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Baby formula shortage highlights racial disparities

One-month-old baby Charlotte is weighed before attempting to breastfeed, Monday, May 23, 2022, during a lactation consultation in Columbia, Md., at Baby and Me Lactation Services. Babies are weighed before and after breastfeeding at the appointment to measure how much breastmilk they are receiving from their mothers. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Yury Navas, 29, of Laurel, Md., holds her two-month-old baby, Ismael Galvaz, after feeding him with the only formula he can take without digestive issues, Enfamil Infant, from her dwindling supply of formula at their apartment in Laurel, Md., Monday, May 23, 2022. After this day's feedings she will be down to their last 12.5 ounce container of formula. Navas doesn't know why her breastmilk didn't come in for her third baby and has tried many brands of formula before finding the one kind that he could tolerate well, which she now says is practically impossible for her to find. To stretch her last can she will sometimes give the baby the water from cooking rice to sate his hunger. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Capri Isidoro, of Ellicott City, Md., right, claps on hearing reassuring advice from Ann Faust, an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), holding Isidoro's one-month-old baby Charlotte, Monday, May 23, 2022, in Columbia, Md., during a lactation consult at Baby and Me Lactation Services. Baby Charlotte was delivered via emergency c-section and given formula by hospital staff. Isidoro has been having trouble with breastfeeding and has been searching for a formula that her daughter can tolerate well. "If all things were equal I would feed her with formula and breastmilk," says Isidoro, "but the formula shortage is so scary. I worry I won't be able to feed my child." (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Jaasiel Galvaz, 2, hugs his mother, Yury Navas, 29, of Laurel, Md., as she feeds his two-month-old baby brother, Ismael Galvaz, with the only formula he can take without digestive issues, Enfamil Infant, from her dwindling supply of formula at their apartment in Laurel, Md., Monday, May 23, 2022. After this day's feedings she will be down to their last 12.5 ounce container of formula. Navas doesn't know why her breastmilk didn't come in for her third baby and has tried many brands of formula before finding the one kind that he could tolerate well, which she now says is practically impossible for her to find. To stretch her last can she will sometimes give the baby the water from cooking rice to sate his hunger. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Yury Navas, 29, of Laurel, Md., kisses her two-month-old son, Ismael Galvaz, after making him a bottle of formula with the only formula he can take without digestive issues, Enfamil Infant, from her dwindling supply of formula at their apartment in Laurel, Md., Monday, May 23, 2022. After this day's feedings she will be down to their last 12.5 ounce container of formula. Navas doesn't know why her breastmilk didn't come in for her third baby and has tried many brands of formula before finding the one kind that he could tolerate well, which she now says is practically impossible for her to find. To stretch her last can she will sometimes give the baby the water from cooking rice to sate his hunger. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Capri Isidoro, of Ellicott City, Md., right, is handed her one-month-old baby Charlotte, as Ann Faust, an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), weighed the baby after Isidoro breastfed her, Monday, May 23, 2022, as part of a lactation consultation in Columbia, Md., at Baby and Me Lactation Services. Baby Charlotte was delivered via emergency c-section and given formula at the hospital. Isidoro has been having trouble with breastfeeding and has been searching for a formula that her daughter can tolerate well. "If all things were equal I would feed her with formula and breastmilk," says Isidoro, "but the formula shortage is so scary. I worry I won't be able to feed my child." (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Capri Isidoro, of Ellicott City, Md., left, watches as Ann Faust, an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), holds her one-month-old daughter Charlotte, Monday, May 23, 2022, as part of a lactation consultation in Columbia, Md., at Baby and Me Lactation Services. Baby Charlotte was delivered via emergency c-section and given formula by hospital staff. Isidoro has been having trouble with breastfeeding and has been searching for a formula that her daughter can tolerate well. "If all things were equal I would feed her with formula and breastmilk," says Isidoro, "but the formula shortage is so scary. I worry I won't be able to feed my child." (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Yury Navas, 29, of Laurel, Md., kisses her two-month-old baby Ismael Galvaz, at Superbest International Market in Laurel, Md., Monday, May 23, 2022, while looking for formula. After this day's feedings she will be down to the last 12.5 ounce container. The only formula he can take without digestive issues, Enfamil Infant, has been almost impossible for her to find. Navas doesn't know why her breastmilk didn't come in for her third baby and has tried many brands of formula before finding the one kind that he could tolerate. Though the baby food aisle had plenty of options for older babies, the kind she needs was nowhere in sight. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Yury Navas, 29, of Laurel, Md., cuddles with her two-month-old baby Ismael Galvaz, while feeding him a bottle of formula at their apartment in Laurel, Md., Monday, May 23, 2022. After this day's feedings she will be down to their last 12.5 ounce container of formula. Navas doesn't know why her breastmilk didn't come in for her third baby and has tried many brands of formula before finding the one kind that he could tolerate well, which she now says is practically impossible for her to find. To stretch her last can she will sometimes give the baby the water from cooking rice to sate his hunger. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Olivia Isidoro, 6, watches her one-month-old baby sister Charlotte have her latch checked by Ann Faust, an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), Monday, May 23, 2022, during their mother's lactation consultation in Columbia, Md., at Baby and Me Lactation Services. Capri Isidoro's baby Charlotte was delivered via emergency c-section and given formula at the hospital. Isidoro has been having trouble with breastfeeding and has been searching for a formula that her daughter can tolerate well. "If all things were equal I would feed her with formula and breastmilk," says Isidoro, "but the formula shortage is so scary. I worry I won't be able to feed my child." (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Yury Navas, 29, of Laurel, Md., scoops formula to make a bottle for her infant son, Ismael Galvaz, 2 months, with the only formula he can take without digestive issues, Enfamil Infant, from her dwindling supply of formula at their apartment in Laurel, Md., Monday, May 23, 2022. After this day's feedings she will be down to their last 12.5 ounce container of formula. Navas doesn't know why her breastmilk didn't come in for her third baby and has tried many brands of formula before finding the one kind that he could tolerate well, which she now says is practically impossible for her to find. To stretch her last can she will sometimes give the baby the water from cooking rice to sate his hunger. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

