Maternal & Child Health (MCH)

Infant and Toddler Formula Shortage (Escasez de fórmula para bebés): 

The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) is working closely with local, state, and federal partners to monitor the current infant and toddler formula shortage. 

Do not use recalled powdered infant and toddler formula products. For more information on recalled formulas and to find out whether you have any of those products, visit Powdered Infant Formula Recall: What to Know | FDA.

The Texas WIC program has added additional formula options for program participants. To learn more, please visit their website at Special WIC Food Updates | Texas WIC. Additional details for health care providers can be found here: Health Partners | Texas WIC.

Find more information about the infant formula shortage and answers to many frequently asked questions at the following websites:

Here are some additional tips on how to manage the infant formula shortage safely:

  • Never dilute formula: Read and follow the instructions on the infant formula container. Use the amount of water listed on the instructions. Diluting infant formula with extra water or other liquids can be dangerous and even life-threatening for babies, leading to serious nutritional deficits and health issues.
  • Avoid homemade formula: Homemade formulas often lack or have inadequate amounts of critical nutrients and may lead to hospitalization
  • Use of substitute commercially produced infant formulas is OK: For most babies, if their regular brand of infant formula is not currently available, it is OK to substitute with a similar commercially produced version. If you have questions about which formula is acceptable, or are still having difficulty finding infant formula, contact your baby’s doctor or WIC clinic.
  • Talk to your doctor: Consult your pediatrician if your child requires a specialized formula and you need a recommendation for a comparable formula to use. Providers can submit an urgent request for specialized formula to Abbott Nutrition, a primary formula manufacturer.  

Learn more about infant and toddler nutrition:

Texans can dial 2-1-1 (option 6) for information on COVID-19 and local community resources on health care, utilities, food, housing and more. Visit the DSHS coronavirus webpage for resources including COVID-19 vaccine information.

The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) aims to improve the health of:

  • Women of childbearing age;
  • Adolescents;
  • Children;
  • Infants; and
  • Children with special health care needs. 

Our staff supports the development of family-centered, community-based, coordinated care systems.

Hear Her Concerns.

National Women's Health Week starts on Mother's Day each year to encourage women to make their health a priority. Take steps to live a safer and healthier life! This year, the focus is on reducing disparities to address the factors contributing to African American pregnancy-related deaths.

Now Available For Providers: Order COVID-19 Vaccines and Pregnancy Poster Through DSHS

Get a free English or Spanish poster! The posters encourage pregnant people, people who are breastfeeding and people trying to get pregnant now or in the future, to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

Providers can order the 17 X 24 posters from the Health and Human Services/DSHS Warehouse. Put these posters in hospitals, clinics, or other places where families visit.

Or download and print the color and black and white 8.5 X 11 posters from the links below.

Social Media Content to Promote Awareness About COVID-19 Vaccines

Visit the DSHS Basecamp website for social media content about pregnancy and COVID-19 vaccines. 

Please tag @TexasDSHS when sharing the graphics or videos on social media. We recommend using the "Pregnancy", "Fertility", and "COVID-19 Vaccines" as a group rather than individual graphics.

COVID-19 vaccines are safe and help to protect mothers and babies. COVID-19 vaccines are not linked to miscarriages, stillbirths, or preterm births.

We need your help to encourage this population to get vaccinated. Together we can help protect Texas mothers, mothers-to-be and babies against COVID-19. 

More COVID-19 vaccine information is available on the DSHS coronavirus webpage. 

Mother holding a newborn baby and looking down towards the baby and smiling. Maternal Health Young baby smiling and laughing. Infant Health Father holding young toddler boy and kissing the toddler on the cheek. Child Health Adolescent teens laughing, talking, and walking together down a street sidewalk. Adolescent Health Elderly man and teenage boy with special needs looking towards each other and laughing. Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs Room full of adults in a work office setting sitting around a large table having a discusssion. Maternal Mortality and Morbidity

DSHS produces several publications, some mandated by the Texas Legislature. Topics include:

  • A parent’s guide to raising healthy, happy children;
  • Parenting and information for parents of newborns;
  • Safe sleep for babies; and
  • Umbilical cord blood banking.

Publications

You can find a description of each publication and a link to order them on the DSHS webpage.

Contact us about Texas Maternal and Child Health, maternal health, infant health, child health, adolescent health, or children with special health care needs at:  

Texas Department of State Health Services
Maternal & Child Health
PO Box 149347, Mail Code 1922
Austin, TX 78714-9347
(512) 776-7373: Phone
(512) 458-7658: Fax
TitleV@dshs.texas.gov

External links  are informational and do not have the endorsement of the Texas Department of State Health Services. These external links may not be accessible to persons with disabilities. 

Last updated July 12, 2022