CLEVELAND — As baby formula shipments come in from Europe. There are still millions of families concerned over how they are going to feed their babies. The formula crisis also has parents asking a lot of questions about when they can start their babies on milk.
In today's Mom Squad, Maureen Kyle talks to Dr. Kim Giuliano with the Cleveland Clinic about why milk and milk alternatives don't have the same nutritional balance and can be dangerous.
“It can set up babies for malnutrition, electrolyte disturbances, and if you get those electrolyte disturbances, you can get really severe health outcomes: fussiness, irritability, comas - potentially even death,” says Giuliano.
Despite the risks, pediatricians realize that some families are desperate. And Giuliano says there are some options for babies of a certain age.
“All of that being said, in today's day and age with this crisis going on. We recommend if a baby is over 6 months of age, and moms have no other alternatives, can not access formula, it is ok to give cows milk or soy milk for a brief period of time. Until hopefully this crisis comes to an end.”
If you want to hear the entire conversation about what parents can do or the risks certain options pose, you can download the Mom Squad Pod anywhere you get your podcasts.
More Mom Squad stories from WKYC:
- Have you seen 'Old Enough' on Netflix? We put it to the test: Mom Squad with 3News' Maureen Kyle
- Sandusky mom writes flip-the-flap book on maternal mental health
- Mother's Day record spending in 2022: Mom Squad with 3News' Maureen Kyle
- Working or at-home parenting guilt: Mom Squad with 3News' Maureen Kyle
- The challenges of parenting with today's technology: Mom Squad with 3News' Maureen Kyle
- Flattering bathing suits and body confidence at the pool: Mom Squad with 3News' Maureen Kyle