New parents warned against homemade baby formula in coronavirus crisis

Some families have been unable to stock up on — or find — baby products. Health officials are concerned by alternative recipes for formula circulating online.

Author: Ted Land
Published: 10:07 PM PDT April 8, 2020
Updated: 11:11 AM PDT April 13, 2020

In addition to concerns about finding toilet paper, some new parents are worried about getting enough formula and diapers.

A Seattle non-profit said there’s a recent surge in demand for baby products, while doctors have a warning for families seeking a do-it-yourself alternative to feed newborns.

West Side Baby, an organization that provides diapers, formula, cribs, and strollers to families, has been inundated with cries for help during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

In some cases, families under financial stress cannot afford products. In other cases, they’re having a hard time finding shelves stocked, said Sarah Cody Roth, the organization’s executive director.

“Demand is unprecedented,” explained Cody Roth. “Families that were already struggling to make ends meet day-to-day were really not able to stock up.”

West Side Baby delivered about 22,000 diapers to parents in need last Tuesday.

“We are estimating that we’re going to need to continue to distribute twice as many diapers per month as we normally would,” Cody Roth said.

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