Key facts
- Approximately 400,000 children in the UK were supported by baby banks in 2025.
- This represents an 11% increase in demand compared to the previous year.
- Essential items like baby formula, cots, and beds saw a significant rise in demand.
- A record 4.5 million children are currently living in poverty in the UK.
- Charities are calling for increased government support to address child poverty.
Approximately 400,000 children in the UK received support from baby banks in 2025, marking an 11% increase from the previous year, according to new research by the Baby Bank Alliance. This surge in demand has prompted charities to warn that they cannot sustain the current level of support for child poverty without government assistance.
The Baby Bank Alliance, established by Save the Children UK, found that each member baby bank supported an average of 1,096 children daily. Demand for essential items has soared, with a 26% increase in the distribution of baby formula and a notable rise in the provision of cots and beds.
These figures emerge as a record 4.5 million children are living in poverty across the UK. While the government recently abolished the two-child benefit limit, charities are urging for more comprehensive action to tackle child poverty.
Sophie Livingstone, chair of the Baby Bank Alliance, highlighted systemic issues driving the need for support, such as unsuitable or insecure housing, with many families requiring replacements for mould-damaged clothing. She also noted a persistent shortage of beds and larger nappy sizes, linking these to cramped living conditions.
Livingstone called for significant government intervention to improve living conditions for families struggling with housing insecurity, rising energy and food costs, and unaffordable childcare. She emphasized that charities alone cannot manage the scale of child poverty.
At the Little Lighthouse baby bank in Manchester, parents like Laura shared their experiences, relying on formula and other essentials due to financial struggles. Laura and her partner Daniel, who now volunteer at the bank, decided against having another child due to financial concerns, despite the baby bank being a valuable resource.
Outside London, the North West of England faces high demand, with one mother reporting her rent more than doubling in a few years. The founder of Little Lighthouse, Rev Caroline Hewitt, noted that families now miss referrals less often, indicating a critical dependence on the baby bank for basic necessities like formula and nappies, which can save families money that feeds them for days.
While baby banks are described as an incredible community effort, there is a desire for a society where families are not solely reliant on them due to being in crisis.