In a development that will surprise absolutely no one with a functioning sense of empathy, a baby bank has revealed that some parents are resorting to 'unsafe' practices - like watering down baby formula - because the stuff now costs more than a small mortgage. Megan Sinden, founder of Moorside Baby Bank in Consett, County Durham, told the BBC she's heard from families who are stretching a week's worth of formula into two by using less powder. 'Which to me is quite dangerous,' she said, displaying the understated tone of someone who just heard a parent say they're diluting the nutritional equivalent of a multivitamin with H2O.
Sinden is calling for a cap on formula prices, noting that 'It's not a luxury item, it's a basic need for a baby.' Indeed, because nothing says 'luxury' like needing to feed an infant to keep them alive. The National Childbirth Trust (NCT) chimed in with a recent study showing nearly half of parents (48%) are struggling more financially after having a baby. Shocking. Who knew that tiny humans have such expensive tastes? The NCT also reminded everyone that formula should be prepared according to the manufacturer's instructions - because apparently, the instructions are not just a suggestion when it comes to not accidentally starving your child.
The consequences of over-diluting are no joke: the lower concentration can cause nutrient deficiency, poor weight gain, growth problems, and developmental delays. In serious cases, too much water can even lead to health issues because a baby's tiny body can't process excess water safely. So yes, watering down formula is a bit like playing Russian roulette with a baby's health, but when you're choosing between that and not eating, we can see why some parents might take the risk.
Meanwhile, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) reports that the average retail price of some infant formula has increased by more than 25% in recent years. That's right: the cost of feeding your baby has skyrocketed, and the CMA is just now getting around to investigating. Moorside Baby Bank, which opened in February 2025, has already helped 226 families with clothes, nappies, and baby wipes, largely donated by the community. But they struggle to get donations of baby milk 'because it is so expensive,' relying instead on grants to buy formula.
Sinden has heard from a mother who felt breastfeeding was her only option due to costs, despite having latching problems - because nothing says 'maternal bonding' like being forced into it by economic necessity. She's also heard of people feeling the need to steal baby milk. 'Obviously I don't condone stealing,' she said, 'but I really sympathise with any parent that finds themselves in a situation like that.' We'll take 'Things That Should Never Happen in a Civilized Society' for $500, Alex.
One 21-year-old mother-of-one, who has another baby on the way, said the baby bank 'really came in clutch.' (Yes, that's the actual quote.) She added, 'It's a struggle affording everything for baby and me, sometimes we have to ask for help even when we don't want to, but we will when it comes to our babies.' The friendly environment at the baby bank helps too: 'We don't feel lost and helpless and like we're failing when really we're just trying our best.'
Sinden encourages parents to seek support before reaching crisis point. 'I really want parents to know that they can come to us before they reach crisis point and to not feel embarrassed or ashamed to have a little helping hand,' she said. Because in an ideal world, asking for help shouldn't feel like admitting defeat - it should feel like what any reasonable person would do when the system is stacked against them.
The NCT offers advice for struggling parents: talk to your midwife, health visitor, GP, infant feeding team, local family hub, or trusted organisations like NCT. And, in a move that might raise a few eyebrows, they reassure parents that 'they will still meet all their baby's nutritional needs by buying the lowest price formula.' So there you have it: the solution to the formula crisis is to buy the cheap stuff, which is apparently fine, but also not what the CMA is looking into. We'll leave that there.
In other news, supermarket loyalty discounts on baby formula may soon be allowed, because obviously the only way to make essential items affordable is to make them conditional on a supermarket loyalty card. Because nothing says 'basic need' like 'must be a member of our loyalty program to not go broke feeding your child.'