What does it say about our society and food supply when the closure of a single “nutrition” plant can lead to a crisis that has a direct impact on the health of the most innocent among us?
I’m not going to stir a debate about the cause of the baby formula shortage and how a handful of big food manufacturers essentially control the entire market.
At this point, it’s more productive to focus on what we can do as individuals to insulate ourselves and our loved ones from future crises.
We need options.
If you feed your precious baby with formula, what is your backup plan should baby formula become unavailable? If you’re pregnant and planning to breastfeed, what will you feed your baby if you can’t?
First and foremost, speak with your pediatrician about healthy, safe options for your child. Some children will be able to tolerate certain types of formula or milk while others will not.
Before you speak with your pediatrician, do your homework and bring plenty of questions to your appointment! Rather than trusting Dr. Facebook or Dr. Google, look for information from medical journals and reputable sources.
I recently read an article about a mother whose research led her to the realization that goat’s milk has many of the same properties as human breast milk and baby formula. She created her own baby formula recipe that also incorporated:
With the right nutritional supplements in the right amounts, goat’s milk-based formula can be a viable, healthy alternative to store-bought baby formula.
This is just one example. There are many more. Again, do you research, speak with your pediatrician, and don’t believe everything you see on social media.
Of course, breast milk is the gold standard if this is a possibility for both mother and baby. Breast milk is the only food in existence that has been specifically and naturally designed for human consumption, and the only food that contains both prebiotics and probiotics.
Again, the best way to prepare for a crisis, especially as it relates to the food we feed our children, is to understand your options. Know where you can find fresh vegetables and fruits. Look for proteins that have not been contaminated with antibiotics and various toxins. Always look for organic options. There are plenty available if you take a little time to find them.
And when it comes to baby formula, there are healthy alternatives to what you’ll find on a grocery store shelf. Do your homework and speak with your pediatrician so you’re not at the mercy of big food manufacturers. Let’s make sure our babies feel better, function better, and live longer.