UPDATE 5/18/22: If you are having trouble finding what your baby needs, check the resources listed below. Please do not hesitate to reach out to our offices for help; we can provide evidence-based recommendations for your specific situation and may have limited samples in stock.
- American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP): “With the baby formula shortage, what should I do if I can’t find any?”
- Click here for an overview of infant formula substitutes by brand.
- Store Brand Infant Formula Quick Guide to Substitutions
- Store Brand Infant Formula Baby Formula Finder
- Abbott “Where to Buy” Similac search engine and Enfamil Store Locator: enter your zip code and shows you which stores may have your desired formula in stock (call ahead to confirm)
- Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine (ABM) Statement on Shortage of Breastmilk Substitutes: families using a combination feeding of breast milk and iron-fortified infant formula may wish to consider increasing the frequency of breastfeeding or pumping so that they do not need as much formula. Families can reach out to a local lactation specialist to try and help increase their supply of breastmilk.
Manufacturer Hotlines
- Gerber’s MyGerber Baby Expert: reach a certified nutrition or lactation consultant by phone, text, Facebook Messenger, web chat, or video call, who can help you identify a similar formula that may be available.
- Enfamil’s Customer Service line: call 1-800-BABY-123 (222-9123)
- Abbott’s Consumer Hotline: call 1-800-986-8540
- If your baby requires Abbott metabolic formula, you can call 1-800-515-7566 for assistance; there is also a form that can be filled out by your OB-GYN or your infant’s pediatrician via Abbott’s urgent product request line.
Community Resources
- United Way’s 2-1-1: dial 2-1-1 to be connected to a community resource specialist affiliated with United Way who may be able to identify food pantries and other charitable sources of local infant formula and baby food.
- Feeding America: call your local food bank to ask whether they have infant formula and other supplies in stock.
- Human Milk Banking Association of North America: certain HMBANA-accredited milk banks are distributing donated breast milk to mothers in need; please note that some may require a prescription from a medical profession.
WIC-eligible families: contact your local WIC office to identify or obtain additional sources of infant formula nearby.
What should families avoid?
- Do NOT make homemade infant formula. Homemade formula recipes can be very dangerous for babies since they have not been evaluated by the FDA and may lack nutrients vital to an infant’s growth.
- Do NOT water down formula to stretch it out; it can be extremely dangerous to your baby to do so. Always follow formula label instructions or those given to you by your healthcare provider.
- Do NOT buy formula from online auctions, unknown individuals, or unknown origins. Storage and shipping conditions may impact formula safety. Formula from outside the United States is not regulated by the FDA, though the FDA is now exploring safe options for importing formula from other countries.
For additional information, please see this new fact sheet from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) with resources for locating safe formula.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a recall of infant formula due to potential bacterial contamination.
The FDA is advising consumers not to use Similac, Alimentum, or Elecare powdered infant formulas with certain codes printed on the product packaging near the expiration date. Products that do not contain the codes are not impacted by this advisory. This advisory does not include liquid formula. These powdered infant formulas have the potential to be contaminated with the bacteria Cronobacter.
If your child is drinking Similac brand formula, please check to see if your formula (lot number) has been recalled due to possible bacterial contamination. You can check the lot number here.
If it is in the recall group, stop use immediately. If you cannot find unaffected cans of your child’s Similac formula in stores, you can switch to Similac ready-to-feed liquid formula OR another brand’s equivalent line. The video below provides an excellent overview of the recall including a list of alternatives if you need to change formulas.
