Join Us Tonight & Updates on Baby Formula Shortage

formula
May 18, 2022
I just wanted to reach out with one final reminder that you are invited to join Fairfield CARES Community Coalition TONIGHT at 7PM. Approximately 275 people have already registered to hear from Marc Brackett, Ph.D., Founder and Director of the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence and author of the acclaimed book "Permission to Feel: Unlocking the Power of Emotions to Help Our Kids, Ourselves, and Our Society Thrive.” He is an engaging speaker, with a message that is important not only for parents and teens, but adults of all ages. This is a tremendous opportunity for our community and I am grateful that Professor Brackett has accepted our invitation.

Click the button below to register in advance for the event:
Register for Event
 
Baby Formula Shortage
For those with infants or family and friends with infants who need formula, you have been following, with growing concern, the shortage of infant formula across the country. While policy makers and the FDA work to address the systemic issue, the Connecticut Department of Public Health has shared information about what families can do in the face of this crisis. Below is their information, with just a few additions and commentaries of mine in parentheses.
  • Check smaller stores or pharmacies for availability. Also, ask your WIC vendors when they typically receive new stock. During the formula shortage it may help to visit stores more frequently and buy formula as it becomes available.
  • If you can afford it, buy formula online until store availability improves. Purchase from well-recognized distributors and pharmacies. Do not buy formula from overseas as these formulas are not FDA (U.S. Food & Drug Administration) reviewed. (I know even online availability is limited. And in terms of overseas purchases, pay attention to this with any donated or shared formula you may receive as well.)
  • Check social media groups that are dedicated to infant feeding and formula. Members may have ideas on where to find formula. Always check with your pediatrician regarding any advice provided in social media groups. (Fairfield does have a Formula Buy/Sell/Trade/Give Facebook Group started by a local Mom.)
  • Important Information: It is unsafe to overdilute (add more water) formula, make homemade infant formula, or use regular cow’s milk, or other milk substitutes to feed infants. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends feeding infants iron-fortified infant formula during the first year of life when breastmilk is unavailable.
  • For WIC families that still need help, please contact your local WIC office with questions. If you are unable to reach your local WIC office by phone you can send an email.  Find local WIC office phone numbers and emails by clicking HERE.  You can also reach out to the State Agency at ctwic@ct.gov or 1-800-741-2142 for assistance. 
  • For more information visit: With the baby formula shortage, what should I do if I can't find any? - HealthyChildren.org.
  • Call 2-1-1 or visit 211ct.org to locate community organizations that provide emergency formula.
  • Connecticut participates with Mother’s Milk Bank Northeast, which sends most of its donated breast milk to neonatal care units across the state. It’s also available for purchase. Please visit milkbankne.org/receive to learn about it.
  • The US Department of Health & Human Services has additional resources for families to use. Click HERE for more information.
As recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Policy Statement Breastfeeding and the Use of Human Milk, the Connecticut Department of Public Health and the Connecticut WIC Program promotes breastfeeding as the normal and optimal method to feed infants for at least the first year of life with a special emphasis on the health benefits derived from exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months.
For pregnant persons that were not considering breastfeeding, CT-DPH would strongly encourage expectant families to think about breastfeeding due to the unprecedented nationwide formula shortage.  Further, as stated above, exclusive breastfeeding, notwithstanding a formula shortage, is recommended by the AAP as the normal and optimal feeding method for infants through the first six months of life.
From CMcV: For many moms, this situation has become one of those loaded conversations about breastfeeding vs. formula and why people choose to and need to do each. My hope is to support all of the mamas – and papas – out there who are extremely worried about being able to provide sustenance for their babies. This information, and all of the information in today’s e-blast, is being shared in that spirit and as a resource so all families have the ability to safely feed their infants.
If you have stopped breastfeeding and would like to consider relactation, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has tips to start the process. Supporting Families with Relactation | Breastfeeding | CDC. La Leche League International, also has information and support for individuals on their webpage.
Donor human milk is available, however it is reserved for medically fragile infants and as a bridge to exclusive or partial breastfeeding. The link below provides information on donor human milk banking in the region. The Northeast has a milk bank in Massachusetts.
This is a scary time for all who are parenting babies. Please utilize the above resources and especially your pediatrician, the WIC offices, the local FB group, neighbors and friends. Please do reach out directly if that is not sufficient and you still need help.

Yesterday the Public Health and Children’s Committees hosted a hearing on the issue, which you can watch here. When asked directly by Rep. Berger-Girvalo what a parent should do if they cannot find formula, the answer was call your pediatrician. This is the best place to start if you find yourself in that position, but again, please reach out if you need help.