FOOD Desperate parents can't find baby formula amid national shortage & stores ration cans after infection killed baby and caused huge recall
- Thread starter hunybee
- Start date
pauldingbabe
The Great Cat
Didn't the royals use wet nurses a lot? Am I remembering that correctly?
The Handmaids Tale is getting closer. It scares the shit out of me sometimes if I let it.
Whew, what a world....
pauldingbabe
The Great Cat
I'm not sure, but I believe a lot of formula is made in Mexico? Please correct me if I'm wrong. I'm not absolutely sure.
pauldingbabe
The Great Cat
Barry Natchitoches
Has No Life - Lives on TB
I saw that too, and thought - when a person is in water over their head, and is drowning, you don’t call out to them, telling them what NOT to do.
Instead, you throw them a floatation device to catch or you jump in the water and help them reach dry land.
If mothers don’t do any of these things, then what should they do?
Call the funeral home to plan their little one’s funeral?
kyrsyan
Has No Life - Lives on TB
This hit the disability community almost immediately. There are kids that can only use the special formulas that were pulled. Those families have been scrambling to find anything. I know quite a few widespread communities that have been hunting formula from anywhere in order to help those kids.
JMG91
Veteran Member
^^^This. That was me as well. I tried for the first four months of my daughter's life. Had a useless lactation consultant who basically came into my room, told me to contact her if I had any questions, and left. I finally filled up days after leaving the hospital, but never had a let down and the milk dried up because my body thought I didn't need it. I was crushed, but continued on for months, trying desperately to get my milk flowing--and almost destroyed my health in the process. It was awful. I never made more than 1/8 oz at a time. It felt like being less of a woman.I won't ROAST you, but rather EDUCATE you. HYPOGALACTIA- the HIDDEN SHAME some women experience. When you seek help from "Lactation" experts, they often add to your feelings of shame for not being successful! This was MY experience.
My poor mother went through this, too, but raised 5 healthy children on oldtime "formulas" from 1945-1957.
Low milk supply - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org
I "pumped" so often you would have thought there was a "Dairy" operation going on somewhere in my household from seeing all of the equipment I had!
I imagine it feels the same way impotency feels for men; the very thing your gender is made for, you're incapable of doing.I did manage to make 10 oz a day with my son, which was an improvement, but never was able to breastfeed him--had to use a professional pump given to me by my mil. I ended up making homemade goat's milk formula as well. I figured that, if I can't breastfeed my babies, at least knowing exactly what was going into their bodies was the next best thing.
hunybee
Veteran Member
^^^This. That was me as well. I tried for the first four months of my daughter's life. Had a useless lactation consultant who basically came into my room, told me to contact her if I had any questions, and left. I finally filled up days after leaving the hospital, but never had a let down and the milk dried up because my body thought I didn't need it. I was crushed, but continued on for months, trying desperately to get my milk flowing--and almost destroyed my health in the process. It was awful. I never made more than 1/8 oz at a time. It felt like being less of a woman.
I did manage to make 10 oz a day with my son, which was an improvement, but never was able to breastfeed him--had to use a professional pump given to me by my mil. I ended up making homemade goat's milk formula as well. I figured that, if I can't breastfeed my babies, at least knowing exactly what was going into their bodies was the next best thing.
sometimes, it does happen!
you did everything you could, and you did what you had to and gave your baby the best thing available! you did a good job!
JMG91
Veteran Member
The recipe I used for anyone interested was a mixture of Dr. Weston Price's and Joe Stout M.S.'s from Mt. Capra, whose daughter was allergic to breast milk. This option is actually a lot cheaper than store bought formula in the long run, since, once you buy the ingredients, you barely have to replace any by the time your baby's done using formula.) I would get my 32 oz. made up, then pour immediately into bottles and put them into the fridge, ready to be heated up individually. It was easiest that way.
Easy Affordable Homemade Goat Milk Formula - 8 oz.
Easy Affordable Homemade Goat Milk Formula - 8 oz.
