via Getty Images  

78,000 Pounds of Infant Formula Arrives in US

The formula shortage in the U.S. has seen many people speaking out about their struggles, and many others stepping up to help those who are at a loss as to what to do.

advertisement

And now, 78,000 pounds of infant formula have arrived in the U.S.

  via Getty Images  

Scroll on to find out more…

advertisement

Amid the formula shortage, many moms have spoken out to share the struggle they’ve been facing with the lack of formula.

  via Shutterstock  

And since then, companies have spoken out about what they can do to help.

Nestlé is planning on increasing the production of formula here in the U.S. as well as flying extra from elsewhere, specifically from Switzerland and the Netherlands to help deal with the shortage.

advertisement

The move came after the Food and Drug Administration proposed that overseas manufacturers should enable shipments to America.

  via Shutterstock  

And Switzerland was our best bet, as they are the world’s third-largest producer of baby formula.

As well as increasing production, Nestlé is also prioritizing the brands, Gerber Good Start Extensive HA, and Alfamino, being imported.

  via Shutterstock  

This is because these specific formulas are safe for babies who are allergic to the protein found in cow’s milk.

And the shortage has been particularly difficult for babies with allergies, making it almost impossible for parents to find the right formula for their children.

  via Shutterstock  

The shortage is reportedly due to the pandemic and the supply chain issues COVID-19 brought, in turn slowing down the production of baby formula.

The plan to import while the shortage is at its worst comes from the Biden administration‘s plans to alleviate what has become a dire problem all across America.

  via Shutterstock  

Formula factories are running overtime to ensure demand is met, with the hope the shortage will come to an end soon.

This will surely come as a relief to struggling parents.

But, that isn’t all…

  via Shutterstock  

Because a website now connects people in need of formula with those who have the formula to donate.

The website, Freeformula.exchange states: “We got you, fam,” hopefully helping many parents out there feel a sense of relief as they try to get their hands on formula for their children.

  via Shutterstock  

“The Free Formula Exchange is a nationwide mutual aid network connecting families who need baby formula to people who have the formula to donate,” they state.

And what’s better? It’s a free website to use, making it accessible for all.

How does it work? You may be wondering…

  via Shutterstock  

Well, heading to the site, you’ll be able to select one of two choices, either requesting to get formula or donating it.

“Feeding our babies is a human right,” the site states. “Cost should not be a barrier to feeding our children. This is a mutual aid platform and no paid transactions are permitted between formula seekers and providers. We’re exchanging humanity, not dollars.”

Who set this tool up? Keiko Zoll, a mom, writer, and non-profit professional.

  via Shutterstock  

The mom said that she had to do something about the shortage when she heard of the exhausted moms out there.

“I was listening to this episode of the Post Reports podcast while driving and had to pull over because I couldn’t stop crying listening to the stories of exhausted, overwhelmed mothers just trying to keep their babies fed. It made me think about when my son was a preemie and how he needed expensive, hard-to-find specialty formula after breastmilk wasn’t enough to help him thrive,” she said.

And so, she decided it was time to act.

  via Shutterstock  

“America does a terrible job of supporting parents. Outraged by the fact that our nation is headed towards revoking a person’s right to choose parenthood when and how they want it, learning that we can’t even keep babies fed right now was just too much for me. I needed to do something,” she continued.

Already, many people have taken to the site to leave their reviews…

  via Shutterstock  

Kristen from Pennsylvania said that it has given her “peace of mind.”

“I have a two-month-old baby girl. Finding the right formula for her has been a struggle. This platform gave me such peace of mind and reassurance knowing people were there to help,” she said.

Mayra from Illinois said that her “interaction” with her donor was “super polite.”

  via Shutterstock  

Amanda from Massachusetts said that she’s “grateful,” after being stressed out.

“I am one stressed-out mom just trying to keep her baby fed, and you have warmed my heart and made me feel so grateful that there are people like you in the world.”

For more information or if you want to be a donor or are in need of a donation, click here.

  via Shutterstock  

We certainly do need more people like Keiko Zoll in this world, that’s for sure.

And now, 78,000 pounds of baby formula have arrived in the U.S.

  via Getty Images  

A military plane arrived in Indianapolis on Sunday carrying specialty formula for over half a million baby bottles, as per New York Post.

“The Biden people bragging that they brought in 78,000 pounds of baby formula now that sounds like a big number to most people but in reality that’s less than two truckloads I hope they have a hell of a lot more planes coming,” one person wrote on Twitter.

  via Getty Images  

“78,000 pounds of baby formula, for a country with 330,000,000 people. It might sound more impressive to measure it in ounces or even grams,” another noted.

The Director of the White House National Economic Council, Brian Deese, said that the delivery will hopefully bring “some incremental relief in the coming days.”

  via Getty Images  

Deese also said that there will be more formulas seen in stores in the foreseeable future.

He said that there will be: “More formula in stores starting as early as this week.”

There are more shipments due to arrive, too.

  via Getty Images  

According to the White House, 1.5 million 8-ounce bottles of 3 formulas that will help children who have allergies to cow’s milk are also supposed to arrive this week.

The White House issued a statement on May, 12, of this year explaining why the formula shortage has hit the U.S. so hard.

  via Getty Images  

“On February 17, the largest infant formula manufacturer in the country—Abbott Nutrition—initiated a voluntary recall of several lines of powdered formula. This came after concerns about bacterial contamination at Abbott’s Sturgis, Michigan, facility after four infants fell ill and two died,” it said.

Nestle also spoke out.

  via Getty Images  

“We have significantly increased the amount of our formulas available to consumers by ramping up production and accelerating general product availability to retailers and online, as well as through hospitals and home health care for those most vulnerable,” they began.

“At Nestle we are absolutely committed to doing everything we can to get parents and caregivers the formula they need so their children can thrive.

  via Getty Images  

“We prioritized these products because they serve a critical medical purpose as they are for children with cow’s milk protein allergies,” they said.

What do you think?