• Spoon feeding: We hear about toddlers in the high chair getting spoon fed solid food. Here comes the airplane! But can it work with infants? Sort of, Anderson says.
  
  “We can express that milk for mom. A lot of times we use hand expression, which is a very gentle way to do that. We do it right into a little plastic spoon. You hold the spoon up to baby’s mouth. They will stick their tongue out and kind of lap it up like a little puppy,” Anderson explains. “We’re not dumping it in their mouth and expecting them to swallow it. They need it in very small amounts to learn how to breathe while eating.”
   
• Cup feeding: It’s like spoon feeding but with a small medicine cup. Express the breastmilk into the cup, put the cup by the baby’s lower lip and let them lap up the nourishment.
   
• Dropper feeding: Express some breastmilk into a medicine dropper. Gently place the dropper in the corner of the baby’s mouth pointed toward their cheek, and squeeze out a tiny amount.
  
  “They’re getting breastmilk while not having to drink from a bottle. That can, in little bits, give baby the strength they need to latch onto mom’s breast [in the future],” Anderson says.
   
• Supplemental nursing system (SNS): Anderson says there are many reasons to use an SNS. For one, babies who might latch well at the breast lack the energy to actually get milk out by suckling. Birth is tiring, and they are sleepy. With an SNS, the baby still latches onto the breast, but there is a very small tube taped to the breast, aligned with the nipple. This allows the parent to provide milk from a syringe connected to the other end of the tube. 
  
  “We can still have mom holding baby and baby latching at the breast. We push milk through the tube very slowly. Baby is still suckling at the breast but getting milk from the tube,” Anderson outlines. “We can supplement without needing a bottle if that’s the parents’ preference.”

Learn more

Anderson says these alternatives are typically seen in the first few days, and mom and baby get the hang of feeding after that. But if problems persist, you can always talk to a lactation consultant. The OSF HealthCare website also has information about having a healthy pregnancy and birth. OSF also offers virtual breastfeeding support.

Photos

Interview clips

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Peeling back the layers
Navigating the baby blues and more
Tongue-tied

Author's note: This is part one of a four part story on infant nutrition misconceptions. Read part two here, part three here and part four here.
 

Bringing a new baby home raises the focus on their and mom’s well-being. Toward the top of the list: what and how the child is being fed.

Whether you choose to breastfeed or use formula, misconceptions about infant nutrition are everywhere. Xandra Anderson, an international board-certified lactation consultant at OSF HealthCare, cuts through the noise.

• My baby needs water in addition to milk or formula.
  
  It’s a common thought, Anderson says. One, adults need water, so people assume infants do, too. And two, formula can involve mixing in water, so mothers think they need to do the same with breast milk.
  
  “Really, breast milk is about 80% water,” Anderson says. “It’s there. It’s complete nutrition. You’re not missing anything.”
  
  Anderson adds it’s actually dangerous to give water to babies under six months. They can overhydrate, leading to possible kidney damage. After six months, Anderson says to talk to a health care provider about introducing water. She says one to two ounces of water per day to help wash down solid food is common.
   
• Breastfeeding will make my breasts sag.
  
  Anderson says breast changes begin during pregnancy and are not solely a result of breastfeeding. Some women will notice their breasts are larger once they are full of milk, but there are more factors at play.
  
  “[During pregnancy], your hormones are changing a lot. Your ligaments are stretching. We’re getting ready for a baby,” Anderson explains. “Then you have your baby, and your milk starts to come in. Regardless of whether you breastfeed or formula feed, you’ll see some breast changes. It was those hormonal changes in pregnancy.

“[Breast changes] can also be related to your lifestyle,” she adds. “Smoking affects your skin health, and you can see that affect the breasts. It can be related to age or a family history [of health issues such as lupus and other autoimmune diseases].”

Anderson also says research has found breastfeeding can actually promote breast health. For example, it can reduce your breast cancer risk.

• I have small breasts, so I won’t have enough breast milk to keep my child nourished.
  
  Anderson retorts with an affirmation we’ve heard since childhood: It’s what’s on the inside that counts.
  
