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Original poster

Baby formula - moral predicament

50 replies

Skeeter2020 · 15/03/2020 21:16

Hi all,

I'm in a bit of what I would consider to be a moral predicament.

I haven't been to the shops over the weekend as I wanted to avoid the mad crush. I'm planning to go either very early tomorrow morning or very late tomorrow night.

I've been told by friends and family that locally most supermarkets have been COMPLETELY swept of baby formula. Panic buying seems to be particularly prevalent in our area.

At the moment we have two tubs, which is how many we tend to make sure we have at any one time. I really don't want to 'panic buy' and am so conscious of the potential implications of doing this for retailers and for other more vulnerabl people, but I'm really considering stocking up, at least a little bit.

I would sit and eat plain rice for a month if I had to but the thought of my baby going without just feels incomprehensible.

Ugh, this whole thing is making me feel really conflicted

OP posts:

Adviceplease1234 · 15/03/2020 21:17

How much do you mean by 'stocking up'? How old is your baby? I don't think anyone could judge you for worrying about feeding your baby.

OnlyFoolsnMothers · 15/03/2020 21:18

It’s for your child- fuck it- get what makes u feel comfortable. Every other sod seems to grabbing 16 hand washes for their families.
I’m sick of the panic buyers and hate them to my core but I would do this if I had a baby on formula

Tulipstulips · 15/03/2020 21:19

Don’t panic buy. Just buy a box if you see one next time you’re out, and try to keep at least one box in hand.

JiltedJohnsJulie · 15/03/2020 21:20

How many tubs do you get through I’m a month and how old is baby?

MabelMoo23 · 15/03/2020 21:20

All I will say is, if you buy 4 tubs, you are stopping 3 people from having 1 tub each and feeding their babies

There isn’t a shortage of formula, it’s the speed that people are clearing the shelves.

But I do get it, it’s hard. It’s a fine line between making sure you have enough but others do too, and not even enough, any

Tulipstulips · 15/03/2020 21:20

I mean, don’t buy 5 boxes if you see them and empty the shelf. Just buy a box, then next time you’re out, if there’s a full shelf, buy another box. That’s what we’ve been doing.

sqirrelfriends · 15/03/2020 21:21

Don't be part of the problem, just buy the one tub.

Imagine the impact for those with very little income, they may not be able to get to shops easily and may not have the money to keep two spare.

JustOneMoreStep · 15/03/2020 21:21

Honestly you are over thinking and making a mountain out of a mole hill. If you are asking AIBU to get an extra tub in (ie have 3 instead of 2 you already have, so you're buying ONE tub) YANBU. If you are asking AIBU to ransack the whole town buying at least 10 tubs from every shop YABVVVU but you know that. Covid19 is a big deal, and has the potential to be VERY scary indeed - let's not go making 'moral dilemmas' where there are none as well.

Merryhobnobs · 15/03/2020 21:23

I haven't been to the shops yet, we've been visiting family but I am having similar thoughts. My baby goes through two tubs a week. Will see what the shelves look like tomorrow and probably buy my usual two tubs if I can.

PepePig · 15/03/2020 21:23

Buy a spare every time you're out. I'm sure they'll put a limit on what you can buy, anyway, but definitely don't put off buying it because next time there might be none.

Honestly, when they're that small, do what you can to protect them.

What really has fucked me off, though, is a rumour that people are buying formula to use in teas and coffees as a last resort back up. If it's true and anyone reading here has done that: go to hell.

lookingforadvice8372829 · 15/03/2020 21:24

I would make sure you have enough for a full week. However many that may be.

Then every time you go by a shop just pop in and see if they have enough stock to grab an extra one and pick them up as and when you can.

This way you are keeping a steady stock of it and are prepared for a sudden period of isolation but not contributing to absolutely clearing the shelves.

lookingforadvice8372829 · 15/03/2020 21:25

@PepePig

That's rank! I couldn't drink that!

Rhubarbpeony · 15/03/2020 21:26

Don’t panic buy or stockpile. There is no issue with the supply chain - if people buy a normal amount, there will be enough for everyone.

If you stockpile multiple tubs, other people with babies just as hungry as yours will go without.

Original poster

Skeeter2020 · 15/03/2020 21:26

I completely recognise that it's not likely we have a national shortage of formula, it's just not reaching the shelves quickly enough, but that doesn't change the fact that I might not be able to get hold of any to be able to feed my baby.

It's a similar situation with toilet roll here - I know people in our area who've been out looking at various points in various places over the weekend and not been able to get any

OP posts:

bemoreeverything · 15/03/2020 21:26

At the moment we have two tubs, which is how many we tend to make sure we have at any one time.

So you don't need any more.

I'm really considering stocking up, at least a little bit.

If the shortage is as you say, it's unlikely you will be able to anyway.

I wouldn't panic just now. How old is baby?

AppleKatie · 15/03/2020 21:27

How old is baby?

Original poster

Skeeter2020 · 15/03/2020 21:27

Sorry my point was that at least with toilet roll you can improvise but there's just no alternative for a baby needing its milk

OP posts:

mindutopia · 15/03/2020 21:32

How often do you anticipate you’ll be able to shop over the coming weeks? I have a long term condition that means I need to reduce my contact with other people. I only plan to buy food every 2 weeks. I have enough food generally to last me 2-3 ish weeks. If you plan to shop weekly, you don’t need to stock up as much.

nancyjuice7 · 15/03/2020 21:32

If you usually buy 2, I would buy 3.

That's enough if you couldn't find any in any shops for a few days longer than normal.

But isn't stockpiling 8 tubs just out of fear

Wavescrashingonthebeach · 15/03/2020 21:32

What really has fucked me off, though, is a rumour that people are buying formula to use in teas and coffees as a last resort back up. If it's true and anyone reading here has done that: go to hell.

Agreed. The height of selfishness. Anyone who would see a baby go hungry just so they dont have to drink their tea/coffee black quite frankly deserves a moderate dose of coronavirus. Hopefully just a rumour.

OP just apply common sense. Get a little more, just in case. Just dont clear the shelves.

Queenfreak · 15/03/2020 21:34

My daughter has a dairy allergy. She reacts to most alternative milks apart from oat milk
She goes through 2 cartons a week. I bought my usual 2 the other day, then today I bought a spare.
When I'm down to 1 in the cupboard I will try to get 2 more.
I refuse to panic buy and deprive others, but instead of waiting until my last carton is in the fridge, I'm buying (if I can find it) when I'm down to my last in the cupboard.

YesThatsATurdOnTheRug · 15/03/2020 21:36

Surely no one is actually buying baby formula for their tea though. Surely that's just an urban legend.

I'd want enough in for a two week lockdown, as I think that's a reasonable likelihood, so two tubs or whatever in reserve. I'd buy one next time you see some and then one more the time after, then keep buying your normal level while you can still get to the shops.

Original poster

Skeeter2020 · 15/03/2020 21:38

Thanks everyone, I think it sounds as though most people would agree it would be reasonable for me to buy a couple of additional tubs.

What I'll also do is message friends with babies and let them know that if they're really in dire straits that they can have some from us

OP posts:

WaitingInTheBushesOfLove · 15/03/2020 21:38

OP, I went to the supermarket today and went to buy formula. There was a notice up saying that formula is restricted to two tins per person so I don't think they will let you buy more than two anyway. Of course it might not be the same for every supermarket.

inselfisolationnow · 15/03/2020 21:39

If your baby is 12months or older then yabu, younger than that then I'd make sure you have enough for a month but no more than that

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