WA Baby Formula Shortage: How To Find Help

Seattle WA

18 May, 2022

4:33 PM

Description

OLYMPIA, WA — With little relief in sight for parents impacted by a widespread shortage of infant formula, the state Department of Health shared a few resources available to Washington families who are struggling to find food for their young ones. The nationwide shortage has quickly worsened since February, after a massive recall of baby formula manufactured by Abbott, including vital products covered by benefits from the "Women, Infants, and Children" program (WIC). Officials warn it could be several more weeks before production returns closer to normal. "While the shortage has been persisting since the pandemic, it has worsened due to supply chain issues, the February recall of several baby formula products due to possible contamination, and the voluntary closure of a facility in Michigan by Abbott Laboratories - the country's largest manufacturer of infant formula," state health officials wrote Wednesday. "Though Abbott reached an agreement with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on the steps needed to restart production, it will still be weeks before any formula products from that facility become publicly available." According to the retail tracking firm Datasembly, "out-of-stock" rates for baby formula soared to 43 percent nationwide in the first week of May, and Washington is among the states suffering some of the highest shortages. Related: Baby Formula Shortages In Washington: FDA Working 'Around The Clock' In a news release Wednesday, DOH shared information from the American Academy of Pediatrics, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and Washington's WIC program, which reaches more than 315,000 people each year. First, the state health department recommends that families struggling to find formula review a list of resources and answers to frequently asked questions assembled on its website. Next, DOH said families should contact their primary care provider and ask to speak to a nurse, medical assistant or health educator. "Your child's doctor and care team are a great source of information for any concerns about your baby's health and nutrition," said Dr. Tao Sheng Kwan-Gett, the state's chief science officer. "They may be able to make recommendations about switching to a formula that's easier to find or give tips on where to go when your usual sources of formula are out of stock." For families who lack a regular health care provider, DOH said help may be available via the "Help Me Grow WA" hotline, which can be reached at 1-800-322-2588. That hotline can help provide referrals, provide assistance for applying for programs and other resources for state and federal nutrition programs. WIC families can also contact their local clinics to see about replacing their benefits or changing out their formulas. During the shortage, the WIC program has expanded the types of formula covered by the program and can help families learn exactly which stores have formula in stock. Help may also be available through the state WIC office, which can be reached at 1-800-841-1410. SNAP participants can call 1-800-322-2588. Officials said most babies should be able to safely switch to any available formula, except for infants with medical conditions that require an "extensively hydrolyzed" or amino acid-based formula, which may require more specific alternatives. Abbott is also releasing some "metabolic nutrition formulas," which are not impacted by the recall, which families may be able to obtain with a referral. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends against trying to make homemade formula, cautioning that many recipes may not contain enough nutrients, or include ingredients that can be harmful to babies. Here are a few more tips and resources shared by DOH: Check smaller stores and drug stores or buy online from reputable distributors and pharmacies.Contact manufacturers directly: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 more readily available.Abbott's Consumer Hotline: call 1-800-986-8540Abbott's urgent product request line: ask your OBGYN or your infant's pediatrician to submit an urgent product request by downloading and completing the form - PDF Mead Johnson/Reckitt's Customer Service line: call 1-800 BABY-123 (222-9123)'s>Check out community resources:Locate your nearest Community Action Agency (CAA). Your neighborhood CAA may be able to provide you with formula or connect you with local agencies that have formula in stock.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 help you 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(HMBANA): 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 professional. Find an HMBANA-accredited milk bank.