Social media posts are urging parents to make their own baby formula. Doctors don't advise patients to use homemade formula because it may not have enough vitamins and minerals to help infants grow and thrive.
A 1960 formula recipe has been shared hundreds of thousands of times on Facebook, urging parents to mix evaporated milk, water and Karo corn syrup.
Parents in the United States say they are increasingly desperate to get their hands on the food required for infants who are not breastfed because of price gouging and purchasing restrictions. The American Academy of Pediatrics cautions against making formula at home.
The author of several parenting books agreed.
She said homemade infant formula can be dangerous to your baby's growth and development and can even make your baby sick.
The added sugar in the recipe would not be healthy for infants.
She said that koro syrup is not recommended as it is not effective and can even contain harmfulbacteria.
Azza Ahmed, an associate professor of nursing at Purdue University, said homemade formula can put a baby at risk ofcontamination and infections.
She said that formula should never be watered down, as this can lead to an unbalanced diet.
There are posts on social media that claim orange juice mixed with water can be introduced at three weeks of age.
The Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine warned against juice and other formula replacements.
Do not give your baby any water, tea, or juice before six months of age, it said.
The current infant formula shortage has led to recipes for homemade baby formula circulating online. These are dangerous and can have deadly consequences. Here are the facts parents should know 🧵:https://t.co/2Pr9i2R9Yg
— American Academy of Pediatrics (@AmerAcadPeds) May 12, 2022
Some posts on Facebook recommend that parents use goat's milk for formula.
goat milk lacks essential vitamins for human babies, according to Gabrina Dixon from Children's National Hospital in Washington, DC. She pointed to its lack of vitamins B12 and Folate, which are needed to stave off anemia or a low red blood cell count.
The experts told Agence France-Presse that concerned parents should consult their doctors about feeding options, but that they should be more open about using generic products for children who have not shown signs of sensitivity to ingredients.
Agence France-Presse
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