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In response to the many calls that our clinics have received from concerned parents about the baby formula shortage, UVA Children’s is preparing to send the following message to MyChart users with young children:

Dear UVA Health Patient,

This is a stressful time for families trying to find infant or pediatric formula for their babies. At UVA Children’s, we want to help keep your baby safe and recommend that you use the following resources to help answer your questions:

• Guidance from UVA Children’s experts 
• Formula Substitution Chart 
• How to Get Through the Baby Formula Shortage: Dos & Don'ts (uvahealth.com) – Healthy Balance Blog
• American Academy of Pediatrics: With the baby formula shortage, what should I do if I can't find any? 
• Virginia Department of Health: What To Do If You Can't Find Infant Formula
• Charts listing safe options to your baby’s usual formula: Temporary Formula Substitutions and Store Brand Formula.
• If starting to breastfeed again is an option for you, click here to learn more: Relactation: Starting Over with Breastfeeding

Safety Reminders

• NEVER water down infant formula to make it last longer. Babies need a specific balance of nutrients. Watering down formula upsets this balance and can cause harm.
• NEVER make homemade formula. Homemade formulas are not nutritionally complete and can cause harm.
• NEVER use raw (unpasteurized) milk. Raw milk is dangerous for babies because it contains bacteria that their bodies cannot handle yet.
• NEVER use plant-based milks, such as soy, oat, almond, coconut, or rice milks.
• NEVER use imported infant formula. Imported formulas are illegal in the U.S. because there is no way to guarantee that they were safely stored during transport.
• NEVER purchase unpasteurized donor breast milk from an unknown source. 

We hope you find this information useful in caring for your infant during this difficult situation. As always, talk with your baby’s doctor if you have any concerns about your child’s health and nutrition.

Sincerely,

Your UVA Children’s team