Due to there being a baby formula shortage what do you think can and should be done about it?

[Lucy68]

[matchrestore]

We can't ramp domestic manufacturing back up in quick enough fashion to help with the shortage we're experiencing right now. We need to do what we can to get the Abbott plant back up and operational, but that will only start to affect supply in 6 to 8 weeks at the soonest.

The best solution at the moment is to open up imports from countries with similar health and safety regulations to the US. Formula is highly regulated (as it should be) but standards differ slightly from country to country complicating the import process. We need to quickly evaluate which countries regulations are going to substantially match our standards and open up imports from those countries temporarily. (for instance our formula standards don't match those of Canada or the European Union exactly, but formula that meets the standards there is obviously safe and nutritious- and 100% better than no formula at all).

[Jamie05rhs]

MHO-worthy answer.

[matchrestore]

@Jamie05rhs thanks!

[Cubus]

I am pretty sure the best option would be to breastfeed. Such is milk is:
- 100% costless
- won't run out
- doesn't have chemistry from China

[whirled_up_girl]

As I mentioned in a reply to someone else's opinion when I work a shift in postpartum as a nurse taking care of moms who have given birth I try to encourage breatfeeding as does the hospital I work for but I know there are instances when it is not possible. I'm not sure that every hospital encouranges breast feeding with the breast or even pumping the breast but they should, especially now. Here is a link to an article that explains some of the reasons babies need formula over breast milk. https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2022/5/12/23068472/baby-formula-shortage-2022-why

[crmoore]

Apologies beforehand for the snarky comment, but what we should do about it is stop giving government enough power to single-handedly screw the population over. People don't have babies so the government can take away baby food from them. People don't work their ass off all day at their job just for government to induce inflation, lowering the buying power of money you already earned. That is YOUR money. Just because some questionable person was elected doesn't mean they should be able to effectively take money (buying power) away from you. It's your money, not theirs. Yet they can do that, apparently.

[lightbulb27]

I honestly don't understand the issue and why so many women need baby formula.
maybe create some videos on how to do things naturally and how to make it yourself. ensure supply of baby formula at pharmacies for those who actually need it, because some do.

how do poor people in other countries do this? seems like our it is a sign of our screwed up, outsourced economy.

[ChiTown33]

Well in a sense it's kind of already being done.
But like it says in the constitution. " to promote the general welfare". If the private sector is unwilling or unmotivated to do this naturally it's time for the gov't to step in it and assume that duty.
I have heard Canada isn't having these shortages. And as a stopgap measure since time is an issue right now I think the United States should make a deal with Canada (assuming my information is correct).

[driven159]

a lot of companies are taking advantage of the pandemic to cause shortages and people are panic buying that doesn't help if a news person said there is a toilet paper shortage tomorrow the shelves would be empty, I remember many years ago as a joke a late-night talk show host said there will be a toilet paper shortage and next day the shelves were empty for no shortage

[Amur8711]

Lift the stupid regulations (the ones that are technicalities) of them so other companies can make them and also allow more imports. There are only 5 companies in the US that re in the baby formula market share. The regulations we have literally make it impossible of new companies to complete.

[NamerOfStars]

A copy of the anti-trust laws should be printed out, stapled to a report on the history of Nestle, and the resultant document repeatedly slammed into the heads of the members of Congress.

[matchrestore]

I agree, and that might help in the future, but right now we need something quicker than anti-trust legislation.

[NamerOfStars]

@matchrestore True. Mine is more of a long-term solution.

[Jamie05rhs]

I think the anti-trust laws need to be more aggressively enforced. This situation should not have happened. We should have had more than one company producing baby formula.

[RealMarek]

Clear out all of our ruling elite and bureaucrats. Their increasing incompetence is starting to make life difficult.

[NathanDavis]

break monopolies... that would be a very good start

[DARKCLOUD1945X]

open them asap import asap get rid of Biden asap get rid of Giggles Harris asap. Get rid of Democrats asap

[mrkdvsn]

It seems to me that with a little knowledge, people could make their own formulas with the right ingredients and a blender

[mVCyberduVm]

I think we should stop sending needed supplies to other parts of the world.

[Anonymous]

isn't baby formula bad, like isn't mom's milk much better

[whirled_up_girl]

I work occasionally in postpartum as a nurse taking care moms that have given birth and generally that is true what you say but I’ve learned there are situations where it’s not possible and the baby could have something called PKU that requires special formula for instance, they could be adopted or in foster care also there are some birth mothers that never produce milk, there are also other digestive problems where the formula is necessary too, it’s all very sad. However given this shortage it will be imperative that birth mom breast feed whenever possible for babies who’s care givers won’t have this option.

[Opinion Owner]

i just remember hearing baby formula companies gave free formula to poor mothers in third world countries and once their milk dried up and they depended on it they started charging them and basically forced them to let their kids die or buy formula

[whirled_up_girl]

That’s terrible, I wish I could say I’m surprised, yeah we encourage breast feeding as much as possible but for some babies it won’t be possible. I think there should be more of a national campaign possibly international even to push for breast feeding when possible given this baby formula shortage.

[jimmy2]

If your child is out of food take them to them to the ER

[midnightmoon05]

What did people do before formula was invented?

[OddBeMe]

We should outlaw shirts.

[anylolone]

Stop enforcing monopolies.

[Leibstanrdarte]

Rope off Washington bomb it and start again

[Anonymous]

Allow women to sell their own breast milk.