The Ministry of Social Affairs went out in the last few days during the distribution of ID cards intended for 3,150 families in need, and provoked the opposition of the Union of Public Health Physicians.
The vouchers that will be distributed are intended for the purchase of five packages of baby food per month.
The union calls for a halt to the move and warns - the financial incentive encourages the cessation of breastfeeding, which is the recommended diet for babies up to six months of age, and then in combination with complementary food supplements.
"Breastfeeding is the best nutrition for baby and mother"
Data from the Knesset's research center shows that in the bottom quintile, the rate of spending on baby food in 2018 was 4.6% of all spending on food.
The cost of one package of baby food ranges from NIS 55 to 80 per month and the average monthly expenditure on baby food is estimated at NIS 164.
"The baby food aid is given to families who are entitled to food aid", photo: illustration: Getty Images
The Association of Public Health Physicians and the Society for Breastfeeding Medicine in the Medical Association stated that they disapprove of the Ministry of Welfare's announcement.
"It is important to help populations in need, certainly when it comes to feeding babies, but nutritional security is also related to the quality of food. Awarding the TML card only according to economic criteria and only for the purpose of buying TML completely ignores the desire of women to breastfeed and the health implications of not breastfeeding," they claim. The doctors in the organization.
"Breastfeeding is the best nutrition for the baby and the mother, and is therefore the first priority."
The Association of Public Health Physicians recommends freezing the distribution of notes and implementing it in a different format, which does not discriminate against breastfeeding women.
"A good suggestion is to give a set amount that the family can choose for which expense to use it, thus not putting a spotlight on a form of nutrition that is not in the interest of the health of the mother and the baby. If breastfeeding mothers are given a higher credit, including for the purchase of food for the mother, we help the nutritional security of two people with one investment, As is customary in other countries. The distribution of tickets in a drop of milk will allow professional advice and will allow mothers to make an informed choice regarding their health and that of their children."
The Ministry of Welfare stated in response: "The assistance with baby food is given to families who are entitled to food assistance and who in any case consume substitutes, an expense that burdens them financially. Our initiative has nothing to do with encouraging or suppressing breastfeeding."
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