South Dakota Department of Health advises parents on formula shortage, recalls

Amid a nationwide shortage of baby formula, getting the right information about alternatives is just as important as getting your hands on the food itself.

On Friday, the South Dakota Department of Health advised parents what to do and what not to do when formula is scarce.

More: National baby formula shortage hitting hard in South Dakota: 'Most days it's a loss'

First, parents can call the HelpLine Center at 211 to find local food distribution sites that might have formula to spare.

Parents should also consider using a different formula brand, including store brand, per the health department. However, it warns against making homemade infant formula or watering-down formula, which could cause serious health and safety concerns.

Infants should not be fed baby cow's milk, goat's milk or other non-dairy milk unless approved by a pediatrician.

For babies on a specialized formula for medical needs, the health department advises continuing to feed them what's been prescribed. At 6 months old or when showing signs of readiness, parents can talk to their pediatrician about introducing complementary foods like infant cereal and mashed fruit.

Parents who are breastfeeding and wish to increase their supply should contact their local Community Health Office and work with an expert.

The Department of Health also advises parents shopping online to make sure the seller is a safe, legitimate source and a verified seller of formula. The state warns against buying food that comes from outside the U.S., which could be counterfeit or part of a potential scam.

Parents should only purchase the amount of formula they need and not stockpile it. Stockpiling will reduce access for other parents and make it harder for manufacturers and retailers to restock shelves.

Abbott Laboratories has issued a recall of the following powdered formulas manufactured in Sturgis, Mich.: Similac Advance, Similac Total Comfort, Similac for Spit-Up, Similac Sensitive, Similac Alimentum, Similac EleCare and Similac PM 60/40.

The recall was after consumer complaints about infection among infants who were reported to have consumed powdered infant formula products from Abbott Nutrition, according to information from the state.

More information about the recall, temporary alternative formula options and ways to ensure infants are fed safely can be found on the South Dakota WIC website.

Dominik Dausch is the agriculture and environment reporter for the Argus Leader and editor of Farm Forum. Follow him on Twitter and Facebook @DomDNP. Feel free to talk all things ag or send a news tips to ddausch@gannett.com.