This Southington Mom Wants To Feed More Than Just Her Baby

SOUTHINGTON, CT — A nationwide baby formula shortage has parents scrambling to deal with a nightmarish scenario — trying to figure out how to feed your infant child.

But there is some help in Connecticut, courtesy of a Facebook group formed in January by Southington resident Rachel Wrightington, a 30-year-old mother of a 6-month-old infant.

Her page is becoming especially prominent these days as pandemic-related supply chain issues have created a shortage of baby formula.

Called "Find My Formula CT," the fast-growing Facebook group has become a one-stop source of information on how to find baby formula and tips to deal with the shortage.

The message on the group's Facebook page is simple: "This group was created to share where you have found formula, what kind and tips on finding it in store and online. Sell, share and give. If you are going to sell, please be considerate of your pricing."

Not so simple are the reasons behind the shortage.

In February, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recalled several brands of baby formula produced at a company called Abbott Nutrition, which operated a formula plant in Sturgis, Michigan.

Reportedly, multiple infants nationwide were afflicted with what is called a "Cronobacter Infection," an illness that, according to the FDA, leads to poor feeding, irritability, temperature changes, jaundice, grunting breaths or abnormal body movements. The FDA urged parents with infants showing those symptoms to call their pediatrician.

While several varieties of formula came off the shelves due to the recall, the supply chain manufacturing problems in the pandemic era are further cutting into supplies. Consumers can add baby formula to a growing list of on-again, off-again runs on products that have also ranged from meat products to toilet paper.

The listed administrator of "Find My Formula CT," Wrightington has been tending to the page since late January — weeks before the baby formula shortage started making national headlines.

"It has definitely been quite the struggle finding formula. Before the recall it seemed as though the shelves were already bare. But once the recall happened it got worse," Wrightington told Patch Wednesday afternoon.

She said she has spent time doing media interviews about the issue and hopes to simply help others help their infants.

"The more we can help each other, the more we can help our babies," Wrightington said.

The Facebook page offers tips for parents if they see empty shelves where they usually purchase baby formula.

"One tip I recently saw is ask the store if they have formula. A lot of aisles seem empty but they keep it behind the service desk," Wrightington wrote in "Find My Formula CT." "Which makes sense because then it cannot be stolen as easily."

The sight also provides parents with advice on how to avoid scams that prey on desperate parents simply looking to feed their babies, and lists the towns that have formula and the ones that are especially low on supplies.

As of this morning, the group has close to 600 members, a number that stands to grow as the shortage continues and word gets out that there is help out there for parents.

To link up to the "Find My Formula CT" Facebook page, visit this site.

To link up to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's information on the baby formula recall, visit.