  “Size of the breast is not a factor in being able to breastfeed. What is a factor is the amount of milk glands in your body. We all have those milk glands. Size just relates to fatty tissue,” Anderson says.
  
  The only time size may come into play, Anderson says, is if a woman gets a breast reduction where milk glands are removed. In that case, talk to a health care provider about your options.

Learn more

Read more about how to have a successful pregnancy and following years on the OSF HealthCare website.

Interview clips

Related stories

Mental health medication and pregnancy

Author's note: this is part two of a two part story on supporting new moms. Click here for part one.


Bringing a baby home from the hospital is one of the most stressful, but exciting things a couple can experience. Rightfully so, much of the focus in the first few weeks and months is on the child. Are they eating properly? Is their onesie comfortable? How much crying is too much?

But Xandra Anderson, BS, IBCLC, an international board-certified lactation consultant at OSF HealthCare, says: Don’t forget about mom’s needs, as this is a delicate time for her too. Anderson has some tips that partners, friends and family members can take note of.

• Have everyone educate themselves together. Anderson has counseled plenty of new moms in classes about baby feeding and just general infant care. She says dad and anyone else who will be that primary support system at home should be in the classes too.
  
  “It’s important to learn together because you’re going to be a team. This is something you’re doing together. You’re having a baby together. You’re adding a new family member. Family means you are a unit,” Anderson says. “When it’s only mom doing education, she has to turn around and educate dad, family and friends. It ends up being this spiral of more things mom has to do.”

For example, Anderson says if dad takes a baby feeding class, he’ll know the child’s hunger cues and can swoop in right away to help mom when it’s time to breastfeed or formula feed.

“You don’t have to be an expert. But it’s still important to accept the responsibility of needing to educate yourself. It's not mom’s responsibility to also take care of those around her,” Anderson says. “Working together takes some weight off mom’s shoulders. Then you really do feel like you’re doing this together instead of things being delegated or having things explained to you. Not everyone loves being talked to like that.”

• Recognize postpartum loneliness. Anderson says new moms are very focused on child care, leading to loneliness or feeling lost. That underscores the importance of support from friends and family. But Anderson says there will be times when mom wants to be left alone.
  
  “Some people are really good at saying ‘I’m touched out. I need space. I need to put my headphones in and be in my bedroom with the lights off. I just need time.’ But not of us are really good at that because you tend to feel guilty. You have people trying to help, but at that moment you don’t want help,” Anderson explains. “So be observant of mom’s cues. We’re constantly watching baby’s cues, but watch mom too. So maybe she’s being super fun and jovial. Then all of the sudden she starts to get quiet, or there are signs of overstimulation. Maybe she’s jumpy or irritable.”

That’s the time to broach the subject: are you OK? Do you need a few minutes?

• Don’t be afraid to be selfish with your baby’s time.
  
  “Even though everyone will want to love and get to know your new baby, it’s very important to remember that you are also getting to know your new baby and learning how to love them. This is a new, tiny person with their own personalities and tells,” Anderson points out. “It’s important to be able to have that time to learn that baby.”
  
  In other words, don’t be afraid to tell grandma that now is not the time for a photo session with the youngster.

The bottom line: Give yourself grace

Above all else, Anderson wants new parents to remember: Parenting is tough. Try hard, but cut yourself some slack when things aren’t perfect.

Learn more

Read more about having a successful pregnancy and birth on the OSF HealthCare website. Pregnancy care at OSF includes new parent classes taught by people like Anderson on the local level.

Interview clips

Related stories

Mental health medication and pregnancy
Navigating the baby blues and more
Back to sleep
Infant nutrition misconceptions
Peeling back the layers
Lesser known ways to feed your baby

Author's note: this is part one of a two part story on supporting new moms. Click here for part two.


Bringing a baby home from the hospital is one of the most stressful, but exciting things a couple can experience. Rightfully so, much of the focus in the first few weeks and months is on the child. Are they eating properly? Is their onesie comfortable? How much crying is too much?

