05/17/2022
Formula Shortage
If you are struggling to find baby formula during the shortage, here are some tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics:
* If formula at bigger stores is out of stock, check smaller stores and drugstores.
* If you can afford it, buy formula online until shortages in stores ease. Purchase from well-recognized distributors and pharmacies.
* It is fine for most babies to switch to any available formula, including store brands, unless the baby is on a specific extensively hydrolyzed or amino acid-based formula such as Elecare (no store brand exists). Call our office for recommended specialty formula alternatives available for your baby.
* Check social media groups dedicated to infant feeding and formula.
* Check with friends and family who live outside of your area.
* Try Enfamil.com and use the store locater to find formula at stores near you.
* Call 1-800-baby-123 for Enfamil information
* Do not water down your formula. It is not safe. Watering down formula can cause nutritional imbalances in your baby and lead to serious health problems.
* Do not make homemade formula. Recipes for homemade formulas may seem healthy or less expensive, but they are not safe and do not meet babies' nutritional needs.
* Do not buy unregulated imported formula.
* Formula for toddlers is not recommended for infants. However, if no other options are available, babies who are near 1 year old can safely consume toddler formula for a few days.
* If nothing else is available, full term babies for a few weeks can safely consume formula made for babies born prematurely.
* For children over 6 months, whole cow's milk can be safe for a brief period of time. This is not ideal and should not become routine. However, it is a better option than diluting formula or making homemade formula. The most important concern with giving an infant over 6 months of age cow's milk if you can't find baby formula is making sure they get enough iron to prevent anemia. Be sure to include plenty of iron-containing foods in their diet while you are using whole cow's milk. Call our office about giving your baby an iron supplement until you can find formula.
* Goat's milk is not approved in the US for babies. However, there are goat milk-based baby formulas registered in other countries that may be among those considered for accelerated import approval by the FDA.
* Plant-based milk alternatives are not recommended for babies under 1 year of age or infants with certain medical conditions requiring specialized formulas. Soy milk may be an option for babies who are close to 1 year of age for a few days in an emergency, but always buy the kind that is fortified with protein and calcium. Make sure to change back to formula as soon as possible. Be especially careful to avoid almond milk or other plant milks often low in protein and minerals.
We have a very limited supply of formula. If you have exhausted all avenues when looking for formula, and have no formula available, we may be able to help. Due to the small amount of formula on hand, we will only be able to give one or two cans of formula to each patient on an emergency basis, while our supply lasts. Please call our office if you have an emergency need for formula.
