Combating the Formula Shortage: A toolkit

As many parents and caregivers are struggling to find proper nutritional sources for their young ones amid the recent formula shortage, we, at The Breastfeeding Center for Greater Washington, are here to help! Below is an extensive list of resources to help your family amid this ongoing crisis. 

The DO’s and DON'Ts of the formula shortage. 

DO NOT: 

•  Water down formula

•  Make your own formula at home

•  Use toddler formula to feed infants

•  Discard formula (unless it is expired or recalled) 

• Feed your baby cow’s milk or other non-dairy milk until 1 year old (unless you have talked to your child’s pediatrician)

• Do not buy formula online that comes from outside the U.S (it could be counterfeit, have a fake label, or have a wrong use-by date).

DO: 

• Check your formula’s lot code here to see if it was recalled. Lot numbers can be found on the bottom of the container. 

• Learn more about choosing an infant formula that’s safe for your baby.

• Check out the Free Formula Exchange

  • A nationwide mutual aid network is connecting families who need baby formula to people who have formula to donate. 

• Call your local OBGYN or pediatrician. 

  • They may have in-office samples of formula or may be able to recommend a similar formula that may be more readily available in stores with a similar nutritional value. 

  • You can also talk to your pediatrician about introducing complementary foods by 6 months (no earlier than 4 months). Visit MyPlate to learn more.

• Get creative and check for formula in places you perhaps would not normally, including: 

  • Smaller stores 

  • Drug stores and pharmacies

  • Smaller supermarkets

  • Online retailers

  • Store brands

  • Online/ Facebook/ community/ parent groups   

  • Local food or diaper banks 

• Use the Baby Formula Stock Finder: a chrome extension meant to help families quickly check formula stock in shops/stores in various locations.

• Ask friends and relatives who live in different areas to keep an eye out at their stores for formulas (availability can vary considerably based on where you live)

•  Click here to be connected with your local Community Action Agency (CAA). 

  • Your neighborhood CAA may be able to provide you with formula or connect you with local agencies that have formula available. 

  • When you click on the link above, you will be able to type in your zip code and set a radius of how far you are willing to travel to get to a CAA. The site will then list all of the CAA locations within your area. 

• Call 211

  • Call 211 and/or use the link above to speak with a community resource specialist (through United Way) who can help you find food pantries and other sources of local infant formula and baby food. 

• Click here to find an accredited milk bank your area 

  • Many these require you to obtain a prescription

  • We sell donor milk (to those with a prescription) here at the Center!

WIC and State Information:

• WIC PARTICIPANTS

  • Use this map to help determine WIC related formula waivers in your state. 

  • Contact your local WIC office here

• MARYLAND WIC and shortage information

• VIRGINIA WIC and shortage information

• DC WIC and shortage information

Other Resources and Guides: 

1.  American Academy of Pediatrics’ post on the shortage 

1. Provides an extensive list of resources, tips, and ways of obtaining nutrition through the shortage. 

1. FDA: Questions & Answers for Consumers Concerning Infant Formula

2. HHS: Finding Formula During the Shortage 

   1. Includes links to formula manufacturer hotlines