But Xandra Anderson, BS, IBCLC, an international board-certified lactation consultant at OSF HealthCare, says: Don’t forget about mom’s needs, as this is a delicate time for her too. Anderson has some tips that partners, friends and family members can take note of.

• Have a conversation before the baby arrives about what mom’s needs are. Your idea of support might not line up with hers, it might be outdated or mom might need something you’re not able to do.
  
  “The conversation needs to be very mom-focused and validating,” Anderson says. “This is a new experience. You’re going from a family of two to a family of three. Ask: What are your expectations? How do you feel like we can support you?”
  
  For example, Anderson says a new mom might complain of cramping and just want to be heard, rather than be given a solution or hard truth (like, take a pill or use a heating pad) right away.
   
• Set realistic, simple goals. As much as mom might want her postpartum headache or stomachache to go away entirely, it might not be possible, leaving mom feeling disheartened.
  
  Instead, try: “I want to feed the baby before they get fussy. I want to make sure I get a 20-minute nap when baby naps,” Anderson suggests. “Be realistic. For example, babies are not going to sleep through the night. So your goal cannot be to get a restful night’s sleep. That’s just not reality.”
  
  Other common, achievable goals: I want to drink three bottles of water per day. I know I’m busy in the morning, but I want to commit to eating something for breakfast. I want 15 minutes per day to enjoy a hobby. Or, dad can set a goal to always be the one to fold the laundry so mom gets a break from one task.
  
  For infant feeding: “Make the goal simply: I want to feed my baby,” Anderson implores. “It doesn’t have to be ‘I need to feed my baby, pump breastmilk, sleep and wash all the bottles.’ Feeding is your only job, and your baby’s only job is to eat.”
   
• Stay well fed, well hydrated and well rested. This goes without saying, but it can get lost in the never-ending task of child care. Keep a drink and a snack bag within arm’s reach as often as possible. Those snacks can be a sweet or salty treat in moderation, Anderson says. Or, look for one-handed foods like wraps that you can eat while feeding your baby. Try making this one of the simple tasks for a friend or mother-in-law. Put them in charge of the “snack station” in several rooms of your home.
  
  For sleep, Anderson simply says with a smile, “Do your best.
  
  “Everyone says to sleep when the baby sleeps, but there are some parents that have anxiety that stops them from doing that,” Anderson says. “If you can’t sleep, just rest. Turn devices off. Turn noises down.”
  
  This is another time you can tap into your support system, Anderson says. While you rest, see if someone can wash the dishes or put away the laundry.

The bottom line: Give yourself grace

Above all else, Anderson wants new parents to remember: Parenting is tough. Cut yourself some slack when things aren’t perfect.

Learn more

Read more about having a successful pregnancy and birth on the OSF HealthCare website. Pregnancy care at OSF includes new parent classes taught by people like Anderson on the local level.

Interview clips

Related stories

Mental health medication and pregnancy
Navigating the baby blues and more
Back to sleep
Infant nutrition misconceptions
Peeling back the layers
Lesser known ways to feed your baby

• The child’s tongue doesn’t come out of the mouth like it normally would when they stick their tongue out.
   
• Breastfeeding is painful or difficult. Shoemaker notes, though, that you should rule out other causes of painful breastfeeding, such as ineffective latching or the baby wanting to bite. A lactation consultant can help with this. A pediatric provider can also examine the child’s tongue.
   
• When your baby cries and lifts their tongue, the tip of the tongue is pulled downward in the shape of a heart.

The procedure to fix tongue-tie is pretty simple, Shoemaker says. There’s little blood loss, and it can be done in the hospital, at a pediatrician’s office or at a pediatric dentist’s office.

“They just lift the baby’s tongue and, with sterile scissors, snip [the tissue]. Then, immediately breastfeed [or formula feed if that’s what mom has chosen] because the tongue is free at that point,” Shoemaker explains. “Some providers will teach exercises to do with the baby so [the tissue] doesn’t heal back and have to be snipped again later.” Those exercises involve a parent lifting the tongue.

