Don't hoard baby formula, warn Peoria officials. Here are tips to survive the shortage

PEORIA – Local health officials have issued an urgent plea to parents – do not stockpile baby formula.

“That formula sitting in your pantry could be used to feed a child today,” said Monica Hendrickson, administrator of the Peoria City/County Health Department, on Thursday afternoon. "Get what you need and make sure there's enough for others."

Hoarding is exacerbating a nationwide shortage – the result of supply disruptions and a massive safety recall that have swept many leading brands of formula off store shelves. Nationwide, about 40% of large retail stores are out of stock, according to Datasembly, an analytics firm that collects data from 11,000 locations. Hoarding has forced retailers like CVS, Target and Walmart to limit purchases, according to The Associated Press.

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As efforts ramp up nationally to address the shortage, local health officials offered tips for parents.

“You may have to reach out to stores or vendors that you hadn’t thought about in the past,” said Dr. Terry Ho, a pediatrician with OSF Medical Group, who suggested searching online for retailers that have formula in stock.

It’s also generally OK to try a different type of formula – but call your pediatrician first, said Ho.

“Most children can take any formula," he said. "I know a lot of families find a formula that works for their child early on and would like to stay with it, but in reality – for most kids – they should be able to switch without issues."

Ho said his office has received numerous calls from parents in the last few weeks, and he welcomes those calls. He urged parents to contact their pediatrician with any questions they may have.

“One of the big questions we’re getting from families is, 'Is it OK to stretch out my formula supply?’” said Ho. “We really recommend against that. When you water down formula, you’re changing the nutritional composition of the formula, and that can lead to some harmful issues in your child.”

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Another common question is about using recipes for homemade formula that are popping up on social media.

“That can be very, very dangerous,” said Ho. “Formula is a complex combination of fats, proteins, vitamins and minerals you likely are not going to be able to re-create at home by making your own formula. You also run the risk of bacterial contamination. We really recommend against using those recipes.”

Older children may be able to transition to toddler formula or cow's milk a little early – but again, a call to the pediatrician is warranted, said Ho.

“We don’t want to recommend families just do that on their own because not every child will be ready to handle that,” he said.

The shortage has had an impact on the WIC nutrition program as well. Because WIC subsidies only cover certain brands and certain sizes of those products, people are urged to check the label for the WIC symbol before buying.

"They have a small tag that says 'WIC approved,' and you'll see it's typically the smaller cans,” said Michelle Compton, the child and family health program coordinator at the Peoria City/County Health Department. “If you are not a WIC participant and you find a larger can, purchasing that larger can frees up that smaller can for the WIC participant.”

But the ultimate way to eliminate the stress of the formula shortage is to breastfeed, which also has the added benefit of being very good for your child, said Compton.

“We strongly recommend considering this as an option,” she said. “If you are pregnant and considering breastfeeding, or if you're a breastfeeding parent who needs support, please reach out and know that we are here and happy to help you reach those goals so that you don't have to go through the stress of trying to find that formula.”

Leslie Renken can be reached at 309-370-5087 or lrenken@pjstar.com. Follow her on Facebook.com/leslie.renken.

This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Baby formula shortage causes Peoria officials to warn against hoarding