More of the UK’s expectant mums are worrying about money than about what they feed themselves and their unborn child, according to the latest research conducted for the Organic Milk Cooperative (OMSCo). The survey, sampling 2,485 pregnant women from across the UK, revealed that 37% of soon-to-be-mums were concerned about money whilst just over a third (33%) were worried about eating properly. Nevertheless, the primary concern was for the health and well-being of their babies with 81% of pregnant mothers admitting this was the thing which worried them most.
Gill Crane, spokesman for OMSCo, said: “It is a shame that the current economic climate is such that financial issues weigh more heavily on mothers’ minds than a healthy diet, especially when the health and well-being of their unborn child is of foremost importance to them. This shouldn’t be an issue at this crucial lifestage.”
Furthermore, 90% of pregnant mothers interviewed said that they either do, or intended to, feed their children organic food at least sometimes, believing it better for their baby. Avoiding the risk of consuming chemical residues was also a factor. 64% revealed that it was the cost of organic food which posed the biggest obstacle to making it their everyday choice.
Crane added: “It appears that almost everyone believes that organic food is better for both mother and baby and there is a real commitment to going organic whenever possible. But we need to do more to make consumers aware that it needn’t be expensive. We found that more than nine out of 10 (92%) of the women we interviewed overestimated the price difference between non-organic and organic milk. It would actually cost the average family less than a pound a week to switch to organic milk, probably the cheapest way to go organic everyday, and a great source of nutrients for pregnant mothers and weaned children alike.”
For more information about the benefits of organic milk, visit www.omsco.co.uk.
You can also download a great poster about organic dairy farming and read their helpful toddler’s feeding guide.