Charities have warned that babies from vulnerable families are at risk of malnutrition with the rising cost of infant formula leading to unsafe feeding practices.
The cost of formula has risen over the past year, with the price of the cheapest brand rising by 22%, according to analysis by the British Pregnancy Advice Service (BPAS).
Healthy Start vouchers currently give women in England, Wales and Northern Ireland who are pregnant or have young children £8.50 a week to buy nutritious food.
But rising prices mean vouchers are no longer enough to pay for the amount of infant formula needed to safely feed a baby for the first six months of its life, BPAS said.
The charities are calling on the government to increase the value of the Healthy Start grant from £8.50 to £10 a week for babies “to more realistically support families with babies who rely on formula”.
BPAS Chief Executive Clare Murphy said: “We know that families experiencing food poverty are turning to unsafe feeding methods, such as extending the time between meals and diluting formula.
“The government cannot stand by while babies are at risk of malnutrition and serious illness due to the cost of living crisis and the rising price of infant formula.
“The government must increase the value of Healthy Start vouchers to protect the health of the youngest and most vulnerable members of our society.”
The largest food bank networks currently have policies in place that prevent their food banks from redistributing formula donations.
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And UNICEF guidelines, which have been backed by the UK government, leave food banks reluctant to hand out formula.
UNICEF said that “while on the surface” food banks “seem like a practical solution”, handing out formula “can be a risky practice that can inadvertently cause harm”.
Michelle Herd, co-founder of North East Scotland-based baby bank AberNecessities, said: “We have seen a huge increase in referrals for parents struggling to feed their children due to rising prices of formula milk.
“We need to make sure infant formula is available to families who need it, whether through food banks or babies.
“Furthermore, the government must investigate rising costs, especially for vital products such as infant formula.
“Our fear is that without access to this basic element, we will see babies in the hospital, malnourished.”
Mumsnet founder and chief executive Justine Roberts said: “The Government must act urgently to ensure no parent struggles to feed their baby this winter.”