麻豆影视

Health

    • Tips for Canadian parents who may be worried about a baby formula shortage

    Share

    A serious infant formula shortage in the United States caused by a major recall has left American parents going to great lengths to ensure they have enough supply for their babies, leaving some wondering if the same could happen in Canada.

    Abbott recalled a number of its powdered Similac products in February after four babies, two of whom died, contracted a bacterial infection thought to be connected to a formula manufacturing facility in Michigan. Tests on the products have come back negative for contaminants in question, . The company had previously indicated that it could take six to eight weeks after the plant 鈥 which remains closed four months after the recall 鈥 restarts for products to make it to the shelves.

    A number of factors, including alternative options, has made the situation in Canada far less dire. Some retailers have seen the recall compound ongoing pandemic-driven supply chain issues, while others experienced little impact or only temporary shortages.

    For parents who are concerned or find themselves facing a shortage, however, here are some tips and advice from experts on what to do.

    TALK TO A DOCTOR

    Speak with your child鈥檚 pediatrician, a family physician, nurse practitioner, or even visit a walk-in clinic or pharmacy.

    鈥淭he wisest thing to do is to seek some medical support,鈥 Leanne De Souza-Kenney, an assistant professor with the University of Toronto鈥檚 Human Biology Program and Health Studies Program University College, told CTVNews.ca in an interview.

    鈥淓verybody should be made aware of it and it should be all hands on deck 鈥 talking to people in that space because they can give advice based on the age of your child and nutritional needs and any food restrictions.鈥

    Danikka Frey, a Waterloo mother, told 麻豆影视 Kitchener earlier this week that she stopped seeing the formula brand she normally uses in February.

    鈥淚t was terrible. It was terrifying. To think that maybe I wouldn鈥檛 be able to feed my son,鈥 Frey said. 鈥淚 spent hours one night driving all over town trying to find this formula.鈥

    The shortage is particularly difficult for those in rural areas who often drive hundreds of kilometres for their groceries and don鈥檛 have the same options as city-dwellers, Michelle Branco with SafelyFed Canada told 麻豆影视 Toronto earlier this week.

    Given the situation in Canada is generally still manageable, parents may have some luck shopping around and going to smaller retailers instead, De Souza-Kenney said, but noted that this is much easier said than done, particularly for those who live in rural areas, those who don鈥檛 have access to a car, or those who have other constraints.

    鈥淭his really speaks to bigger issues that have always existed, but COVID-19 has shone a bright light on issues around inequities, health disparities, Black, Indigenous, people of color, and the marginalized, poor, and underserved,鈥 said De Souza-Kenney, who specializes in research on health disparities and the social determinants of health.

    鈥淔ood security comes to mind directly related to this topic as something that people have struggled with for a long time and then the burden of the pandemic exacerbated this 鈥 besides this group of parents and families and children that are going to be impacted by this [shortage], there are subsets with constraints, financial constraints, but also living in food deserts and struggling with transportation.鈥

    Changes at the policy level are necessary to fix these issues, she said. In the meantime, for those facing immediate challenges along with financial or transportation constraints, community partners and agencies can help. Food banks, while a temporary solution, are another place that could aid in bridging any immediate gaps, she suggested.

    IS IT OK TO SWITCH BRANDS?

    Experts say switching formula brands is generally not an issue.

    鈥淭here isn鈥檛 extreme variability in most brands. Many brands have a lot of the same ingredients,鈥 De Souza-Kenney said.

    鈥淪witching brands is a practical and wise decision that you may be forced to hopefully, temporarily make.鈥

    The one notable exception would be for children who have specific dietary needs that require special attention. This is why speaking to a health care provider who knows your child鈥檚 needs really matters, she said. They can also help ease any concerns or answer questions regarding ingredients in a different brand.

    Branco says switching brands is rarely a problem because the contents of most formulas is very similar and easy to digest, but she said children with medical conditions such as dairy allergies are a concern. Other alternatives include breastfeeding more if possible, using donor milk and increasing solid food intake for older babies.

    WHAT ABOUT DONOR BREAST MILK?

    For many parents, going to a breast milk bank will not be an option. There are only four banks in Canada, located in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, and Montreal. They only supply to hospitals across the country or in some cases by prescription to families who have sick infants discharged from a hospital and at home.

    鈥淢ilk is also available in [select Alberta] pharmacies for moms who may be ill, milk needed to bridge the baby if mom鈥檚 supply is low. Up to 10 bottles may be purchased,鈥 Jannette Festival, the chief executive and co-founder of Calgary-based NorthernStar Mothers Milk Bank, said to CTVNews.ca via email.

    Both Festival and Debbie Stone, the director of Rogers Hixon Ontario Human Milk Bank, said there has not been any recent increase in demand following the recall and that the donor milk supply for hospitals has been robust and stable.

    With files from 麻豆影视 Toronto鈥檚 Pauline Chan and 麻豆影视 Kitchener鈥檚 Heather Senoran

     

    CTVNews.ca Top Stories

    Why brain aging can vary dramatically between people

    Researchers are uncovering deeper insights into how the human brain ages and what factors may be tied to healthier cognitive aging, including exercising, avoiding tobacco, speaking a second language or even playing a musical instrument.

