Dealing with the formula shortage

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Only read the first couple of pages but, as expected, DCUM is stunningly defensive.

I agree with you OP (and I have a nursing infant myself). IME, the women that are physically able to breastfeed but choose not to are either:

1) Extreme extroverts, don’t like the idea of being “tethered” to baby
2) Stressed out with short maternity leaves, other kids, lack of help

Nobody on earth can help #1. But #2 could easily be helped by giving long maternity and paternity leaves (like say… Canada or UK). And maybe better retirement benefits so that grandparents don’t have to work into their 70s and instead can help during that critical time that breastfeeding has to be established.

What's it like going through life with such a limited imagination?

[Anonymous]

quote=Anonymous]Only read the first couple of pages but, as expected, DCUM is stunningly defensive.

I agree with you OP (and I have a nursing infant myself). IME, the women that are physically able to breastfeed but choose not to are either:

1) Extreme extroverts, don’t like the idea of being “tethered” to baby
2) Stressed out with short maternity leaves, other kids, lack of help

Nobody on earth can help #1. But #2 could easily be helped by giving long maternity and paternity leaves (like say… Canada or UK). And maybe better retirement benefits so that grandparents don’t have to work into their 70s and instead can help during that critical time that breastfeeding has to be established.

Your experience is stunningly limited.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know many, many women have valid reasons for using formula. I tend to think some do, understandably, to simplify their lives and relieve the burden of being tethered to baby for 12 months nursing - either because of stress, going back to work, or some other non-medical reason (for mom or baby).

I can't help but wonder how many families use formula out of convenience, and how we might all be better served if we gave women the space, time and support to breastfeed. I recognize that there are different interests at play.

This is not meant to suggest any judgment or incite any breastmilk/formula wars.

I'm watching the news unfold today about Biden invoking the defense production act to produce formula. Heaven knows there are so many broken parts in our systems, but I've been mulling this over for weeks now. Why aren't we putting any effort into breastfeeding education??

I'm about 10 years out now from having had an infant. A coworker recently returned and mentioned using formula to both give dad an "opportunity" to feed and to get a break. And I felt a little sad for her.

For those of you closer to this stage, I'm curious about your take on this. I sense a level of panic around this formula shortage and I wonder how many parents actually medically need it, and how many are on it out of convenience and why we don't do anything to help support those families?

How dare you judge others!

I had my reasons for not breast feeding and they are none of your business I raised six children all Ivy League all Stem majors all did more than fine .

You are literally a moron

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I heard a statistic on NBC News with Lester Holt that gave me pause. He said, “Over 60% of the formula purchased in this country did so using WIC vouchers”. Basically, low income and nationally deficient children under 5. Who exactly is supposed to promote breastfeeding?

Were you aware that WIC also promotes and supports breastfeeding by providing additional calories in extra food for breastfeeding mothers, above what is available through SNAP? That they offer lactation specialist and peer counselor support? That some WIC programs actually supply pumps and other supplies to breastfeeding women?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OMG the way some lactivists are soo excited about this formula shortage. When the "liquid gold" and "breast is best" doesn't give you quite the smug satisfaction it used to, now you can say "sorry you were so concerned about your **convenience**, now your baby will just die I guess!" #fappingforArmageddon, indeed.

np I breastfed my kids but know that I do not share her opinions on formula feeding and mother's guilt. I have no judgement and feel the panic for all those parents who are frantic in their search. I wish them nothing but, the best!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know many, many women have valid reasons for using formula. I tend to think some do, understandably, to simplify their lives and relieve the burden of being tethered to baby for 12 months nursing - either because of stress, going back to work, or some other non-medical reason (for mom or baby).

I can't help but wonder how many families use formula out of convenience, and how we might all be better served if we gave women the space, time and support to breastfeed. I recognize that there are different interests at play.

This is not meant to suggest any judgment or incite any breastmilk/formula wars.

I'm watching the news unfold today about Biden invoking the defense production act to produce formula. Heaven knows there are so many broken parts in our systems, but I've been mulling this over for weeks now. Why aren't we putting any effort into breastfeeding education??

I'm about 10 years out now from having had an infant. A coworker recently returned and mentioned using formula to both give dad an "opportunity" to feed and to get a break. And I felt a little sad for her.

For those of you closer to this stage, I'm curious about your take on this. I sense a level of panic around this formula shortage and I wonder how many parents actually medically need it, and how many are on it out of convenience and why we don't do anything to help support those families?

How dare you judge others!

I had my reasons for not breast feeding and they are none of your business I raised six children all Ivy League all Stem majors all did more than fine .

You are literally a moron

Good for you, pp ! It is none of our business and I applaud you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not every mother can breastfeed (supply, pain, everlasting latch issues, prescriptions that contraindicate, etc.). Not every mother enjoys breastfeeding.

I think maximizing options and supporting mothers in the choices that are best for them and their family are best. Not assuming one choice is best for all.

