LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Recent and soon to be mothers have the opportunity to learn more about their new role and what help is available at the Virtual Baby Fair hosted by the Michigan Health and Human Services Department (MDHHS) in December. 

The MDHHS will provide three virtual events next month and each will be completely free of charge, but registration is required. The fairs will be held Dec. 6 from 9 am until 11 am, Dec. 12 from 9 am until 11 am, and Dec. 14 from 6:30 pm until 8:30 pm. 

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Participants will have the chance to hear about the following programs which will be included in the event: 

  • Newborn Screening
  • Michigan BioTrust for Health
  • Infant Safe Sleep
  • Women, Infants & Children
  • Immunizations
  • Early Hearing Detection and Intervention
  • Birth Defects Education and Outreach
  • State Breastfeeding Initiative
  • Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program
  • Vital Records
  • Michigan Home Visiting Initiative
  • Maternal Infant Health Program
  • Children’s Special Health Care Services
  • Eat Safe Fish
  • Unintentional Injury Prevention
  • Oral Health Program

MDHHS held a similar event in June for mothers in the summer months but has added the Oral Health Program to the list of topics. 

“MDHHS is excited to be able to offer a safe way for parents to get all the important information they need at this exciting time in their lives,” MDHHS Director Elizabeth Hertel said, “We encourage Michigan families to attend one of the free events being offered to learn about immunizations, hearing screening, breastfeeding and other topics.”

Breastfeeding has become an even more important topic as parents across the country are struggling to get ahold of baby formula.  An Econofact podcast revealed that more than 90% of the formula market is controlled by four producers Abbott, Mead-Johnson, Perrigo, and Nestlé.  

When the Abbott plant in Sturgis shut down in February of 2022, Michigan then began to feel the effects more than before.  According to some research, the shutdown of the Sturgis plan increased by an average of 11 percent the formula prices in May 2022 from May 2021, and 74% of the nation experienced shortages, with ten states having shortage levels of 90% or higher. 

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To help with the cost of baby formula, Congress passed legislation that temporarily suspended tariffs on the product which will expire on Dec. 31.  

The fair flyer lists Kristen Thompson and her email thompsonk23@michigan.gov as the contact for the event should someone have any questions.