Is Buying Baby Formula Online Safe?

Is buying baby formula online safe? This is one of the most frequently asked questions I see, and rightfully so. Parents are rightfully concerned that unscrupulous people might tamper with the baby formula they sell online, and obviously many do not want to take that gamble when it comes to the health and safety of their precious infant. However, are these concerns really valid? Is buying baby formula online safe, or do parents have the right to be concerned?

The first thing any parent who is interested in buying baby formula online needs to do is some research. While there are many reputable companies out there that sell baby formula online, there are also may be people out there trying to scam you. When in doubt, check it out! Stick to finding the companies that are well-known and “big name” (Amazon.com, Walmart, Diapers.com, etc.) or buy formula direct from the manufacturers themselves (Similac, Enfamil, etc.) Buying from these companies are undoubtedly safer than buying from a smaller “start-up” company or a random seller on Ebay.

Another thing to consider is how the formula will be shipped. If someone selects a “big name” website to order from (like Amazon, Walmart, etc.), they can be reasonably sure that the package will arrive when it is supposed to and that the formula will be well-packaged and not damaged in any way. (Or, if there was a freak incident where there WAS a problem with shipping, they could rest assured that the big company would make amends for it to protect their reputation.) However, if one insists on purchasing formula online from a smaller website or online merchant, make sure to pay close attention to the shipping method. Shipping should be done in a reasonable time period and the merchant should mention how they take measures to ensure that the formula is not damaged or punctured at all during shipping.

Finally, the most important thing to do when buying baby formula online (or anyplace else!) is to make sure to thoroughly physically examine the formula once you receive it. Check the expiration date to make sure the company sent you fresh formula, make sure there are absolutely no holes or punctures anywhere, and that the formula is factory sealed.

If all of the above things are taken into consideration (the reputation of the company, the method of shipping, and the physical appearance of the formula itself), buying formula online is perfectly safe. However, just like all other things, parents need to do their due diligence and learn all the facts and decide for themselves if buying baby formula online is right for them.