LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The national baby formula shortage is affecting many families across the nation. It comes after a plant shutdown by Abbott Nutrition and several recalls on baby formula food.
The aftermath has parents and families driving to dozens of stores to hunt down the formula they need.
What You Need To Know
- Tiffany Amer is a mother of two
- Amer is married to her husband Mostafa with a 14-year-old and an 8-month-old son
- She’s one of many moms affected by the baby formula shortage
- The 34-year-old mom says her baby goes through one can of formula a week
Tiffany Amer happily rocks the title of super mom. It’s a job she’s done since she was 20 years old when she had her daughter, Zoey.
Amer is a stay-at-home mom who had her second child just 8 months ago. She’s one of many mothers struggling to keep formula in her house. She said her baby boy goes through a can of Enfamil each week.
“There’s just enough that I usually add with his cereal, so I was saving that and there was one scoop. I just didn’t want to mix it because there’s two different types, but I have one more can after this,” Amer explained while standing in her kitchen.
The 34-year-old decided with her husband, Mostafa, to become a stay-at-home mom after her son Zain was born. She said there’s not a day that she doesn’t think about the baby formula shortage.
U.S. Congressman Brett Guthrie is the latest Kentucky politician to address parents, families’ concerns in his recent Facebook post.
“I just wish people cared more and you see more love than hate,” Amer said. “Ultimately, we’re all here just trying to survive and take care of our families, kiddos, and each other. We just need more of that.”
Like every mom, Amer keeps her mind off of things by cleaning.
“Vacuuming and sweeping and laundry’s definitely a thing with a baby,” she said.
Amer buckles up Zain weekly to head to stores to check out baby formula stock. She tries Kroger, Meijer and even Walgreens. It’s an added stress for the mom, but she doesn’t mind doing it and she’s looking out for more than herself.
“This is kinda what I do when I’m out and about. I’ll see something, message a friend and send a picture,” Amer said.
That act of kindness will set a new trend for moms looking out for moms, Amer hopes.
“I luckily have a good support system so it’s been stressful, but I have good people that have really stuck by and they like when we see it,” she said. “So hopefully most moms have that, but I know not everyone does.”
Amer said she’ll need the continued support of her family and her community to get through the national crisis.