The baby formula shortage is terrifying. While the government has taken steps to ease the burden on parents desperate to feed their infants, figuring out where to find formula is still a struggle for many. On Sunday, May 22, 2022, a shipment of 35 tons of baby formula arrived in Indianapolis from Germany—but the shipment was of special prescription formula for babies with an allergy to protein in cow’s milk. The shipment of formula wouldn’t be on store shelves, and instead distributed to high-need areas. Agriculture secretary Tom Vilsack told CNN, “It is a large shipment of very specific and specialized formula. Formula for moms and dads who have children who have allergies where the regular formula just simply will not work.” More shipments of other types of formula will arrive soon as part of Operation Fly Formula, but the shortages may last months overall. However, supplies will likely still be scarce for some time, and when you have a hungry baby, time is of the essence. Here’s where to find formula right now—though know that as of this writing, availability, prices and stock may have changed for the retailers below. In the meantime, three things not do: Please do not make your own formula (you can have the major safety and contamination issues that caused the shortage in the first place). Do not water down your formula, which can cause electrolyte imbalances in your baby. And please do not hoard formula: The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends having a two-week supply of formula at a time to prevent more shortages for other families who are also struggling.
Where to Find Formula
Ask your doctor or pediatrician for baby formula
Many hospitals and pediatricians have samples of formula from manufacturers. While they may not be able to share an entire stockpile of infant formula, they may be able to provide your family with some baby formula in a pinch. This is an especially wise move if your baby relies on special or prescription formulas. Your doctor may also be able to recommend similar formula types for your baby to tide you over until your usual brand is back in stock.
Call 211
United Way’s 211 line may be able to help connect you to infant formula resources where you live.
Contact Community Action to help find formula sources near you
The Department of Health and Human Services recommends reaching out to your local Community Action Partnership office to find sources for baby formula near you.
Reach out to manufacturer hotlines and resources
MyGerber Baby Expert has lactation consultants and nutrition experts who can guide you to a formula similar to the one you may normally use. You can contact Reckitt’s Customer Service line at 1-800-222-9123 (BABY-123). Your doctor can reach out to Abbott’s urgent product request line on your behalf to try getting your formula sooner.
Seek out formula-finding groups online
Find My Formula Facebook groups are on the rise in the wake of the baby formula shortage. Joining a local group can help you find infant formula that you need, but be sure not to buy formula from marketplace sellers, CraigsList, or the like—because there’s no guarantee you’ll actually get what you’re paying for safely.
Check FindMyBabyFormula
The site Find My Baby Formula helps you locate formula in-stock near you. “Honestly it’s as simple as the 1-2-3 on the site,” founder Ken told Parade.com. “You just give a phone number and a zip code. And we do all the checks for your zip code and send you an alert when it goes in stock. No fee. No ads. No credit cards.”
Try store-brand infant formula
If your baby doesn’t have allergies or sensitivities, ask your doctor if switching to a store-brand or generic formula may be an option for you.
Where to Buy Formula
If you’re looking to buy formula, these retailers have infant and baby formula, though stock availability obviously may vary by location.
Baby Formula at Albertson’s
Albertson’ssells baby formula for pickup and delivery.
Baby Formula at Aldi
ALDI offers several formula brands for sale in-store.
Baby Formula at Bed, Bath and Beyond
Bed, Bath and Beyondoffers select infant formula brands in-store and online.
Baby Formula at BJ’s Wholesale Club
BJ’s Wholesale Cluboffers several formula brands in-store and online.
Infant Formula at Buy Buy Baby
Buy Buy Babyhas several formula brands for sale online and in-store.
Baby Formula from ByHeart
ByHeartoffers several formula varieties with nationwide shipping.
Baby Formula at Costco
Costcohas formula available online and in-store.
Infant Formula at CVS
CVSoffers several brands and types of formula in-store and online.
Baby Formula at Duane Reade and Walgreens
Duane Readeand Walgreens each have several brands and varieties of formula in-store and online.
Infant Formula at Food Lion
Food Lionhas formula available for purchase in-store and online.
Baby Formula at Formuland
Formuland offers free shipping on orders over $100 of their European baby formula.
Infant Formula at Gopuff
Gopuff offers infant formula from several retailers if you need no-contact delivery (or just don’t want to venture out).
Baby Formula at H-E-B
H-E-Bhas several infant formula brands for sale through its Texas chain of stores.
Infant Formula at Hy-Vee
Hy-Vee offers numerous formula options in-store.
Infant Formula at IGA
IGAsupermarkets have some formula brands available online and in-store.
Infant Formula at Jarrow Formulas
Jarrow Formulasships nationwide.
Baby Formula at Jewel-Osco
Jewel-Oscohas formula options in-store and available for delivery and pickup.
Infant Formula at Kroger
Krogeroffers formula in-store and online.
Baby Formula at Meijer
Meijerhas several formula options available online and in-store.
Infant Formula at Office Max and Office Depot
Office Max and Office Depotmay have formula available in select locations.
Baby Formula at Piggly Wiggly
Piggly Wigglyoffers several brands of formula for purchase in-store.
Infant Formula at Price Rite
Price Rite offers several formula options in-store and has powder formula available for sale online.
Baby Formula at Publix
Publixoffers a “Formula Finder” online to find your preferred type.
Infant Formula at RiteAid
RiteAidoffers several infant formula options in-store, as well as online for shipping or in-store pickup.
Baby Formula at Safeway
Safewayoffers numerous infant formula options online and in-store.
Infant Formula at Sam’s Club
Sam’s Clubhas several baby formula selections for purchase.
Infant Formula at Save A Lot
Save A Lothas baby formula available in-store. You can also purchase it online through services like Instacart.
Baby Formula at ShopRite
ShopRiteoffers major formula brands in-store and online.
Infant Formula at Stop & Shop
Stop & Shopoffers several brands and options for infant formula online for shipping as well as in-store. There is a limit of four per customer due to shortages.
Infant Formula at Target
Targethas several brands of formula available for shipping, in-store shopping, in-store pickup and same-day delivery.
Baby Formula at Thrive Market
Thrive Marketoffers organic formula for sale.
Infant Formula at Vons
Vonsoffers select formula options for in-store purchases.
Baby Formula at Walmart
Walmartships formula nationally and has a wide variety available in-store as well.
Infant Formula at Wegmans
Wegmans has a variety of infant formula for sale in-store.
Baby Formula at Whole Foods
Infant Formula at Winn-Dixie
Winn-Dixiehas formula in-store, and you can purchase it online through services like UberEats and Instacart. Next up: What’s In Your Breast Milk?
