Infant Formula

Infant Formula Communications Toolkit

Toolkit Contents

Print Materials
Audio
Videos
Social Media

Finding formula
Formula safety
Breastfeeding and building your milk supply
WIC options
Spanish

Print Materials

Information for Families Having Difficulty Finding Formula

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Building Your Milk Supply

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Download in English (PDF) | Spanish (PDF)

Powdered Formulas for
WIC Families

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Preview of Powdered Formula for WIC Families

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Visit MyFamily for additional information about temporary formula options.

Audio

For additional information, reporters are invited to email media inquiries to CDPH’s Office of Communications at CDPHpress@cdph.ca.gov.

What do WIC families need to know about the new formula options?

WIC is adding as many options as possible to help families purchase whatever formula they find in stores.

Download audio (MP3) | Transcript (PDF)

How is WIC working to help families deal with the recent shortage?

California WIC has been able to add more formula products to its Approved Product List, giving families more choices at the grocery store.

Download audio (MP3) | Transcript (PDF)

How will families know about these changes?

WIC families will be able to find the list of newly approved formulas on the WIC family website MyFamily.wic.ca.gov.

Download audio (MP3) | Transcript (PDF)

Do you have any numbers regarding how many families rely on WIC?

About half of babies born in California each year are enrolled in the WIC program.

Download audio (MP3) | Transcript (PDF)

Videos

Dr. Devika Bhushan, California's Acting Surgeon General, has released a public service announcement (PSA) on the formula shortage. Square and widescreen versions of the PSA are available now.

Share the following images and messages on social media. Click on each image to enlarge, then right click and "save as."

English

Finding infant formula

Post #1

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Suggested Messaging:

CDPH and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) have partnered to share tips to keep babies safe during the infant formula shortage.

For more information, visit: cdph.ca.gov/formula

MyFamily.WIC.ca.gov

#InfantFormulaCA #InfantFormula #CaliforniaWIC #FormulaFeeding

Share this post in additional languages:

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Messaging in additional languages (PDF)

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Suggested messaging:

If you cannot find formula at the store these resources may be able to help: cdph.ca.gov/formula

#CaliforniaWIC #WIC #InfantFormula #FormulaShortage #InfantFormulaCA

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How can I find the formula at the store?

Call the store directly and ask if the formula you need is available or when they will get some.

Families on WIC should use formula benefits early. You may have to make more trips to the store and the store may limit the number of cans bought at one time.

Ask WIC or a health care provider for guidance on other formulas you could use.

For more information on resources to find baby formula, go to: cdph.ca.gov/formula

#CaliforniaWIC #WIC #InfantFormula #FormulaShortage #InfantFormulaCA

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If you can, try breastfeeding a little longer to build your milk supply and rely less of formula

Ask a health care provider if your baby is ready to try solid foods

Call your health care provider to discuss your baby's individual needs

Suggested Messaging:

As parents and caregivers across the nation struggle to find formula, your baby’s health depends on using products that meet federal standards and are prepared according to directions on the infant formula label.

During this stressful time, CDPH and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) share tips to keep your baby safe.

For more information, visit: cdph.ca.gov/formula

#InfantFormulaCA #InfantFormula #CaliforniaWIC #FormulaFeeding

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Unable to find specialty or premature formulas?

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Families unable to find specialty and premature formulas should contact their health care provider.

For more information on how to find infant formula, visit: cdph.ca.gov/formula

#InfantFormulaCA #InfantFormula #CaliforniaWIC #FormulaFeeding

Infant formula safety

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Is homemade baby formula safe? No. Homemade baby formula can be dangerous for your baby's health.

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Babies need the right balance of nutrients — not too much or too little of anything — to grow and be healthy. It is important for your baby's health to stick with products that meet federal standards that ensure formula is safe and free of harmful bacteria.

Although recipes for homemade baby formulas on the internet may seem like an answer to the formula shortage, they can be dangerous for your baby’s health. Pediatricians advise that homemade formula may not be safe or meet your baby's nutritional needs.

For more information on resources to find baby formula, go to: cdph.ca.gov/formula

#CaliforniaWIC #WIC #InfantFormula #FormulaShortage #InfantFormulaCA

Post #2

Do call your provider to see if they have in-office formula samples. Use safe alternative brands. Consult manufacturer hotlines and the California WIC program (if elible for WIC). Don't make homemade formula. Don't feed your baby cow's milk unless instructed by a doctor. Don't dilute your formula.

Suggested Messaging:

Check out our baby formula safety DOs and DON’Ts. Parents and caregivers should stick with products that meet federal standards to ensure that the formula is safe, free of harmful bacteria and meets your infant’s nutritional needs. Contact your pediatrician or health care provider with any questions about and safe feeding alternatives or to see if they have in-office samples.

For more resources about formula, parents and caregivers can visit the CDPH Infant Formula webpage: cdph.ca.gov/formula

#CaliforniaWIC #WIC #InfantFormula #FormulaShortage #InfantFormulaCA

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Homemade formula can cause infections and may not give your baby the rigvht mix of nutrients

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The infant formula shortage might impact you or someone you love.

While it might be tempting to make formula at home, this is not recommended by pediatricians. Homemade formula may not be safe or meet your baby's nutritional needs.

