News
Baby dreams turn into a nightmare
Costly baby dreams Pix by Akila Jayawardana
Many newlyweds are putting off their hopes of having children because baby products have become unaffordable and unavailable.
Import restrictions are partly responsible for the shortage of items.
Baby soap, cotton balls, disposable nappies, and diapers are among items that have become prohibitively expensive.
Those who are preparing for the big day are no longer waiting until the third trimester to buy the essentials and instead are buying what is needed every month.
Wattala resident Indumini Perera, who is six months pregnant, told the Sunday Times that prices of cotbed sheets have doubled. A set of 12 nappies costs Rs 1,195 compared with Rs 650 earlier.
A cot now cost more than Rs 25,000, compared with between Rs 12,000 and Rs 17,000 a few weeks ago.
Ms Perera added that even a baby clothes rack, which cost Rs 4,500 is now selling for Rs 7,000. 
Dulika Premathilake, a wife and a labourer in Peliyagoda area, and who is also pregnant, said she cannot afford baby products as her husband’s daily wage is equivalent to the cheapest items.
“It is very hard to spend over Rs 1,000 when we only earn Rs 2,500 to Rs 4,500 depending on the work he gets,” she said.
Parents of toddlers are finding it very difficult to buy diapers and wet wipes. There is a shortage of baby soap.
Moratuwa resident Mario Shenuka Weerakoon, who is a father of a five month old baby boy, told the Sunday Times that their expenses are manageable because they both work. 
Mr Weerakoon who is a software engineer, noted that a few months ago, diapers cost Rs 1,800 but now a pack costs Rs 2,400.
“Even the price of wet wipes has increased. Earlier a pack of wipes costs Rs 800, but now it has increased to Rs 1,200,” he said.
Baby goods retailers say that they are unable to meet the demand.
Chandima Bakmeedeniya, who runs a baby care shop in Mawanella, told the Sunday Times that sales have dropped. “Prices of most items have increased by 100%. There is a shortage of diapers.’’ The prices of items that are available have risen.
“The 36 by 36 inch flannel which was Rs 295 has now increased to Rs 545. Six pieces of baby frocks which earlier cost Rs 275 are now sold for Rs 425,’’ she said.
The Sunday Times also learned that the prices of flannel baby suits as well as baby towels have doubled.
Retailers said baby towels which cost Rs 375 the past month, now sell for Rs 675, while flannel suit prices have risen from Rs 325 to Rs 545.
Mohamad Salman, owner of a baby items shop near the Lady Ridgeway Hospital in Colombo, said supplies were hard to come by.
“(US) Dollar (exchange) rates have heavily impacted on imports. The prices have increased and some importers have reduced the amount that is imported,’’ he said.
Even though local products are available, the demand has increased.
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