We have all seen an increase in the cost of our food shop over the last few years. In March 2023, food price inflation in the UK hit a record peak of 19.1%. But price rises for infant formula milk have been steeper still.

Infant formula, which was already expensive, rose by an average of 22% between 2021 and 2023, and several brands have increased prices since. From May 2025 to May 2026, the average price of an 800g tin of formula increased by 46p to £12.45.

And although it’s possible to forego some of the more expensive items in our shopping baskets to save money, this isn’t possible for infant formula. It’s an essential product for babies who are not breastfed. This is placing significant financial pressure on families.

Our new research explored the experiences of 281 parents who were struggling to afford infant formula for their baby. Almost all described that this was having a detrimental impact upon their mental and physical health, relationships and emotional wellbeing. They felt anxious, guilty and very alone. Some mothers linked high costs and a lack of action from the government to change the situation to causing postnatal depression.

Lots of mothers in our research had wanted to breastfeed but had been unable to get the support they needed to do so. This left them feeling that they had been let down twice when they then struggled to afford the formula their baby needed. Others had tried to carry on breastfeeding through considerable pain to avoid having to pay for infant formula. One mother said:

I cry all the time........

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