To panic buy my babies milk.. because of panic buyers?

[WhatDoIDooDIoDtahW]

DP thinks I’m being unreasonable. We both think all this panic buying is way over the top and we’ve shopped as normal (except not being able to find toilet roll and pasta)

But I went out to get a tin of my babies milk yesterday and there is none anywhere. All out of stock. We usually have one open and one in the cupboard. But we’re nearly done with the current tin and will be moving into the spare tin in a couple of days. I said to DP that if I do manage to find some I’d like to have 2 or 3 tins in the cupboard spare. She’s getting through it much faster now she’s on 7oz and I’m starting to worry that when it boils down to needing some I won’t be able to find it and DD will go hungry.

I even said to DP that maybe I should try breastfeeding again (had no supply so had to put baby into formula) but I’m not sure whether I’d be able to make enough if any at all.

I hate all this panic buying.

It is panic buying
Or not having time to queue for 45 mins !!!!

Took annual leave for this bloody Tesco trip !

Panic buyers have caused a lot more people to follow and also panic buy hence the shortage of basics like hand wash and bog roll in every store across the country. Shops should have done more to prevent it yet here we are.

With something like formula I would definitely try stocking up, it’s keeping your baby alive after all.

I always used to keep 4 spare tubs of milk in the house for DS in normal circumstances because he was on formula I couldn't buy locally. I would maybe just buy 1 if you can find it and then another 1 a few days later so you have an extra spare. I'm not panic buying, but I'm replacing things a bit sooner than I usually would when they're running low just in case it takes me a few days to find them.

Getting a few extra tins is definitely sensible

YANBU but if you feel guilty ordering a multipack online, perhaps drop one or two into a good bank/baby bank

My baby is four months old and formula fed. Re-establishing breastfeeding is the most ridiculous thing I've heard so far today at least!!

Why? I'm bf my one year old but if I get cv I was half thinking about expressing some milk for my 3 year old to give her the antibodies. I'd obviously have to look into it first but it doesn't seem like a totally ridiculous idea. If the OP can re-lactate abc is happy to try why not?

Re stocking up, I think what pp said is best - if there's plenty, grab a couple of extra, but don't clear a shelf unless you have to. I bought an extra calpol the other day, (meaning I have 2) as the shelf was full. There's sod all paracetamol anywhere so don't want to be left without any if the kids get sick.

I re-established breastfeeding when DS was 8 weeks old (having not fed after birth), it was bloody hard work. It's likely not impossible for OP, but it's definitely not an option if there's no milk that doesn't take a lot of time (and tears). Stocking up on milk in a fair way is definitely more reasonable.

Probably. because it’s really hard and not at all easy, OP said there was supply issues so it’s not like she’s re-establishing a healthy BF supply. To re-establish BF takes time, dedication, emotional and physical energy etc it’s not a guarantee and can’t be relied upon. It’s smarter to ensure there is enough formula instead and then OP can research what it takes to re-establish and see if that journey is one she is physically and mentally prepared to do.

Check small local shops too. Our local Tesco Express seems to be OK for formula, although they only stock a couple of brands. They even have pasta and bog roll at the moment, while the Extra in the next town has been emptied.

I think that having a months worth is probably a good idea, if your DP catches it and you catch it a week later then that could easily span 3-4 weeks in isolation.

That's not panic buying it is what may very well become reality in the very near future.

Personally I think anyone who has the means to buy extra food but is choosing to only buy the same as always with nothing stored away is making a poor choice. We can't rely on delivery services either being available or, if the current state of shops is anything to go by, to even have stock to supply you at home even if the deliveries are running.

My little one has reflux Cox and gate formula and i’m not ashamed to say we always have at least 5-6 in at a time. It’s hard to get and he needs it.

As long as people can differentiate between getting a bit extra and stock piling. I too normally have one open one in the cupboard. Yesterday my husband and I did a normal shop for us a bit extra for our 16 week DD . A couple of extra tubs and some more nappies. I knew I already had a decent amount at home so therefore didn’t need to go overboard. We’re all parents let’s stick together and help each other .

