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A Level 1 severe weather threat of wind, hail follows today's record heat. New model data shows what to expect tomorrow on WRAL-TV at 11 — A Level 1 severe weather threat of wind and hail follows today's record heat. Tonight on WRAL-TV at 11, new model data shows what to expect tomorrow. more
Published: 2022-05-19 22:35:00 Updated: 2022-05-19 22:35:00
Posted May 19, 2022 10:35 p.m. EDT
By Aaron Thomas, WRAL reporter
It’s been a challenge for some families to find baby formula in grocery stores.
That’s where social media comes into play, allowing those on the hunt to connect and help one another during a crisis.
Ana Rhyne lives in Raleigh. Like any baby, her daughter Alice needs all the nutrients she can get.
Rhyne says tracking down her usual baby formula in stores is difficult.
"The formula she was originally drinking we can't find," said Rhyne. "I went to Target the other day and the shelf was nearly completely empty."
With bare shelves across the nation and supply of formula hard to locate some people are going online, willing to lend a helping hand with formula donations.
"It gives me hope for humanity that there are so many women out there looking to help others and be there," said Rhyne
During desperate times, donor breast milk has become an alternative.
WRAL News found several mothers seeking and donating breast milk in a Facebook group "Human Milk 4 Human Babies - North Carolina".
Shauna Jones was willing to help by donating the milk she produced from her surrogate pregnancy six months ago.
"I just packed it. I write the date, how much it was and deep freeze it," said Jones.
Feeding your baby donor milk may not be an option for everyone.
"You have to feel comfortable with it," said lactation consultant Ann Conlon-Smith. "You need to meet your donor."
Dr. Lori Langdon with Harnett Health said if you go this route use caution.
"The most important guideline is to have the donor screened, so we recommend medical screening for the donor," said Langdon. "That can include a look at infectious concerns and you can also rule those out by evaluating prenatal labs."
Rhyne considered breast milk for her little one but is making ends meet using formula brands similar to the ones used to feed baby Alice.
"Right now we’re puzzle piecing three different formulas, trying to bridge the gap until we get there," said Rhyne.
WIC is the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children that provides healthy food and health care support for low-income families. For infants enrolled in the program, WIC provides assistance to cover the cost of specific milk- and soy-based infant formulas in the first year of life.
The standard milk-based or soy-based powder formulas that WIC covers are widely available in the retail marketplace at this time. However, if WIC participants are having trouble locating formula should contact their local WIC agency for assistance.
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