Baby milk shortage

[shatitpleaseshanice]

I have a CMPA baby and due to an apparent milk shortage I'm having problems trying to get her prescription formula every single time. The GP will issue a prescription but when I take it to multiple pharmacies they say it's out of stock everywhere and we can't get it. I then have to go back to the GP for an alternative and battle with them about it as they can't understand why I can't get the one they've prescribed. It's so stressful as I always think I'm going to run out of milk.

Out of sheer perseverance (ringing the pharmacies daily) I have been able to get the last two prescriptions as they've managed to get her milk in. But this time it doesn't look like I can get any and I'm dreading changing the milk she is settled on to something that could upset her again.

Aibu to think that baby milk is a really shit thing to have a shortage of? How have others coped with it shortage? Have you had to give your babies different milk? She's on Nutramigen at the moment.

Can you still breastfeed or Express? Just thinking I'd be panicking in this scenario. Relactating is a thing if it's been a few weeks etc might be worth looking into fenugreek etc to give that a go.

No my baby is nearly 6 months old. Bf didn't work for us and caused me a lot of anxiety and guilt so I don't want to go there again. Agree it would eliminate all of this stress and faff regarding formula though. Wish it had worked for us.

I had the same issue. We went everywhere to try to get Nutramigan, no where had it. It was so stressful. The pharmacist said there was a manufacturing issue (?). Ended up giving us Aptimal Pepti 1 instead which was totally different and my baby did not agree with at all. Luckily it seems that she can go back on the regular formula now with Colief Lactase drops.

I’m so sorry this is happening to you. Very stressful and the last thing you need to deal with with a baby. As soon as my baby is old enough I am transitioning her to plant milk (very commonplace in other countries but because of questionable dairy industry funding they can’t fortify/allow/promote it here as standard).

@MMoon23 thank you for replying I'm sorry you've had this too. It took her a while to settle on Nutramigen but she's thriving on it now and I really don't want to change it. I can't believe there's nothing that can be done for sick babies, it's scandalous.

I'm trying to hold out as long as possible to see if Nutramigen comes back in stock anywhere but pretty soon I'm going to run out and have to give her something else.

Forgot to add I've looked online for possible reasons for the shortage and there is literally no information. There's some news reports about a shortage in America but nothing here. I can't understand why nobody seems bothered...

Hi there are supply issues. Buy what you can find on the shelf.

@ColeensBoot there isn't anything on the shelf, it's a prescription formula.

I would ask your GP for 1 double quantity prescription so you have a very small stock to see you through finding it each time.

Try a bigger pharmacy like a big tesco or boots

She'll be weaned soon, so will drink less milk.

@RedHelenB that doesn't help me in the meantime though. She will still be having some formula for the foreseeable and changing it constantly (especially when she is settled on one) is very frustrating. No pharmacies have it. National manufacturing issues apparently.

That would be incredibly stressful and powers that be should be taking this seriously. We can't deprive babies of their food source! It's not like a shortage of toilet paper.

@beebopper6 this is why I'm so shocked that there isn't more being made of it. There's nothing online. Nothing in the news. Sure, alternative milks are available but as pp said the change can upset babies. CMPA mums are advised to persevere with milk for at least 3 weeks before changing even if baby is reacting badly, yet suddenly it's ok to chop and change? It's just disgraceful. I don't know what the wider issue is because of the lack of information but it needs sorting asap. It's incredibly stressful for parents and so so unfair on babies who have already gone through unpleasant symptoms due to allergy. I really feel so upset by it all.

It is big news in the USA.
The companies involved are working really hard to get production. This is being taken very seriously. That's why I suggest you get a double prescription to tide you over.

It is not prescription formula it can be bought over the counter by anyone who wishes to use it. Allowed on nhs for babies who have allergies. Still comes from same supplier though

They can't fulfill a single prescription of it so how do you think they'll be able to fulfill double?! 🤔 What you're saying makes no sense. They don't have any!

You can buy Nutrimigen online (and it’s in stock in most pharmacies I’ve had a gander at). Expensive but at least you know you can get it.

It is also randomly in stock at FeelUnique so quite a few places to get it.

That is rubbish and a total worry. If there wasn’t so much anti formula nonsense there would be a lot more sympathy and respect. But instead people tell you to try to breastfeed when your dd is 6 months old and couldn’t do it in the first place.

My son was on Pepti 1 and we had trouble getting it every month, this was January to May when we reintroduced standard formula slowly. The shelves are often empty of that, too.

You get it on prescription but it isn't prescription only as other PPs have said, you can buy from chemists online - chemistsdirect have it ready for dispatch in 3 days - not cheap but at least you would have back up if you can't get it.