Baby Formula Shortage
As of the beginning of May, the U.S. has faced new issues of recalls and inflation, and supply chain challenges. With ABBOT pulling products off shelves everywhere in a voluntary recall, many parents wonder what's next as the baby formula supply is now 43% lower than usual. Many parents have had to navigate switching formulas to fit their child's needs with what is available on the market.
With the shortages affecting parents everywhere, it's essential to understand how to navigate this issue safely. Some important things to remember are to avoid buying formulas from unverified sources or out-of-country retailers, or making your baby formula that can lack nutrients essential to your child's growth. Baby formula provides a unique range of vitamins, minerals, macronutrients, and allergy-specific components that help your child grow and develop properly.
Many parents have begun exploring the options of donor breast milk through online and local parent groups. Although it is not recommended, if parents choose to go this route, it is essential to understand who, what, and where the breast milk is coming from and how it is being handled and maintained. Parents must know what the donor is taking and any illnesses and diseases that could harm their child. Parents should contact local milk banks to find safe and reliable milk to provide nutrients for their babies. The Pediatric Associates of Lewiston is the only breast milk bank in Maine at this time.
Do not replace or dilute your formula with cow milk, goat's milk, nut milk, milk powders, or raw milk and sugars. Children under the age of 1 should not consume cow's milk as it contains too many proteins and minerals and not enough essential nutrients for your infant's kidneys to handle. The diluting of formulas can lead to future health issues, including electrolyte imbalances, inadequate calories, or vitamin and mineral deficiencies like hypocalcemia.
For children around the age of 6 months and over, parents may consider adding solid food options to increase calories in their baby's diet. This depends entirely on your child's development and may differ for every baby.
If you are having trouble finding formulas, call your doctor or pediatrician, as they can provide resources to help connect you with the proper formulas for your baby. If you have any questions about infant nutrition formulas, breastfeeding, or nutrition concerns for your baby, please reach out to our team member Jacqueline Stevens, MS, RDN, LD, CLC, and the rest of our team of dietitians. Use this link to contact our team.
A Complete List of Alternatives:
Recalled Formula | Alternative Option |
Elecare infant | Neocate Neocate Syneo (contains probiotics) Nutricia Alfamino - Nestle PurAmino – Mead Johnson |
Elecare Jr. | Neocate Jr – Nutricia Neocate Splash - Nutricia Vivonex pediatric – Nestle Alfamino Jr. – Nestle PurAmino Jr. – Mead Johnson EquaCare Jr. – Cambrooke |
Similac Alimentum (powder only) | Enfamil Nutramingen Gerber Extensive HA Mead Johnson Pregestimil Perrigo – Store brand hypoallergenic formula Amazon: Mama Bear Hypoallergenic CVS: CVS Health Hypoallergenic HEB: Baby Hypoallergenic Kroger: Comforts Hypoallergenic Meijer: Meijer Baby Hypoallergenic SpartanNash: Tippy Toes Hypoallergenic Target: Up & Up Hypoallergenic infant Walgreens: Well Beginnings Walmart: Parent’s Choice Hypoallergenic |
Similac Sensitive (powder only) | Gerber Good Start Gentle or Sooth Enfamil Gentlease – Mead Johnson Enfamil Sensitive Perrigo – Store brand Sensitive formulas |
Similac Advance / Pro Advance | Enfamil, Gerber, Perrigo store brands, mama bear, etc. Similac 360 total care Similac Pro-total comfort |
Similac Spit Up (powder only) | Enfamil AR |
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