What is going on with the formula shortage?
Quick tips for those that are having a hard time finding their “normal” formula. This can be stressful for sure for many families. Hopefully these tips will help provide some resources to make it a little easier for you!
I live in phoenix, and Abbott is based about 30-45 minutes outside town and we are having a shortage at many of our stores. I can only imagine nationwide the shortage happening.
Taking a few minutes to try to understand what is going on, can help us have a better perspecitiv on how to help eachother.
We need to look at the Root problem - there’s a nation wide shortage of truck drivers. Without the drivers we can’t get the formula from the warehouse, to the grocery store warehouse and then to the store on the shelves. There’s a hang up in the delivery. With this being said, it’s affecting thousands of families and I talked with many of them this week. I put my top suggestions here, as I found myself repeating the same resource each time. If this is you, or you know someone who is short on formula - please share this!
This can be a scary time for a lot of families to be worried about the formula they “normally” get and it not being there. Use these few tips to try to help make it all go around a little further and make it easier on yourself!
A Few tips to try:
If you aren’t on a government assistance program, get a different size can. Pretty simple, for a short time just get the larger, or smaller can.
Get the generic brand or a different brand - For example - Similac Sensitive is very equivalent to Up&Up - Sensitivity and Enfamile - Sensitive all have the same general ingredients and nutritional levels and are appropriate to give baby.
Try liquid instead of powder - if you’re in a pinch, you can switch to liquid - it’s just prepared in a sterile environment to help with safety of a formula. If you need formula for the night or the next day or two this would be a good option to hold you over until you can locate your normal can.
4. Try using store apps. - Kroger (Fry’s), Walmart, Safeway, Target ect. all have apps, look at the app and see if it lets you do store pickup, if it does, there’s likely some in their inventory somewhere in the store. However, this isn’t always 100% accurate as someone could buy it or already have some in their cart. This can help give you an idea at least of where to start.
5. Try using the brand store locator.
Earths Best: https://www.earthsbest.com/about/find-store/
I know there are more formulas - but these seem to be the most commonly used you can go to your brands website and find a store locator on their as well.
6. Lastly - Be kind - everyone is expereincing this shortage - this is not the time to hoard. Buy what you need and try to leave some for the best family .
Stay safe and healthy!
