Baby formula
The US is in the middle of a baby formula shortage.
Real-time data from Datasembly, which we've recreated in the chart above, shows that the percentage of baby formula that was out-of-stock hit 43% nationwide, way up on the more usual range of 2-8%.
A blend of manufacturing issues, distribution issues and product recalls — most recently from Abbott Laboratories amidst reports of infant illness from bacterial infections — have caused the shortages.
Understandably, parents have been trying to get around the shortages. Some have reported stockpiling formula and Google searches for "how to make baby formula" have risen more than 1,000%, despite most doctors warning against homemade formula.
Around 25% of parents breastfeed their children until they are at least 6 months old, which means that the vast majority of parents rely on formula to varying extents.
