Colorado Springs non-profit warns of premature and lactose-free baby formula shortage

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- A Colorado Springs non-profit is asking for help as it deals with a baby formula shortage for children with dietary restrictions and premature babies.

First Visitors Center, a non-profit inside Peak Vista, told KRDO it needs help restocking the shelves. It's specifically looking for Similac and Enfamil brands.

The First Visitor Center helps parents who have children younger than 5 years old by supplying them with essential resources, like food. Now, with demand going up, the stock is going down, making it harder and harder for parents to keep their kids on the proper diet. 

"I have a family who is waiting for a specific formula because they're struggling. Right now we don't have it, so I sent them to Catholic Charities and I hope they can help them because that happened last week," said Maria Pantoja Garcia, Family Support Coordinator with First Visitor Center. 

The First Visitor Center began asking for help with finding premature and lactose-free baby formula earlier in May. 

"It's really hard to find the baby formula, the next step is talking with the pediatric so they can send a different type of formula for the little ones," said Maria Pantoja Garcia, Family Support Coordinator with First Visitor Center.

Some Colorado Springs grocery stores are also struggling to keep lactose-free and premature baby formulas on the shelves.

As of Wednesday, May 31, the Walmart on 8th Street is limiting the number of containers parents can buy. 

Garcia explained the premature baby formula specifically for those children and the A.R. Instant Formula - a rice-based formula for lactose intolerant children - are hard to find. She said formulas for children with sensitive stomachs are missing from the shelves.

"We see families and not only do they struggle with finding baby formula but they struggle financially too because buying the baby formula is expensive and some families don't know what to do, so they start giving the little one different kinds of formula, whatever they find, and that's a health concern and it can become worse later on," said Garcia.

Non-profit organizers are asking anyone in the community to help them restock their supplies. For more information on how to donate you can visit their official website.