The US Baby Formula Shortage: What’s Happening, What To Do & Where To Get Help

There are lots of parents in the US facing the baby formula shortage in the US and we know it’s a potentially frightening time. It’s difficult to know exactly what’s happening and what you should be doing if you are facing a formula shortage or can’t find the specific formula your baby needs.

We’ve seen some talk on social media about how women should “just breastfeed” during the formula shortage or that the shortage is somehow related to women not breastfeeding. We want to make one thing absolutely clear: the current baby formula shortage is not related to breastfeeding. The way you feed your baby is personal and there are so many reasons parents feed their babies with formula. No one should feel the need to justify their decisions around feeding their baby to anyone but themselves.

Ok, let’s get into it… We’re cutting through all the noise and sharing information you can trust, including what’s actually happening with the US baby formula shortage and why, what you should (and shouldn’t) do if you are running low on baby formula, and where you can find the support you need.

Why is there a baby formula shortage in the US?

The current baby formula shortage in the US began with a supply chain shortage during the pandemic and delayed production. Then in February 2022, Abbott Laboratories, which produces and sells around 40% of the baby formula in the US, closed its Michigan factory – the largest domestic facility in the US – and recalled batches of its formula following fears of contamination. The decision followed a federal investigation into the cases of 4 babies who consumed formula from the factory and developed bacterial infections.

The CDC concluded their investigation and found no conclusive link between Abbott formulas and the illnesses. As of today though, the factory has not reopened and is pending FDA approval. It will take at least 2 weeks to reopen the factory once approval is received and a further 6 to 8 weeks before their formula is back on shelves. It’s important to be clear here: that doesn’t mean that other baby formula won’t be available and there are steps being taken to get parents the formula they need (see below!).

What’s happening with baby formula supplies now and how is the shortage being stopped?

There are some steps being taken toward fixing the shortage of baby formula in the US:

• The US Food and Drug Administration, which regulates baby formula in the US, has temporarily eased importation requirements for baby formula until mid-November 2022, allowing some EU brands to ship and sell their items in the US. Kendamil, a UK-made baby milk, will be amongst the first EU baby formulas to be shipped to the US.

• Abbott Formulas, which also operates from a production facility in Ireland is shipping approved baby formula into the US. They are also prioritizing formula manufacturing at two other sites – one in Ohio and one in Arizona. 

• The government has announced Operation Fly Formula, which will fly formula into the US from Europe. Last week, the first plane arrived with 70,000 pounds of infant formula and more are expected in the coming days.

What should you do if you might run out baby formula?

Ok, so the real question is what can you do if you are running out or are worried that you are going to run out of formula that your baby needs? Unfortunately, there’s no easy answer to this one, as it really depends on the age of your baby, their development, and many other factors. If you are worried that you will run out of the formula your baby needs, you should speak to your health care provider or pediatrician as soon as possible – they can advise the best action for your baby.

Your pediatrician may also have formula samples in stock, connections to local women’s centers or community centers, or other ideas of places to call to help you find the baby formula you need, such as your local Women Infants and Children (WIC) clinic.

Here are some other things that might help you locate the formula you need:

• Check baby formula supplies at smaller, local drug stores that may still have some stock.

• Check online stock, but remember it’s very important to only buy your baby formula from well-recognized distributors and not from individuals or resale sites.

• Join local social media groups which are specifically for infant feeding and formula as other mamas may have an idea on where the baby formula you need is available – just be sure to check any advice with your pediatrician. 

Should you make your own baby formula if you run out?

No, the FDA does not recommend making baby or infant formulas at home and there are risks associated with selecting and combining ingredients for the formula. The risks range from “severe” nutritional imbalances to using unsafe products which can potentially harm your baby. 

We know it's a worrying time and it's hard to know what to do if you don’t have what you need to feed baby – if that happens, follow the steps above, but call your pediatrician as a first step. 

Should you dilute your baby formula?

No, it’s not recommended that you add water to your baby’s formula to make it last longer. A baby’s kidneys are still developing and are particularly sensitive to any imbalances of fluids or nutrients. Too much water can lead to illness and complications for baby.

Should you stockpile baby formula if you find what you need?

If you find the baby formula you need in stock, it can be tempting to buy as much formula as possible, but the American Academy of Pediatrics  (AAP) advises purchasing no more than a 10-day to a 2-week supply of formula to ease shortages. 

Useful resources about the baby formula shortage:

• FDA: Q&A on the infant formula shorage 

• FDA: Powdered infant formula recall: what to know

• Yale Medicine: 8 tips for parents during the formula shortage

• Healthline advice for parents during the baby formula shortage

• Department of Health and Human Services (HHS): Find formula during the infant formula shortage

• AAP: With the baby formula shortage, what should I do if I can't find any?

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