturers is not a long-term solution. “It boggles my mind that the supply chain was so fragile and could be broken in such a major way,” said Christine Robinson, whose 8-month-old son is fed with formula. Ms. Robinson said she worried that relying on non-U.S. brands could lead to issues for babies whose sensitive digestive systems do not adapt easily to change once the U.S. suppliers are able to ramp up production and the foreign formulas are phased out.”(creswell)
In the New York Times article written by Julie Creswell and Michael Corkery they briefly write about how having baby formula can cause long term effects in the future. They mentioned that switching brands often can cause negative effects to the babies consuming it. As many american brands that sell baby formula are slow with production, international brands decided to help out and shipped millions of baby formula. At a first glance this might have seem like a positive thing to parents in america but it seemed to not be as helpful as people wanted it to be. Many babies have suffered from digestive problems so they can only have certain brands of baby formula. If it’s being changed to the ones being shipped, then changed back once the crisis is over it can really cause more problems with their health. In the ktla article written by Brooke Shafer, she shared how one brand of baby formula has been discontinued because of the product being contaminated. Once this brand shut down we saw the rise of the shortage. It could be possible that this brand had caused babies to have a sensitive digestive system. This brand was also one of the causes of the shortage which relates to the New York Times article. You can see it as a cause and effect. A company (Abbott Nutrition) had shut down because of the baby formula shortage. The end result was other companies outside of the states decided to ship more baby formula to help out. Although these companies helping us out might not be such a help for many due to babies having a sensitive digestive system, making it hard for parents to decide what to do. (Julie)
In their news article “Key characteristics of infants and implications of the recent formula shortage”, Elizabeth Williams and Samantha Artiga assert that families with low income/ receive government funding are facing more difficulties receiving baby formula by showing stats from previous years. By supplying the reader with information about lower income families and POC having a disadvantage with receiving baby formula. Also families that are not from urban areas can also be seen having trouble accessing baby formula. This crisis can affect children who consume formula because it can slow down their growth, lack of nutrients, dehydration and more. Not only that, children who need certain formulas due to conditions, sensitivity to certain brands will also suffer greatly as one of the only brands that they can consume will be out of stock. Elizabeth Williams and Samantha Artiga wish to convey to the readers the importance of impact of short in stalk and high in demand in order to show the stats involving the families. The author’s audience likely consists of those interested in the shortage of baby formula. “There may be health and economic consequences for infants and families who are not able to access enough formula. Baby formula provides vitamins and nutrients essential for a baby’s growth during an important period of child development. Without these nutrients, children can face significant short– and long-term health complications, including dehydration, slow growth, behavior problems, and developmental delays. Diluting formula or formula alternatives can also be dangerous for babies, slowing growth and possibly causing health issues including seizures. The data above suggest that low-income infants and infants of color may be at increased risk for facing these health risks, which may contribute to widening disparities in health for these groups. Infants with allergies or special health needs may also find it more difficult to find the specific formula they need, increasing their risk for health complications. Moreover, as the primary source of coverage for a majority of low-income children, Medicaid programs would be responsible for providing medical care to infants experiencing health complications. Further, the formula shortage comes at a time when inflation and prices for household goods and gas have risen, putting a strain on family budgets. There may be financial implications for families, with some WIC recipients reporting paying out of pocket to obtain the formula they need.” (williams)
In another New York Times article, “Why doctors don’t recommend homemade baby formula” May 11, 2022 the author Catherine Pearson known as a reporter and writer mainly for public health, asserts that parents should not make their own baby formula for their children and suggests that they look for help from their child’s pediatrician. She backs up this claim by doing the following: first, she gives basic information about the baby formula shortage; next, she gives reasons why making your own baby formula is a bad idea because it can lack nutrients; last she gives a solution for desperate parents to seek help from a pediatrician . Pearson appears to write in hopes of opening parent’s eyes in order to prevent them from making their own formula. Because of the author’s concerned tone, it seems as if she writes for an audience who is either making their own formula or someone who is thinking about making their own. “Homemade formula is dangerous for babies,” said Dr. Katie Lockwood, an attending physician at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Primary Care. “Regular formula is F.D.A.-regulated and held to very high standards, the same way we treat medications. Making it at home is a lot riskier.”
“The nutrients in homemade formulas are inadequate in terms of the critical components babies need, especially protein and minerals,” said Dr. Steven Abrams, a spokesman for the American Academy of Pediatrics. The group has “strongly” advised against homemadeformulas.
One 4-month-old baby went into cardiac arrest after being fed a homemade baby formula that included sea moss, hemp seeds and coconut water for a month.
