'I've got everybody in my family looking.' Local families still struggling to find formula amid shortage
While additional infant formula should arrive in the US next week from overseas, some families with newborns say they're still struggling to feed their infants.
Some families say they're desperate to find formula for their babies, especially ones with special dietary needs.
Ashley Casey, who lives in Smithfield, said she was down to her last can until receiving help from the WIC program.
"She was my miracle baby," Casey said about her daughter Clara. "I do everything I can for her."
Casey said Clara has a lactose issue, which means she requires a special formula. That formula is now hard to come by as formula remains scarce.
"Every time I'm at the store, that's the first thing I look at ... she's on Nutramigen and that's one of the hardest ones to find," said Casey.
"It was very frustrating at first because you don't know what to do," she said. "It's not like you can just go to the store and buy any brand because people tell you to buy generic. They don't always take the generic because they don't all work the same."
On Wednesday, President Joe Biden discussed the ongoing shortage and it's strain on families with executives from baby food companies.
Biden admitted to not knowing the widespread impact of shutting down the Abbott Baby Formula Plant in Michigan back in February. The plant was previously shut down due to reports linking baby formula to infants getting sick— and even dying.
"I am optimistic that things are going to improve because of the added plant in Michigan that's supposed to re re-opening," said Dr. Lori Langdon, a pediatrician at Harnett Health.
Langdon said parents should stay in touch with their child's health care provider about issues finding formula.
"It's important that families still contact their pediatricians for guidance about which formulas may be interchangeable and especially during the shortage," said Langdon.
In the meantime, new mothers. like Casey, said they'll continue to be on the lookout for baby formula on shelves.
"I've got everybody in my family looking. I've got friends looking and nobody's found any yet," said Casey.
