Megan Sinden founded Moorside Baby Bank in Consett last year<\/p>\n
A baby bank says parents are turning to "unsafe" practices such as watering down baby formula milk to save money.<\/p>\n
Megan Sinden, founder of Moorside Baby Bank in Consett, County Durham, said a couple of families spoke of putting less powder in to get another week's worth out of it, "which to me is quite dangerous".<\/p>\n
She called for a cap on rising costs of formula, saying: "It's not a luxury item, it's a basic need for a baby."<\/p>\n
Charity National Childbirth Trust (NCT) said its recent study found nearly half of parents (48%) were struggling more financially after having a baby, and added infant formula should always be prepared according to the manufacturer's instructions.<\/p>\n
Infant formula is designed to provide the correct balance of nutrients for babies when mothers cannot or choose not to breastfeed, and adding extra water alters that balance.<\/p>\n
The lower concentration can cause nutrient deficiency, coupled with the reduced ability of the baby's body to absorb the nutrients, NCT said.<\/p>\n
"In turn, this can lead to poor weight gain, growth problems, and developmental delays," the spokesperson said.<\/p>\n
"In serious cases, too much water in the formula may lead to more immediate health problems because a baby's body is not able to safely process the excess water."<\/p>\n
The latest report, external by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) found the average retail price of some infant formula had increased by more than 25% in recent years.<\/p>\n
Moorside Baby Bank opened in February 2025 and has so far helped 226 families with goods like clothes, nappies and baby wipes, which were mainly donated by the community.<\/p>\n
Sinden, who is a community worker from nearby Stanley, said the bank struggled to get donations of baby milk "because it is so expensive" and instead relied on grants to buy the formula in.<\/p>\n
Moorside Baby Bank urged parents to seek support before reaching "crisis point"<\/p>\n
Sinden said some parents had told her they were making their own baby wipes with kitchen towels.<\/p>\n
She also said she had spoken to a mother who felt breastfeeding was her only option due to costs, despite having latching problems.<\/p>\n