{"id":2144,"date":"2022-05-16T20:23:45","date_gmt":"2022-05-16T20:23:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/central-shenandoah\/?page_id=2144"},"modified":"2022-05-16T20:23:45","modified_gmt":"2022-05-16T20:23:45","slug":"infant-formula-shortage-guidance","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/central-shenandoah\/infant-formula-shortage-guidance\/","title":{"rendered":"Infant Formula Shortage Guidance"},"content":{"rendered":"

Guidance for Virginia Department of Health Local Health Departments<\/b> May 16, 2022<\/b>\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

What To Do If You Can\u2019t Find Infant Formula<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Infant formula has become difficult to find in the last month. The reason is the temporary <\/span>\u00a0<\/span>shutdown by the FDA of the plant that manufactures roughly half of the U.S. supply. The FDA <\/span>\u00a0<\/span>is busy attempting to get the plant reopened, but until that occurs, supplies of formula will be less <\/span>\u00a0<\/span>than normal. This document is intended to help parents and caregivers of infants under one year <\/span>\u00a0<\/span>of age to navigate the shortage, while ensuring the best possible nutrition for their babies. What <\/span>\u00a0<\/span>follows is a list of Dos and Don\u2019ts, when you\u2019re having trouble finding baby formula.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

IF FORMULA IS HARD TO FIND:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

DOs:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Do check with your baby\u2019s physician or healthcare provider for any questions, especially <\/span>if your baby is on a restricted diet or has any medical conditions.<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. Do call ahead to nearby stores to find the ones that have formula before you travel.<\/span> 3. <\/span>Do check smaller markets and drug stores when the big box stores and supermarkets are <\/span>out.<\/span><\/li>\n
  3. Do consider purchasing formula on-line if you can afford it. Only purchase from well established distributors and pharmacies.<\/span><\/li>\n
  4. Do purchase only a 10-14-day supply each time. It appears unlikely that the supply is <\/span>going to run out, and hoarding will only make shortages worse.<\/span><\/li>\n
  5. Do purchase alternate or store-brand formulas if your baby is not on a restricted diet and <\/span>has no major health problems.<\/span><\/li>\n
  6. Do contact your local health department or WIC office for their recommendations for <\/span>your community. Go to <\/span>Local Health Districts<\/a> <\/span>and click on part of the map that contains <\/span>your location, or call locally.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    DON\u2019Ts:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

      \n
    1. Don\u2019t purchase formula on-line from private vendors or auctions. You won\u2019t know what <\/span>you\u2019re actually getting, and there is little or no control over pricing.<\/span><\/li>\n
    2. Don\u2019t purchase formula from foreign or overseas locations. These products will not be <\/span>FDA cleared, and may contain contaminants or ingredients inappropriate for your baby.<\/span> 3. <\/span>Don\u2019t feed homemade formula from a recipe. Even if only safe ingredients are used, <\/span>these formulas will not provide adequate nutrition.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
    3. Don\u2019t water down or dilute your existing formula as your baby will not get adequate <\/span>nutrition.<\/span><\/li>\n
    4. Don\u2019t feed your baby any plant-based milks as they lack many key nutrients.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      SPECIAL SITUATIONS:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

        \n
      1. If your baby is 6 to 12 months of age and has no health or dietary problems, you may <\/span>feed your baby cow\u2019s milk for short periods until you can obtain proper formula. This <\/span>recommendation is for urgent situations only and should not be done for a prolonged <\/span>\u00a0<\/span>period.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
      2. If you are still pregnant but will deliver soon, please give extra consideration to <\/span>breastfeeding. Most women can breastfeed, and you are likely to avoid the formula <\/span>shortage altogether. For more information, see <\/span>Breastfeeding<\/span><\/a> or <\/span>Frequently Asked <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/a>Questions (FAQs) | Breastfeeding | CDC <\/span>or <\/span>Virginia Breastfeeding Coalition<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        REMEMBER: talk to your baby\u2019s healthcare provider with any questions.<\/span><\/p>\n

         <\/p>\n

        OTHER HELPFUL SITES:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

        Fact Sheet: Helping Families Find Formula During the Infant Formula Shortage | HHS.gov<\/span> <\/a><\/p>\n

        With the baby formula shortage, what should I do if I can’t find any? – HealthyChildren.org<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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