A mother has said she is struggling to feed her two-month-old daughter who was born prematurely because of a national shortage of a special formula milk.
Fiadh Rose weighed just 2Ibs and 12oz when she was delivered via caesarean section at Diana, Princess of Wales Hospital in Grimsby last November.
Her mother Shannon Gadd, 25, used breast milk for eight weeks to give her daughter the ‘best fighting chance’ but as her weight continued to drop she was recommended to transition her to Cow and Gate’s Nutriprem 2.
Special formula that helps babies born prematurely or at low birth weight gain weight It is rich in key vitamins and minerals that support the baby’s nutritional needs once they have been discharged from hospital.
But, because of a shortage Ms Gadd couldn’t buy the product she needed for her baby. This caused Fiadh become sickened and dehydrated.

Shannon Gadd (25) has not been able to afford the special formula milk that her daughter Fiadh Rose needs.

Fiadh Rose was just 2Ibs 12oz and weighed only 12oz at her delivery via caesarean section in Grimsby’s Diana, Princess of Wales Hospital.
According to the mother from New Holland in North Lincolnshire: “Fiadh stopped growing 2 weeks before her due to a growth problem so doctors performed a Caesarean.
“She was admitted to the NICU where she stayed for five weeks. I gave her breast milk for eight weeks.
“But, her weight fell and she required extra calories as my milk was not enough to satisfy her growing hunger.
“I made the difficult decision to transition my daughter into formula using Cow and Gate Nutriprem 2 as a recommended.
“She loves it, but last December we ran out of stock and have not been able buy any since.
Ms. Gadd explained that after her child started a new diet, she experienced severe dehydration.
Continued she: “We were doing fine until Fiadh took the worst turn on December 28th when Fiadh began getting sick after taking the new formula.
She was upset and took some milk.
“I became worried for her, so I called 111. They told me that someone should see me immediately.
“We were immediately seen by a doctor who said Fiadh needed to be treated for hypoglycemia.
Ms. Gadd claimed that the lack of food is now threatening her child’s well-being, as she weighs only 5Ibs 6oz.
The mother said: ‘She only weighs 5Ibs 6oz to this day and is below her centile – a growth chart indicating where a guideline baby should be at their age.
‘I’ve been told how important the Cow & Gate formula is but I can’t buy it anywhere.

Fiadh, who was prematurely born in November 2013, was admitted to the NICU and kept there for five more weeks

Ms. Gadd stated that she breastfed her child for 8 weeks in order to give her the best chance. However, her weight dropped and it was suggested to switch her to Cow and Gate Nutriprem 2.
“I went to the chemists, pharmacies, and Immingham in Hull, Scunthorpe and Immingham to learn that it wasn’t in stock.
‘I’ve tried contacting Cow & Gate to find there’s a national shortage of this product.
“It feels as if I have been passed from one post to the next without feeling any joy.
“How could it possibly be out of stock, when it is made only for underweight and premature babies?”
Mother said that her daughter was now suffering more from reflux because she had switched to formula milk. This could lead her daughter to lose even more weight.
Grimsby Live told her that Fiadh is suffering from the effects of not being on the formula.

Special formula is rich in key vitamins, minerals and other nutrients to help babies meet their nutritional requirements.
She said, “She started experiencing more reflux. Also she started feeling tarlike bowel movement.
“I am so concerned for Fiadh, because the doctor confirmed it was to do with many diet changes.
“How will I feed my baby?”
“We had to take her out to get regular milk, which she knows makes her sick. It’s also not rich enough to make her lose weight.
“I don’t know how we should do it.”
Danone representatives said, “We are sorry about Shannon’s story.”
‘We are experiencing some short-term, isolated incidents of low availability on our Cow & Gate Nutriprem 2 800g powder formula product.
“We understand how frustrating and distressing it is for parents not to be able find the product they require.
“We’re working to get the products on shelves again as quickly as possible.
“We will be sending Nutriprem 2 800g product supplies to stores, and these products should begin to become available towards the end this week.
This may be different depending on the store or region.
“We can supply Nutriprem 2 200ml (the same product) in good quantities. It is also available.
“In the interim, we will do our best to assist.
“If Shannon wants to reach out, we can assist with finding supplies and possible alternative options.”
In May last year a shortage of ready-made Cow & Gate and Aptamil formula milk caused a nationwide panic among parents.
Asda Boots Sainsbury’s and Tesco reported short supplies of baby milk formula.
Singer Paloma Faith said she had tried Asda and Boots but ‘to no avail’, tweeting at the time: ‘The search for Aptamil ready to drink continues…’
Cow & Gate and Aptamil, both owned by food giant Danone, said the shortage was caused by ‘an issue with an ingredient used to prevent foaming’ during milk production.
In 2020, a survey by the National Retail Federation found that baby formula accounted for 13 per of the most stolen items from stores in the US.