In New York, there is an acute shortage of baby food: what should parents do

Families with children with special needs are bearing the brunt of the infant formula crisis. As parents find empty shelves for baby food in New York stores, pharmacies struggle to make ends meet by constantly filling prescriptions for formula, signals New York Post.

Mount Carmel Pharmacy owner in the Bronx, Roger Paganelli, said he has hundreds of formula-fed patients for medical reasons. Including children with tubes in their bellies because they cannot swallow food.

“These are difficult patients with special needs,” Paganelli stressed on Thursday, May 12.

Some parents regularly, according to the schedule, pick up prescription formula. But now the pharmacy has to distribute it in portions to make sure that each child gets his portion.

“We try to balance the process. This is a very delicate situation. And difficult decisions,” Paganelli remarked. Moms are stressed. They need to feed their babies who need formula. We feel their pain."

Parents are forced to contemplate what will happen next if they actually run out of formula

Shady Gramaho, 31, from Forest Hills, said she would have to miss a day of work if a package of formula her mom sent from Florida didn't arrive on time for her 3-month-old daughter.

“If she does not arrive, I am going to squeeze out every milliliter of milk that I have in my chest,” Gramajo assured. Shady's baby drinks eight bottles a day, but her breast milk is only enough for three. She couldn't find the Enfamil Gentlease that her daughter drinks anywhere in town.

“It is very annoying, because she is nowhere to be found,” Gramajo was alarmed. – I live in Queens. I had to drive all the way to Manhattan and the Bronx to find the mix. I spent the whole day with my baby in a car seat. We drove for three hours.”

Andeisha Carbon-Holstead, 30, from the South Bronx, said she and her husband would have to cut food costs so their children could eat. She had to switch to organic formula for her 10-month-old baby, which costs twice as much.

“Money will have to be saved this month, probably next,” she said. “We can’t take out of the money for rent or medical expenses, so they will have to be taken from our budget for food.

The shortage is the result of a Feb. 17 recall of Abbott blends due to contamination concerns and ongoing supply chain disruptions.

This has had a detrimental effect on New Yorkers and parents across the country. Retailers are limiting the amount of blends customers can purchase, and store shelves are still empty. Doctors are urging desperate parents to turn to food banks. They are wary of downsizing formula or turning to online DIY recipes.

Erica Thompson, a mum of three in Wallingford, Conn., said finding the hypoallergenic formula her baby needs has become a full-time job. She only had one small jar left. Although out-of-state friends sent her formula when they found her.

“Honestly, it's unbearable. Some shops have absolutely nothing and now they restrict us. ”

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This issue has led some parents to sell and offer leftover groceries on social media.

Jennifer Kersey, 36, from Cheshire, Connecticut, said she had the last jar left for her 7-month-old son. Someone noticed her Facebook post in the group and sent a few cans. Jennifer and the other members of the group are now helping each other by finding stores that have stock. She also delivers formula to mothers who need it.

Katie Hockool said on Thursday, May 12, that the state health department stepped up communication with formula manufacturers in an attempt to track production, shipments, and shipments.

“New York will continue to do everything it can to support families in need of formula milk for their babies,” she assured. “My administration is committed to ensuring that every newborn and every child has access to nutrition.”

Where to look for help

The New York State Department of Health distributes formula, diapers, and infant products, including to members of the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program, which provides medical and nutritional assistance to women and children in need.

For more information, visit New York State Women, Infants and Children's Office or contact them chatbotto find out if you qualify for benefits.