Some cases of tongue-tie may be mild enough that parents opt to do nothing. In some cases, the frenulum will loosen over time. That approach is fine, Shoemaker says. But the decision should be made with the input of the child’s care team, and it should be made sooner than later. That’s because tongue-tie later in life can cause speech and eating issues, Shoemaker says, and she says the procedure to fix the problem can be more complex when the child is older.

“When done in the newborn period, it’s a very simple procedure done while the baby is awake. If parents choose to wait and see how things go, it might have to be a procedure where the baby or child is put to sleep. So it’s a little bit more involved,” Shoemaker says.

Learn more

Read more about how to have a successful pregnancy, birth and first years of your child’s life on the OSF HealthCare website.

Interview clips

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Infant nutrition misconceptions
Peeling back the layers

For mom

Anderson says it’s no problem for pregnant women to have onions in their diet.

“They are very rich in antioxidants. That’s something we don’t get a lot of. They’re really high in vitamin C,” Anderson says. “They have fiber, magnesium and potassium. Fiber and magnesium help with digestion, and magnesium helps with cramps. Potassium is really good for blood circulation and blood pressure.”

But, there are the usual precautions. When adding raw onions to a meal (a salad, for example), wash them to remove any bacteria. And don’t overindulge. For example, don’t have a greasy, processed cheeseburger as an excuse to get your daily onion intake.

“Onions are a high FODMAP food, which means there are carbohydrates that are harder for some people to digest,” Anderson adds, noting that a woman’s digestive system changes a lot when carrying a baby. “So if you have a sensitive digestive system, onions could cause bloating. If you have irritable bowel syndrome, onions can make that flare up. Cooking onions helps break down some of those carbohydrates and aids digestion.”

For baby

Infants should consume breastmilk or formula exclusively for at least the first six months, Anderson reminds. But after that, introducing onions is like introducing any other food: Slow and steady wins the race.

One option: Sauté some onions to soften them, cut the food into small pieces to prevent choking then work the onions into the store-bought baby food.

“Make it easy for baby to chew. They’ve never had to do that before,” Anderson points out. “It’s good to let them learn how to chew, but we need to make sure the foods are easy to chew.

“Onions help develop a baby’s palette,” Anderson adds of the benefits of the vegetable. “Experts are finding that introducing strong flavors like that can prevent picky eating in the future.”

Precautions and warning signs to know: If the baby is extra fussy or gassy or has an allergic reaction like a rash or diarrhea, take the onions out of the diet and see if that improves things. See a health care provider if symptoms don’t improve.

Myth vs. fact

Do a web search for “babies and onions,” and you’ll find a lot of claims.

• Can onions help with colic, a condition where a healthy baby cries for a long time? Not so fast, Anderson says. In fact, onion-induced gassiness could make the baby even more fussy.
   
• Some say putting an onion in my baby’s crib or sock or giving them onion water can help with baby’s health. 
  
  “It’s supposed to draw out toxins,” Anderson says, repeating what she calls an “old wives’ tale.”
  
  But, Anderson says science doesn’t back the claims up. In fact, onions can irritate a child’s skin and eyes.
   
• Can eating onions help with teething, when the baby’s teeth emerge? There’s actually some truth to this one, Anderson says. To try it, skip other types and focus on green onions. Let the food cool in the refrigerator before giving it to the little one.
  
  “It’s teaching them to bring things to their mouth and chew. It’s a food that’s cool and not super hard. As they chew, it will break down. But it’s not going to disintegrate in the mouth,” Anderson says.
  
  All this can help with pain and inflammation, Anderson says. Just watch your youngster at all times while chewing.

Learn more

Read more about how to have a successful pregnancy and birth on the OSF HealthCare website. The health system or social service agency near you may also offer classes to master baby feeding.

Interview clips

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Author's note: This is part four of a four part story on infant nutrition misconceptions. Read part one here, part two here and part three here.



Bringing a new baby home raises the focus on their and mom’s well-being. Toward the top of the list: what and how the child is being fed.

Whether you choose to breastfeed or use formula, misconceptions about infant nutrition are everywhere. Xandra Anderson, a certified lactation consultant at OSF HealthCare, cuts through the noise.

