Consett parents watering down baby milk formula over high costs

A baby bank says parents are turning to “unsafe” practices such as watering down baby formula milk to save money.

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”.

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.”

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.

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.

The lower concentration can cause nutrient deficiency, coupled with the reduced ability of the baby’s body to absorb the nutrients, NCT said.

“In turn, this can lead to poor weight gain, growth problems, and developmental delays,” the spokesperson said.

“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.”

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.

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.

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.