US Shortage of Baby Food?

[flyinglentris]

When I started seeing the lamentations regarding people who felt that the shortages of baby foods would threaten starvation for their infants, I felt that old regret that so many people are so habitualized and manipulated that they don't even try to think for themselves. And there were for sure reports of people trying to make their own and given stern warnings that their creations might [weasel word] be harmful to their infants and toddlers.;

The biggest baby food company in the US is Gerber and their products today seem more like health food powders and vegan diets for infants.

I am struck to wonder how difficult it might be to ween an infant and get them started on solid foods, when it has been a natural norm for thousands and thousands of years. I have heard that it is psychologically better for an infant to be naturally heald and breast fed, yet, these same worrisome parents prefer warmed cow milk in a bottle.

So what's up here? If I had to make a baby food,, I would first assess when an infant is due to ween, and if I wanted to get technical, analyze when stomach bacteria are introduce and whether certain things might cause vomiting, diarrhea or infant dysentery. But I figure, a softened cereal of rice or oats, mixed with a small amount of fruit and vegetable matter, like apple sauce or softened potato or carrot would do for starts. But in truth, I figure there are lots of people who still follow the natural progression, from native tribal peoples all over the world, to sects, like the Amish and right up to moms and dads who work in high tech jobs in big cities. And they have no worries, doubts or problems.

Now, let me qualify. I have never been a parent. But I have been a kid who grew up seeing babies reared and weened.

I think there's some over indulgence in news hysteria here. It can';t be that difficult to ween and feed an infant in a good healthy way without fear of infant starvation.

 

[garlichead]

I wouldn't suggest anyone try and formulate an infant replacement for mothers milk, ever. Formula's are not that great when compared to mothers milk but it's the only alternative available. Formula's are big business and are a processed food which isn't something that is anywhere near ideal. Both mothers milk and formula would be better in general. But again, no don't try and make your own formula and if anyone has concerns with their infants health to talk with a pediatrician.

 

[JAS_OH1]

I have heard that it is psychologically better for an infant to be naturally heald and breast fed, yet, these same worrisome parents prefer warmed cow milk in a bottle.

So what's up here? If I had to make a baby food,, I would first assess when an infant is due to ween, and if I wanted to get technical, analyze when stomach bacteria are introduce and whether certain things might cause vomiting, diarrhea or infant dysentery. But I figure, a softened cereal of rice or oats, mixed with a small amount of fruit and vegetable matter, like apple sauce or softened potato or carrot would do for starts. But in truth, I figure there are lots of people who still follow the natural progression, from native tribal peoples all over the world, to sects, like the Amish and right up to moms and dads who work in high tech jobs in big cities. And they have no worries, doubts or problems.

Now, let me qualify. I have never been a parent. But I have been a kid who grew up seeing babies reared and weened.

I think there's some over indulgence in news hysteria here. It can';t be that difficult to ween and feed an infant in a good healthy way without fear of infant starvation.

Warmed cows milk is not used as a replacement for breastmilk, formula is. Cows milk is not given to very young infants. Not all babies latch on, and some women do not lactate or do not produce enough breastmilk for the infant to thrive, so a replacement or supplement is necessary.

I have 2 grandchildren, one is 7 months old and the other is 2 and 1/2. My daughters have not had any trouble obtaining baby food.

 

[Morning Glory]

Warmed cows milk is not used as a replacement for breastmilk, formula is. Cows milk is not given to very young infants. Not all babies latch on, and some women do not lactate or do not produce enough breastmjlk for the infant to thrive, so a replacement or supplement is necessary.

I have 2 grandchildren, one is 7 months old and the other is 2 and 1/2. My daughters have not had any trouble obtaining baby food.

Thought I should post a link to the news item to clarify it. The shortage is of baby formula (which is usually made from cow's milk, treated to make it suitable for babies and with added vitamins etc). Baby food as far as I know isn't in short supply. Baby food is easy to make at home. Baby formula isn't.

Baby formula shortage hits 'crisis' level, sparking panic in parents across US

Baby formula shortage worsens: About 40% of popular brands sold out across US

 

[JAS_OH1]

Thought I should post a link to the news item to clarify it. The shortage is of baby formula (which is usually made from cow's milk, treated to make it suitable for babies and with added vitamins etc). Baby food as far as I know isn't in short supply. Baby food is easy to make at home. Baby formula isn't.

Baby formula shortage hits 'crisis' level, sparking panic in parents across US

Baby formula shortage worsens: About 40% of popular brands sold out across US

Yes, and one of the companies I work for as a product recall specialist had been handling the recall of two varieties of Similac Baby Formula. During February, March, and April, I visited over 180 stores throughout Ohio and Pennsylvania to conduct work on this project, working with store management to ensure the product was removed from the retail shelves and back room inventory areas. No baby food was involved in the recall.

 

[garlichead]

Yes, and one of the companies I work for as a product recall specialist had been handling the recall of two varieties of Similac Baby Formula. During February, March, and April, I visited over 180 stores throughout Ohio and Pennsylvania to conduct work on this project, working with store management to ensure the product was removed from the retail shelves and back room inventory areas. No baby food was involved in the recall.

Yeah, baby food is easy peasy, formula, a different story. No shortages here.

 

[JAS_OH1]

Yeah, baby food is easy peasy, formula, a different story. No shortages here.

