El Paso family struggles to find baby formula for premature newborn
EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14) — A nationwide shortage of baby formula is impacting families in Borderland.
KFOX14 Reporter Nasya Mancini followed a family that went to multiple stores in El Paso in search of baby formula.
The shelves at Target, Sam's Club, Walgreens, and CVS were nearly empty.
"Devastated, I don’t know what to do. I was crying right now in Target," said Ana, who was searching for a specific kind of baby formula for her premature newborn.
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Ana and her husband prayed that they would find formula for their son Silas who was born at 23 weeks at 2 pounds.
“When he got out of the hospital in April there was already a shortage of supply at stores, it was super hard for us to find it,” said Ana.
Ana said they are down to the last scoop of formula, which they say will only last until the morning.
“Literally our plan today was to get out and go to every store before my husband has to go to work today,” said Ana.
Ana and her husband said they were heartbroken staring at the empty shelves.
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The same words uttered out of Gio’s mouth at each store they stopped at.
“No, they don’t have it's all empty,” said Gio, Ana's husband.
They called their pediatrician to ask what to do if they didn’t find the formula they need.
Ana and Gio were told to find an alternative formula.
But, that alternative was also sold out at stores they visited.
Ana and Gio thought they had found the formula at Walgreens because the store said it was in stock online. However, when they got there, it was not available.
“But what am I gonna do?,” said Ana.
They decided to buy any formula they could get their hands on, even if it wasn’t for a premature baby.
Reporter Nasya Mancini: "Are you worried that’s gonna make him sick?”
Ana: “I am worried on how he is going to take to it."
The family said that even though this whole day and process has been mentally draining, they are going to continue to do it every day until they can find what they need.
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