• Breastfeeding takes up more of my time than formula feeding.

Choosing formula over breastfeeding is accepted, Anderson says. But she hears some moms do it for the wrong reason: they think it’s quicker, and they can even hand off baby to be fed while they catch up on shut eye.

Anderson counters: Studies have shown that breastfeeding moms get more sleep than formula feeding moms.

“You’re getting up, making the bottle and cleaning the bottle. Instead of being out of bed for 15 to 20 minutes [to breastfeed], you’re out of bed for 45 to 50 minutes. You try to go back to sleep, and baby is up again,” Anderson says.

• Breast milk doesn’t keep a baby full.
  
  It’s “complete nutrition,” Anderson says. Breast milk may be easily digestible, but that’s a benefit, not a problem.
   
• Switching formulas is OK.
  
  Anderson recalls the 2022 formula shortage in the United States, leaving some parents scrambling to find more of the formula that works.
  
  “Switching formulas can actually upset the baby’s digestive system,” Anderson warns. “All formulas, while safe, are different. Some are lower lactose. Some are dairy free. If we’re switching because we’re trying to find formula, that can mess up their gut flora, potentially for life.”
  
  If you run out of formula, talk to a health care provider about what to do.
   
• Formula is safer than breastfeeding.
  
  Some formula is ready to drink out of the package. Others need some work. You should follow the formula’s sterilization instructions to ensure you’re killing any bacteria. The United States Centers for Disease Control And Prevention says cronobacter infection is one possibility. These are “rare but serious,” the CDC says, and could result in death. If your baby becomes sick, take them to a provider right away. Lethargy, fever, excessive crying and poor feeding are common symptoms to watch for.

“If you’re breastfeeding, there’s not a lot of chances for that cross-contamination,” Anderson says. “If you’re outside in the garden and messy and sweaty, you can still breastfeed.”

Learn more

Read more about how to have a successful pregnancy and following years on the OSF HealthCare website.

Interview clips

Related stories

Back to work
The first few weeks
Chow down, new moms!
Later life pregnancies can be successful with planning
Mental health medication and pregnancy

Author's note: This is part three of a four part story on infant nutrition misconceptions. Read part one here, part two here and part four here.

Bringing a new baby home raises the focus on their and mom’s well-being. Toward the top of the list: what and how the child is being fed.

Whether you choose to breastfeed or use formula, misconceptions about infant nutrition are everywhere. Xandra Anderson, a certified lactation consultant at OSF HealthCare, cuts through the noise.

• I shouldn’t breastfeed when I’m sick.
  
  If you’re very sick, focus on rest and recovery. And if you have certain conditions like human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or herpes with open lesions, don’t breastfeed. But otherwise, experts say it’s OK. You’ll pass antibodies to your baby.
  
  To put it another way: “Breast milk is like the first vaccine,” Anderson says.
  
  “There’s also this cool backwash effect. When your baby is at the breast, their saliva communicates with your body,” she adds. “If your baby starts to show signs of what you are sick with, your body ramps up and says ‘my baby needs extra of this’. The communication is amazing.”
   
• Breastfeeding can prevent future pregnancies.
  
  Long-term, it doesn’t impact your fertility, Anderson says.
  
  But short-term, she says prolactin, the hormone needed to make milk, suppresses ovulation.
  
  “[Prolactin] peaks at night. So if you miss night feedings, you’re potentially allowing ovulation to start again,” Anderson explains.
  
  “Is breastfeeding 100% prevention of future pregnancies? No. But exclusive breastfeeding can really delay your period and ovulation for as long as you exclusively breastfeed,” Anderson adds. “As baby gets older and you breastfeed less, you may notice your cycle comes back. Once you stop breastfeeding [entirely], your body really does go back to normal.”
   
• Societal norms say I shouldn’t breastfeed past a certain age.
  
  It’s a topic that sometimes makes its way to daytime talk shows, drawing side eyes from other moms. Should you stop breastfeeding after a year or two? Or is it OK to breastfeed until the child is three, four or five?
  
