Experts offer tips, warnings in light of infant formula shortage

Recalls, supply-chain issues and labor shortages exacerbated by a pandemic and a plant shutdown have led many Greater Columbus parents to get creative in how to feed their infants.

Online recipes for homemade substitutes and other alternatives may seem tempting, but those come with a warning from experts: Don’t even try it.

“We are aware of the recipes that are floating around on the internet on how to make homemade formula, and we, along with the American Academy of Pediatrics, strongly advise against doing this,” said Rebecca Romero, a dietician at Nationwide Children’s Hospital.

“It is vital that families only use Food and Drug Administration-approved formula,” said Romero, who is clinical leader for the hospital’s department of clinical nutrition and lactation.

American Academy of Pediatrics spokesperson Dr. Mark Corkins told USA TODAY that both homemade formula and the practice of watering down formula are “extremely dangerous.”

Corkins explained that baby formula is very nutrient-dense and produced from extensive research — making it nearly impossible to replicate with ingredients found at a grocery store.

Help could be on the way: Abbott Laboratories announced Monday it is ramping up production of its infant formula Similac at its Columbus facility.

Abbott also announced it had agreed to enter into a consent decree with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on steps necessary to resume production at its Sturgis, Michigan, production facility, which was shut down in February due to sanitation issues.

In the meantime, the infant formula shortage has led major retailers such as Walmart, CVS, Kroger and Walgreens to limit how much of the product shoppers are allowed to purchase.

Romero said that her hospital has been assisting parents in locating and purchasing formula and that they have emergency stock available.

“We help provide them with information on what would be a safe alternative if they can’t find anything that they’re used to purchasing, and we do have samples available,” she said. “We have minimal samples available because a lot of the formula companies at this time are pushing as much stock as they can to the stores, but we have the emergency stock available if families are absolutely out of formula or anything to feed their child.”

Kelli Newman, spokeswoman for Columbus Public Health, said in an email that staff has been updating clients of the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program on where they can find formula and offering other help.

“We will also call stores for them to help them find it,” Newman said. “We are working with them and providing tips to help them find it, such as calling the store first and asking for product availability, asking a store worker if there is more formula in the back, asking when the next shipment arrives and when shelves are usually stocked, and calling their child’s healthcare provider about prescribing an alternative specialty formula if the one currently prescribed is unavailable or difficult to find.”

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends the following tips, should you run low, or run out of formula:

Never water down formula. While it may seem like a harmless way to stretch out formula, it is unsafe, and can cause nutritional imbalances in an infant, which has complex nutritional needs.

Never make your own baby formula. While internet recipes for homemade formula may seem healthier and more cost-effective, they are unsafe.

Purchase formula online until store shortages recede. “We understand it can be frustrating driving store to store; however, if they are looking to purchase from an online retailer, make sure it’s someone that’s reputable,” Romero, of Nationwide Children’s Hospital, added.

Check social media groups. Many groups for moms on Facebook may have ideas on where to find formula.

It is OK to switch brands unless your baby is on a specific diet. “Most children can switch easily to a similar or alternative product,” Romero said. “If you’re used to purchasing a brandname, standard milk-based product, they should be fine to start immediately. However, I would also say parents know their child best.”

Call your pediatrician. “We are here to help, so we encourage parents to reach out to their health care providers or dieticians for their support and guidance,” Romero said.

Visit a milk bank near you. If your child’s formula is now inaccessible, there is safe, pasteurized breastmilk available from donation banks such as the Ohiohealth Mothers’ Milk Bank, located at 4850 E. Main St.

“They do extensive screening of donors and they test the milk to ensure it’s safe,” Romero said.

USA TODAY reporter Wyatte Grantham-philips contributed to this report.

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