The rising cost of baby milk is causing hardship for many Blackpool families – with some even resorting to shoplifting so they can bottle-feed their babies. Blackpool South MP Chris Webb, who became a father himself for the first time earlier this year, has warned of a ‘price crisis’ due to the rising cost of bottle feeding.
He said: “I regularly read heartbreaking posts on local forums from parents begging for baby milk to tide them over until the next payday. They are in total despair.”
He added that a black market has emerged for infant milk and it is one of the most common products stolen through shoplifting. Over the past two years, the cheapest bottle formula has increased by 45%, with the average bottle now costing €14.50.
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Mr Webb has raised the issue in the House of Commons and is calling on the Government to consider the recommendations of a recent report from the Competition Markets Authority (CMA). This would see the CMA purchase infant formula itself and provide it to parents at a lower price, while putting downward pressure on other manufacturers’ prices.
He also says parents should be able to use food bank vouchers to buy baby milk, and is calling for the value of Healthy Start vouchers to be increased to £8.50. Blackpool Better Start, which supports families of children under five in the city’s most deprived areas, says it is vital that parents get as much support as possible ‘to feed their babies safely’.
A spokesperson for Better Start said: “At Better Start we are committed to promoting and protecting breastfeeding, but we know many parents also use milk replacer. That’s why we believe it’s crucial to support parents in feeding their babies safely, whatever method they choose.
“All formula made in Britain is to the same standards, so every brand will provide the same level of nutrition. However, the cost of this formula can vary dramatically, with the cost of even the cheapest brands being prohibitive for some families.
“We would welcome any action to ensure the phase one formula is made more affordable for people in Blackpool and across the UK.”
There are fears that the cost of baby milk could lead to malnutrition and digestive problems. Figures show that admissions to Blackpool Victoria Hospital for babies under one year old with gastrointestinal problems are almost triple the national average.
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