  Anderson admits it’s a hot debate, even a stigma. She says in the United States, breastfeeding up to six to 12 months is most common. But the World Health Organization and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend breastfeeding up to age two and longer. Either way, Anderson says breastfeeding for a long time doesn’t present health concerns for mom or the child.
  
  “There’s really no cutoff. It really depends on what works for you and your family. I have a lot of moms that hit 18 months and are ready to be done. And that’s OK. Your baby has made it past those 12 months where it’s necessary to have breast milk,” if you’re choosing to breastfeed, Anderson says.

“Mom is the boss always,” she adds.

Learn more

Read more about how to have a successful pregnancy and following years on the OSF HealthCare website.

Interview clips

Related stories

Back to work
The first few weeks
Chow down, new moms!
Later life pregnancies can be successful with planning
Mental health medication and pregnancy

Author's note: This is part two of a four part story on infant nutrition misconceptions. Read part one here, part three here and part four here.



Bringing a new baby home raises the focus on their and mom’s well-being. Toward the top of the list: what and how the child is being fed.

Whether you choose to breastfeed or use formula, misconceptions about infant nutrition are everywhere. Xandra Anderson, a certified lactation consultant at OSF HealthCare, cuts through the noise.

• Do I need to change what I put in my body while breastfeeding?
  
  This covers a lot of ground, from a mom’s diet to whether she should abstain from alcohol, caffeine, tobacco and medication.

o    Diet: Healthy eating is always good. But Anderson says new moms generally don’t have to change their diet for breastfeeding. If your diet is heavy on certain things (like garlic or dairy) and you notice your baby is extra fussy, you can try changing your meals. A provider may also want to test your baby for allergies.

o    Alcohol and caffeine: Drink these in moderation and with precise timing, Anderson says.

“Babies are very sensitive to caffeine. If you have a cup of coffee and nurse right away, the baby is going to be awake for a lot longer than normal,” Anderson says.

“That doesn’t mean you have to not drink coffee. Just maybe not add three shots of espresso to your morning coffee,” she adds with a smirk.

For alcohol, Anderson says the drink will filter out of your breastmilk like it filters out of your blood. So after having a couple of alcoholic drinks, wait two to three hours before breastfeeding or pumping.

“The breastmilk isn’t ruined. You just need to give it time,” Anderson says.

But here’s a lifehack if mom feels full of breast milk and wants to pump right after having a drink: Go ahead and pump, and use the milk on your baby’s acne or in their bathwater. Just keep it away from their mouth.

“It’s antimicrobial. It’s antibacterial. It’s moisturizing,” Anderson says, singing the praises of breast milk. “Our babies are in the most perfect environment in the womb. Once they’re born, their world is cold, dark and dry. They can get dry skin, acne or cradle cap [greasy or flaky spots on the scalp]. Breast milk is a great way to prevent or heal those things.”

o    Medication and other health care issues: Anderson says most medication is safe to use while breastfeeding. In fact, it’s important to stay the course – for example, with mental health medication – so you can be the best mom possible. Talk with your health care provider if you have questions.

If you have a medical procedure, also get advice from a professional. For example, Anderson says if you get a hepatobiliary iminodiacetic acid (HIDA) scan for a gallbladder concern, you’ll be radioactive for around 24 hours. Don’t breastfeed during that time. Or if your breasts feel full and you have to pump, dump the milk down the drain.

o    Tobacco: Anderson admits it’s tough to kick the habit. But she reminds moms: infants are very sensitive to nicotine. It can disrupt the child’s sleep and feeding and even interfere with organ development. Secondhand smoke can increase the risk of a respiratory infection and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

If you’re smoking with a new baby at home, do so after breastfeeding, then wait two to three hours before nursing again. Wear one jacket while smoking so you don’t get an odor or residue on a lot of your clothes or the baby.

Learn more

Read more about how to have a successful pregnancy and following years on the OSF HealthCare website.

