Oklahoma milk bank sees increase in demand and donation as baby formula shortage continues

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – The nationwide toddler system scarcity continues to go away Oklahoma households scrambling for tactics to feed their infants, however officers on the Oklahoma Moms’ Milk Financial institution (OMMB) say they’re ready to assist.

 It’s a nationwide downside that’s hitting Oklahoma households arduous. The child system scarcity has retail cabinets trying scarce.

In response to retail software program firm, Datasembly, the nationwide out-of-stock price for child system reached 43 p.c final week – up 10 p.c from April’s common.

Consultants blame supply-chain issues and labor shortages. There was additionally a nationwide recall of sure Abbott merchandise, one of many main system producers.

“We’ve definitely had a rise in households calling, asking about what’s out there to feed their child, asking questions on system, and asking questions on donor milk,” stated Becky Mannel, Government Director of OMMB. “The excellent news is we’ve additionally had an enormous enhance within the variety of breastfeeding moms calling to donate, which is strictly what we’d like.”

OMMB primarily gives human milk to hospitals in Oklahoma and close by states for NICU infants who can’t deal with digesting formulation and want the immunity enhance.

However hospitals aren’t the one clients on the milk financial institution – Oklahoma households with infants outdoors of the hospital are additionally welcome to obtain a few of their inventory.

“Any households that assume they could have a necessity for donor milk in lieu of no matter kind of system they’re offering for child, they will definitely name the milk financial institution and we’ll work with every household to see what their wants are and the way we might help or can we refer them to applicable assist,” stated Mannel.

As for the donations, Mannel says the OMMB is seeing the Oklahoma Normal shine throughout this time of disaster.

“Oklahomans are beneficiant folks,” stated Mannel. “What do Oklahomans say when there’s a disaster? You recognize, ‘What can I do to assist?’ And that’s what our breastfeeding moms are saying too. ‘What can I do to assist?’”

If you’re desirous about donating, head to Oklahoma Moms’ Milk Financial institution’s web site and take a brief screening.

After going by means of the screening course of, you may drop milk off in particular person or use in a single day transport for free of charge.

Anybody with questions, or these looking for milk or donating milk, can name the OMMB at 405-297-5683 or e-mail data@okmilkbank.org.

OMMB is accredited yearly by the Human Milk Banking Affiliation of North America (HMBANA).

Not each state has a milk financial institution, however HMBANA has a curated checklist of vetted milk banks throughout the U.S.