- 8 oz. of filtered water
- 1 level scoop of full fat Meyenberg goat milk powder (base for protein, carbs, fats, vitamins and minerals)
- 1 Tbs. organic, raw turbinado sugar or organic real maple syrup or goat milk lactose (carbohydrate)
- 1/2 tsp. coconut oil (healthy saturated fat)
- 1/2 tsp. olive or avocado oil (healthy monounsaturated fat) (In placement of either of these, since my son couldn't handle them, I used 1/4 tsp. of sunflower oil and 1/8 tsp. of grapeseed oil)
- 1/2 tsp. nutritional yeast (B12 + folate)
- 1/4th tsp. Great Lakes gelatin powder (helps digestion and builds/seals gut)
- 1/8th tsp. organic, unsulphured blackstrap molasses (B vits, iron and helps bowels)
- 1/8th tsp. powdered probiotics (healthy gut flora, immunity) - (you can increase dose as baby gets older)
- Vit D drops (400 IU) or 1/4th tsp. non-flavored fermented cod liver oil (Vitamin D)
- 1/4th tsp. baby multi-vitamin drops if not nursing
- I find the best way to make this recipe is doing 32 oz. at a time and using a blender to emulsify the fats. If you want to make 1-8 oz. bottle, here's how to do it.
- Add 4 oz. hot, filtered water to an 8 oz. glass baby bottle. Add all of the ingredients but the goat milk powder and probiotics (probiotics are heat sensitive). Shake. Then add 4 oz. cold water, goat milk powder and probiotics. Shake again.
- Store in the refrigerator and only leave it at room temperature for a few hours max.
Samuel Adams
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Dear Wife of my youth breast fed our five live births.....loved every minute of it.
She was on the thin side, and slightly anemic, all her life, but she could make milk.
Just thought I’d share why this thread is of interest to me.
She was on the thin side, and slightly anemic, all her life, but she could make milk.
Just thought I’d share why this thread is of interest to me.
hunybee
Veteran Member
Samuel Adams
Has No Life - Lives on TB
I still have the four surviving little ones.
All adult now, oldest is daughter, 28, two kids of her own.....breastfed.
My three sons are solid, responsible working men.
I am over the hump, (griefwise, it took a while) and looking toward the horizon in peace, as far as all that goes.
I feel in a very fluid position, were, say, my skills and services needed by my country in an, *ahem* time of need ?
Meanwhile, I do have two milking cows if anyone lives close and needs milk.
All adult now, oldest is daughter, 28, two kids of her own.....breastfed.
My three sons are solid, responsible working men.
I am over the hump, (griefwise, it took a while) and looking toward the horizon in peace, as far as all that goes.
I feel in a very fluid position, were, say, my skills and services needed by my country in an, *ahem* time of need ?
Meanwhile, I do have two milking cows if anyone lives close and needs milk.
cyberiot
Rimtas žmogus
I breastfed my offspring. No bottles to wash, no bag to pack. The milk is always fresh, clean and warmed to perfection. Best for baby, best for mom. God knows what He's doing.
Please know I wasn't recommending evaporated milk and corn syrup. I just wanted to pass along what folks used to do in a pinch.
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Mary Contrary
Inactive
In 1971 when my son was born i nursed him till he was just passed two. I just thought I was supposed to. I didn't know a year was long enough. When he had teeth and said, " mommy milk hot" I knew it was time to quit. We didn't have breast pumps in those days or I never knew about them. I was sort of poor. I would squeeze the milk out with my hand and freeze it for the baby sitter. I was a hippy mom and took real good care of him, but he grew up to become a drug addict. I couldn't save him from the world. I had him natural by Lamaze.