Interview clips

Related stories

Back to work
The first few weeks
Chow down, new moms!
Later life pregnancies can be successful with planning
Mental health medication and pregnancy

Across the United States, parents of formula-fed infants are being met with empty store shelves, as a nation-wide shortage of baby formula continues.

 In February there was a massive baby formula recall from a major supplier in the U.S., Abbott Nutrition, after reports of infant hospitalizations and two deaths were linked to a bacterial infection stemming from formula. The Michigan-based plant has been shut down since – adding fuel to an already volatile situation, as formula availability was previously strained by supply chain issues.

 Dr. Terry Ho is an OSF HealthCare pediatrician. He says he and his peers are getting questions daily from parents wondering what to do if their formula supply dries up completely.

 “Definitely it has been an issue, and we're getting a lot of phone calls and contacts from families about what's the next step and what to do. And that's really what we recommend families to do, is contact us. Contact your pediatrician and we can hopefully help guide you on how to manage, and what we can do to help you through this,” says Dr. Ho.

 Some parents concerned about their formula supply have resorted to stockpiling formula – buying as much as they can, no matter the brand or type. Many retailers are putting purchase limits in place to discourage formula hoarding. Dr. Ho applauds this effort, as certain specialty formulas are the sole nutrition option for thousands of babies with special medical needs, making an empty formula shelf especially problematic for their parents.

 “Some kids with some different medical conditions require a specialty formula, so we don't want to just run out and buy whatever formula is on the shelf. We want you to follow the recommendations, the limitations that are that are being set at stores. I think a lot of stores right now have some limits as to what you can get. And we also want you just to get what you need, because ultimately what we've seen through the pandemic is that a lot of times stockpiling leads to excess anyway, and there are, again, families out there that may need that formula,” he says.

 Also concerning - as parents have become more desperate, some are turning to outdated advice or formula recipes they get from family members or find online. Dr. Ho strongly recommends against this. Not only are the at-home recipes lacking in needed nutrition, creating your own formula concoctions could be dangerous.

 “Right now we're getting a lot of questions from families about different posts they're seeing on social media. We're seeing a lot of different old recipes for formula that used to be a thing. What we know is that those aren't exactly the best methods and safe methods to feed your child,” warns Dr. Ho. “Formula is a complex blend of nutrients, proteins, minerals, vitamins that are really difficult to duplicate at home. In addition, the formula recall really stemmed from a bacterial contamination that was found in the formula. We run that risk by making formula at home as well. There's a lot of chance that you may contaminate the formula as you're preparing it, and so we really want to shy away from making your own formula.”

 Watering down formula to make it last longer can also be a dangerous decision. Too much water in baby formula not only changes its nutritional profile, but also changes the composition of the formula, increasing the risk of causing a harmful electrolyte imbalance in a child.

 Cow’s milk is a viable option for some children, but Dr. Ho recommends talking to your child’s pediatrician before introducing it as part of your child’s diet.

 “That is something that we want you to contact us with because there is a little bit of a gray zone. We normally recommend holding off on starting milk until your child turns one. But in a situation like this, there may be some children that actually can get that milk a little bit earlier, but we want to help walk you through that and make sure that your child would do well with that and wouldn't have any issues,” says Dr. Ho.

 While the Abbott plant is expected to reopen and start production in the coming weeks, a noticeable change to supply could still be months away. Until then, both the Illinois Department of Human Services and Michigan’s Health and Human Services Department have resources on their websites for parents in search of formula, including specifics for WIC program participants. Dr. Ho says pediatricians are also available to help guide parents through accessing services. The bottom line, he says, is to keep an open line of communication with your child’s doctor.

 “We want to be your contact for questions about health for your child, both when they're sick or ill, but also on their day-to-day health, which includes their general diet. And so if you have those questions, we want you to reach out. You should be able to reach out to us whether through a phone call or through our MyChart or through the internet, or if you are in the office. These are questions that we receive daily from families, and we want to be able to help guide you through these difficult situations.”

 If you don’t have a pediatrician, you can find one at osfhealthcare.org.

Interview Clips - Dr. Terry Ho, OSF HealthCare Pediatrician