Nearly half of the baby formula supply is out of stock in MO, KS stores, straining parents
Cara Shockley first found out about the baby formula shortage when a coworker shared a photo of barren Walmart shelves, meant for baby formula, on Facebook a month ago.
Shockley, who is the mom of a 14-month-old son, said she immediately headed to her local neighborhood Walmart off Metropolitan Avenue in Kansas City, Kansas.
When she arrived, there was no baby formula in sight.
“I started to get anxious,” Shockley said. “It was completely bare.”
With only half a can left back home, Shockley and her husband decided to visit another Walmart in Shawnee, where they were able to snag the last two containers of formula.
For the next three weeks, the couple had to travel to Shawnee to find formula, and each time, they seemed to grab the very last can.
“It’s scary to bring up a child in these times. I’ve never heard of a baby formula shortage in my life,” Shockley said.
The baby formula shortage has been impacting families across the country. Nationwide, the out-of-stock rate for baby formula jumped from 30% to 40% at the end of April, according to data analysis firm Datasembly.
Since last week, the out-of-stock rate in Missouri went from 43% to 49%, as of May 1. In Kansas, that number jumped from 43% to 50%. For context, the out-of-stock rate for both states was well under 20% at the very beginning of 2022.
“The shortage is real,” said University of Kansas Health System pediatrician Dr. Stephen Lauers.
“We see this with patients and families every day now. Families that are already strapped, having to drive around and spend time and gas money just trying to find formula. The reality is, there aren’t a lot of great answers.”
Why is there a shortage?
The shortage began in 2020 due to the pandemic, according to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, but has persisted due to recent recalls that have taken even more products off the shelves.
The recalls are for a number of products produced by Abbott Nutrition, which has had to shut down a Michigan plant after four infants contracted a rare bacterial infection after consuming formula from the facility.
“The combined shortage and product recall have created anxiety among infant parents and caregivers,” Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services Acting Director Paula Nickelson said in a statement.
Shockley and her family have decided that they will start weaning their son off of formula milk, since he is over 12 months old. She said she doesn’t know how she’d manage if her son was younger.
“I can’t imagine how other mothers feel, I would be devastated, “ Shockley said. “My heart would be on the floor if I was someone who had a six month old.”
What to do if you can’t find baby formula
The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services asks that families who can’t find baby formula first reach out to their health care provider to come up with a game plan for what to do next.
DHSS also shared a few tips for families who are anxious or struggling to find formula nearby.
If your child is over 6 months old, try feeding them more baby food and less formula.
After 12 months, it is safe to wean your baby off of formula. At this point, the child can start trying cow’s milk and other foods. Lauer said you can consult with your health care provider to see if it’s possible to start your child on cow’s milk earlier than 12 months.
If possible, continue to breastfeed or try to start breastfeeding again. If you aren’t sure how, contact a local lactation specialist.
Lastly, ask friends and family to keep their eyes peeled at the store. If someone sees formula on the shelves, you can ask them to pick some up for you.
What not to do
Being resourceful during tough times is great, but there are a few things that state health officials and local doctors strongly advise parents avoid doing if they can’t find baby formula at the store.
Don’t attempt to make your own formula. DHSS warns that this kind of practice can lead to foodborne illnesses that can be life threatening.
Don’t try to dilute the formula either. Dr. Lauer said this can lead to metabolic imbalances and a pretty sick baby.
Don’t hoard formula. DHSS asks that families keep around a month’s supply on hand, at most.
Avoid giving cow’s milk to babies under 12 months old. Cow’s milk has too many proteins and minerals for the baby to handle when they are younger than 12 months old.
How do I find out if the formula I already have has been recalled?
If you have some cans or containers of powdered formula at the house already, you might want to check to see if they have been recalled. Abbott Nutrition, the manufacturer behind the recall, recalled specific lot numbers for brands like Similac, Alimentum and EleCare.
The Food and Drug Administration outlines how to check those lot numbers on its website. If you have a powdered formula from Similac, Alimentum or EleCare, there is usually a code somewhere on the formula can, often on the bottom. If the code includes any of the following, do not use the formula:
The first two digits of that code are 22 through 37
AND the code on the container contains K8, SH or Z2
AND the expiration date is 4/1/2022 or later
To double check to see if what you have has been recalled, call 800-986-8540 or visit the manufacturer’s website here.