    The union representing some 1,200 dockworkers at the Port of Montreal has overwhelmingly rejected a deal with their employers association.

    A man who was critically injured in a police-involved shooting in Hamilton late Sunday afternoon has died in hospital, says the province鈥檚 police watchdog.

    opinion

    opinion How to transition from renting to owning a home in Canada

    In his column for CTVNews.ca, personal finance contributor Christopher Liew offers a step-by-step guide on how to make the shift from renting to becoming a homeowner, and what you can start doing today to help the process go smoother.

    Canada

    World

    Politics

    • Murray Sinclair鈥檚 family members say the late justice and senator has been laid to rest according to his wishes.

    • Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced voters in Cloverdale鈥擫angley City will pick their next member of Parliament on Dec. 16.

    Health

    • Why brain aging can vary dramatically between people

      Researchers are uncovering deeper insights into how the human brain ages and what factors may be tied to healthier cognitive aging, including exercising, avoiding tobacco, speaking a second language or even playing a musical instrument.

    • Researchers say taking a peek inside a person's brain is as difficult as understanding the universe or discovering the ocean in its entirety.

    Sci-Tech

    Entertainment

    Business

    Lifestyle

    Sports

    Autos

    Local Spotlight

    For the second year in a row, the 鈥楪ift-a-Family鈥 campaign is hoping to make the holidays happier for children and families in need throughout Barrie.

    Some of the most prolific photographers behind CTV Skywatch Pics of the Day use the medium for fun, therapy, and connection.

    A young family from Codroy Valley, N.L., is happy to be on land and resting with their newborn daughter, Miley, after an overwhelming, yet exciting experience at sea.

    As Connor Nijsse prepared to remove some old drywall during his garage renovation, he feared the worst.

    A group of women in Chester, N.S., has been busy on the weekends making quilts 鈥 not for themselves, but for those in need.

    A Vancouver artist whose streetside singing led to a chance encounter with one of the world's biggest musicians is encouraging aspiring performers to try their hand at busking.

    Ten-thousand hand-knit poppies were taken from the Sanctuary Arts Centre and displayed on the fence surrounding the Dartmouth Cenotaph on Monday.

    A Vancouver man is saying goodbye to his nine-to-five and embarking on a road trip from the Canadian Arctic to Antarctica.

    • Weather watchers were treated to an exceptionally rare display on Friday evening as rare cloud formations filled Vancouver skies.

    • For some shoppers it was Nov. 1, but for others the first hints of Christmas - saccharine treats, festive-fragranced candles and gaudily wrapped gift sets - were being noticed in stores long before the final Halloween decor had been cleared.

    • Thousands of people are expected to gather in downtown Vancouver on Monday to observe the city鈥檚 100th Remembrance Day ceremony.

    • Toronto is expected to see an economic boost to the tune of nearly $300 million thanks to Taylor Swift鈥檚 upcoming Eras Tour, which will be making a stop in Canada鈥檚 largest city for a six-show run later this month.

    • One man was transported to hospital early Monday morning after a stabbing in the northwest end of the city, Toronto police say.

    • A man who was critically injured in a police-involved shooting in Hamilton late Sunday afternoon has died in hospital, says the province鈥檚 police watchdog.

    • A pair of 105-mm howitzers bark constantly as they turn plywood tank targets into kindling kilometres away on the windswept landscape of one of Canada's largest military bases.

    • Two semis were among the vehicles involved in a multi-vehicle crash that brought westbound traffic along Stoney Trail Northwest to a standstill on Sunday.

    • More than 700 people danced, ate, and sang to celebrate Diwali Saturday night at the Genesis Centre in northeast Calgary.

    • NEW THIS MORNING

      NEW THIS MORNING

      An Ottawa boy with a rare disease will be getting the chance to see Taylor Swift in concert after the winner and organizers of an auction held on his behalf gifted the tickets to him.

    • CTVNewsOttawa.ca looks at Remembrance Day ceremonies in Ottawa.

    • After months of controversy surrounding a dog park in Ottawa's west end, a solution has been reached to divide the park in half.

    • A First Nation near Quebec City says the provincial government and Quebec鈥檚 hydro utility have ignored their constitutional duty to consult about four planned wind projects south of the Saint Lawrence River.

    • The union representing some 1,200 dockworkers at the Port of Montreal has overwhelmingly rejected a deal with their employers association.

    • Two vehicles were set on fire in Montreal鈥檚 east end Riviere-des-Prairies neighbourhood.

    • Monday is Remembrance Day, a time to honour armed forces members who have died in the line of duty.

    • Boasting 2,300 square metres of skating space at its new location, Edmonton's Rollers Roller Rink believes it is the largest in Canada.

    • A woman is dead after a driver crashed a truck through a Boston Pizza in Fort McMurray late Saturday morning.

