Baby formula shortage still hitting Canadian parents: ‘Buy whatever is on the shelf’

Infant formula shortages continue to leave many Canadian store shelves bare and experts say the problem for parents may continue for some time yet.

Nearly a year into infant formula shortages in Canada, many families are still struggling to find products on the shelves, and experts warn the supply issue may continue for some time yet.

Sabrina Collins from Kingston, Ont., says she has not been able to find a needed brand of infant formula for her six-month-old son Jasper. Her son usually drinks Nestle Good Start Soothe, a formula designed for babies with sensitive stomachs. But on March 18, the company issued a recall on the product sold in Canada due to a potential bacteria contamination.

Because she can’t find an equivalent formula for the recalled product, she has to “buy whatever is on the shelf” leaving her baby drinking formula that upsets his stomach.

“There will be nights where he’ll be up and be in lots of pain. And as a mom, it really hurts seeing my baby in pain and knowing there’s nothing I can do about it,” she said.

Collins says in addition to feeling frustrated by the limited options on the shelf, whatever formula is left is often very expensive.

“The one we used to get, the Nestle Good Start Soothe, had a good price point, it was really great. But now, because we’ve had to just kind of buy whatever’s on the shelf, it’s around $40 to $ 50 for a little tiny little tub that maybe lasts a week or so,” Collins said.

Collins, who is just one of several parents who reached out to Global News about issues finding infant formula, said she and her husband are “counting down the days” for Jasper’s first birthday, when will be able to drink cow’s milk which is cheaper and more widely available.

The formula shortage isn’t just in Ontario, there are reports across the country, from Calgary to Montreal, of parents struggling to feed their babies, specifically those families who rely on hypoallergenic products.