I noticed in today's morning newspaper that the Food & Drug Administration advises against trying to make-your-own formula, which "might lack essential nutrients".
One factor behind today's shortage is bacterial contamination found in several recalled types of formula made by Abbott, which sickened some babies earlier this year.
Production was shut down and hasn't resumed to the extent necessary.
FDA has informed Abbott that it has no objection to the company immediately releasing product to individuals needing "urgent, life-sustaining supplies" of specialized formulas.
Abbott has a phone number to call to request the product on a case-by-case basis.
I wonder if a home brew would even be adequately digestible in such a young baby.
To me, it seems safe to assume that any home-improvised formula would be used at the parent's and baby's own risk. The risk/benefit ratio of those odds would bother me.
People, including babies, now live longer and grow bigger and stronger than previous generations, largely because of scientific research and greater knowledge about health and nutrition.
We shouldn't go back to the old days and turn the kitchen into a formula factory, should we? Unless it's under extreme circumstances, of course......there's nothing worse to think about than a starving infant.