Baby Formula Shortage Continues To Put Parents on Edge in the United States

Baby Formula Shortage Continues To Put Parents on Edge in the United States
The baby formula shortage shows no signs of abating in the United States, with parents still finding it difficult to purchase the specific types or brands of formula they need. Brandon Bell/Getty Images

The shortage shows no signs of easing, with retailers continuing to face challenges stocking baby formula, according to the New York Times.

Stores might have reported some progress months into a formula shortage in the United States, but getting specific types or brands of formula is still nearly impossible for American parents.

The bare shelves tell a different story compared to recent headlines that say the baby formula shortage in the country is now easing. Allen Rutman said at Green's Pharmacy of Palm Beach that he places orders with his wholesaler daily to get his hands on the formula he needs.

Parents still finding it difficult to get the formula they need

He said that he has been trying to order Nutramigen for the last two to three months, but it is not showing up. Rutman is not alone in that regard, as is the case for large retailers. WPTV snapped pictures on Friday showing empty shelves and signs showing when formulas are in stock, quantities per household are limited.

Kali Scrattish noted that it has been challenging, saying they don't even have Publix everywhere. She added that the formula shortage has been especially hard on her and her four-month-old baby. Scrattish explained why it was so hard, saying that she could not just put her son on anything cause he is also allergic.

Abbott said in late August that it was restarting its Similac infant formula production in Sturgis, Michigan, after the plant was closed due to safety concerns. The company said, however, that it won't make it to retailers until about early to mid-October.

Enfamil also said that it received approval to import a specialty-based formula from Mexico, following an announcement in early August that it partnered with the White House to fly more than 400,000 pounds of formula to the United States from Singapore.

Kid To Kid offers free formula to parents in need

Moms and dads are still waiting to see those results on the shelves. To help with the ongoing shortage, a kid's clothing consignment shop based in Palm Beach Gardens started a baby formula donation program. The shop is accepting unopened formula drop-offs and giving them away to mothers who are in need.

David Brown, the owner of Kid To Kid, said they started to think that he doesn't need to take money for this and would rather give it to the moms who need it. His consignment shop opened at the beginning of the baby formula shortage. He said he sees the need daily to keep the donation program going.

Brown said that he has had a couple of boxes come in, and then it goes right back out again. He said they had one mom from Ocala, Florida, come down and get one container from them, showing the difficulty in acquiring formula nowadays.

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