Push Admin

FACT CHECK: Pediatricians say homemade baby formula unsafe

Article (news)

Marisha Goldhamer, Agence France-Presse

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash" src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2022/overseas/05/19/baby.jpg"/><figcaption><em>Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>WASHINGTON, United States - Social media posts are urging parents who face baby formula shortages to make it themselves. But pediatricians told AFP they do not advise patients to use homemade formula, warning it may lack vitamins and nutrients key to helping infants grow and thrive.</p><p>One formula recipe, said to be from 1960, has been shared on Facebook hundreds of thousands of times, urging parents to mix evaporated milk, water and Karo corn syrup.</p><p>Parents in the United States say purchasing restrictions and price gouging have left them increasingly desperate to get their hands on the food required for infants who are not breastfed. But the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) cautions against formula made at home.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/overseas/05/18/22/nestle-ships-baby-formula-to-us-from-switzerland">Nestle ships baby formula to US from Switzerland amid shortages</a></li>	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/spotlight/05/14/22/what-fueled-us-baby-formula-shortage">Lack of competition fueled US baby formula shortage</a></li>	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/overseas/05/13/22/us-baby-formula-shortage-could-last-for-some-time">US baby formula shortage could last for some time</a></li></ul><p>Tanya Altmann, author of several parenting books and founder of Calabasas Pediatrics in California, agreed.</p><p>&quot;I advise my patients not to make homemade infant formula,&quot; she told AFP. &quot;It won&#x27;t meet your baby&#x27;s essential nutritional needs, can be very dangerous to their growth and development and can even make your baby sick.&quot;</p><p>Looking at the recipe circulating online, Altmann said the added sugar would not be safe or healthy for infants.</p><p>&quot;Karo syrup was once used to help ease constipation, but it is not advised as it&#x27;s not effective and can even contain harmful bacteria,&quot; she said.</p><p>Azza Ahmed, an associate professor of nursing at Purdue University, said homemade formula can put a baby at risk of &quot;contamination and infection.&quot;</p><p>And although parents are feeling stressed by shortages, formula should never be watered down, as this can quickly lead to an imbalance of nutrition, she added.</p><p>Social media posts prompted by shortages also claim orange juice mixed with water can be introduced at three weeks of age.</p><p>But the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine warned against juice and other formula substitutes.</p><p>&quot;Do not give your baby under six months of age any water, tea, or juice,&quot; it said.</p><p>Other Facebook posts are recommending that parents substitute goat&#x27;s milk for formula. </p><p>But goat milk lacks nutrients necessary for human babies, according to Gabrina Dixon from Children&#x27;s National Hospital in Washington, DC. She pointed to its lack of folate and vitamin B12 -- which is necessary to stave off anemia, or a low red blood cell count.</p><p>Experts told AFP that concerned parents should consult their pediatricians about feeding options, but urged more open attitudes about switching formula brands or using generic products, especially for children who have not shown signs of sensitivity to ingredients.</p><div><strong>mgs/adm/wd</strong></div><div><strong>© Agence France-Presse</strong></div><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe allow="autoplay; fullscreen" frameBorder="0" height="100%" id="ivsplayer01" scrolling="no" src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/html/iframe-src.html?iframeid=ivsplayer01&amp;key=e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603&amp;spid=3001339&amp;vid=1501356" width="100%"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more News on <a href="https://www.iwanttfc.com/#!/browse/Genres/News/tag_id_genres/id_news" target="_blank">iWantTFC</a></div>

Social media posts are urging parents who face baby formula shortages to make it themselves. But pediatricians told AFP they do not advise patients to use homemade formula, warning it may lack vitamins and nutrients.

FACT CHECK: Pediatricians say homemade baby formula unsafe

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Traffic

Manila

Horoscope

Spotlight

FACT CHECK: Pediatricians say homemade baby formula unsafe

Marisha Goldhamer,

Agence France-Presse

Published May 19, 2022 07:48 AM PHT

Read More:

baby formula

child rearing

fake news

misinformation

pediatrician

facebook

breastfeeding

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.