Resources for families during infant formula shortage

For many families, baby formula is a necessity. The following resources can help families find formula during the ongoing infant formula shortage.

• If you or your family is a WIC (Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children) recipient, you may contact your local WIC clinic for help finding the items you need. Visit the IDHS website to find a WIC clinic near you.
• If you or your family does not receive WIC, you can contact the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) helpline at 1-800-843-6154 for assistance.
• Families struggling to find the formula they need should also contact their pediatrician. Physician offices are able to receive formula supplies directly from Abbott and may have some stock for emergency situations, especially for families that use special formulas.
• If you are looking for a similar alternative to Similac brand infant formulas, check out this resource flyer for help. You can also learn more from the American Academy of Pediatrics about why you should not water down your baby formula and why homemade baby formula recipes are risky.

Families should not buy more formula than what they need for a few days. The formula supply cannot stabilize if everyone buys all product off of the shelf. If women are able to breastfeed, they should consider that as an option as it puts them in greater control of supply, though it is important to recognize that breastfeeding is not a viable option for all families.

For further information, visit the IDHS formula resource webpage or the American Academy of Pediatrics overview.