Mom Explains What Happens When Her Infant Can't Get The Baby Formula She Needs | "She Has Trouble Breathing"

Kayzie Weedman warned the baby formula feed shortage could severely affect a lot of families like hers.

Image source: TikTok/@momofrory

By WomenWorking Correspondent

May 20, 2022

Posted May 20, 2022

America is facing an acute formula feed shortage and it could spell disaster for many parents who have no choice other than to give their children formula feed.

The percentage of out-of-stock formula has reached a high of 43% in the week ending May 8th, leaving parents stranded. Many who are unaware of the scale of the problem at hand, are dismissing the crisis by asking moms to nurse their babies. But one concerned mom pointed out why some babies couldn't be fed breast milk including issues like moms not being able to produce milk and babies being allergic to breast milk.

Kayzie Weedman, who goes by @momofrory on TikTok, shared a video highlighting what happens if her baby is fed milk which went viral garnering more than 1.5 million views and 93k likes.

Weedman shared images of empty shelves at the local store. She then shared pictures of her baby covered in red rashes after consuming milk because her baby, Palmer, is allergic to gluten, soy, and goat’s milk. “Let’s talk about the formula shortage that is plaguing the US right now, because more people need to know about this,” she said, enlightening her followers on how the crisis affects people. “You go to your local Target, your local Walmart, and you think you're going to get the formula your baby needs? Nope. Shelves are bare. And there are babies who can't have just any formula that’s on the shelf.”

Weedman’s baby, Palmer has a cow’s milk protein allergy which means she can't feed her baby most standard infant formulas. “She does not have the ability to switch to any formula that is left on the shelf because MOST formulas have all of her allergens and she breaks out in a horrible rash that turns into boils and scabs, she has trouble breathing and wheezing, and she constantly throws up,” she told Buzzfeed.

Weedman explains it isn't as simple as getting a doctor’s prescription for the special formula because it simply isn't available. “The pharmacist who fills her prescription formula can’t fill it because they can’t get it — it’s back-ordered six months and I just have to sit there and stare at empty shelves and not know what I’m going to do next,” said Weedman.

Weedman explained that she couldn't breastfeed because of Palmer’s immune system and allergy needs. "My breastmilk was slowly killing my baby and if I did not have formula, she would be far worse off,” said Weedman. After her video went viral, many responded by sending her enough formula to last the next couple of months. She even received packages with formula from as far away as Australia.

While Weedman and Palmer are good for now, she is aware that there are still countless other parents and children in desperate need of formula feed. "This formula shortage is very scary and very real," Weedman said.