Mothers’ Experiences During the 2022 Infant Formula Shortage in Washington D.C.

An unprecedented shortage of infant formula occurred in the United States (U.S.) in 2022 and posed widespread challenges to infant feeding nationwide. The purpose of this study is to investigate mothers’ experiences during the 2022 infant formula shortage and its perceived impacts on infants’ diet and health. Mothers (n = 45) of infants under 8 months old from Washington D.C. were invited to participate in a virtual study meeting during the summer of 2022. Mothers completed surveys regarding their demographics, infants’ anthropometrics, infant feeding practices, information they have received about infant feeding, and knowledge about infant feeding practices. They then participated in a qualitative interview about their experiences during the infant formula shortage. Overarching themes were: the shortage (1) had adverse impacts on mothers’ mental and emotional health; (2) had significant financial and intangible costs; (3) led to changes in infant feeding practices; (4) social and family networks were helpful in navigating the shortage; and (5) mothers felt fortunate to have resources to breastfeed and/or obtain formula. The infant formula shortage adversely impacted mothers’ mental and emotional health, and was costly, in terms of financial and intangible costs. Findings demonstrate the need to develop clinical and policy approaches to support mothers in feeding their infants and provide education about safe infant feeding practices. An unprecedented shortage of infant formula occurred in the United States (U.S.) in 2022 and posed widespread challenges to infant feeding nationwide. Findings call attention to concerning impacts of the infant formula shortage on mothers’ mental and emotional health and highlight the disproportionate adverse impacts on Black mothers and mothers from low-income households. Enhanced efforts to connect mothers with resources such as community health workers are needed to support mothers in providing their infants with proper nutrition, particularly during shortages or other unexpected crises that may pose a barrier to infant feeding.