The baby formula shortage has been putting a lot of stress on families around the country. What used to be as simple as walking into a store is now a process that can involve calling hotlines and contacting neighbors to find what your baby needs.
The government is working to resolve the issue, with the House of Representatives passing two bills to alleviate the current pains and prevent them in the future. Formula manufacturers also believe it's just a matter of weeks before things are back to normal, but it doesn't do a lot to quell concerned parents in the moment.
We've gathered resources available for parents who are looking for formula. Many of these resources are also accepting donations from families who are able to locate certain formulas in their area, or who are looking to get rid of their own surplus.
Gerber Hotline
Gerber offers MyBabyExpert, round-the-clock expert support for parents. You can reach a certified nutrition or lactation consultant by phone, text, Facebook Messenger, web chat, or video call. The support line can offer you information on where to get formula or identify a similar formula that may be more readily available.
Abbott Hotline
Abbott Nutrition has a consumer hotline that parents can reach out to about formula stocking information at 1-800-986-8540. The manufacturer also has an urgent product request line, which will require your OB-GYN or your infant's pediatrician to submit an urgent product request via a form.
Reckitt Hotline
Reckitt has a hotline to help customers as well. You can call 1-800 BABY-123 to find out more about where different Enfamil formulas are stocked.
Community Action Agencies
Community Action Agencies in your area can try to provide you with formula. They can also help to connect you with local agencies that have formula in stock.
United Way's 211
Call 2-1-1 or use the United Way's online resources to see what is available in your area. Various charitable resources and food banks that may have formula can be accessed through its database.
Human Milk Banking Association of North America (HMBANA)
Milk banks aren't a viable option for every family, but it's a great one for those that can. These milk banks are all accredited. In some situations, a prescription from a medical professional may be necessary.
Baby Formula Exchange
Shawn Johnson East and Andrew East created Baby Formula Exchange to help connect moms around the country to help ease the distress of this nationwide shortage. Select whether you have formula or are in need and be connected to your counterpart around the country via postings on FamilyMade.
Ibotta
For parents who spend a lot of time on their computers, Ibotta's browser extension offers useful tools for finding formula, including price and inventory alerts. You can set up custom notifications that send browser alerts when items drop in price, come back in stock, or are low in stock.
Local and State Resources
Governments at the local and state level are working hard to help their constituents through this difficult time. Contact your elected official's office to find out what resources are available in your area.
Facebook Groups
Facebook has proved to be a pretty useful tool to parents in search of formula. There are groups popping up for people to buy, sell, and trade formula. Many are also just networking with people in their area by posting what they need to their feed.
