As the baby formula crisis continues in Wisconsin, parents are finding it increasingly difficult to find formula for their children. Here’s what you need to know about the situation.
The shortage is affecting parents nationwide, and Wisconsin is no exception. Shelves are empty down baby formula aisles, leading some parents to join social media groups where they swap formulas, share recipes for homemade formulas, and even sell to each other.
The United States government has said that supply chain issues, labor shortages and even a recent formula recall have made the situation worse. Though the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is working with manufacturers to increase their output, there’s no definite answer on how long this shortage will last.
According to White House representative Christen Linke Young, the government has “been working around the clock to do everything in our power to put formula on shelves across the country and make sure that families can access it.”
Wisconsin officials are working to address the baby formula shortage, and if you’re a parent in Wisconsin who is struggling to find baby formula, there are resources available to help you. You can contact your local health department or the Wisconsin Department of Health Services for assistance, or visit https://www.hhs.gov/formula/index.html to learn more. You can also check with your child’s doctor or pediatrician to see if they have any recommendations.
Doctors say that you should not make homemade formula if you can avoid doing so, and that you should never add extra water to stretch out your formula supply because that can dilute the nutrition and lead to health problems for your baby. However, doctors say that if the formula you usually use isn’t available, it’s okay to switch brands (as long as you’re not using a specialty formula because of your baby’s allergies or sensitivities). you just need to know that a switch can take a baby a few days to get used to.
What Do You Think?
Who do you think is responsible for the baby formula crisis, and do you have any tips to share for families who are struggling to find food for their babies? Please share your thoughts and your suggestions on my Twitter feed or on my Facebook page, where you can join the conversation.