Encomium
As price of baby formulas continues to soar, nursing mothers and caregivers are complaining they’re finding it difficult to cope. ENCOMIUM Weekly spoke with some of them on how they have been coping.
MRS. BOLA MARTINS
How are you coping with the skyrocketing prices of baby foods?
We are just trying to get over board. My son consumes a tin of SMA within three days. It is quite difficult to do but I have no choice because he is our responsibility. I used to buy SMA for N2,200, it is now N2,600. You can imagine how much it costs to feed him for a week.
MRS. ODERINDE
How are you coping with the skyrocketing prices of baby foods?
God has been faithful though it has not very easy. My first child took SMA but I cannot afford it for this other one. I am giving him NAN. I tried exclusive breast feeding but it didn’t work. He was always crying and was losing weight. That was why I introduced formula.
MRS. BAMIDELE
How are you coping with the skyrocketing prices of baby foods?
Prices of baby foods just like other commodities have continued to soar. I don’t think there is a week they wouldn’t add more money on each item. It is a necessity. We don’t have a choice. I budget N5,000 weekly just for baby food. That amount is now too small for him.
MRS. ADEBANJU
How are you coping with the skyrocketing prices of baby foods?
Children are the heritage of God. Their heavenly Father is always faithful. He will continue to provide for us to cater for their needs. We are trying our best. When it got to a point that we couldn’t cope again, I stopped feeding him on formula and started exclusive breast milk which I plan t continue till he is one year plus.
MRS. ABIONA
How are you coping with the skyrocketing prices of baby foods?
We bless God for His faithfulness. God has been helping us. I started with SMA but had to change to NAN. I have stopped NAN. It is now my boy I wouldn’t change it again anyway. I thank God that she did not react negatively to the different formula I have given her.
MRS. BOLARINWA JUMOKE
How are you coping with the skyrocketing prices of baby foods?
We plan ahead. Taking care of family needs is no more the job of a man alone. I accept whatever my husband can afford and add to it. We plan ahead of every month. At least, we budget N20,000 monthly for baby’s food alone I also made sure I choose the food that was not too expensive for the outset.
Lactogen is a known brand. We started with that. The increment in price is not too much. It is now sold for N1,400 as against N1,250.
MRS. ANITA SMITH
How are you coping with the skyrocketing prices of baby foods?
God gave them to us. He will also provide avenues of feeding them. I am doing exclusive breast feeding so I don’t have to worry about spending on baby food. It is really a great relief.
MRS. ADEOYE FELICIA
How are you coping with the skyrocketing prices of baby foods?
I have stopped giving her formula. The price was going beyond what we could afford. I now give him pap though I still add formula to it but the quantity is not as much as giving him only formula. We can still manage three packs of NAN within a month.
MRS. DUPE ARIBIYI
How are you coping with the skyrocketing prices of baby foods?
I had to stop giving him formula and came up with my own innovation. I feed him on mashed plantain and fish. I was even encouraged by nurses to continue because the boy is really enjoying it. He took formula and breast milk for five months.
MRS. IDOWU ADEYI
How are you coping with the skyrocketing prices of baby foods?
God has been faithful. He has been providing for us. The increment in price is as a result of the economic recession the country is going through. It is not just baby food that is affected even other essential commodities are also expensive as well. God will continue to bless parents so that they can cater for their children.
MRS. AMANDA RICKS
How are you coping with the skyrocketing prices of baby foods?
I made sure I picked the food that I could afford. Most of my friends gave their children SMA but I cannot afford it. My son takes two packs of My Boy in a week, eight or even 10 in a month. I will advise mothers to cut their coat according to their cloth. There are other necessities a child needs aside feeding.
MRS. TOLU LAWRENCE
How are you coping with the skyrocketing prices of baby foods?
We are just trying to cope since it is for a while. He will soon stop taking formula. He is six months already. I have introduced rice and yam to him. I did not even bother about follow up meals. That will be another expense entirely.
MRS. NWACHUKWU AMARACHI
How are you coping with the skyrocketing prices of baby foods?
I gave her breast milk for the first three months and introduced pap in the fourth month. I just make sure I process the pap myself. That is the cheapest one can give a child. I can use three pack of formula in a month since he is not feeding on it alone.
MRS SIMON
How are you coping with the skyrocketing prices of baby foods?
We bless God for His faithfulness. God has been providing for our needs miraculously. I don’t have any reason to complain. Complaining cannot resolve anything.
MRS. OJO
How are you coping with the skyrocketing prices of baby foods?
It has not been easy. I started with My Boy but had to discontinue when the price was becoming too much. I give her pap now and breast milk.
MRS. OMOLARA PAUL
How are you coping with the skyrocketing prices of baby foods?
We brought him to the world. We must take responsibilities when necessary. I don’t go beyond my limit. I didn’t choose a foreign brand of formula, I chose a local brand that is not more than N1,200. He is four months already. I have just two months to cope with it.
-SHADE WESLEY-METIBOGUN
