Baby milk shortage in the US may last until the end of this year

As of the end of April, 40% of the most popular baby formula in the US was no longer for sale, up from 31% two weeks earlier.

According to the Wall Street Journal, the main cause of this situation is a supply chain disruption caused by the COVID-19 epidemic, which has made baby formulas scarce in recent months. The situation became more dire when Abbott, one of the main manufacturers of infant formula in the US, recalled a wide range of products and closed the Michigan factory where Similac milk and several other Abbott brands were located. is produced. The recall comes after four infants were hospitalized, two of whom died.

According to the US press, major retailers in this country have now had to limit the amount of milk a customer can buy. So many people have to go from store to store to collect the milk their children are using.

Many people try to make their own formula at home, but according to the New York Times, this is not advisable. Because infant formula is made to resemble breast milk as much as possible and is strictly controlled to ensure that the nutrients the baby needs and can absorb. Meanwhile, homemade milks do not guarantee the dose of important ingredients, especially proteins and minerals.

They can also contain too many minerals and nutrients, such as salt, that can’t be broken down by your baby’s developing kidneys and liver and cause illness. The process of making milk at home can also inadvertently introduce bacteria into the child’s body, which are very dangerous for children under 6 months of age, when the immune system has not yet developed.

The American press quoted experts as advising that parents should step by step help their children switch to formula milks still available on the market, and consult a pediatrician when children need special formulas. to get the right milk substitute. Because according to forecasts, the shortage of baby milk in the US will likely continue until the end of this year.

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