Jessica Enderle

Registered Dietitian

When Jessica had her first child at 25, she exclusively breastfed as recommended, and began pumping when she returned to her job as a Registered Dietitian at 8 weeks postpartum. Working full-time, she found her breastfeeding journey clouded by postpartum depression. When her daughter was 3 months old, they started supplementing with formula, which helped prolong breastfeeding. By 5 months, they transitioned entirely to formula and started solid foods.
 
As an R.D. and mom, she learned a lot about infant nutrition and formula. A few years after her daughter was born, she became a NICU R.D., learning about infant feeding, formula and breastmilk safety, and nutrition. She monitored growth, made feeding plan recommendations, and earned her Infant Feeding Technician Certificate, focusing on safe handling, mixing, and storing of milk, especially in the NICU.
 
When her son was born, Jessica was in a different place in life. With 6 years of experience as an R.D., NICU experience, and being a second-time mom, she recognized what was best for her family. Her husband’s career now involved frequent travel, and she knew the combination of his travel, responsibility over two children rather than one, and her previous postpartum depression, breastfeeding would not be the “best” for her family at that time. She decided to formula feed exclusively from the start. She was confident, and the journey was going well!
 
Then, Abbott/Similac recalled their Infant Formula on February 17, 2022, leading to a formula shortage. Her son was 7 months old, and primarily fed Similac Advance or Store Brand Advantage. Thankfully, he was not medically impacted by the recall, but that February 2022 recall changed her life before she even knew it.
 
When her son was 9 months old, her husband went into the store and could not find their formula on the store shelf. He had no idea what to do. He grabbed a can of what was available, came out to the car where Jessica was waiting, and shared the bad news. They had long feared this possibility, but when it became reality, it was almost unfathomable. The can of formula he grabbed was specialty formula, which she knew was also in short supply. It dawned on her: “the general public does not have the same type of experience/knowledge about formula that I have!” Soon after, this suspicion was confirmed when they went to a BBQ with friends, and each friend stated that they would not have known what to do either! Around that same time, Jessica noticed a swirl of homemade infant formula recipes and misinformation circulating online. She began making educational videos on her personal social media to help others navigate formula choices and debunk misinformation. She appeared on local news discussing the shortage and helped connect 15 families with donations of medically-required specialty formulas.
 
As the shortage worsened, Jessica recognized the gap in education and support surrounding formula feeding. In May 2022, she created Baby Food and Fun on Instagram to provide formula education, infant nutrition, and updates on the shortage. She launched www.babyfoodandfun.com, and she offers resources, courses, and blog updates to help parents feel confident in feeding their little one!
 
The formula shortage had a significant personal impact. Jessica needed family across the country to scour shelves and send formula to finish the first year. The stress was palpable, and they tried another formula that caused her son to break out. In the end, she had to use a can of Similac Soy until his first birthday in July 2022 because it was all she could find. As of June 2024, friends and colleagues still struggle with supply.
 
Professionally, the shortage impacted tube feeding formulas and oral nutrition supplement supply for all ages. Out-of-stock items and improvised feeding plans have become the norm. The last 4 years as a hospital Dietitian have looked very different than her first 6 years. She hopes to use her platform, Baby Food and Fun to push for true changes in food safety, infant feeding education, formula education, and parent support because we ALL deserve it! We are talking about nutrition!