BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — At 6 months old, Briar has never met a stranger.
That is something mom Kenzie Chipman said she hopes doesn't change.
"At the doctor's offices, he is really popular with the nurses," Chipman said.
But the journey to bring his big smile into the world was not easy. Chipman has polycystic ovary syndrome. It's a condition that can cause irregular menstrual cycles and high levels of the hormone androgen.
"I have PCOS, so it was hard to have him. We had several miscarriages," Chipman said.
But finally, Briar arrived in July.
That's when Chipman learned the same condition that caused her fertility issues also meant she couldn't breastfeed.
"We don't have an option. We have to give him formula," Chipman said.
To find Briar the hypoallergenic formula he needs, Chipman joined a Facebook group called Indiana Formula Shortage Help. The group of almost 2,000 people shares supply information and helpful tools, including the app Find My Formula.
Chipman and her husband also ask family members in other states to check their stores.
"The stock has been coming kind of in waves," Chipman said. "So, they'll be out of stock, then, everyone will have it, then, they're out of stock again."
Another concern among parents: the price.
Generic brands can sell out quickly, and some parents said they're spending up to $100 extra a month buying name brands.
The shortage started during the COVID-19 pandemic between families stocking up and supply chain issues.
Then, in February 2022, formula maker Abbott had big problems after they received reports of two infants dying and two more hospitalized.
Abbott voluntarily recalled some of its dry formula and temporarily shut down a plant in Sturgis, Michigan.
It is unclear at this time if the illnesses are connected to the plant.
To increase the formula supply, the Food and Drug Administration is allowing formula to be imported under certain guidelines.
In Indiana, there is also a waiver in place for WIC beneficiaries until June 30, 2023.
The waiver allows medically fragile infants receiving Food Package III to receive "alternate container sizes, including those that are larger than usually allowed," as well as "certain imported formulas."
While the situation is improving, Chipman wants to remind people that finding formula is a roller coaster many parents are still stuck riding.