'I didn't know what else I could do': Parents still struggling to find baby formula
Parents in Waterloo region are frustrated as they continue to struggle to find certain brands of baby formula.
In February, several babies became sick after consuming formula made at an Abbott Nutrition facility in Michigan. Two of the hospitalized infants later died. The Michigan plant then closed, sparking a recall of several popular products.
MORE: U.S. baby formula shortage impacting Canadian families, experts say
While the baby formula shortage started in the U.S., an Elmira mother said she almost gave up on her search earlier this year. She considered bringing her 8-month-old baby to the hospital, as he has an allergy to certain kinds of formula.
"We tried Amazon. We tried all nine pharmacies. We called Similac to see if there was anything they could do. They apologized for the inconvenience," said Heather Gliva. "I was actually getting so frustrated that I would just start crying because I didn’t know what else I could do."
Heather Gliva's baby in an undated photo provided to CTV News Kitchener.
The program coordinator of Breastfeeding Buddies group in Kitchener said they've been hearing from an increasing number of parents who are worried about not finding the right formula.
"Everybody wants their baby to thrive and grow and get big and do well, and so this is a very stressful time," said Michelle Buckner.
There are things that some parents can do, she said, like combination feeding or trying to re-introduce breastfeeding.
"If breast-feeding wasn’t your first choice but now you're reconsidering that or if you had trouble and didn't meet your goals and want to get back to breast-feeding, we can support that as well," Buckner said.
Sylvain Charlebois, the director at the Agri-Food Analytics Lab at Dalhousie University, said the shortage is worse in the United States than it is Canada.
"According to the CDC, in the U.S. about 56 per cent of infants are breastfed up to the age of six months," he said in an email. "In Canada, that rate is above 80 per cent according to the International Journal for Equity in Health. Reliance on baby formula in the United States is more acute. Also, Health Canada has temporarily allowed other infant formula brands from the U.S., the U.K., Ireland, and Germany to be imported into Canada."
SafelyFed Canada, an organization that advocates for improved infant feeding policies, said parents should contact public health or their baby’s doctor for more advice on their next steps.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Montreal doctors' breakthrough discovery about causes of cerebral palsy giving hope
A breakthrough discovery made by doctors at the Montreal Children's Hospital about the causes of cerebral palsy is giving new hope to one West Island family.
Weather alerts issued for 7 provinces, 1 territory
Warnings of up to 60 millimetres of rain and other alerts have been issued for seven Canadian provinces and one territory ahead of the Easter weekend.
Ontario homeowner on the hook for $27,000 when contractor severed power line
An Ontario man who built a garage on his property has been locked in a battle with his electricity provider for a year and half over a severed power line.
For years she thought her son had died of an overdose. The police video changed all that
Austin Hunter Turner died in 2017, on a night that his mother has rewound and replayed again and again, trying to make sense of what happened.
Feeling older than you are? It could be how you sleep
Not getting enough sleep may cause you to feel five to 10 years older than you really are, according to two new studies.
OPP seize $7.5 million worth of drugs in eastern Ontario
The Upper Ottawa Valley Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police says one person is facing multiple charges after a traffic complaint on Highway 17 in Head Clara Maria Township.
CRA no longer requiring 'bare trust' reporting in 2023 tax return
The Canada Revenue Agency announced Thursday it will not require 'bare trust' reporting from Canadians that it introduced for the 2024 tax season, just four days before the April 2 deadline.
Why Kim Kardashian is being sued for 'knockoff' furniture
The estate of minimalist contemporary artist Donald Judd filed a lawsuit against Kardashian this week, claiming the fashion and beauty mogul promoted 'cheap knockoffs' of his furniture designs.
Where is the worst place for allergy sufferers in Canada?
The spring allergy season has started early in many parts of Canada, with high levels of pollen in some cities already. Experts weigh in on which areas have it worse so far this season.