The California doctor has received phone calls, emails and social media posts – not just from his patients but from families across the US – as well as photos of empty store shelves that once held preparations for infants.
“It’s scary for these moms and their babies, and it becomes a real problem,” Altmann said.
Can I make formula milk at home?
No.
“There’s a lot of talk about making your own formula at home and things like that, and I really want to discourage that as much as possible,” Abrams said.
The formulas are complex, and researchers have spent years developing the right ratio to give babies the nutrients they need, Altmann said.
Infant formula should be dense in protein, fat, vitamins and minerals, many of which cannot be purchased at the grocery store. And the balance must be precise for the health and development of babies, she added.
“You can see how very difficult it would be to replicate in your own kitchen,” she said.
Homemade formulas can prevent a baby from feeding properly or have their electrolyte ratio disrupted, which can be dangerous, Altmann said. There have also been cases of bacterial contamination, which can make infants sick.
Can I expand my formula supply?
No.
It’s tempting to add other food sources or add more water to formula as you near the end of your last container of formula, but pediatricians say it’s not. a good idea.
Families can start introducing solids into an infant’s diet when the infant is between 4 and 6 months old, Altmann said. But these foods are not a nutritional substitute for formula at this age.
“Even when you start eating solids, breast milk or infant formula is still the primary source of nutrition for your baby,” Altmann said.
And adding extra water to stretch the formula you have can dilute the essential nutrient profile and lead to serious health issues and interfere with proper growth and development, she added.
“We’re not irrational. If there’s nothing you can put in the baby’s mouth but cow’s milk, you will,” Abrams said. “But that’s not what we want people to do.”
Can I use formula or cow’s milk instead?
Perhaps.
It really depends on how old your baby is and what your pediatrician says.
For at least the first six months, infant formula is really important, Altmann said. But the closer they are to a year, the more flexibility there is.
“You can actually choose a toddler formula at this stage where normally you’d want to wait until they’re exactly one year old,” Altmann said. “Talk to your pediatrician, always, first.”
“We advise against the use of cow’s milk up to one year of age, but it is certainly true that as the baby approaches one year of age, especially if there is no just no formula, you can use this or a toddler formula,” Abrams said. “None are ideal, but the closer you get to the year, especially in the short term, there are alternatives.”
Can I buy international formulas online?
Perhaps.
Altmann said there are high-quality products made in Europe and Australia that she loves that are available online. But it’s important to make sure you’re ordering from reputable retailers.
She recommended buying from trusted pharmacies in the country where the formula originated and checking how the nutrition of the formula compares to the FDA-approved formula.
“Not all international formulas are created equally, so you might want to make sure you know what you’re getting and that it’s a high quality product,” she said. .
But Abrams cautions against imports, reminding families that imported formulas are not reviewed by the FDA.
“It’s a less than ideal alternative, but if that’s what they have to do, then that’s what they have to do,” he said.
The FDA recommends not importing any preparation online because it could be counterfeit, a spokesperson said.
Can I change formula brands?
Yes.
“What we want people to do if possible is to be as flexible as possible and change the formula,” Abrams said.
It becomes more complicated, however, in cases where a child may be on a certain formula due to an allergy or sensitivity.
“If your child has an allergy or sensitivity and has had reactions to formulas in the past, please consult your pediatrician before switching off as not all formulas are the same,” Altmann said. “But in most cases there are other options available that we can help you with.”
Can I restart my breast milk production?
It is complicated.
There have been cases where parents may induce lactation for the first time or restart lactation after choosing not to breastfeed, Altmann said. However, the process is complicated and likely requires the help of a lactation specialist.
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