This article is sponsored by one of the fastest-growing telehealth companies in America, Antidote Health.
Baby formula supply is experiencing an unprecedented shortage right now, as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to disrupt our supply chain and usual flows of commerce. According to Datasembly, the nation has experienced a staggering 40 percent shortage in its usual supply of baby formula, leaving millions of parents across the country concerned about how they’ll feed their children.
In addition to the usual supply chain issues that have been hindering the nation since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, a major baby formula manufacturing plant in the U.S. closed down this past February. Although that plant is slated to reopen in the near future, the closure has triggered a continual supply shortage that’s expected to drag on for at least the next month.
The FDA initially closed the plant following a recall related to a bacterial infection linked to the passing of two infants. Therefore, you may have to wait a few more weeks before your favorite popular formula brands can safely arrive back on store shelves. If you’re a new parent, how can you ensure that your child will be able to attain the crucial, revitalizing nutrients they need amid this sweeping supply shortage? Here are some online telehealth baby formula providers worth considering.
How Baby Formula Is Made
Baby formula is a largely protein-based, breast milk-like substance meant to nourish infants up until the age of one year. For mothers who aren’t able to feed their children naturally or babies who suffer from lactose intolerance or allergy, a formula can serve as a crucial substitute that still allows your child to receive the essential nutrients they need.
Typically, baby formula is sourced from a number of ingredients, such as:
- Vegetable Oils
- Vitamins
- Minerals
- Casein
- Whey
Since the composition of all of these ingredients is closely meant to mimic a mother’s breast milk, every ingredient must be carefully blended to ensure a safe, effective formula mix. This is the main reason why regulatory organizations like the FDA caution against parents using homemade, DIY baby formulas for their children. Homemade formulas may contain far fewer essential nutrients than ideal. Additionally, they’re backed by far less regulatory oversight, potentially putting your child in harm’s way.
Which Baby Formula Has A Shortage?
As this great recent Fortune story outlines, the United States produces 98% of its infant formula supply domestically. That formula supply is produced most prominently by three major corporations, with perhaps the most notable amongst them being Abbott Nutrition, the healthcare megacorporation operating the major Sturgis, Michigan manufacturing plant that was closed for months due to recall.
Therefore, the U.S. is approximated to be 40-43% shorter on its usual supply of baby formula, and as we alluded to previously, those issues are expected to persist for at least a month, if not longer. So effectively, nearly all popular baby formula brands in the U.S. are suffering from supply chain shortages right now.
Baby Formula For Sale Online
As you wait for your little ones’ favorite formula brand(s) to return to store shelves, here are some telehealth baby formula sellers worth considering.
1. Bobbie
Co-founded by entrepreneurs Laura Modi and Sarah Hardy, this relatively new telehealth startup is intent on bringing European-style baby formula to the American market. This proprietary, science-backed organic formula is meant to offer an effective nutritional distribution of:
- 57% carbohydrates
- 28% fats
- 11% proteins
- 2% vitamins and minerals
Although the company is currently at capacity due to the surge in demand, you can sign up for their waitlist to be notified as soon as they reopen.
2. ThriveMarket
Since 2014, ThriveMarket has been a thriving digital e-commerce retailer, offering a myriad of organic health food products, as well as natural infant formula. Even amid the supply chain shortage, the company still boasts an impressive selection of formula powder, both for babies and toddlers alike.
Whether you’re after a formula that’s GMO-free, lactose-free, pesticide-free, or free of any unwanted additives, ThriveMarket likely has it. The company requires that all buyers purchase its $4.99/month subscription membership plan, and as of now, you can get started on that subscription with a free gift and 40% off your first order.
3. ByHeart
With over half a decade of R&D behind it, ByHeart’s baby formula products are geared toward offering a holistic “whole nutrition” blend. This proprietary, clinically proven formula is tailor-made to promote healthy digestion, healthier sleep and brain development, and offer your baby all-in-one immune support.
ByHeart offers enough formula to make as many as 46 four ounce bottles, all for the low price of $39 per formula powder kit. The company is slowing it’s pace of telehealth shipments amid recent events, but is still selling its proprietary formula product as of now.
4. Antidote Health Debit Card + Pharmacy Discount Card
Antidote Health is an all-in-one telehealth service, geared toward closing a number of healthcare gaps faced far too often by the underinsured and uninsured in this country. Antidote pays special mind to its well-rounded family health plans, and offers both a debit card and pharmacy discount card for PLUS members to use at most popular pharmacies, including retailers selling baby formula.
Saving money on prescriptions will help you save more money on formula amid rising demand and shorter supplies. Read our full Antidote Health review to learn more about the affordable low-cost telehealth care that this online provider could offer you and your family. If you like what you see, you can start with 15% off your initial consultation.