TxGal
Day by day
I'm with you there, I didn't have Hypogalactia but rather have Gilbert's Syndrome. I posted this on another thread discussing breastfeeding. I started nursing my firstborn and was thrilled to be able to, but her bilirubin (newborn jaundice) continued to rise rather than drop as usually happens after a few days. That's when I was diagnosed with Gilbert's, a benign hereditary liver condition that causes bilirubin levels in the blood to be elevated due to a missing liver enzyme that breaks down bili. I was passing my bilirubin to my newborn in my breastmilk.I won't ROAST you, but rather EDUCATE you. HYPOGALACTIA- the HIDDEN SHAME some women experience. When you seek help from "Lactation" experts, they often add to your feelings of shame for not being successful! This was MY experience.
My poor mother went through this, too, but raised 5 healthy children on oldtime "formulas" from 1945-1957.
Low milk supply - Wikipedia
I "pumped" so often you would have thought there was a "Dairy" operation going on somewhere in my household from seeing all of the equipment I had!
I was so disappointed, but there was no choice. We started her on formula and had a stressful introduction to colic. As first time parents, it was a challenge.
Prayers for everyone affected by the formula shortage. This is a nightmare.
My sisters and I were raised on Carnation milk and Karo syrup which was standard back then. I think instead of Karo my youngest sister had dextrose maltose. Only reason I remember is my mom commented that it was different from what other sister and I had -- my youngest sister is 11 years younger than me. The procedure: boil the water to be used in the formula and cool, wash and sterilize bottles, caps, nipples and pitcher used to mix the formula. You also washed and sterilized the milk can and the punch opener. Mix formula and fill all the bottles (usually at least two days' worth) then refrigerate until used. Bottles were glass - Pyrex I believe. Babies were always given vitamins which now are probably included in the formula. I don't recall giving vitamins other than for my oldest.
I used powdered formula for my oldest and did the sterilization thing. By my second (5 years later) it was liquid formula in a can mixed with tap water one bottle at a time. Dd2 (5 years later) it was still canned formula, in her case soy. Foster babies (8 to 10 after dd2) were combination of regular and soy liquid in a can with tap water one bottle at a time. Had two at the same time one on soy and the other on regular. I used color coded bottles and they soon learned which was theirs. Once they picked up the wrong bottles and after tasting gave them back!
I used powdered formula for my oldest and did the sterilization thing. By my second (5 years later) it was liquid formula in a can mixed with tap water one bottle at a time. Dd2 (5 years later) it was still canned formula, in her case soy. Foster babies (8 to 10 after dd2) were combination of regular and soy liquid in a can with tap water one bottle at a time. Had two at the same time one on soy and the other on regular. I used color coded bottles and they soon learned which was theirs. Once they picked up the wrong bottles and after tasting gave them back!
Melodi
Disaster Cat
Either try one of the safer home formulas which an article can't mention in case they might be sued and/or go directly to the ER and flood the ER with these babies.
It is almost certain that such a crises would bring about a massive move to "solve" the problem - of course the flip side is that many families would end up declaring bankruptcy when the hospital bills came in. But that is another dysfunction of the way the US Health care Non-System is falling apart these days.
But to me, better a bankruptcy than a dead baby; on the other hand class action lawsuits for medical costs against some of the manufactures or even WIC (if they don't return calls or solve the problem) may become popular with young lawers started out and want pro-bono cases to take on in hopes of collected a fee later.
JasmineAndLace
Senior Member
My children were raised on the carnation and karo syrup recipe--back then the powdered, boxed "formula" wasn't even available. It was a lot of work because everything had to be boiled and sterilized. I was shocked when my granddaughter picked up a bottle, added cold water and a scoop of powdered formula and shook it up to feed the baby. Didn't even heat it up. My how times have changed and I'm not sure it is for the better.
LibertyInNH
Senior Member
This *should* not be a big problem.
Firstly, most mothers can nurse... They just choose not to try for "reasons."
Secondly, wet nurses are a real thing... And can some good money providing a valuable healthy service to the mothers who *cannot* nurse.
Thirdly (I could go on but won't), there are better human milk substitutes (which won't increase your child's chance of playing for the other team) such as powdered or FRESH goat milk.
Two of my 5 children used goat milk. None used anything man made. All are healthy (bone muscle weight, etc), intelligent, and _____ as an arrow.
