Guidance for Families seeking Baby Formula

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The national baby formula shortage has greatly impacted families in our communities, so the Maryland Women's Caucus sought to create an outlet for parents to crowdsource formula sightings and also do an inventory check in real-time. -> https://wcformula.com/

This website helps ensure that ALL families have the resources to locate available formula. If you are shopping and see formula, please take a quick moment to let parents know by adding the info to the tracker.

Please help us share this project widely so that we can help out as many families as possible throughout the state!

 

Maryland Department of Health has released guidance for families seeking baby formula during national shortage. The Maryland WIC Program has expanded allowable sizes, brands, and types of formula available with WIC electronic benefits, which are used to purchase infant formula in local retail stores. In addition, MDH is in contact with formula manufacturer Abbott Nutrition to monitor the supply and shipment of formula to Maryland.

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MDH recommends the following for families in need of formula:

• If you are a Maryland WIC participant, contact your local WIC office for assistance locating products or making changes to your WIC food benefits.

• If you are not a Maryland WIC participant, visit the Maryland WIC website to learn how to apply, or call your local WIC office (or 1-800-242-4942) to find out if you are eligible for benefits.

 

General guidance:

• Do not dilute infant formula. Adding extra water or other liquids to infant formula can be dangerous and life-threatening for babies, leading to serious nutritional deficits and health issues.

• Do not use homemade formulas. Formulas made at home often lack the critical nutrients that babies need.

• Use a different brand or type of formula if available. For most babies, it is OK to switch to any available formula. Call your child’s health provider if you have questions.

• If feeding a baby with human milk from a source other than the baby's mother, you should only use milk from a source that has screened its milk donors and taken other precautions to ensure the safety of the milk.

 

Specialized formulas:

• If your baby needs a special formula, your child’s health provider can advise you on a comparable formula to use. 

• If you are still unable to find a speciality formula, contact a manufacturer’s hotline:

  • Gerber’s MyGerber Baby Expert

  • Abbott’s Consumer Hotline: call 1-800-986-8540

  • Abbott’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

  • Reckitt’s Customer Service line: call 1-800 BABY-123 (222-9123)

 

Breastfeeding resources:

• Maryland Breastfeeding Coalition

• Maryland WIC Breastfeeding Resources 

• National Women’s Hotline: 1-800-994-9662

• National WIC Program/United States Department of Agriculture

• Breastfeeding vs. Baby Formula: A Guide for Parents

 

For more information, families can visit the American Academy of Pediatrics or the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.