FCMC offers advice to parents amid formula shortage

Forrest City Medical Center is offering advice to parents facing shortages of infant formula.

“Across the country, stores are reporting a shortage of infant formula due to supply chain issues and a recall of several contaminated formula products. Nationwide, 40% of the formula is out of stock, and recent data indicates that 26 states are struggling with supply,” said Caitlyn Sweet, FCMC Marketing Director.

“Parents are understandably concerned, as breast milk or formula is an infant’s sole source of nutrition until introduced to solid foods. Infants have unique nutritional needs because of their rapid growth and ingesting the appropriate number of calories, vitamins and other nutrients is crucial to their physical and neurological development,” Sweet continued.

As the federal government works with manufacturers to increase formula production and help families access existing stock, parents are searching for resources to keep infants fed and* healthy.

“The formula shortage is scary for parents, both new and experienced,” said Erin Caldwell, MSN, APRN, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner at Forrest City Medical Center. “In most cases, formula is still available, but there are limitations on certain kinds.”

Experts offer these recommendations to parents to locate formula amid the shortage: Call your pediatrician, check smaller stores and drug stores, consider a new formula brand and try breast milk. They also say parents should not attempt to make their own formula, dilute formula, try formula substitutes like cow’s or goat's milk nor purchase unpasteurized or unscreened breast milk.

“If you can’t find the formula you want, call your pediatrician and work out a temporary plan,” s a i d Caldwell. “Being proactive and flexible can alleviate worries and help you ensure your child’s nutritional needs are met.”

Sweet said parents with questions about changing formula, are encouraged to talk to their pediatrician.