Firstly, most mothers can nurse... They just choose not to try for "reasons."
Secondly, wet nurses are a real thing... And can some good money providing a valuable healthy service to the mothers who *cannot* nurse.
Thirdly (I could go on but won't), there are better human milk substitutes (which won't increase your child's chance of playing for the other team) such as powdered or FRESH goat milk.
Two of my 5 children used goat milk. None used anything man made. All are healthy (bone muscle weight, etc), intelligent, and _____ as an arrow.
Melodi
Disaster Cat
Not everyone can nurse that is false and medically simply not true.
My friend and her husband were living with us when she had a baby, she suffered unimaginable torture while trying to nurse - her breasts turned bright red, almost nothing came out and she said the pain was worse than giving birth.
When her baby started to lose weight because there was almost nothing to eat, our wonderful (and sadly now retired) lady doctor who raised five of her own before going back to get a medical degree gently told the Mom that it was time to switch to formula as her baby was failing to thrive. She also was treating my friend for the breast infections and conditions, but they simply didn't improve fast enough for the baby to have lived, if they hadn't switched to formula - or if formula had not been around we'd have gone emergency goat shopping.
So please, it isn't as simple as "they can just nurse" some women can, some have enough to provide for others either donated or as an actual wet nurse depending on the circumstances, and a lot of women only have enough milk for their own baby.
Working women, especially single mothers or low-income mothers who HAVE to go back to work soon after giving birth also often have no real choice. Day care centers mostly will not allow breast milk and pumping requires things like time and refigeration to work.
Fine for a lot of clerical staff, especially in places with good health policies but not so great for waitresses, fast food workers, grocery store clerks and other perfectly respectable but low-income/high public service types of jobs.
My friend and her husband were living with us when she had a baby, she suffered unimaginable torture while trying to nurse - her breasts turned bright red, almost nothing came out and she said the pain was worse than giving birth.
When her baby started to lose weight because there was almost nothing to eat, our wonderful (and sadly now retired) lady doctor who raised five of her own before going back to get a medical degree gently told the Mom that it was time to switch to formula as her baby was failing to thrive. She also was treating my friend for the breast infections and conditions, but they simply didn't improve fast enough for the baby to have lived, if they hadn't switched to formula - or if formula had not been around we'd have gone emergency goat shopping.
So please, it isn't as simple as "they can just nurse" some women can, some have enough to provide for others either donated or as an actual wet nurse depending on the circumstances, and a lot of women only have enough milk for their own baby.
Working women, especially single mothers or low-income mothers who HAVE to go back to work soon after giving birth also often have no real choice. Day care centers mostly will not allow breast milk and pumping requires things like time and refigeration to work.
Fine for a lot of clerical staff, especially in places with good health policies but not so great for waitresses, fast food workers, grocery store clerks and other perfectly respectable but low-income/high public service types of jobs.
LibertyInNH
Senior Member
You made my point. I said *most* mothers can nurse. Some cannot (as you note), and there are better alternatives than formula.
Those alternatives are also always available to the mothers who choose to or "must" work.
God designed women to produce ample and extra milk (in an unfalled state, true), so again *in most cases* human milk is available from another woman who is nursing or who has chosen to pump after weaning to help others. Fact.
Besides that, as I said, goat milk is an excellent almost perfect replacement option.
ginnie6
Veteran Member
ok I nursed all six of ours so I don't get why more women won't try. Yes its hard, yes it hurts at first but it is better for baby and its a heck of a lot cheaper. When our last was born he was an emergency c section, I had an emergency hysterectomy, and got 11 units of blood. They told me I wouldn't be able to nurse him because I wouldn't have a milk supply. I told them "watch me." When I got home I got every herb and tea I knew of to help my milk supply and I nursed him almost nonstop. Had to take him in to the "lactation" consultants at 4 days for a weight check and he had gained 6 ounces WITHOUT the help of the formula they gave me...not the hospital, the lactation consultants. So I think there's way too little support or encouragement for women to breastfeed their babies. It's easier to them to sell that formula and earn that hidden commission (I'm sure they get something for their efforts) than it is to support and encourage a nursing mother.
