Black Coffe and Tea

Milk price may be controlled

The Government is considering whether to include powdered milk for children on the list of price controlled items but would not be subsidized. The Government does not subsidize infant formula as they want to encourage mothers to breastfeed their babies. The milk that may come under the controlled item category is for children aged two years and above.

I for one would applaud the move provided they do it not just talk about it. Sometimes this kind of message pose indirect political message underneath. That I would not like to speculates.

For the sake of the nation children wellbeing, it is worthwhile policy so that all children will have the chance to obtain the best nutrition available. The poor is the group that is being affected hardest. The are report saying the affected parents whose combined income of RM1,500 and with an average of three children were feeding diluted condensed milk, rock sugar water, black coffee and plain tea to their infants and toddlers. Being a parent myself, I’m shocked reading it. Imagine black coffee or plain tea, a highly caffeine stuff as food for your kids. This was because the price of infant formula had risen by 80% over the past two years. What is happening to this world?

Ivan’s regular formula Anmum Essential 1+ 1.8kg is costing RM53.50 the last I bought it at a Chinese herbal shop. It is few bucks cheaper than buying it at hypermarket. I don’t know what will be the price now. The Chinese herbal ‘taukeh’ said it gonna be like RM55.00 and above! Reanne is still being fully breast fed. That’s really help in minimizing the infant formula cost escalation. Mummy did a great job being persistent in this challenging task to continue feeding Reanne. More mothers will resort to breast feeding in this tough time. It will be a commitment worth taken I assure you.

The way I look at it, there is really no short cut in providing the essential nutrition to our children. Any short falls will have a great impart towards their future development. If we can’t afford the best, at least we find the most optimal or basic one in relation to our children needs. But not black coffee and tea!!!