George Fernandez kneels to retrieve a bottle of ready-made formula for his newborn twins, Tuesday, May 24, 2022, in Coral Gables, Fla. The Fernandez have family and friends looking and buying formula all over the county for their twins. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

With her son Jaasiel Galvaz, 2, helping hold his brother's head, Yury Navas, 29, of Laurel, Md., feeds her two-month-old baby, Ismael Galvaz, with the only formula he can take without digestive issues, Enfamil Infant, from her dwindling supply of formula at their apartment in Laurel, Md., Monday, May 23, 2022. After this day's feedings she will be down to their last 12.5 ounce container of formula. Navas doesn't know why her breastmilk didn't come in for her third baby and has tried many brands of formula before finding the one kind that he could tolerate well, which she now says is practically impossible for her to find. To stretch her last can she will sometimes give the baby the water from cooking rice to sate his hunger. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Yury Navas, 29, of Laurel, Md., walks through her apartment complex to the grocery store where she hopes to find more formula, while holding her two-month-old baby Ismael Galvaz, in Laurel, Md., Monday, May 23, 2022. After this day's feedings she will be down to their last 12.5 ounce container of formula. Navas doesn't know why her breastmilk didn't come in for her third baby and has tried many brands of formula before finding the one kind that he could tolerate well, which she now says is practically impossible for her to find. To stretch her last can she will sometimes give the baby the water from cooking rice to sate his hunger. The store by her home yet again had none of the only type of formula that her baby can take without digestive upset. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Jaasiel Galvaz, 2, eats a piece of watermelon as his mother, Yury Navas, 29, of Laurel, Md., feeds his two-month-old baby brother, Ismael Galvaz, with the only formula he can take without digestive issues, Enfamil Infant, from her dwindling supply of formula at their apartment in Laurel, Md., Monday, May 23, 2022. After this day's feedings she will be down to their last 12.5 ounce container of formula. Navas doesn't know why her breastmilk didn't come in for her third baby and has tried many brands of formula before finding the one kind that he could tolerate well, which she now says is practically impossible for her to find. To stretch her last can she will sometimes give the baby the water from cooking rice to sate his hunger. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Lissette Fernandez holds her daughter Lexi as her mother Mayda Hurtado holds her son Luca, Tuesday, May 24, 2022, in Coral Gables, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

