Hingham woman, Scituate pediatrician help find baby formula amid shortage
As countless parents scramble to find alternative ways of feeding their babies amid an infant formula shortage, a Hingham resident has stepped up to help fill the gaps for struggling families.
Hannah Connolly, with the help of Hingham resident and Scituate-based pediatrician Katie McBrine, has been helping to deliver baby formula to people who need it.
“The shortage wasn’t expected to last this long,” Connolly said. “And it’s not expected to be back on shelves for six to eight weeks.”
Connolly’s effort started when she saw McBrine post in a local Facebook group that she had samples of different kinds of formula. Connolly called her and asked if she could help distribute the samples.
“At Scituate Pediatrics, we routinely get samples of baby formula in the office,” McBrine said, noting those samples have been in low supply. “I’ve been telling the families here, and I’ve been reaching out to people in the broader community.”
More: What are safe substitutes for baby formula? Amid worsening shortage, avoid homemade recipes
Connolly said, “Now, it’s just a matter of finding those people who need it.”
She said she also visits grocery stores trying to find formula.
She said baby food in liquid form has been especially hard to find.
“People are still having a really hard time since the pandemic,” Connolly said. “Everybody should be helping everybody. And there’s a million reasons moms out there need our support. Some of them have no insurance, some of them get sick, among other things. It’s still just a really difficult time.”
Homemade baby formula not a good alternative
McBrine said some parents have been trying to make homemade formulas based on internet suggestions.
“That’s a bad idea,” she said. “And some parents will try to water down their formula, and that can be very dangerous to an infant’s kidneys. Babies need the balance of electrolytes and nutrition found in baby formula.”
More: Homemade baby formula can be unsafe
McBrine said buying formula overseas via the internet is not a good idea because those products “are not approved by the FDA.”
Switching formula brands or turning to breast milk donation banks may be among the best alternatives, she said.
Why is there a baby formula shortage?
The reason for the shortage stems from unsanitary conditions at Abbott Laboratories in Sturgis, Michigan. Abbott makes the popular baby formula Similac.
Formulas under the Similac, Similac Alimentum and Elecare brands, with an expiration date of April 1, 2022, or later, were recalled by the company and the FDA. The subsequent shutdown of the plant has greatly decreased formula production in the U.S.
"As a pediatrician, I'm getting phone calls and emails and even messages on social media from scared parents across the country," Dr. Tanya Altmann, who practices in Southern California, told USA TODAY.
More: Baby formula costing parents
Nearly 40% of popular baby formula brands were sold out at retailers across the country at the end of April, according to retail research firm Datasembly.
Last week, the Food and Drug Administration said it is "doing everything in our power" to improve the supply of baby formula.
What to do if you can't find your usual baby formula
If your normal baby formula has become unavailable, consult your pediatrician about alternatives. In general, safe substitutes can include getting formula samples through your pediatrician or trying new brands.
"The good news is that most babies can transition safely from one formula to another. Some babies may be pickier and not drink as much, but, within a week, their appetite will usually be back to normal," Victoria Regan, a pediatrician at Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston, told USA TODAY.
Many families choose to use baby formula because they either need to supplement breastmilk, can't breastfeed, or prefer not to. But if your baby formula is not available, try to get safe, pasteurized breastmilk from donation banks.
The Human Milk Banking Association of North America, for example, can find a bank near you. You can also look through local listings for other accredited, nonprofit banks.
You can reach Hannah Connolly at hc9889@gmail.com if you need help getting baby formula. Dr. Katie McBrine said you can also reach out to Scituate Pediatrics.
Material from USA Today reporters Wyatte Grantham-Philips and Janelle Randazza were used for this article.
This article originally appeared on wickedlocal.com: Hingham, Scituate women helping to deliver baby formula in shortage
