As many parents in the US are scrambling for baby formula in the wake of an acute shortage, a woman has taken it upon herself to ease the daunting crisis.

Alyssa Chitti from Utah has been providing breast milk to thousands of desperate parents who have been struggling to feed their kids.

However, she is not alone. Many mothers like Chitti are doing the noble cause.

Chitti has so far sold 4,000 ounces (118 litres) of her own breast milk, and has more than three freezers of breastmilk, which she plans to sell to families in need.

In an interview with Fox 13, she said, “I figure I’m running out of room, so might as well help someone else. I know I have over 3,000 ounces. 3,000 ounces downstairs and probably almost 1,000 upstairs,” she told Fox 13.

Chitti initially decided to donate it to a local milk bank. However, she found it was much easier to sell&nbsp;it online.

Watch |&nbsp;US President Joe Biden announces steps to combat baby formula shortage

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-president-joe-biden-announces-steps-to-combat-baby-formula-shortage-478701/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The Utah-based mother said she had been selling her breast milk at $1 per ounce, but added that she is willing to negotiate considering how the crisis is.

"It was making me nervous, just because so my daughter was very, very colicky," she said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-baby-formula-shortage-what-is-it-and-who-is-most-at-risk-478560">US baby formula shortage: What is it and who is most at risk?</a>

"I know a lot of moms need specific formulas for babies with upset tummies, and I know how hard it can be when they're upset. There's nothing you can do about that stomach pain," she added.

Also read |&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/back-to-mom-us-baby-formula-shortage-leads-to-desperate-scramble-for-breast-milk-478864">Back to mom: US baby formula shortage leads to desperate scramble for breast milk</a>

Buying and selling breast milk online is legal in the US. However, it is unregulated, which adds to the risk because the donor may not have been screened for infectious diseases or contamination risks.

(With inputs from agencies)

As many parents in the US are scrambling for baby formula in the wake of an acute shortage, a woman has taken it upon herself to ease the daunting crisis. Alyssa Chitti from Utah has been providing breast milk to thousands of desperate parents who have been struggling to feed their kids.

As many parents in the US are scrambling for baby formula in the wake of an acute shortage, a woman has taken it upon herself to ease the daunting crisis. Alyssa Chitti from Utah has been providing breast milk to thousands of desperate parents who have been struggling to feed their kids. However, she is not alone. Many mothers like Chitti are doing the noble cause. Chitti has so far sold 4,000 ounces (118 litres) of her own breast milk, and has more than three freezers of breastmilk, which she plans to sell to families in need. In an interview with Fox 13, she said, “I figure I’m running out of room, so might as well help someone else. I know I have over 3,000 ounces. 3,000 ounces downstairs and probably almost 1,000 upstairs,” she told Fox 13. Chitti initially decided to donate it to a local milk bank. However, she found it was much easier to sell it online. Watch | US President Joe Biden announces steps to combat baby formula shortage The Utah-based mother said she had been selling her breast milk at $1 per ounce, but added that she is willing to negotiate considering how the crisis is. "It was making me nervous, just because so my daughter was very, very colicky," she said. Also read | US baby formula shortage: What is it and who is most at risk? "I know a lot of moms need specific formulas for babies with upset tummies, and I know how hard it can be when they're upset. There's nothing you can do about that stomach pain," she added. Also read | Back to mom: US baby formula shortage leads to desperate scramble for breast milk Buying and selling breast milk online is legal in the US. However, it is unregulated, which adds to the risk because the donor may not have been screened for infectious diseases or contamination risks. (With inputs from agencies)

US: Mother selling 4,000 ounces of breast milk to help ease baby formula shortage

Baby formula has been in short supply across the United States, endangering the health of infants and those who rely on it for survival.

According to experts, this is the biggest scarcity of infant formula in decades. It's also the latest illustration of how the US healthcare system's shortcomings disproportionately affect those with complex medical conditions and those who are poor.

Formula is the only source of nutrition advised for newborns who are not exclusively breastfed in the United States, and millions of babies rely on it.

Here's what's causing the problem and what parents can do about it:

What is the source of the scarcity?

The shortage can be traced back to a contamination issue at an Abbott factory that produces much of the Similac formula, as well as several other brands, for the US market.&nbsp;

Abbott closed the factory in February after receiving consumer complaints about contaminated formula that was linked to two infant deaths. It's still not up and operating as of mid-May.&nbsp;

According to Politico, it's unclear why Abbott and the FDA have been unable to reach an agreement that would allow the factory to resume formula production and assist alleviate the shortfall.

Abbott is one of only a few companies that produces the great bulk of the formula in the United States, therefore their recall wiped away a huge portion of the market and caused the scarcity.

Watch | Gravitas: US is running out of baby formula

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-us-is-running-out-of-baby-formula-478498/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

What ingredients are in baby formula?

Most formulas include protein derived from cow's milk that has been modified to make it easier to digest and supplemented with additional nutrients for growth and development.&nbsp;

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) establishes nutritional guidelines, which include minimum protein, fat, calcium, and vitamin requirements.&nbsp;

Sugars, oils, and minerals are used to attain certain levels by formulators.

Although studies have repeatedly proven that breastfed babies have better health results, the formulas are meant to mimic breast milk.

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

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Baby formula has been in short supply across the United States, endangering the health of infants and those who rely on it for survival. According to experts, this is the biggest scarcity of infant formula in decades.

Baby formula has been in short supply across the United States, endangering the health of infants and those who rely on it for survival. According to experts, this is the biggest scarcity of infant formula in decades. It's also the latest illustration of how the US healthcare system's shortcomings disproportionately affect those with complex medical conditions and those who are poor. Formula is the only source of nutrition advised for newborns who are not exclusively breastfed in the United States, and millions of babies rely on it. Here's what's causing the problem and what parents can do about it: What is the source of the scarcity? The shortage can be traced back to a contamination issue at an Abbott factory that produces much of the Similac formula, as well as several other brands, for the US market. Abbott closed the factory in February after receiving consumer complaints about contaminated formula that was linked to two infant deaths. It's still not up and operating as of mid-May. According to Politico, it's unclear why Abbott and the FDA have been unable to reach an agreement that would allow the factory to resume formula production and assist alleviate the shortfall. Abbott is one of only a few companies that produces the great bulk of the formula in the United States, therefore their recall wiped away a huge portion of the market and caused the scarcity. Watch | Gravitas: US is running out of baby formula What ingredients are in baby formula? Most formulas include protein derived from cow's milk that has been modified to make it easier to digest and supplemented with additional nutrients for growth and development. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) establishes nutritional guidelines, which include minimum protein, fat, calcium, and vitamin requirements. Sugars, oils, and minerals are used to attain certain levels by formulators. Although studies have repeatedly proven that breastfed babies have better health results, the formulas are meant to mimic breast milk. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

US baby formula shortage: What is it and who is most at risk?

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US: Mother selling 4,000 ounces of breast milk to help ease baby formula shortage

US baby formula shortage: What is it and who is most at risk?