For more resources visit: cdph.ca.gov/formula

#CaliforniaWIC #WIC #InfantFormula #FormulaShortage #InfantFormulaCA

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Use the instructions on the infant formula can

Why? When babies drive too much water, it's hard on their tiney kidneys to process the extra water.

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Formula and human milk are both designed to give babies the right balance of nutrients. If you are providing formula to your baby, it's important to prepare it according to the directions on the label.

Make sure to check the "use by" date. This date guarantees the nutrient content and quality of the formula. After this date, a package or container of infant formula should not be fed to infants and thrown away.

For more resources visit: cdph.ca.gov/formula

#CaliforniaWIC #WIC #InfantFormula #FormulaShortage #InfantFormulaCA

Provider support

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Here are 3 questions to ask your provider

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Getting ready to deliver a baby and worried about the infant formula shortage? If you want to provide breastmilk to your baby, talk to your health care provider about ways to get lactation support after delivery.

For more resources visit: cdph.ca.gov/formula

#CaliforniaWIC #WIC #InfantFormula #FormulaShortage #InfantFormulaCA

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What kind of lactation support do you provide to new parents?

Does my insurance pay for lactation support?

Suggested Messaging:

Getting ready to deliver a baby and worried about the infant formula shortage? If you want to provide breastmilk to your baby, talk to your health care provider about ways to get lactation support after delivery.

For more resources visit: cdph.ca.gov/formula

#CaliforniaWIC #WIC #InfantFormula #FormulaShortage #InfantFormulaCA

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Is the infant formula shortage impacting someone you love?

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If you know a parent or caregiver struggling during the infant formula crisis, lend a helping hand.

Friends and family can be a tremendous support during this difficult time. Here are three ways you can help.

For more resources on infant formula, visit: cdph.ca.gov/formula

#CaliforniaWIC #WIC #InfantFormula #FormulaShortage #InfantFormulaCA

Breastfeeding and building your milk supply

Post #1

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If you are partially breastfeeding (both breastfeeding and using formula) and getting low on infant formula, producing more milk can help. This involves breastfeeding more often, so your body starts to produce more milk.

WIC recognizes that breastfeeding is not easy, but we're here to provide support, information, and experts to eligible families interested in increasing milk supply.

Talk to your local WIC breastfeeding staff to learn more and get more information at: cdph.ca.gov/formula

#CaliforniaWIC #WIC #InfantFormula #FormulaShortage #InfantFormulaCA

Post #2

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Are you interested in keeping up or increasing your breastmilk supply? The more often you breastfeed, chestfeed, or pump, the more milk you will make. Here are tips to increase your milk supply

For more milk supply tips and information, visit: cdph.ca.gov/formula

#CaliforniaWIC #WIC #InfantFormula #FormulaShortage #InfantFormulaCA

Post #3 - Carousel option (four photos)

Suggested Messaging:

Are you interested in keeping up or increasing your breastmilk supply? The more often you breastfeed, chestfeed, or pump, the more milk you will make. Here are tips to increase your milk supply

For more milk supply tips and information, visit: cdph.ca.gov/formula

#CaliforniaWIC #WIC #InfantFormula #FormulaShortage #InfantFormulaCA

Post #4

Suggested Messaging:

Are you a new or expecting parent needing a breast pump? Call your health insurance provider – they can connect you with eligible breast pump options so you can maintain your milk supply or make more milk.

For more information, visit: bit.ly/OASH-breastpump

#CaliforniaWIC #WIC #InfantFormula #FormulaShortage #InfantFormulaCA

WIC options

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Now formula options available to California WIC familes

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As of May 24, 2022, WIC has temporarily added more container sizes and types of powdered formula to help you find formula for your baby at the store without updating your California WIC Card.

Please check with your local WIC office, the California WIC App, or online at MyFamily.WIC.ca.gov for the latest updates.

#CaliforniaWIC #WIC #InfantFormula #FormulaShortage #InfantFormulaCA

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Even more formula for California WIC families!

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#CaliforniaWIC now has over 100 different baby formula options to purchase with the California WIC Card! WIC has added as many options as possible to increase the chance families can find formula in stores.

🍼 Find the latest approved formulas: Check with your local WIC office, the California WIC App, or online at MyFamily.WIC.ca.gov for the latest updates to the WIC-approved formulas list.

🍼 Shop at WICapproved stores. Find WIC grocers at MyFamily.WIC.ca.gov.

#CaliforniaWIC #WIC #InfantFormula #FormulaShortage #InfantFormulaCA

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You might be eligible for WIC!

Are you receiving Medi-Cal, CalFresh, or CalWORKs? Then you may be automatically income-eligible for WIC!

Check with your local WIC office for more information.

For more resources, visit MyFamily.WIC.ca.gov

#CaliforniaWIC #WIC #InfantFormula #FormulaShortage #InfantFormulaCA

Post #4

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If you need infant formula, WIC may be able to help.

You can contact your local WIC office for more information.

Visit MyFamily.WIC.ca.gov to find out if you are eligible or to find your local WIC office.

#CaliforniaWIC #WIC #InfantFormula #FormulaShortage #InfantFormulaCA