Resources are available for families seeking baby formula

May 17—LENOIR — As families nationwide face challenges accessing infant formulas, Caldwell County's Women Infants and Children (WIC) program continues to provide supplemental nutritious foods and nutrition education to participants.

"We are working closely with vendors and the state WIC office to ensure we have the supplies to meet the needs of the mothers and infants we serve," said Laurie Elian, Caldwell County WIC director.

According to the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS), these challenges are related to the February recall of certain Abbott infant formulas, the resulting increased demand for other brands of formula, and the lingering effects of supply issues during the pandemic.

In February of this year, Abbott Laboratories, which makes baby food and formulas, initiated a voluntary recall of powder formulas, including Similac, Alimentum, and EleCare, manufactured in one of the company's facilities in Sturgis, Michigan.

Abbott recalled these products after four consumer complaints related to cronobacter sakazakii or Salmonella Newport in infants who had consumed powder infant formula manufactured in that facility. Moreover, The Guardian reports that Abbott closed its manufacturing facility in Sturgis following a federal investigation after the recall amid reports of infant illness, including two infants who died.

On Monday, May 16, Abbott reached an agreement with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding the process needed to reopen the closed plant in an effort to ease the shortage of baby formula that has exasperated parents and guardians nationwide.

According to The New York Times, the FDA said it expects Abbott to restart baby formula production in about two weeks, with more formula on store shelves in about six to eight weeks.

For families who use WIC, the baby formula shortage is even worse. Similac, made by Abbott, is the brand that was initially available for WIC recipients.

To meet the requests of local WIC agencies, NC WIC is placing a high volume of formula orders and has shifted staff to meet the needs. They also offer the following recommendations for families:

— If an infant has been drinking or is prescribed a specific formula and the availability of safe products is limited, families should work with the child's health care provider to determine the best feeding plan. For WIC participants with a specialized formula prescription, a medical provider must change the prescription. Talk with your child's health care provider about possible options during the shortage.

— Families can turn to community organizations, reputable online retailers, distributors, and manufacturers as sources for finding formula.

— For instance, Yokefellow of Caldwell County, Lenoir, offers formula to families in the community.

"We have formula here that is donated," said Sharon Harmon, executive director of Yokefellow. "We're always ready to make it available."

Families using a combination feeding of breast milk and iron-fortified infant formula may wish to consider increasing the frequency of breastfeeding or pumping to decrease the amount of formula needed. Families participating in WIC may also contact their local WIC clinic for additional breastfeeding support and breast pump issuance as appropriate.

"We encourage people to sign up for SNAP [formerly known as food stamps] or FNS [food nutrition services]," said Elian, WIC director. "Some people don't realize they can use those benefits to buy baby formula. We refer people to food nutrition services. Even if they have WIC, there are other things they can buy that aren't on WIC."

"People can find what they need," Elian added. "They may need to go to more than one store."

For more information, visit www.nutritionnc.com/WIC.

Another helpful program for families is called Tot Squad, which offers infant feeding and lactation support through Walmart online and in-store.

"I don't sell formula, but services to support breastfeeding," said Jen Saxton, founder and CEO of Tot Squad. "We've been receiving an increasing number of calls from families reaching out to our lactation consultants, they can't get access to the formula they need. They're looking for introductions to milk banks, access to donor milk, and other alternatives to formula."

Visit www.totsquad.com or www.walmart.com/totsquad to find out more.

The NCDHHS offers the following guidelines for what parents should avoid if they're unable to find baby formula.

Families should avoid making homemade infant formula. Homemade formula recipes have not been evaluated by the FDA and may lack nutrients vital to an infant's growth. Infant formula is highly regulated and has very specific formulations that make is safe for infant consumption.

It is also not recommended that families water down formula to stretch it out; it is not safe to do so. Always follow label instructions or those given to you by your health care provider.

Do not use toddler formula, cow's milk, and/or plant-based milk alternatives until a child's first birthday. Goat milk and honey are popular ingredients in homemade baby formula recipes on the internet, but these are unsafe for children. Goat milk can lead to vitamin deficiencies, and honey (when given to babies under one year old) can lead to botulism, a rare but serious illness caused by a toxin that attacks the body's nerves.

Steer clear of any recipe, baby formula or not, that calls for unpasteurized dairy products, which can cause bacterial infections. Also avoid buying formula from online auctions or unknown individuals. Storage conditions may impact formula safety.

Families are advised to introduce complementary foods if at all possible. Formula and breast milk, if possible, provide complete nutrition for children under 6 months old. But for children between 6 months and age 1, you can begin adding complementary foods. If your child has allergies or sensitivities, your pediatrician's office might have formula for you.

More information is available online the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services website at www.hhs.gov/formula.

The standard milk or soy-based powder formulas that WIC covers are widely available in the retail marketplace at this time. However, if WIC participants are having trouble locating formula, contact the Caldwell County Health Department by calling 828-426-8407 for assistance in finding available formula in the community.

If you see a price that seems too high, whether at the store or on Facebook or other online selling platforms, report it to the North Carolina Department of Justice (NCDOJ) by filing a complaint at www.ncdoj.gov/gouging or by calling 1-877-5-NO-SCAM.

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