No, not every mother, but the VAST majority. The lack of support and information are the biggest barrier. Do you "enjoy" giving your child a bottle? I don't understand that reason.

I saw a new great grampa give a two month old baby his bottle. No question they both enjoyed it very much! MY DH gave my daughter her first bottle of the morning everyday. It was a lovely time for them. He was sad when bottles ended.

Wow! Great Grandchild?? Must have been old!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know many, many women have valid reasons for using formula. I tend to think some do, understandably, to simplify their lives and relieve the burden of being tethered to baby for 12 months nursing - either because of stress, going back to work, or some other non-medical reason (for mom or baby).

I can't help but wonder how many families use formula out of convenience, and how we might all be better served if we gave women the space, time and support to breastfeed. I recognize that there are different interests at play.

This is not meant to suggest any judgment or incite any breastmilk/formula wars.

I'm watching the news unfold today about Biden invoking the defense production act to produce formula. Heaven knows there are so many broken parts in our systems, but I've been mulling this over for weeks now. Why aren't we putting any effort into breastfeeding education??

I'm about 10 years out now from having had an infant. A coworker recently returned and mentioned using formula to both give dad an "opportunity" to feed and to get a break. And I felt a little sad for her.

For those of you closer to this stage, I'm curious about your take on this. I sense a level of panic around this formula shortage and I wonder how many parents actually medically need it, and how many are on it out of convenience and why we don't do anything to help support those families?

How dare you judge others!

I had my reasons for not breast feeding and they are none of your business I raised six children all Ivy League all Stem majors all did more than fine .

You are literally a moron

Yeah, first pp, you have no idea what you're talking about. There is PLENTY of effort that goes into breastfeeding education, so much so that formula feeding is incredibly stigmatized and if you do it you risk getting publicly shamed for it! there is literally no talking about how to safely formula feed if you do an infant education class. I gave birth with a ton of knowledge about latching, mastitis, different positions for baby to nurse in...and guess what? I was literally never able to make enough milk for my child so I HAD to use formula (yes I tried a bunch of sh*t to try and up my milk production.) I was completely lost and unprepared to formula feed.

[Anonymous]

You lost me at "simplify" and convenience.

I did not bother to read the rest.

- Mother of two exclusively breastfed children.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not every mother can breastfeed (supply, pain, everlasting latch issues, prescriptions that contraindicate, etc.). Not every mother enjoys breastfeeding.

I think maximizing options and supporting mothers in the choices that are best for them and their family are best. Not assuming one choice is best for all.

No, not every mother, but the VAST majority. The lack of support and information are the biggest barrier. Do you "enjoy" giving your child a bottle? I don't understand that reason.

I saw a new great grampa give a two month old baby his bottle. No question they both enjoyed it very much! MY DH gave my daughter her first bottle of the morning everyday. It was a lovely time for them. He was sad when bottles ended.

Wow! Great Grandchild?? Must have been old!!

I'm not the pp you quoted.

A friend of mine just became a grandma in her early 40s (she had her first baby at age 18, her oldest child had his first child in his early 20s.) They posted a picture of four generations (baby, Daddy, Grandma (my friend) and Great Grandpa (her dad.) I believe her dad is only in his mid 60s--not that old. In DC and other areas people wait a long time to have kids, but in many parts of the country it's not unusual to get married and have kids (YES! In that order!) in late teens or early 20s.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Only read the first couple of pages but, as expected, DCUM is stunningly defensive.

I agree with you OP (and I have a nursing infant myself). IME, the women that are physically able to breastfeed but choose not to are either:

1) Extreme extroverts, don’t like the idea of being “tethered” to baby
2) Stressed out with short maternity leaves, other kids, lack of help

Nobody on earth can help #1. But #2 could easily be helped by giving long maternity and paternity leaves (like say… Canada or UK). And maybe better retirement benefits so that grandparents don’t have to work into their 70s and instead can help during that critical time that breastfeeding has to be established.

IME most women I know are not "extreme introverts" and I can think of one that actually enjoyed breastfeeding. Heck, she even enjoyed pumping. Everyone is different. This idea that women who choose not to breastfeed are either abnormal or face barriers to breastfeeding (which is not really a choice per say) is offensive and simply not in line with my experience - nursed my child for 12 months

[Anonymous]

This special formula is available to buy online for store pick up. I think it's Gerber equivalent of Nutragimen https://www.walgreens.com/store/c/gerber-extensive-ha-hypoallergenic-powder-infant-formula-with-iron/ID=prod6286124-product

[Anonymous]

I'm surprised nobody has posted in 5 days. Are supplies improving?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm surprised nobody has posted in 5 days. Are supplies improving?

Thankfully there definitely seems to be more availability downtown at CVS and Walgreens after weeks with bare shelves.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm surprised nobody has posted in 5 days. Are supplies improving?

Thankfully there definitely seems to be more availability downtown at CVS and Walgreens after weeks with bare shelves.

That's good.