Melodi
Disaster Cat
Fathers here should know that if their wife can't nurse, all it takes is a couple of shots of "prolactin" and they probably can take over the job - again not all men can nurse but many can.
And there are verified stories and historical reports where this did happen, one recorded one was in the Icelandic Sagas and a verified one comes out of WWII when a man lost his wife when their apartment was bombed and he put his newborn to his breast to give comfort since he knew the baby would probably die (the same basic theme is in the Icelandic Saga).
He was totally shocked, when colostrum started coming out his breasts which had turned to breast milk by the time they were both rescued.
This also sometimes occurs between sisters or mother's and daughters even without an emergency; and while women who have previously nursed babies are more likely to experience this sort of sympathetic milk production, it can happen even to virgins or very rarely to men.
It probably goes back to the days, that still exist in parts of the world, where having other women in the family producing milk increased the odds of a baby surviving, even if the Mom died in child birth or from child bed fever.
The human body is a wonderful and amazing thing, and medicine is still learning more about it all the time (when they are willing to look).
And there are verified stories and historical reports where this did happen, one recorded one was in the Icelandic Sagas and a verified one comes out of WWII when a man lost his wife when their apartment was bombed and he put his newborn to his breast to give comfort since he knew the baby would probably die (the same basic theme is in the Icelandic Saga).
He was totally shocked, when colostrum started coming out his breasts which had turned to breast milk by the time they were both rescued.
This also sometimes occurs between sisters or mother's and daughters even without an emergency; and while women who have previously nursed babies are more likely to experience this sort of sympathetic milk production, it can happen even to virgins or very rarely to men.
It probably goes back to the days, that still exist in parts of the world, where having other women in the family producing milk increased the odds of a baby surviving, even if the Mom died in child birth or from child bed fever.
The human body is a wonderful and amazing thing, and medicine is still learning more about it all the time (when they are willing to look).
My sister in law could not nurse. Niece was allergic to all formula at the time. The pediatrician told them to find raw goat milk. I gave them the name of a local goat dairy. SIL called and told them her desperate situation. Dairy owner told her it was illegal for them to sell her raw milk, but if she brought clean, sterile containers, they would give her all the milk her baby needed. My niece thrived on their goat milk. By 8 months she was no longer needing the goat milk. But our family is forever thankful to the dairy family that provided milk. Second niece had no problem with formula.
LibertyInNH
Senior Member
Under his eye
LibertyInNH
Senior Member
Under his eye
LibertyInNH
Senior Member
Importantly - if you don't have access to any other ingredients, the goat milk is fine on its own.PLEASE pass the recipe far and wide!!! It's much better than the canned stuff and anyone can make it.
I made it by the gallon, you need an immersion blender.
Prep Genrl - Goat Milk Baby Formula Recipe
I used this recipe for 2 of my grandchildren when their mother went back to work. It is great. I made it by the gallon. You would need an immersion blender.www.timebomb2000.com
View attachment 338285
hunybee
Veteran Member
yes! that is the law in many states. they cannot sell it, but if one brings clean and sterile containers, they can do it. that goes for cow milk as well. in some states they CAN sell it if those conditions are met. some states say that if you "own" part of the cow, they can have the milk. so, the farm works out an agreement with people that they pay for their part of the cow or goat to get the milk. sometimes you have to pay extra for the milk, sometimes not.
lots of farmers are very willing to work out barter or unusual ways to benefit both. and, like you have stated, people don't want a baby to die and will do whatever they can to help.
the fresh goat milk is even better as it still has the enzymes and beneficial bacteria the babies need. fresh cow milk would be the next best. just make sure the farmer practices good hygiene. i'm sure summerthyme can give lots of stories of bad hygiene practices of some farmers and what can happen as a result.
