Formula shortage | Imamother

Fox

Thu, May 12 2022, 8:01 pm

amother [ Wheat ] wrote:

That's not true. Some people don't nurse because they just don't feel like it or never tried and just decided why not just use formula. There are many like that. Let's stop pretending it doesn't exist. At a time like this they should step up and leave the formula for those that don't have a choice.

I usually think "trigger warnings" are unproductive and just pathologies differences of opinion.

Your post is making me rethink that and taking me back to all the conversations I had during my childbearing years with ignorant and incompetent lactation consultants who arrogantly assured me that severe D-MER was just a psychological problem.

amother

Blueberry ↓

Thu, May 12 2022, 8:08 pm

doodlesmom wrote:

People can supplement with soft age appropriate food at as young as 4-5 months.

Food should not definitely be substituting breastmilk or formula at that age!

While one can give, it is supposed to be in addition to, not instead of.

amother

↑ Blueberry ↓

Thu, May 12 2022, 8:10 pm

amother [ Valerian ] wrote:

There is apparently plenty of formula at the Southern Border, someone should go pick it up:

Most of the picture here is Go Go Squeez baby food, not formula.

amother

↑ Seafoam ↓

Thu, May 12 2022, 8:15 pm

amother [ Wheat ] wrote:

It's none of your business why others choose not to nurse. Everyone is equally entitled to formula.

amother

↑ Bergamot ↓

Thu, May 12 2022, 8:15 pm

amother [ Wheat ] wrote:

I know about 10 pregnant people that are stockpiling formula. They don't want to be bogged down with nursing and don't plan on trying. I think it's wrong at a time like this.

It's also stupid cuz you don't know what your baby will take. Before my baby was born (long before the shortage) I bought formula for her, turns out she was allergic to all 5 types I bought to try because all 5 were milk based. We never even opened the 2nd

amother

↑ Orchid ↓

Thu, May 12 2022, 8:18 pm

amother [ Seafoam ] wrote:

It's none of your business why others choose not to nurse. Everyone is equally entitled to formula.

Yes, 100%.

And even if you want to make your argument that they should nurse for the greater good, these decisions were often made well before anyone imagined that a formula shortage was even possible in the USA.

Note that I am not defending pregnant women stockpiling. I would ask a Rav if it is permissible before considering it.

amother

↑ Seafoam ↓

Thu, May 12 2022, 8:19 pm

amother [ Wheat ] wrote:

I know about 10 pregnant people that are stockpiling formula. They don't want to be bogged down with nursing and don't plan on trying. I think it's wrong at a time like this.

I don't judge anyone for stockpiling formula, people are panicking. But it is a bit silly because how can one know what formula their baby will take?

amother

↑ Blueberry ↓

Thu, May 12 2022, 8:19 pm

I actually don't think it's wrong for someone to buy if they're pregnant.
Maybe not in their first trimester, but if they're in their 8th or 9th month, I fully understand them.
Who wants the extra stress right after birth?

You call it selfish. I call it chayecha kodmim. It's for the mother's health as much as the unborn baby's.

(I'm saying this as someone who is currently fully breastfeeding my six month old. But, for someone who is planning to give formula, I do think it makes sense to think a little ahead to alleviate the pressure after birth.)

amother

↑ Clover ↓

Thu, May 12 2022, 8:28 pm

amother [ Blueberry ] wrote:

There are babies who have nothing to eat right now. Unborn babies get their nutrition from the mother. I don't see how chayecha kodem possibly applies but I hope anyone who paskens this way for themselves gets clearance from a rav.

amother

↑ Blueberry ↓

Thu, May 12 2022, 8:39 pm

amother [ Clover ] wrote:

You won't like my answer, but the fact is that unless them buying is taking away from other Jewish babies, there isn't any halachic shayla.

And anyway, if there really are babies who literally have NOTHING to eat right now, it's likely because they need a specialized type, which likely isn't the ones that pregnant people would be stocking up on.

miami85 ↓

Thu, May 12 2022, 9:05 pm

I just had a baby and after nursing 5 kids was considering to use more formula this time around, but this shortage made me reconsider that strategy.

amother

↑ Clover ↓

Thu, May 12 2022, 9:10 pm

amother [ Blueberry ] wrote:

People were posting on the neighborhood chat that they had gone to several stores and couldn't find Kendamil CY formula. I assume most non Jewish babies don't drink CY. CY isn't a specialized type either.

amother

Celeste

Thu, May 12 2022, 9:27 pm

amother [ Blueberry ] wrote:

What's with the pregnant 'people'...it's pregnant WOMEN

losingweight

Thu, May 12 2022, 9:27 pm

Im currently nursing a toddler but HAD to supplement with formula due to supply issues. by now I weaned tha formula cuz he's eating food. It's scary to see formula unavailable. And most babies won't just switch from brand to brand. They like a specific one and want that only.

amother

Pink

Thu, May 12 2022, 9:27 pm

Rubies wrote:

Is there really no formula at all or is it specific ones?

most local stores, and not so local stores, are out of all basic formula.
I did see a few cans of similac sensitive formula, and a pretty full shelf of baby's only chalav yisrael in Gourmet glatt in Lakewood yesterday.
My brooklyn friend actually stocked up quite successfully on gentlease by buying from a variety of stores on instacart. It took her some time, but she does have over 20 small cans at this point.

↑ doodlesmom ↓

Thu, May 12 2022, 9:32 pm

amother [ Blueberry ] wrote:

Food should not definitely be substituting breastmilk or formula at that age!

While one can give, it is supposed to be in addition to, not instead of.

This is for the people who claim to be pumping all day to provide milk while they’re at work. They can always sub one feeding with food, not stop nursing and formula fully.

amother

↑ Rainbow ↓

Thu, May 12 2022, 9:39 pm

doodlesmom wrote:

This is for the people who claim to be pumping all day to provide milk while they’re at work. They can always sub one feeding with food, not stop nursing and formula fully.

Do you pump?
My sister has a 4 month old. She nurses. She's a lousy pumper. Baby is at babysitter from 9-4. He needs 2 6 oz feedings. She pumps and gets 2 2 oz feedings. Which means she needs 8 more oz or 2 scoops daily.
She called me crying frantically. She has 1/2 a small can left. Her friends and coworkers were shaming her for buying formula when she could pump. So she's been pumping round the clock. Just to get those extra 8 oz.
You're saying just replace a bottle feed with a jar or cereal feed? At 4 months?
I bought her 3 cans of formula and told her to stop listening to everyone guilting her.

↑ doodlesmom

Thu, May 12 2022, 9:41 pm

amother [ Rainbow ] wrote:

Oh obviously if she can get her hand on formula she should. But she should use food instead of going crazy pumping.