Aldi yesterday had plenty of their own brand yesterday if anyone uses it.

If anyone is having trouble getting nappies and wipes, I discovered this week (after struggling to get nappies for my toddler) that Amazon have their own brand and are really well priced for quite a large amount. I got 80 for £12.50, and a box of 15 packs of wipes for just over a tenner. The wipes came straight away, nappies took about 3 days. For two weeks on the trot I couldn’t get what we needed for her in local supermarkets but I’m quite pleased with the discovery. I have plenty now and for a very reasonable price! The range is called mama bear.

Presumably with you saying you fed until 23 months then weaned @Tattocrazymum you didn’t have any major problems breastfeeding, therefore re-establishing wouldn’t be the hardest thing for you.

Whereas OP said she had supply issues with implies issues with breastfeeding therefore it would be a lot harder to get what little she had back if not impossible.

This isn’t a breastfeeding v formula feeding debate just common sense.

I switched to formula at 8 weeks due to supply issues, I tried to re-lactate and get what little I had back for four months four weeks after I stopped, it never happened.

There’s so many different variables but what’s important here is that baby is now on formula and that should be a priority and I don’t think any of us would think badly of anyone for making sure they’ve got enough to last some self isolation periods. I think that’s all people are trying to say. It’s really not ‘twatty’ more common sense.

Try somewhere like Savers if you have one locally - also small shops like the Co op etc. I’ve seen baby milk in both of these today.
If you’ve got somewhere like a coop local then ask them what day their delivery comes in and go when they open.

Im baffled at what the 16% who think it's unreasonable to buy extra formula for an infant who can only drink formula think the OP should do. She is likely to be soon faced with the problem of either having no formula as when she really need it, its sold out everywhere or inevitably running out when she or her DH are self isolating so they cannot physically go and get any more? Exactly what is said infant meant to eat then??

'Twatty'? Well aren't you nice.

It's ridiculous for me, and most people probably, to suggest trying to re-establish breastfeeding as a solution to there being a shortage of baby milk in the shops. Most people formula feed because either they don't want to or can't establish breastfeeding in the first place, so re-establishment of it it incredibly unlikely to work.

Its hardly ridiculous if she wants to TRY? So for you to say its ridiculous for her to try re establish breastfeeding feeding is not very nice neither.
Im not getting into a breast vs formula debate, but
If she wants to give it ago she dont need strangers giving her doubt.

@Bbang did you see the comment i was referring to? From @mistermagpie
Who are strangers to say its ridiculous to try re establish? That is my point and if you look up a bit i also stated its sensible to get a few tubs of milk in

It's reasonable and fair to be realistic though, it's not really a viable option as even with the correct supplies and the time to dedicate to it, it isn't guaranteed in lieu of formula, it's much more reasonable to get some.

@JKScot4 depends on each store: they had no Mamia in our store over the weekend and other people on fb have had to be going from store to store to try and find any

It's a bulky product and they don't give it much shelf space. Just a few people taking 4 each will wipe a store out of all their stock. They need to reduce the amount people take to 2 each in my opinion. All over Facebook people are panicking not being able to get any because some people and bought weeks and weeks supply

My baby is four months old and formula fed. Re-establishing breastfeeding is the most ridiculous thing I've heard so far today at least!!

My Health Visitor rang me today to ask if I was still EBF. I said yes and she said the advice for BF has changed in light of the CV. HV are going to help mums who formula feed to re-establish supply and are advising EBF to BF past 6 months for as long as possible. Because the mum’s CV antibodies in breastmilk will help the baby build immunity too

I did see all comments @Tattoocrazymum like I also said above I think by ridiculous @mistermagpie meant it is a bit pie in the sky to bring something back that never even got started in the first place. It’s better to be sensible and put energies into other things such as sourcing formula, I don’t think anyone was advocating for her to not try if she wants to. I think you’re reading a bit too much into the word ridiculous which I think is unfair seeing as you essentially called someone else a twat