Words by Smiley Team
The United States has recently been faced with a baby formula shortage. Starting with supply chain issues, the crisis was exacerbated when Abbott Laboratories, maker of popular baby formulas, closed a manufacturing facility in Sturgis, Michigan.
The closure followed a February recall after four babies taking the formula developed bacterial infections.
At the beginning of May 2022, 43% of baby formula was out of stock at retailers, according to Datasembly. As a result, some moms have taken to social media to find formula, with small groups of community support popping up. The American Academy of Pediatrics lists checking social media groups among the ways of finding formula during the shortage.
“I really do believe that this is a social thing, that we need to work together as families to solve this,” Dr. Steven Abrams, a neonatologist and co-editor of the American Academy of Pediatrics’ nutrition handbook, told The 19th.
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Many of the groups pop up on Facebook offer support to people who need formula and connect people with milk to donate to those that need it. One Facebook group also has a list of different groups under their title around the world so people can find milk and formula sharing groups in their community.
Another group called The NOVA Baby Formula Finding Network popped up in Northern Virginia. The group now has over 2000 members and was started by Luly Cristina.
“I saw a post with this mom, and she was desperate. I mean you could feel the desperation in her post, and I said I have to do something,” she told Fox5. “Started Thursday morning, it had hundreds of members within hours. “
Many other groups are popping up and getting more exposure. One group simply called Formula Exchange Group now has nearly 18,000 members. One of the group’s operators, Allie Renee, even started a service called the Formula Fairy that helps moms find the best formula option for their children.
SUPPORT MUMS: Check out Eats on Feets, they’re a group that helps connect babies that need breastmilk and people that donate it.
