Forest Team Midwives

04/12/2025

**Formula milk prices are not being cut**

The issue of formula prices is all over the media today but numerous social and news media posts have misinterpreted the actual statement and guidance from the Department of Health and Social Care.

There is going to be clearer information and guidance on choosing an infant formula, explaining that more expensive brands do not offer better ingredients or outcomes.

If a family switches to a cheaper brand this means they could save £500 a year. This is already possible. This isn’t a change to pricing. It’s great that there will be clearer information but the government isn’t directly reducing prices or saving families money.

Families can switch right now if they’re not already using a less expensive brand. However lots of families who are struggling to buy formula are already buying the lowest priced milks available. This won’t therefore save them any money at all.

It will be possible to spend accumulated loyalty points, gift cards and generic vouchers on formula now. This will be useful for parents in an emergency IF they shop at places that have loyalty schemes and have spent enough to accumulate enough points to buy formula. In our research we found parents on the lowest incomes often shop at places that don’t have these options and they therefore won’t benefit .

This is not the same as allowing offers and discounts on first stage infant formula. There has not been any definitive statement saying that will change. In fact the statement includes reference to marketing being tightened.

There are numerous posts implying that the government is directly going to save families money. They are not and we need them to go further and reduce the price of formula, bringing in more emergency access pathways for when families can’t afford it at all and ensure everyone has enough money for a decent standard of living in the first place.

I’m really disappointed they haven’t taken enough action to support families and are implying they are directly going to help so many. I’m also worried about families reading the posts saying they will save £500 and then being rightfully so angry and anxious when they realise this isn’t true.

03/12/2025

01/12/2025

Studies show that babies who sleep near a parent receive roughly 13,000 more hours of touch by the time they turn three. This close contact is often misunderstood as creating “bad habits,” but research proves it plays a crucial role in developing a healthy stress response.

Touch and physical closeness regulate the nervous system. Infants who experience consistent, gentle contact are better able to manage stress, feel secure, and develop emotional resilience. Their brains learn that the world is safe, and this foundation supports learning, social growth, and confidence as they age.

Co-sleeping or keeping your baby nearby does not spoil them. It strengthens bonding, encourages healthy attachment, and teaches the brain how to self-regulate under safe conditions. Small gestures like holding, rocking, and cuddling have long-lasting effects on brain chemistry, cortisol levels, and overall emotional development.

Parents can feel confident that closeness builds the brain and promotes lifelong emotional health. The more babies feel safety and connection early on, the stronger their ability to handle challenges later in life.

26/11/2025

Repost of these positioning tips.
*don't actually tug the baby! Just move them gently...

17/11/2025

Are you interested in Homebirth?

Do you have questions about it?

Come along to this session at The Princess Alexandra Hospital to ask the Homebirth Lead midwife any questions and find out more!

7th December 3-5pm
Tulip room on the Birth Centre at PAH

Get in touch with Stephanie Wright on 07733360134 to book in or for more information.

17/11/2025

Today come along 🙂 no booking required 🙂

11/11/2025

Please do NOT birth on your back.

11/11/2025

We are pleased to share that we are making it easier and more accessible for patients to have blood tests in Harlow, following a partnership with . We plan to relocate our blood testing (phlebotomy) service from The Princess Alexandra Hospital (PAH) to a new facility on the first floor of The Harvey Centre in spring next year (2026). Read more:
https://ow.ly/A4v950Xjfah

11/11/2025

Sorry to waste 10 seconds of your day but we have some important advice to share



Learn more 👉 https://bit.ly/3JgTIvO

[Image description: Illustration of two people lying in bed in their purple bedroom. Their baby is sleeping in a cot which is beside their bed. The baby has a green blanket which is firmly tucked in. On the top left, it says ‘Don’t look at the radiator.’ On the radiator, it says ‘Don’t look at the bottom right corner’. In the bottom right corner it says ‘Don’t look at the baby’s blanket’. Here it says ‘Don’t look at the second hashtag in the caption. This leads you to the photo on the wall which says ‘Babies should always be in the same room as you for the first six months for sleep, day and night.’]

10/11/2025