Polis Administration Encourages Breast Milk Donations During Baby Formula Shortage

Denver CO

17 May, 2022

11:48 PM

Description

By Sara Wilson, Colorado Newsline May 17, 2022 Gov. Jared Polis announced Tuesday that his administration is partnering with a Denver-area nonprofit to address a baby formula shortage that is affecting parents across the state and country. Polis and the Mothers' Milk Bank are asking for breast milk donations or financial contributions to help parents through the crisis and raise awareness. A nationwide formula shortage has left shelves bare and parents scrambling to feed their babies. "Some parents are facing the unthinkable reality of not being able to feed their children through no fault of their own, so Colorado is partnering on an option to address the formula supply issue. It is critical that we use every option out there to make sure our infants do not go hungry. Moms who are able to donate breastmilk should do so as a lifeline for those who can't, and no matter how you feed your baby, a fed baby is the priority," Polis said in a statement. On Monday, the Food and Drug Administration reached an agreement with formula manufacturer Abbott Nutrition to reopen one of its closed factories and increase production. It could be between six and eight weeks that more supply will be available. Mothers' Milk Bank is based in Arvada and has collected, processed and distributed donated milk across the country for 40 years. "Every ounce counts," Mothers' Milk Bank director Rebecca Heinrich said in a statement. "The more donated milk we can get in the door now, the more we'll be able to support families for the weeks and months to come." Information on how to donate or purchase milk or can be found at milkbankcolorado.org. Democracy functions only when people have access to reliable information about government and society. Colorado Newsline's mission is to be a trusted source of such information. Newsline is nonprofit, nonpartisan and independent, and it provides fair and accurate reporting on politics, policy and other stories of interest to Colorado readers