Two-month-old Ismael Galvaz is fed a bottle of formula by his mother, Yury Navas, 29, of Laurel, Md., from her dwindling supply of formula at their apartment in Laurel, Md., Monday, May 23, 2022. After this day's feedings she will be down to their last 12.5 ounce container of formula. Navas doesn't know why her breastmilk didn't come in for her third baby and has tried many brands of formula before finding the one kind that he could tolerate well, which she now says is practically impossible for her to find. To stretch her last can she will sometimes give the baby the water from cooking rice to sate his hunger. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Lissette Fernandez kisses their newborn son Luca as her husband George holds their daughter Lexi, while while putting away their bottles, Tuesday, May 24, 2022, in Coral Gables, Fla. The Fernandez have family and friends from all over the county looking for formula for their newborn twins. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

Capri Isidoro, of Ellicott City, Md., left, looks up at her husband and baby as she is overwhelmed with emotion as Ann Faust, an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), tells her that she feels Isidoro can exclusively breastfeed if she so desires, Monday, May 23, 2022, as part of a lactation consultation in Columbia, Md., at Baby and Me Lactation Services. Baby Charlotte was delivered via emergency c-section and given formula at the hospital. Isidoro has been having trouble with breastfeeding and has been searching for a formula that her daughter can tolerate well. "If all things were equal I would feed her with formula and breastmilk," says Isidoro, "but the formula shortage is so scary. I worry I won't be able to feed my child." (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Only a few scoops are left in her next to last can, as Yury Navas, 29, of Laurel, Md., feeds her infant son, Ismael Galvaz, 2 months, with the only formula he can take without digestive issues, Enfamil Infant, from her dwindling supply of formula at their apartment in Laurel, Md., Monday, May 23, 2022. After this day's feedings she will be down to their last 12.5 ounce container of formula. Navas doesn't know why her breastmilk didn't come in for her third baby and has tried many brands of formula before finding the one kind that he could tolerate well, which she now says is practically impossible for her to find. To stretch her last can she will sometimes give the baby the water from cooking rice to sate his hunger. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Yury Navas, 29, of Laurel, Md., looks for formula, while holding her two-month-old baby Ismael Galvaz, at Superbest International Market in Laurel, Md., Monday, May 23, 2022. After this day's feedings she will be down to their last 12.5 ounce container of formula. The only formula he can take without digestive issues, Enfamil Infant, has been close to impossible for her to find. Navas doesn't know why her breastmilk didn't come in for her third baby and has tried many brands of formula before finding the one kind that he could tolerate without digestive upset. Though the baby food aisle had plenty of options for older babies, the kind she needs was nowhere in sight. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Lissette Fernandez holds their newborn son Luca as her husband George holds their daughter Lexi while also getting their bottles ready, Tuesday, May 24, 2022, in Coral Gables, Fla. The Fernandez have family and friends all over the county looking for formula for their newborn twins. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

Capri Isidoro, of Ellicott City, Md., looks at her one-month-old baby Charlotte, Monday, May 23, 2022, in Columbia, Md., during a lactation consultation. Charlotte was delivered via emergency c-section and given formula by hospital staff. Isidoro has been having trouble with breastfeeding and has been searching for a formula that her daughter can tolerate well. "If all things were equal I would feed her with formula and breastmilk," says Isidoro, "but the formula shortage is so scary. I worry I won't be able to feed my child." (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Baby formula shortage highlights racial disparities