East Texas families express desperation, issues amid baby formula shortage

A nationwide baby formula shortage has East Texas mothers reaching desperate levels as they search for food for their babies. Along with facing empty shelves, out-of-stock notices online and overpriced formulas, some mothers need specific types which makes the the quest to feed their babies even harder. Brownsboro grandmother Christie Sparks, who takes care of 5-month-old Arijah while her daughter works, is down to her last can of store brand sensitive with iron baby formula. Sparks said the formula she has on hand was given to her from her family in Florida, who helped her obtain the formula Arijah needs that won’t trigger her digestive issues. “I don't know what we will do when we run out and can’t find the kind that she drinks, because we’ve tried other formulas and none of them work,” Sparks said.

Sparks said she had about six days worth of the formula, but she doesn't know what she'll do once it runs out. Meanwhile, family members are looking online and Sparks has been posting on social media in search of the specific formula. “I got desperate so I posted it on Facebook, 'If anybody sees this can store brand sensitive with iron, please let me know and I’ll send you the money.' And people started pouring in ready to help but they've been unsuccessful too,” she said. Gladewater mother Kana Stuart is also on her last container. Her baby Gunner also has digestive issues and can tolerate only Similac pro-sensitive. Along with stressing about finding the next can of formula, Stuart is suffering from "mom guilt," she said. “I didn't start having major issues until probably about the end of March,” she said. “Just not being able to find his baby formula anywhere and I had been breastfeeding but then my mom passed away in March, and I completely lost my supply. It's been stressful.