Contamination is another concern. Parents making formula at home may also unwittingly introduce bacteria or other germs that can be especially dangerous for babies under six months whose immune systems are still developing, Dr. Lockwood said.” (pearson)
Health and wellness reporter Renée Onque, in her news article “the baby formula shortage isn’t over and ending it may ‘take a while’–heres a timeline” published in august 2nd, 2022 addresses the topic of the baby formula shortage. Onque’s purpose is to give the timeline of how the shortage started and how it’s currently going. She adopts in a stern tone for her audience, the readers of “the baby formula shortage isn’t over and ending it may ‘take a while’–heres a timeline” and others interested in the topic of the baby formula shortage.
“ February 2022: The Abbott plant was shut down because bacteria was found at its site, sparking an investigation by the FDA and CDC. At the time, there were reports of contaminated formula that may have been linked to the deaths of two infants and the hospitalization of two other infants with bacterial infections. The investigation uncovered leaks in the roof, cracks in key equipment and a previous citation for inadequate handwashing at the facility.
May 2022: More than 40% of the U.S.’s baby formula supplies were out of stock. A representative from CVS confirmed its stores were limiting customers to three baby formula products per purchase, and Target rolled out some online ordering limitations.” (renée)
In the peer reviewed article “is the US infant formula shortage an avoidable crisis” 2022, the authors Doherty, Tanya ; Coutsoudis, Anna ; McCoy, David ; Lake, Lori ; Pereira-Kotze, Catherine ; Goldhagen, Jeffrey ; Kroon, Max addresses the topic of the shortage in the US and argues that women who breastfeeds (and donates it) should be more encouraged. They support this by saying when women donate their breast milk to children in need is one of the only reasons why the shortage isn’t worse as it is. The author’s purpose is to show how breastfeeding can benefit the US from the shortage in order to change the perspective of people who isnt as supportive of breastfeeding in the media. They adopt a formal tone for their audience, the readers of “Is the US infant formula shortage an avoidable crisis” and others interested in the topic of breastfeeding and formula shortage. “They ignore immediately implementable, best practice, sustainable actions such as promoting and supporting breastfeeding, relactation, and scaling up human milk banking. Human milk banking is gaining increased attention with the growing awareness of potential harm from commercial milk formula, as highlighted by lawsuits against Abbott Laboratories and Mead Johnson that claim the companies did not warn about the increased risk of necrotising enterocolitis in preterm infants fed Enfamil or Similac compared with those fed human milk.15,16 Relactation and increased donation of excess breastmilk to Human Milk Banking Association of North America accredited milk banks would help to minimise the effect of this shortage and are included among the recommendations of the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine.17
Breastfeeding has substantial benefits for children, women, society, and the environment. The total future cost (health system, mortality, and cognitive) attributed to not breastfeeding for the USA is estimated at $115 billion.18 The costs of burgeoning formula milk manufacture on the environment also need to be considered as global concerns of climate change and water shortage loom large.19
Urgent attention to address the upstream determinants of low breastfeeding rates should include efforts to improve maternity protection, legislate breastfeeding-friendly workplaces, and enact tighter regulations on commercial milk formula marketing. The continued commercialisation of infant nutrition is not a sustainable long-term option. For the future health of children, societies, and the planet, the trajectory must shift towards creating a more enabling environment for women to breastfeed and for infants to receive optimal nutrition.” (CCNY library)
As the government is attempting to help out families in need by receiving shipment from other countries, it is not as effective as predicted. Even if the formula were to become better in the future, the long term effects of the infants getting used to the current formula being used and it can be difficult to transition back to the original formula. One of the most effective ways to help out is by donating breast milk as it is a primary source of nutrition. People can store their breastmilk and it can still be used for up to 6 months if kept in the right temperature. If you are someone or know someone who can help, don’t hesitate to look up donation websites.
Citations
creswell, julie, and michael corkey. store shelves are no longer bare, but baby formula remains in short supply, new york times,
12 Sept. 20122, www.nytimes.com/2022/09/12/business/baby-formula-shortages.html.
Is the US formula shortage an avoidable crisis? british edition ed., vol. 400, CCNY Library, 2022, pp. 83-84, 1034 vols.
onque, renée. the baby formula shortage isn’t over and ending it may ‘take a while’–heres a timeline, health and wellness CNBC, 2 Aug. 2022, www.cnbc.com/2022/08/02/what-you-need-to-know-about-the-us-baby-formula-shortage.html.
paris, martine. why the baby formula shortage continues in the US, the washington post , 15 July 20122,
90cfac8-0461-11ed-8beb-2b4e481b1500_story.html
Pearson, catherine. why doctors don’t recommend homemade baby formula, new york times, 11 May 2022,
the benefits of breast milk donations, my southern health, 10 July 2017, www.mysouthernhealth.com/breast-milk-donation/.
williams, elizabeth, and samantha artiga. key characteristics of infants and implications of the recent formula shortage, KTLA, 9
shafer, brooke. why is any formula still so hard to find , KTLA, 25 July 20122,
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