Rising infant formula prices in the UK are hitting families hard, with some resorting to risky feeding practices and experiencing mental health strains, prompting calls for market reforms and better support measures.
Infant formula prices in the UK have climbed faster than broader grocery inflation, intensifying pressure on families who cannot breastfeed or who need to combine feeding methods. The Conversation said food price inflation reached a record 19.1% in March 2023, but formula costs rose even more sharply, with average prices increasing by 22% between 2021 and 2023 and a further rise to £12.45 for an 800g tin between May 2025 and May 2026.
Research from the article’s authors, based on responses from 281 parents, suggests the effect goes well beyond the checkout. Many described anxiety, guilt and isolation, along with damage to relationships and mental health. Some mothers linked the strain of paying for formula, and what they saw as a lack of government action, to postnatal depression.
The financial trade-offs families described were stark. Parents said they cut back on their own food or heating, took on debt or returned from maternity leave early to make ends meet. Some admitted to risky feeding practices, including watering down formula or using milk left over from a previous feed, while others said they sought out opened tubs online in desperation. The article said some parents were so ashamed they hid their struggles from health professionals, friends and family.
The problem has also been framed as one of market structure and misleading consumer signals. Although formula products are tightly regulated and nutritionally similar, the article says the price gap between the cheapest and most expensive brands is about £11, while marketing encourages parents to believe pricier products are better. That concern echoes the Competition and Markets Authority, which said in February 2024 that formula prices had risen by 25% over two years and launched a market study into affordability and competition.
The CMA published its final report in February 2025 after an interim update in November 2024, adding to calls for intervention. The Conversation cited the authority’s work alongside the Food Foundation, which said in February 2024 that prices for standard first infant formula in 800g to 900g tins ranged from £8.99 to £14.00. The article argues that stronger breastfeeding support, clearer access to emergency help and possible price or profit limits, similar to measures used in Greece, are needed to protect families who have little room left in their budgets.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
