Information Regarding Infant Formula Shortage

Important information regarding the infant formula shortage below:

Never dilute formula. Diluting infant formula with water or other liquids can be dangerous and even life-threatening for babies, leading to serious nutritional deficit and health issues.

Avoid homemade formula. Homemade formulas often lack or have inadequate amounts of critical nutrients. For example, babies fed homemade infant formula have been hospitalized due to hypocalcemia (low calcium).

Use of substitute formulas is OK. For most babies, if their regular brand of formula is not currently available, it is ok to substitute with a similar version. If families have questions about which formula is acceptable, or if they are still have difficulty finding formula, they should contact their child's pediatric provider or WIC clinic.

Talk to your doctor. Families should consult their pediatrician if their babies or children require a specialized formula and need a recommendation for a comparable formula to use. Providers can also submit an urgent request for specialized formula to Abbott, a primary formula manufacturer. Abbott is releasing some specialty and metabolic formulas on a case-by-case basis.

Providers can contact Abbott. Healthcare providers who provide for children in critical need of a particular specialty formula should contact Abbott directly to request the product by calling 1-800-881-0876 or visiting their formula information product request form at abbottnutrition.com/metabolics