Westchester County Health Department Announces Resources For Families Amid Infant Formula Shortages

Pelham NY

21 May, 2022

10:35 AM

Description

Press release from the Westchester County Government: May 20, 2022 The Westchester County Health Department is urging residents to never dilute/water down infant formula in an attempt to extend their supply, try to make formula at home, or use milk or toddler formula to feed infants. While the FDA has announced plans to ease the national shortage of baby formula, it will take at least another six to eight weeks before an ample supply of formula is available on store shelves again. Westchester County Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Sherlita Amler said: "I particularly caution parents that while it may be tempting to water down formula to stretch it out, it is not safe to do so. This practice can have severe consequences beyond malnourishment. As a pediatrician, I have personally seen an infant who suffered seizures due to an electrolyte imbalance caused by diluted infant formula." The Federal Government has issued the following links on their webpage to help families feed their babies: Manufacturer Hotlines: Community Resources WIC-Eligible Families General Guidance Additionally, locally the Health Department is notifying the public about the New York Milk Bank in Valhalla. The New York Milk Bank is the first comprehensive nonprofit milk bank based in New York State where breast milk is collected from carefully screened donors, pasteurized and distributed to infants in need. Women looking to donate breast milk can also reach out to the New York Milk Bank to provide excess breast milk to babies in need. Clients of the Health Department's WIC Program should contact their WIC clinic for support if their grocery store is out of their WIC infant formula. Yonkers WIC clients should call (914) 231-2510 and Port Chester WIC clients should call (914) 813-7244. The Department of Health will continue to monitor the situation and communicate with families. For more information, support and WIC eligibility, visit the Health Department's website at https://health.westchestergov.com/ This press release was produced by the Westchester County Government. The views expressed here are the author's own.