How bad is the baby formula shortage in Kentucky? Here's what to know

Ana Rocío Álvarez Bríñez, Louisville Courier Journal
·4 min read
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The baby formula shortage is affecting states across the nation, but Kentucky is among the states in the worst shape.

According to a study by Datasembly, the Bluegrass State's out-of-stock rate was 55% as of May 8, the latest date for which data was available. That reeinforces just how hard it is for parents to find the formula they need.

Kentucky is behind only Virginia, which had a 58% out-of -stock rate, and Rhode Island, which had a 56% out-of-stock rate, according to Datasembly. Indiana is among the states in better shape, as of May 8, with a 35% out-of-stock rate.

Meanwhile, Louisville's out-of-stock rate for baby formula was at 52% on May 8, according to data from Datasembly. That put Louisville eighth-worst among the 54 cities listed in the data. Only Nashville, Richmond, Houston, Las Vegas, Washington, D.C., Memphis and Phoenix had worse shortages.

Norge Garcia said last week that he had a terrible time looking for the specific formula that his 4-month-old needs. The baby was born premature and can only have one type of formula, Nutramigen, because of his weight.

"I walked the day before yesterday more than six hours looking for milk, and of the 10 cans that WIC gives us. .. we only got one," Garcia told The Courier Journal in Spanish.

"I went to seven Walmarts — all the Walmarts that are here in Louisville, I went to all of them, he said. "I went to Target and none of them have any. There is only milk for babies 9 months and older."

Baby formula shortage: 'That milk doesn't exist': Louisville parents struggling amid nationwide formula shortage

Here is a breakdown of how this shortage started and how people can cope with it:

When did the baby formula shortage start?

Parents across the U.S. have dealt with the shortage for months. According to USA TODAY, the shortage really took hold in February after Abbott Nutrition recalled several of its products — Similac, Alimentum, EleCare and one lot of Similac PM 60/40 — manufactured in Michigan because of sanitary conditions at a plant there.

What has President Joe Biden said about the baby formula shortage?

On May 18, President Joe Biden invoked the Defense Production Act to speed production of infant formula and authorized flights to import formula from overseas.

The U.S. received a baby formula shipment from a Nestlé reserve in Germany on May 23. Another shipment is supposed to arrive next week.

Biden also addressed the nation at the beginning of May and said he will provide new guidelines to the states' WIC program — the federally funded Woman, Infant and Children program — to let parents buy quantities of formula beyond what's been previously regulated.

What has Louisville's WIC program said?

Robin Gillespie, Louisville's WIC nutrition manager, said the program is monitoring the situation.

“As a federally funded program through the state, WIC has been able to make adjustments to ensure that all infants it serves are able to obtain formula through this shortage," she said in early May. "This has been accomplished through offering many different brands and can sizes otherwise not permitted in the program."

Still, for Garcia and his wife Lismay Quesada, the number of cans they're allowed to buy under the WIC program doesn't matter. Last time they visited the store, only one was on the shelf.

"It feels frustrating," Garcia said. "It's something that you have there in a card but you can't use it."

More on the shortage: FDA reaches deal with Abbott to reopen baby formula factory; how long until it's back on shelves?

What should parents do during the shortage?

Tamara Brown, the director of Family & Children's Place's HANDS program, said there are things that parents can do:

  • Ask pediatricians for formula samples.

  • Breastfeeding, if it's an option. Milk banks can often provide additional milk for families.

  • Parents can order some formula online, although some international brands are not FDA approved.

  • If a baby is older than 6 months, Brown encourages families to start giving them solid foods.

Brown is accepting formula donations that will be taken to families who are unable to travel or live in locations where there are not many stores. People who have donations, which must be unopened and not expired, can bring them to the main offices of Family & Children's Place at 525 Zane St.

Is there anything parents should avoid?

Brown said families should not dilute formula with more water, as that eliminates some nutrients babies need for development.

What else can parents do?

The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services said, "Manufacturers have ramped up production 30-50 percent, bringing total production today above pre-recall levels," and gave tips for families who are still struggling with the shortage despite these efforts:

  • Parents can locate their local Community Action Agency who could provide formula or connect them with someone who can.

  • Locate the lot code on the current formula they have and make sure its not part of the recall.

  • Call the manufacturer hotlines: MyGerber Baby Expert, Abott, or Reckitt’s Customer Service line: Call 1-800-222-9123 (BABY-123.)

For Spanish speakers: Padres en Louisville luchan durante la escasez nacional de fórmula para bebés

Caleb Stultz contributed to this article. Reach Ana Rocío Álvarez Bríñez at abrinez@gannett.com; follow her on Twitter at @SoyAnaAlvarez

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: What to know about baby formula shortage in Louisville and Kentucky