SANTA FE – New Mexico state agencies are collaborating to provide parents and caregivers of infants statewide easy access to information necessary to
find infant formula supplies and during the ongoing national formula supply shortage.
A new webpage, NMformula.org, has been created to connect families to
community resources for the public and families eligible for the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program. The resource page provides New Mexicans for information, in addition to the crowdsourcing Facebook page, NM Infant Formula Support Network created last week by the Early Childhood Education and Care Department
(ECECD).
“This website provides medically reliable information for families with questions about how to ensure their children receive proper nutrition,” said acting Department of Health Secretary, David R. Scrase, M.D. “We are
committed to assist families in New Mexico during this national formula shortage until it is resolved and want to remind anyone caring for an infant to understand the necessity of assuring formula is used in ways that are both accurate and safe for the child.”
The New Mexico WIC program continues to provide individualized guidance for
WIC-eligible families to obtain infant formula.
“We understand the importance of adequate nutrition that supports the healthy development of babies and the frustration and anxiety being
experienced by moms and families around the country. This new web resource
makes it easier for parents and caregivers to find information on how to increase their supply of infant formula safely and responsibly,” said Dr.
Janis Gonzales, ECECD’s Chief Health Officer. “For instance, diluting formula with extra water is not recommended and can be dangerous. If you
are having difficulty accessing your child’s regular formula, please check with your child’s healthcare provider or your local WIC office to find out what comparable formula can be used.”
New Mexicans can also help others who are in need by donating through Human
Milk Repository of New Mexico.
At the federal level, President Biden directed the Department of Health and Human
Services and the U.S. Department of Agriculture to use the Department of
Defense commercial aircrafts to pick up infant formula from overseas - bypassing regular air freighting routes in an effort to speed up distribution. This effort provides immediate support as manufacturers
continue to ramp up production.
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*NMDOH*
*Lealia Nelson,** Internal Communications Coordinator* |
*LealiaA.Nelson@state.nm.us* <LealiaA.Nelson@state.nm.us>
New Mexico Department of Health | 1190 S St Francis Dr, Santa Fe, NM 87505
Original source can be found here.
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