- Check smaller stores or pharmacies for availability. Also, ask your WIC vendors when they typically receive new stock. During the formula shortage it may help to visit stores more frequently and buy formula as it becomes available.
- If you can afford it, buy formula online until store availability improves. Purchase from well-recognized distributors and pharmacies. Do not buy formula from overseas as these formulas are not FDA (U.S. Food & Drug Administration) reviewed. (I know even online availability is limited. And in terms of overseas purchases, pay attention to this with any donated or shared formula you may receive as well.)
- Check social media groups that are dedicated to infant feeding and formula. Members may have ideas on where to find formula. Always check with your pediatrician regarding any advice provided in social media groups. (Fairfield does have a Formula Buy/Sell/Trade/Give Facebook Group started by a local Mom.)
- Important Information: It is unsafe to overdilute (add more water) formula, make homemade infant formula, or use regular cow’s milk, or other milk substitutes to feed infants. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends feeding infants iron-fortified infant formula during the first year of life when breastmilk is unavailable.
- For WIC families that still need help, please contact your local WIC office with questions. If you are unable to reach your local WIC office by phone you can send an email. Find local WIC office phone numbers and emails by clicking HERE. You can also reach out to the State Agency at ctwic@ct.gov or 1-800-741-2142 for assistance.
- For more information visit: With the baby formula shortage, what should I do if I can't find any? - HealthyChildren.org.
- Call 2-1-1 or visit 211ct.org to locate community organizations that provide emergency formula.
- Connecticut participates with Mother’s Milk Bank Northeast, which sends most of its donated breast milk to neonatal care units across the state. It’s also available for purchase. Please visit milkbankne.org/receive to learn about it.
- The US Department of Health & Human Services has additional resources for families to use. Click HERE for more information.
As recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Policy Statement Breastfeeding and the Use of Human Milk, the Connecticut Department of Public Health and the Connecticut WIC Program promotes breastfeeding as the normal and optimal method to feed infants for at least the first year of life with a special emphasis on the health benefits derived from exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months.
For pregnant persons that were not considering breastfeeding, CT-DPH would strongly encourage expectant families to think about breastfeeding due to the unprecedented nationwide formula shortage. Further, as stated above, exclusive breastfeeding, notwithstanding a formula shortage, is recommended by the AAP as the normal and optimal feeding method for infants through the first six months of life.
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