Kalamazoo Breast Feeding Coalition Press Release

Feb 24, 2022 | Local News, Local(SWM)

News Release  

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 24th, 2022

Breastfeeding Support, Breast Milk/Infant Feeding, Infant Formula Recall, and Infant Formula Shortage

There is an infant formula shortage happening right now due to the supply chain issues caused by the global pandemic. There is also a recall of Similac, Alimentum or EleCare infant formula.  The FDA is advising consumers not to use Similac, Alimentum or EleCare powdered infant formula.

If caregivers  have infant formula to return, please visit, infant formula recall or visit the Michigan WIC webpage.

If caregivers are combining breastfeeding and infant formula feeding, breastfeed more often to increase milk supply and reduce the need for infant formula. See the USDA WIC Breastfeeding website for more information.

If families who are considering weaning from breastfeeding, consider waiting to avoid introducing or increasing formula use

It is possible to bring back a milk supply after you stopped breastfeeding, or to start producing milk even if the baby wasn’t initially breastfed. A certified lactation consultant can help. Please see the Kalamazoo Breastfeeding Coalition’s website at https://www.kzoobfcoalition.org/ for a list of Certified Lactation Consultants.

Now more than ever it is important that families feel supported with breastfeeding and/or pumping.  Kalamazoo and the Greater Kalamazoo area have so many resources for breastfeeding support.  These breastfeeding support resources are listed on the Kalamazoo County Breastfeeding Coalition website https://www.kzoobfcoalition.org/

Breastfeeding is a safe infant feeding option. Breastfeeding helps protect infants from foodborne illness and infections. Cronobacter and Salmonella illnesses have been linked to formula use, and breastfeeding is a safer alternative to consider. Maintaining and increasing human milk supply is important, particularly when infant formula availability may be limited.

Donor milk/Milk sharing:

• For families who are breastfeeding and supplementing with infant formula or using infant formula and have concerns about Cronobacter and Salmonella contamination, they can contact their healthcare provider to see if their babies are eligible for donor milk.

• The FDA suggests that a decision to give donor human milk to your infant should be made in consultation with the baby’s health care provider and that only screened donor human milk should be used.

• If you have an oversupply of human milk, consider donating extra milk to Bronson’s Mother’s Milk Bank. 

If you know of anyone who is pregnant, struggling with breastfeeding and/or pumping, they can visit our website to inquire about all the great lactation resources we have in Kalamazoo https://www.kzoobfcoalition.org/

Contact:

Katie Pearson BA, CCLS

Co- Chair of the Kalamazoo Breastfeeding Coalition

269-443-3215

kzoobfcolation@gmail.com

Sokhna Heather Mabin BA, BS, EYT~Herbalist~Adv Doula~CLC

Co- Chair of the Kalamazoo Breastfeeding Coalition

917-312-5479

kzoobfcoaltion@gmail.com

Website:

https://www.kzoobfcoalition.org/