Baby Nearly Starves, Diluted Formula To Blame

Kate Tuttle — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 17:27:00 GMT

As if we needed any more proof that these are tough times: a Florida mother recently found out the hard way why you must never dilute baby formula to "stretch it." Jeri Moss, a 23-year-old mother of two, was trying to save money when she watered down her infant son's formul, adding far more liquid than the powdered carton's instructions called for. She says she did the same with her toddler daughter, with no ill effects. But five-month-old La'Damian, who weighs just eight pounds, was admitted to a local hospital suffering from malnutrition and water intoxication. He survived, but it could have gone either way. "Another hour, he would've been dead," according to the doctor at the Tampa hospital that treated the baby.

But according to the article:

Cindy Morris, environmental administrator for the Hillsborough County Health Department, said Moss has been receiving WIC benefits since June 23. Each time, she received the allotted amount of assistance: vouchers for nine cans of formula a month. The allotment includes both powder and premixed formula.

Morris said federal law prohibits WIC from giving more. "It's never meant to cover 100 percent of the nutrition," she said.

To which I have to respond, why not?

Related: FDA Sets Standard for Melamine in Formula

More from this author:

Grandmother’s Right? Or Totally Obnoxious?
Health Scam: Crisis Pregnancy Centers
Mama’s Got a Brand New Bag

Strollerderby : infant formula

Baby Nearly Starves, Diluted Formula To Blame