    • A pillar in Canada鈥檚 history was honoured in Winnipeg Sunday afternoon, with thousands showing up to pay tribute to the life and legacy of the late Murray Sinclair.

    • Winnipeg police have identified two men involved in a stabbing incident earlier this week.

    • The Winnipeg Blue Bombers whipped the Saskatchewan Roughriders 38-22 in Saturday's CFL West Division final to earn their fifth consecutive trip to the Grey Cup.

    • Regina author Valerie Crowther is celebrating the release of her book 鈥榃ar Letters: Linking Lives in the Second World War.鈥

    • It was a somber day at Mosaic Stadium as members of the Saskatchewan Roughriders officially cleaned out their stalls and closed the book on the 2024 season.

    • Twilight Tech Arcade, an entertainment location specializing in retro gaming, is closing its doors for the foreseeable future.

    • A man has been charged after a stabbing at an apartment building in Kitchener.

    • The Guelph Police Service is putting out a warning after two deaths in the downtown area.

    • Two new tributes to Canada鈥檚 veterans have been unveiled at the Elmira Cenotaph.

    • Saskatchewan RCMP are searching for a suspect after a man was seriously injured in a farm-related incident in Montreal Lake.

    • It was a somber day at Mosaic Stadium as members of the Saskatchewan Roughriders officially cleaned out their stalls and closed the book on the 2024 season.

    • The Regina Rams claimed the Hardy Cup after a hard fought battle against the Saskatoon Huskies 19-14 on Saturday in the first all Saskatchewan U-Sports western conference final since 2002.

    • CTVNewsNorthernOntario.ca is livestreaming the annual Remembrance Day ceremony at the Sudbury Community Arena starting Monday at 10:30 a.m.

    • Police have arrested a 15-year-old in connection with a break-in and $50,000 in damage done to the Centennial Arena in Elliot Lake in September.

    • The events will start at 10:15 a.m. with a parade that forms up in front of the Delta London Armories, marches east on Dundas Street and turns north onto Waterloo Street to Dufferin Avenue, the west to the Cenotaph.

    • Emergency crews responded to the scene on Road 68/Highway 2 east of Thamesford around 7 p.m.

    • On Friday, the Sarnia Police Service (SPS) received a report of an alleged abduction in the area of Kathleen Avenue and Walnut Avenue.

    • A group of former NHL players faced off against York Regional Police officers in Newmarket Sunday afternoon to raise funds for Special Olympics programs across the province.

    • A driver is facing multiple charges after a multi-vehicle collision on Highway 400 early Sunday morning.

    • The agreed statement of facts was read to the court on Friday in the case of Alex Williams, the 24-year-old jail guard charged last fall with smuggling cannabis and tobacco into Central North Correctional Centre in Penetanguishene.

    • For Gene Lotz, the spark of curiosity to delve into the history of those who served in war only began when the answers became difficult to find.

    • A Tilbury race car driver and his team are partnering with St. Clair College to give students a chance to see their design circle a racetrack. Driver Nathaniel Greenaway said the competition challenged third-year graphic design students to draft a wrap for his car ahead of next season.

    • One person has been arrested after Chatham-Kent Police Service (CKPS) received multiple complaints about an alleged drunk driver.

    • Environment Canada says heavy rain and winds could cause power outages on Vancouver Island as an "intense" storm system is set to hit the B.C. coast Sunday.

    • Six deer were struck by vehicles in six different locations in a six-hour period on B.C. highways on Saturday, according to the transportation ministry.

    • The union for locked-out port workers in British Columbia says the BC Maritime Employers Association cut off talks in less than an hour Saturday, refusing to budge on a final offer that the union has so far rejected.

    • The emergency department at South Okanagan General Hospital in Oliver, B.C., will be closed for 31 hours this weekend, the second such closure in a week and the third since the start of November.

    • Police in Kamloops, B.C., are reminding parents and guardians to check their children's Halloween candy after receiving a report of a mother finding a razor blade in one of her daughter's treats.

    • More than two years after Alannah Brown and Douglas Barker were found dead north of Penticton, police are asking for help identifying a vehicle they believe was associated with the crime.

    • The Southern Alberta Recreation Association is officially announcing the Town of Taber as next year鈥檚 host for the Southern Alberta Summer Games.

    • The Lethbridge Hurricanes broke open a close game with three goals in the first two minutes of the third period as they defeated the Warriors 7-3 in a game played Friday night in Moose Jaw.

    • There might not a lot snow just yet, but many southern Albertans are still itching to get outdoors.

    • Police have arrested a 15-year-old in connection with a break-in and $50,000 in damage done to the Centennial Arena in Elliot Lake in September.

    • Mayors of the five largest cities in northern Ontario met in North Bay the last two days to discuss a range of critical issues impacting their cities and the region.

    • Residents in the Sault expressed concerns ranging from vandalism to privacy invasions during recent consultations on the city's plan to install automated speed enforcement cameras.

    N.L.

    Shopping Trends

    The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at 麻豆影视. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop.聽Read about us.

    Stay Connected
    Follow 麻豆影视