NCDHHS Helps Families on WIC During Baby Formula Shortage 

Thanks to efforts by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services to support families during the ongoing infant formula shortage, families participating in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) can now purchase more sizes and types of Gerber formula.

WIC consumers in North Carolina are provided with standard types of infant formula under a deal with Gerber, and the volumes and varieties of formula available for purchase were previously more limited for WIC participants.

The North Carolina WIC Program started issuing benefits for larger sizes of Gerber formula and two additional Gerber formula varieties earlier this week (Gerber Good Start Gentle Supreme and NAN 1 Pro Infant Powder). WIC serves more than half of all newborns in the United States, and these improvements will make it easier for WIC recipients in North Carolina to purchase Gerber formulas that are accessible in shops during the shortage. In the following weeks, additional alternatives for WIC-eligible families are expected.

*Information Below from NCDHHS:

For families struggling to find the formula they need, NCDHHS has four important reminders:

Remember that most families most have multiple safe options for their infants even if their usual formula is not in stock. If you can’t find formula or can’t find your baby’s typical formula, work with your child’s health care provider to determine the best feeding plan.
Do NOT water down your baby’s formula to stretch it out, it can be extremely dangerous to your baby to do so.
Do NOT try to make homemade formula or give your baby toddler formula before their first birthday, these can also be very dangerous to your baby.
Do NOT buy formula from online auctions, unknown individuals, or unknown origins. Storage and shipping conditions may impact formula safety.
Other actions NCDHHS is taking to support families:

Monitoring the formula supply across the state and keeping our partner organizations updated.
Using available USDA waivers to help retailers continue to serve WIC-enrolled families during the shortage and help families return or exchange formulas included in the recall.
Working with the federal government to waive additional rules for the WIC program to make it easier for WIC participants to access available formula.
Providing guidance to local WIC agencies and health care providers to make it easier for health care providers to give WIC-enrolled families several options of formula types and sizes on a single prescription to meet their children’s specialized formula needs.
Sharing additional breastfeeding resources for those considering breastfeeding or using any breast milk as part of infant feeding plans.
The WIC program serves to safeguard the health of low-income pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding women, infants and children up to age 5 who are at nutritional risk by providing nutritious foods to supplement diets, information on healthy eating, including breastfeeding resources and support, and referrals to health care.
 
NCDHHS will continue to update and share information, resources and recommendations with families, health care providers and community organizations at www.ncdhhs.gov/formula.

Wnctimes by Marjorie Farrington