The baby formula shortage continues and is now affecting a local program to help struggling families.
The Community Development Council of Quinte reports that for the first time in the history of its Good Baby Box program, they are unable to access a supply of baby formula for their registered families.
Good Baby Box Coordinator Bev Heuving says the situation has become extreme the last couple of weeks.
CDC Executive Director Ruth Ingersoll adds there is a food crisis for the most vulnerable demographic, infants and babies.
In an annual survey of participants, 97% stated that they wouldn’t be able to keep their baby on formula without the program and 58% stated that in the last year they have been worried about not having enough food for themselves and their family.
Ingersoll says, “When looking at this data, we realize that many of our families aren’t going to have any reasonable alternative to feeding their babies.”
The baby formula shortage has been going on for over a year but has intensified the last few weeks following a recall.
Parents either cannot find the formula they need or are forced to buy a more expensive brand.
In 2022, 7,638 Good Baby Boxes were distributed throughout Hastings and Prince Edward Counties.
Michelle Yoksimovich, Manager of Healthy Families with Hastings Prince Edward Public Health, has provided the following advice for families:
At Hastings Prince Edward Public Health we are aware of the current difficulties faced by parents using infant formula. If you are having difficulty obtaining infant formula and need to switch infant formula brands or types, information on infant formula switching is available on Health Canada’s website.
If you have any concerns about infant formula switching or feeding and would like to speak to a dietitian, please call Health Connect Ontario at 811 or chat online with one of their dietitians at https://healthconnectontario.health.gov.on.ca/
For information about how to prepare all types of infant formula, see the Best Start booklet Infant Formula What You Need to Know or the video Formula Preparation.
