THOMASVILLE — The Georgia Department of Public Health is urging parents to contact their pediatrician about appropriate nutritional and safe feeding alternatives in the wake of a national baby formula shortage. 

“Georgia WIC is working with WIC agencies statewide, local grocers and retailers, and formula manufacturers to help locate formula for clients, especially those in need of specialized formula,” DPH officials said. 

The American Academy of Pediatrics advised against watering down baby formula, which can cause dangerous nutritional imbalances that “may lead to serious health problems.” 

Home recipes for baby formula are also advised against, with AAP warning that they are not safe and they do not meet the nutritional needs of babies. The AAP also cautioned parents against social media advertisements and suggested looking at a company’s reputation through the Better Business Bureau at www.bbb.org. 

The AAP recommended that, for the duration of the shortage, parents should not purchase more than 10-day to two-week supplies of formula. 

The state DPH offered additional AAP guidance and tips at healthychildren.org. 

For WIC clients who need help in finding the formula or have other questions, they are urged to contact their local WIC office or call 1-800-228-9173. 

Additionally, the DPH said it will “continue to monitor all information coming from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and formula manufacturers regarding the shortage and work to ensure Georgia babies have access to food and nutrition they need to grow healthy and strong.”

 

Payton Fletcher can be reached at 229-226-2400, ext. 1826