Across the country, families are being impacted by national infant formula shortages. In Maryland, the Department of Health has listed resources to help those affected.
If you are a Maryland WIC participant, it's suggested to contact your local WIC office for assistance locating products or making changes to your WIC food benefits.
If you are not a participant, you can visit the Maryland WIC website to learn how to apply, or call your local WIC office (or 1-800-242-4942) to find out if you are eligible for benefits.
Here's a list of general guidance tips when it comes to formula:
- Do not dilute infant formula. Adding extra water or other liquids to infant formula can be dangerous and life-threatening for babies, leading to serious nutritional deficits and health issues.
- Do not use homemade formulas. Formulas made at home often lack the critical nutrients that babies need.
- Use a different brand or type of formula if available. For most babies, it is OK to switch to any available formula. Call your child’s health provider if you have questions.
- If feeding a baby with human milk from a source other than the baby's mother, you should only use milk from a source that has screened its milk donors and taken other precautions to ensure the safety of the milk.
If your baby needs a special formula, your child’s health provider should be able to advise you on a comparable formula and if you are still unable to find a speciality formula, contact a manufacturer’s hotline:
- Gerber’s MyGerber Baby Expert
- Abbott’s Consumer Hotline: call 1-800-986-8540
- Abbott’s urgent product request line: Ask your OBGYN or your infant’s pediatrician to submit an urgent product request by downloading and completing the form - PDF
- Reckitt’s Customer Service line: call 1-800 BABY-123 (222-9123)
Breastfeeding resources
