Parents facing struggle to afford baby formula

NEW REPORT REVEALS MUMS AND DADS ARE STEALING MILK FOR LITTLE ONES

- ADAM MAIDMENT

PARENTS are stealing baby formula and groceries from supermarkets in order to support their families during the cost of living crisis, a shocking new report has found.

Some families are even turning to 'black markets' or watered-down formulas to ensure their babies are being fed with campaigners warning the country is 'on the brink of a public health crisis! A report from Sky News found that parents were working out how to 'avoid security measures' in their local shops to reduce the chances of being caught stealing formula. They said that while they were 'embarrassed' about having to take such drastic measures, one family said they were 'unapologetic! "The price of the milk is criminal,” one dad remarked to the news channel. "Where's the line? If you're talking about getting food for your baby, surely that's not on the wrong side of the line?" The M.E.N reported last year that some supermarkets in Manchester were locking up baby milk in security boxes as staff said the products were a 'prime' target for thieves.

The cost of buying the cheapest brand of formula milk has risen by 45 per cent in the last two years, according to First Steps Nutrition. Other noticeable brands have also seen price rises between 17pc and 31pc during the same period.

The cost increases have led some families to feed their babies with formula that is either watered down or mixed with cow's milk or condensed milk.