NCT Welcomes the SACN findings on ‘Good Night’ milk products

The NCT, the UK's leading parenting charity welcomes the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition's (SACN) advice to the Department of Health on the risks associated with 'Good Night' milk products for infants six months of age and above.

Rosie Dodds, Senior Public Policy Officer, NCT said: “NCT and other members of the Baby Feeding Law Group, have been concerned about the marketing of ‘Good Night’ milks since their launch in early 2008. The name itself is misleading as there is no evidence that these products help a baby to have a good night’s sleep, or even to help babies to sleep at all.

We are concerned that statements such as ‘settling the baby to sleep for the night’ are further reinforcing the myth that all babies should sleep through the night, whereas it is perfectly natural and healthy for a baby of this age to wake up at one or more points through the night.

The NCT is worried that parents who want their baby to sleep longer may use this product in the belief that it may help babies to sleep or may use it more than once a day, or even use it to ‘settle’ babies younger than six months.

‘Good Night’ milks contain added ingredients, in the form of cereal or potato starch. NCT is concerned parents will either not be aware of this, or be led to believe that this is an advantage and subsequently begin giving solid foods to babies before they are ready. In light of the advice published by the SACN, the NCT is calling for:

• An end to the promotion and advertising of this and other follow-on milks, which according to the World Health Organization are ‘not necessary.
• The Advertising Standards Authority and Trading Standards Officers to rule against the use of misleading claims from the ’good night’ milk manufacturers.”