Parents turn to social media in search for baby formula

May 16—The shortage of baby formula has some Connecticut parents and grandparents turning to social media to find the nutrition their infants need.

Lingering supply chain problems from the pandemic, and the national recall of certain powdered brands in February, have made it difficult for parents to find formula, according to Connecticut Children's Hospital officials.

PARENTS TURN TO FACEBOOK

WHAT: Parents and grandparents on the hunt for baby formula in the face of a shortage caused by supply chain issues and product recalls are turning to social media groups in order to help locate the formula their infants need.

TIPS: Pediatricians say that while the shortage continues, parents should not water down their remaining formula or make their own homemade formula, as this can risk their baby's health.

In an effort to find the formula their babies need, many have started relying on Facebook groups to trade with other parents.

Allison Guarino of East Haven said she has been spending large amounts of time trying to locate formula for her 8-week-old granddaughter, Ellianna, and has turned to Facebook to find it when store shelves are empty.

"I'm so glad this group was started," Guarino said of the formula-trading group, adding that she has often had to travel from store to store to try and find the formula her granddaughter needs.

"I'm wasting so much money in gas trying to find what we're looking for," Guarino said, adding though, "This is my granddaughter, I'd do anything for her, I feel like this is my mission now in life."

Guarino said she's fortunate that she can dedicate large amounts of time to looking for formula, because she is retired.

But not everyone has that support system close by.

"I can only imagine how difficult it must be for working parents to add this extra burden to their day," she said.

Guarino, who used the Facebook group last week to pick up formula from another parent, said the system has worked for her, so far.

"It's kind of like an exchange," she said, adding that some people do ask for money, but it is usually just to recoup what they spent on the formula. She said she hasn't experienced price gouging that sometimes happens on other websites that sell directly to consumers who bid on the product.

Guarino added that even when she actually is able to find the formula she needs in stores, she usually is not allowed to buy in bulk.

"Even if you could, you feel guilty ... somebody else might need some," Guarino said.

Torrington resident Jillian Elizabeth has also found herself using Facebook to help locate formula for her 9-month-old, named Logan, who she can no longer breastfeed because of a prior MRSA infection.

"Everybody's in the same boat," Elizabeth said, adding that it is often difficult to obtain formula from social media. As soon as a listing is posted, it is taken immediately, she said.

Parents of infants who are allergic to all but a few brands have an even worse time.

Still, Elizabeth has successfully found formula using Facebook twice, she said.

In addition to finding the formula her baby needs, Elizabeth has also been able to give other parents leads on different brands of formula using social media.

"It's nice that I can give back," Elizabeth said.

Despite the help from social media though, Elizabeth has still found herself needing to dedicate entire days and even weekends to the search for formula.

"It's a very hard situation for everyone at the moment," Susan Parker, a nurse practitioner with Glastonbury Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, said last week.

Parker added that despite the shortage, parents who are struggling to find formula for their children should not use homemade formula or water down the remaining formula they have, as this can be a risk to a baby's health.

"You have to watch for expiration dates and make sure packaging isn't tampered with," Parker added.

Connecticut Children Hospital's clinical nutrition manager, Jennifer Zarrilli, said it is generally safe to use a generic store brand if that is all that is available.

Zarrilli also said that checking smaller, private stores might be beneficial, as larger stores might run out of their supply first.

Ben covers Coventry and Tolland for the Journal Inquirer.

___

(c)2022 Journal Inquirer, Manchester, Conn.

Visit Journal Inquirer, Manchester, Conn. at www.journalinquirer.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.