CINCINNATI — As parents scramble to find baby formula amid the nationwide shortage, more new moms are opting to breastfeed their newborns.
Mother of two Marquita Johnson just had a baby, and she said she knew she was going to breastfeed her newborn.
“I’ve always wanted to breastfeed. I even breastfed with my first baby, but because especially right now because of the milk shortage with the formula,” said Johnson.
She said the baby formula shortage is part of the reason she’s starting her own breast milk supply and is trying to keep it going.
“I don’t want to have to look for milk, like if she runs out of milk and there’s not anymore on the shelves, then what would I do? I don’t wanna go through that so I’m fighting. I’m working hard to keep my milk flow, to keep her fed,” said Johnson.
In May, Datasembly, a research company, found that 74% of baby formula products were out of stock. That’s up from about 40% out of stock formula in April and the beginning of May.
Lawmakers launched an emergency response to help, including flying in formula from abroad, but the formula, which has been running low everywhere for almost five months now, has more parents asking about breastfeeding.
“Most recently, a lot of people come to us for breastfeeding support,” said Danyelle Bush with Cradle Cincinnati.
Cradle Cincinnati helps provide support and services to new and breastfeeding moms.
“We have certified lactation consultants on our team, but our mother organization is Cincinnati Children’s, and so we have a lot of support through Cincinnati Children’s. They have a department dedicated to assisting moms with breastfeeding,” said Bush.
Johnson is getting help through the group, too. She said she’s going to keep fighting to keep up her own supply so she doesn’t end up fighting to find formula.
“All the work is definitely worth it because she’s fed, she’s satisfied, and she’s growing,” said Johnson.
