11/12/2025
Your infant can switch to any other formula including Enfamil (examples: yellow can, purple can), Similac (examples: blue can, sensitive), store brands like Target, Bobbie, Kendamil. All are very similar and all are safe. You do NOT need to do any gradual transition - switch right away. Anticipate some temporary tummy changes like p**p changes (more or less, color or consistency changes), more grassiness, more or less spitting up - that happens with any formula change, sometimes, and can take a few weeks to work through. Infant botulism is super rare ! If you have concerns give us a call.
An update to the baby formula recall: ALL ByHeart baby formula has been recalled nationwide after at least 15 babies got seriously ill with infant botulism. All affected babies were hospitalized, though thankfully none have died. The recall includes everything—all their powdered formula and single-serve pouches sold at Target, Walmart, Whole Foods, and online. If you have any ByHeart formula at home, throw it out immediately.
Infant botulism happens when babies swallow harmful bacteria spores that grow in their intestines and produce a dangerous toxin. It's not like regular food poisoning—the bacteria actually colonize the baby's gut and keep producing toxin over time. Babies under 12 months are uniquely vulnerable because their digestive systems haven't developed the good bacteria that protect older kids and adults from these spores.
The illness usually starts with constipation, then progresses to more serious symptoms: weak crying, poor feeding, droopy eyelids, loss of head control, difficulty swallowing, and trouble breathing. These symptoms can appear anywhere from a few days to a month after consuming contaminated formula. The progression can be gradual—what might seem like normal fussiness can develop into a medical emergency.
If your baby consumed ByHeart formula and shows ANY of these symptoms, go to the emergency room immediately. Tell doctors about the formula recall—there's a specific treatment called BabyBIG that can help, but babies need it quickly. If your infant consumed the recalled formula but seems fine, stay vigilant for at least a month and contact your pediatrician to discuss monitoring. Remember: this only affects babies who consumed ByHeart formula—if you use a different brand or breastfeed, this outbreak doesn't affect you.
Check the FDA outbreak link below for updates!
https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-infant-botulism-infant-formula-november-2025
https://apnews.com/article/byheart-baby-formula-infant-botulism-recall-e070565daaf1f425e3d37dca20277714
