There’s been a significant shortage of baby formula in the U.S. over the last year, in part due to COVID-19. But a recent bacterial contamination caused a recall that also greatly impacted these shortages, creating concern for parents trying to keep their kids fed. With the number of U.S. births increasing for the first time in seven years, finding food for our newborn children is crucially important.
Solutions for finding baby formula
There are ways you can improve your search for baby formula, especially if you’re unable to find any close to home. Here are some potential solutions that can help you locate what you need.
Search in less densely populated areas
Try pharmacies, mom-and-pop shops, food banks and smaller retailers to find the formula you’re looking for. Neighborhoods that are less densely populated or have fewer babies may have higher supply availability. It couldn’t hurt to make some phone calls to those areas or make some short road trips
Check in with your pediatrician’s office at West Oakland
If you’re not sure where to look for formula, you can always call your pediatrician’s office. They could point you in the right direction or tell you if they have any extra formula in stock.
When can you replace baby formula with solid food?
It’s recommended for babies to continue drinking breast milk or formula until they’re 1 year old. But babies as young as 4 months old can start to have solid foods in addition to formula.
Typically, pediatricians suggest introducing solid foods between 4 months and 6 months of age so your baby can develop tolerance to different tastes and textures. But if you’re going to introduce solid foods, your baby should be able to:
- Hold their head up straight independently without the support of a chair.
- Keep food in their mouths without spitting it out.
- Roll their tongue back to swallow.
One important thing to note: Solid foods still aren’t as nutritional as most formulas.