New Survey Reveals Ongoing Pandemic Hits
Moms Hard Emotionally and Financially
Published May 2021
The ongoing pandemic continues to impact families across the country, but its lasting effects on women, especially new moms with infants and toddlers, are still being measured. Moms are often the keeper of their families' emotional well-being, but how has the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic taken its toll on moms of babies and toddlers one year later?
Perrigo Nutrition, makers of Store Brand Infant Formula, in conjunction with OnePoll, released findings from a nationwide survey* of 2,022 moms with babies and children under the age of two to gain insights into the incredible emotional and financial impact that the pandemic has had on this vulnerable population.
What's Causing Moms the Most Stress?
3 in 10 moms
said the ability to afford enough food for the family was causing the most financial stress
A Patchwork of Resources
With all the emotional and financial stress, mothers are turning to a patchwork of resources for help, such as a local food bank or charity, Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), family members, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or a pediatrician/HCP.
40 percent of moms
surveyed applied for WIC or SNAP to help support their family within the last year
A staggering 88 percent of moms
enrolled in WIC reported they run out of infant formula before the end of the month
49 percent were left
without WIC-supplied formula for
three to five days
enrolled in WIC said they purchased the more expensive nationally advertised name brands over store brands
Dilution is Not the Solution
More than half of moms
agreed they had to make difficult decisions just to feed their baby in 2020, some of which could be harmful to baby
52 percent stated
they have used more water than required by the instructions to save money and to make infant formula last longer
Formula over-dilution is dangerous because it dilutes critical nutrients in formula at a time of rapid growth.
Financial expert and founder of Clever Girl Finance, Bola Sokunbi, provides her expert point of view:
“You don't have to cut back on nutrition or jeopardize your family's well-being to make ends meet; instead, families should focus on making wise choices to stretch their dollars further and safely," says Sokunbi. "If you use infant formula, consider using Store Brand Infant Formulas because they provide complete nutrition and meet the same FDA standards as the big-name brands but cost up to 50 percent less**.
That's an average of $64 a month in savings—which is huge, especially right now.”
Help Families Understand All Available Options
More than half of surveyed moms
agree that if they had known that the lower-cost option, Store Brand Infant Formula, provides complete nutrition just like the nationally advertised brands Enfamil® and Similac®***, they would have been likely to purchase.
This number is even higher
among WIC-enrolled moms, at 65 percent.
Maximize SNAP Dollars for Your Patients
When using SNAP dollars to buy Store Brand Infant Formula instead of the nationally advertised brands, families can get twice as many days of safe, complete nutrition, so they can buy more of the other necessities that help the whole family.
Families experiencing food insecurity are often met with unimaginably tough decisions when it comes to feeding their family. Perrigo strives to provide families access to complete and affordable nutrition, so parents don’t need to take unnecessary risks such as over-diluting formula to save money. Store Brand Infant Formula is a no-compromise, safe solution that can save your families up to 50% compared to the more expensive name brands**.