Sure they did... "convenience" and all that! But so did the lower classes, usually on a much more informal basis. Substitutes were so poorly tolerated that it was clearly recognized that the best chances of an infant surviving was breast feeding, and women didn't have any squeamishness about putting another baby to their breast.
Summerthyme
pauldingbabe
The Great Cat
pauldingbabe
The Great Cat
Those words...wow. worst thing you could hear in the nursery/NICU.
We never left them alone in my hospital. There was a sign up sheet for volunteers (hospital staff w/ P-medic and above license) for those who could come and sit with those little ones so that staff could care for other littles and parents could get some rest.
Some pulled through, some didn't, but at least we tried and tried with everything we had.
I used to love medicine
Melodi
Disaster Cat
Thankfully, the "baby" in question is a lovely young women of twenty now and her sister is 18, her Mom had exactly the same problem trying to nurse the little sister but by then they knew the signs and switched to formula before the baby was in danger.Those words...wow. worst thing you could hear in the nursery/NICU.
We never left them alone in my hospital. There was a sign up sheet for volunteers (hospital staff w/ P-medic and above license) for those who could come and sit with those little ones so that staff could care for other littles and parents could get some rest.
Some pulled through, some didn't, but at least we tried and tried with everything we had.
I used to love medicine
I spent a lot of time rocking that older baby so Mom could rest, she didn't have to go back into the hospital but only because our doctor spotted the signs right away and even did a couple of home visits.
pauldingbabe
The Great Cat
If you know someone who is struggling to BF due to inadequate supply, three words: Mother's Milk Tea.
Active ingredient: fenugreek. It works. I know from experience. The difference was dramatic.
Plus, added bonus, you will smell like pancake syrup.
And taste like it too! Or so I was told.....
Betty_Rose
Veteran Member
I understand that this can not turn into a debate on breastfeeding vs. bottle-feeding thing, but...
The odds of a woman being genuinely unable to nurse her infant are infinitesimally small. It would be a significant anomaly of nature for a new mother to not be able to produce enough milk to keep a baby alive and well. The core issue is, modern society has kinda sorta forgotten how it's done.
Unfortunately, our "modern" society is still weighted on the side of breastfeeding being a "nice option" and that's not right. In the late 1800s, almost every new mom breastfed their baby (or found a wet nurse).
Now, breastfeeding seems like this curious thing that only some women can do.
With my first baby (1978), I had all manner of problems, from breast infections to thrush (baby's mouth) and more. I found a group in town called La Leche League and they helped me figure things out bit by bit. When my sister-in-law had a baby, I was able to teach her what I had learned. And then she taught other women...
But breastfeeding a baby is something that 99.99% of women should be able to do - WITH the right support system such as practical guidance from other women and lactation consultants.
The odds of a woman being genuinely unable to nurse her infant are infinitesimally small. It would be a significant anomaly of nature for a new mother to not be able to produce enough milk to keep a baby alive and well. The core issue is, modern society has kinda sorta forgotten how it's done.
Unfortunately, our "modern" society is still weighted on the side of breastfeeding being a "nice option" and that's not right. In the late 1800s, almost every new mom breastfed their baby (or found a wet nurse).
Now, breastfeeding seems like this curious thing that only some women can do.
With my first baby (1978), I had all manner of problems, from breast infections to thrush (baby's mouth) and more. I found a group in town called La Leche League and they helped me figure things out bit by bit. When my sister-in-law had a baby, I was able to teach her what I had learned. And then she taught other women...
But breastfeeding a baby is something that 99.99% of women should be able to do - WITH the right support system such as practical guidance from other women and lactation consultants.
Reportedly allergic to milk, I was fed Gerber's meat based formula. My big brother said it looked like diarrhea in a bottle. I had apple juice on my cereal when I was older, and drank beer and fruit punch and apple juice. My teeth are shot now.
Took chewable calcium pills from the time I can remember, so at least they tried to do something right.
Took chewable calcium pills from the time I can remember, so at least they tried to do something right.