My grandson (7 months) is on Gerber, and they didn't have any recalls. His mother hasn't had any problems getting formula for him. My granddaughter (2 and 1/2) hasn't been on formula for a long time, but she did eat some baby food up until the end of last year. She now eats "regular" food. I think my daughter would have been able to make her baby food easily enough, but she had a 9-5 job at a bank and paid someone to take care of Mia while she was at work, so shelf-stable baby food in a jar was the only option at the time. Now she has a work from home position and things are a lot easier.

Edited to add that they both breastfed for the first 2-3 months, but as full-time working moms, formula became an easier option.

 

[Morning Glory]

they both breastfed for the first 2-3 months, but as full-time working moms, formula became an easier option.

I've resisted contributing too much to this thread but hey, if anyone knows about breastfeeding its probably me!

I breastfed my first three babies for 6 months. Worked full-time (away from home) from when they were a 6 weeks old. It wasn't easy. I had to express milk in work breaks and save in the work fridge etc. The last baby got mixed formula and breast feeding from 4 weeks and in the end I gave up, as my job was by that time really demanding. He got formula from 3 months onwards. There's no doubt that human breast milk is best for babies, but as has been said, there are circumstances where its not possible. Having said that, there are human milk banks which are a great thing.

 

[garlichead]

I've resisted contributing too much to this thread but hey, if anyone knows about breastfeeding its probably me!
Having said that, there are human milk banks which are a great thing.

Best advice yet. Cheers

 

[JAS_OH1]

I've resisted contributing too much to this thread but hey, if anyone knows about breastfeeding its probably me!

I breastfed my first three babies for 6 months. Worked full-time (away from home) from when they were a 6 weeks old. It wasn't easy. I had to express milk in work breaks and save in the work fridge etc. The last baby got mixed formula and breast feeding from 4 weeks and in the end I gave up, as my job was by that time really demanding. He got formula from 3 months onwards. There's no doubt that human breast milk is best for babies, but as has been said, there are circumstances where its not possible. Having said that, there are human milk banks which are a great thing.

We're talking about millenials here. They have a different mindset. I've got a few friends who pumped and froze their milk. I think that's great! My girls weren't interested.

Best advice yet. Cheers

My girls aren't members of the forum, lol. But even if they were, doubtful they would take anyone's advice. That being said, both babies are healthy and not malnourished or overweight, not prone to colds or tummy troubles, and thriving quite well.

 

[garlichead]

We're talking about millenials here. They have a different mindset. I've got a few friends who pumped and froze their milk. I think that's great! My girls weren't interested.

My girls aren't members of the forum, lol. But even if they were, doubtful they would take anyone's advice. That being said, both babies are healthy and not malnourished or overweight, not prone to colds or tummy troubles, and thriving quite well.

Yeah, I get what you mean about millennials. Yeah I suspect the differences from formula and mothers milk doesn't manifest itself early in life, but could effect how the biology holds up longer term. I did a little research a few years ago on this subject and there was a few differences that seemed more socially and politically driven with some of these companies that make formulae that raised my eyebrow a tad. Cheers.

 

[JAS_OH1]

Yeah, I get what you mean about millennials. Yeah I suspect the differences from formula and mothers milk doesn't manifest itself early in life, but could effect how the biology holds up longer term. I did a little research a few years ago on this subject and there was a few differences that seemed more socially and politically driven with some of these companies that make formulae that raised my eyebrow a tad. Cheers.

From what I've read, initial breastfeeding for the first few weeks so babies get the colestrum is vitally important. Of course the longer they're breastfed the better.

 

[garlichead]

From what I've read, initial breastfeeding for the first few weeks so babies get the colestrum is vitally important. Of course the longer they're breastfed the better.

Right, I remember that and has lots of immunoglobins which is pretty important in early development of the immune system. I also remember that infant mortality due to infection is very high under 6 months old and breast fed infants are at a much lower risk than formula fed, and I mean a lot less. Apparently the mother passes on her antibodies in large amounts the first few days and slowly reduce and after I think 12 weeks the baby starts making their own antibodies and I would think directly correlate with less infant death. It's coming back to me lol. Good call JAS.

 

[JAS_OH1]

Right, I remember that and has lots of immunoglobins which is pretty important in early development of the immune system. I also remember that infant mortality due to infection is very high under 6 months old and breast fed infants are at a much lower risk than formula fed, and I mean a lot less. Apparently the mother passes on her antibodies in large amounts the first few days and slowly reduce and after I think 12 weeks the baby starts making their own antibodies and I would think directly correlate with less infant death. It's coming back to me lol. Good call JAS.

There are always those who take things to extreme. I knew a gal in Florida who nursed her boys until they were nearly 4, and I thought that was wayyyyyyy too long. Yeah sure they were eating food as well, but they also ended up having potty training issues, maybe related to not encouraging the boys to move out of the baby phase. I can't even imagine.

My daughters are actually my stepdaughters. They came into my life when they were 5, 7, and 9. I raised them and not their own mother, so technically they are "my" daughters, since she left them 2 years prior. I was really happy they knew how to feed themselves and were potty trained when that happened!

 

[Morning Glory]

We're talking about millenials here. They have a different mindset. I've got a few friends who pumped and froze their milk. I think that's great! My girls weren't interested.

When I had my kids it wasn't really fashionable to express milk and the majority of mothers I knew bottle fed, so I don't think its simply millennials. I didn't come across any other women where I worked who expressed milk (I worked in a large institution). It wasn't common to give birth to babies at home either. I had to fight to have a home birth for my first.