CINCINNATI — The formula shortage has affected millions of families across the United States and they’ve had to get creative on how to find the right formula to feed their babies.
What You Need To Know
- The formula shortage is making it more difficult by the day for parents to find the right formula for their babies
- Sara Berlin started crowdsourcing for formula, asking friends, family and neighbors to be on the lookout
- She’s also joined several local Facebook groups to find formula
- Berlin said seeing people come together to help her and other parents has been special despite the shortage
Every three hours, Sara Berlin makes a bottle for her five-month-old son, Luca. She makes each bottle with formula, something that’s been very difficult to come by because of a national shortage. Berlin said it’s been stressful, especially as a new mom.
(Katie Kapusta/Spectrum News 1)
“I definitely didn’t think that this would be the most stressful part of having a little baby,” Berlin said.
She wants to make sure nothing goes to waste.
At one point, she felt she was spending more time driving looking for formula than at home with her son.
“I went to like seven different stores on my way home and it was just crazy,” she said.
She then used her friends and family to help.
“That’s kind of when I was like, ‘hey if anyone is out and they see this, any store brand, any generic brand, like I don’t care what it is,’” Berlin said. “‘Just let me know and I’ll pay you back. Just get as many as they’re allowing you to buy.’”
(Katie Kapusta/Spectrum News 1)
Berlin even joined several Cincinnati formula Facebook groups that share what is available at different stores, which is how she got her latest stock.
“This one that I actually from someone on Facebook last week after work,” she said.
While she has about three weeks’ worth of formula on hand, she said she knows that could change in an instant, which is why she keeps her circle on the lookout.
(Katie Kapusta/Spectrum News 1)
“We have a bunch of neighbors that are looking out,” she said. “I’ve got coworkers, I’ve got friends with kids in other cities, friends who don’t have kids. Everyone’s just looking.”
While it has been a difficult time, Berlin is still soaking up the magic of being a first-time mom and is thankful for everyone, making sure she can feed her little guy each day.
(Katie Kapusta/Spectrum News 1)
“It’s been super helpful knowing that we have all these people looking out for us,” she said. “It’s been really cool to kind of see this whole community come together of people who are total strangers helping each other out.”
If you are struggling to find formula, there are several formula finder Facebook groups available online for communities all across the state, including Cleveland/Akron, Columbus, Cincinnati, and Dayton. There are several more in these communities and others.
