Moms and dads in Arkansas are starting to feel the effects of a nationwide baby formula shortage. Bare shelves are now the norm in pharmacies and grocery stores, but a doctor at Arkansas Children's Hospital says it is no reason for parents to panic and that this baby formula shortage is only temporary.
Parents Michael and Mallory Kornegay of El Dorado, Arkansas, told KATV that they are concerned with the recent baby formula shortage in their state and nationwide. According to the couple, their seven-month-old son Malachi usually takes an easy-to-find formula. El Dorado is located about two hours from the city of Little Rock.
Kornegay said they use a pretty generic can called the Enfamil Gentle Ease. Kornegay said it is a purple can that is pretty standard for any store to carry, but they could not find any when they started searching for it.
Baby formula shortage worsening in the U.S.
Determined to feed their baby, the worried parents headed out to find some baby formula over the weekend. Kornegay said they went to over ten different stores between El Dorado and Fayetteville, and they still could not find any except for one location. It was the last box, and it was a refill. He added that it was not even a can.
According to data analyzed by consumer product data analytics firm Datasembly for Axios, 40 percent of baby formula inventory was out of stock nationally the week of April 24, up from 18 percent when the year started and 3 percent a year earlier.
Mothers from Michigan and New York told Fox Business that they were frustrated to discover that there was no homemade baby formula in their areas. Like so many parents right now in the United States, the Kornegays are turning to family and friends on social media and their out-of-state networks to find the baby formula they desperately need.
Read Also: Illinois Pregnancy Center 'Inspired Maternity' Opens Supply Bank For Moms in Need of Baby Formula
Arkansas doctor offers tips for baby formula shortage
Dr. Jared Beavers, a pediatrician at Arkansas Children's Hospital, is working on the same thing. Beavers said that social media groups are great for spreading information, with people in the community helping each other with their baby formula needs.
According to Beavers, it is important for parents not to panic as the baby formula shortage is expected to be temporary. Beavers said that parents need to utilize their greatest asset during this time, which is their pediatrician.
Beavers said that providers serve as a conduit for getting formula, and sometimes they have access to it when other retailers and things like that don't. Beavers also said that with a doctor's guidance, parents could look for alternatives for the time being.
Another thing to take note of, according to Beavers, is not to ever water down the formula or try to stretch it as that can be very dangerous for a baby. Beavers also reminded parents not to make their formula as it is not safe. Yahoo reported that the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have already issued strong advisories against homemade baby formula.
