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Supporting Families with Multiples: Glico's Icreo Baby Milk Initiative

In a commendable effort to support families with multiple births, Ezaki Glico Co., Ltd. has announced the extension of its financial aid program for purchasing its liquid infant milk, Icreo Baby Milk. This initiative, in collaboration with the Japan Multiple Births Association, was originally launched in July 2020 and will now continue until July 14, 2027. This marks the seventh year of Glico’s commitment to assist families navigating the challenges of raising twins, triplets, and more.

Raising multiple infants presents unique challenges, including frequent feedings, sleep deprivation, and heightened stress levels for parents. Recognizing these difficulties, Glico launched this support program to alleviate some of the burdens faced by families with multiples. Since the program’s inception, Glico has partnered with the Japan Multiple Births Association to provide not only financial aid but also online consultation services. The initiative has garnered positive feedback from numerous families, and the number of registered support organizations has grown from 10 to 33, reflecting the strong demand for continued assistance.

Details of the Support Program

The financial aid for Icreo Baby Milk will be available for an additional year starting from July 15, 2026. Eligible families who are registered with support organizations and use powdered or liquid milk received referrals can access these benefits. For those wishing to become registered, Glico will connect families to the NPO Tsunageru, which acts as a point of contact for liquid milk support.

Additional Support Services

As part of its ongoing commitment, Glico also provides various support services for families with multiples:
1. Nutritional Workshops: Glico organizes “Breastfeeding and Milk Discussion Sessions” aimed at families with multiples, including expectant parents. These workshops are conducted by nutritionists and child psychology counselors, in collaboration with the Japan Multiple Births Association, to address specific concerns related to caring for multiples and provide guidance on nutrition.

2. Online Consultation Hubs: Glico runs periodic online discussion sessions where families can seek advice related to multiple births. These sessions help parents navigate challenges from pregnancy through early childhood, focusing on nutrition and breastfeeding, among other topics.

3. Childcare App - 'Cope': Launched in February 2019, Glico also offers a free parenting app that allows parents to seamlessly track their child's growth and manage childcare responsibilities. The app includes features such as ‘Parenting Logs’ for recording feeding and diaper changes, a ‘To Do Board’ for managing household tasks, and medically approved sleep content.

Importance of the Initiative

According to Kenji Shimura, the representative of the Japan Multiple Births Association, the majority of multiple births in Japan often result in low birth weights, complicating the nursing process significantly. He emphasizes the critical nature of nutritional support since it directly ties into the health and developmental outcomes of these infants. Liquid milk can streamline feeding arrangements and relieve some pressure from parents, providing them with more peace of mind during such overwhelming early parenting stages.

What Families are Saying

Feedback from families receiving assistance has been overwhelmingly positive, with many citing how much the program has eased their daily struggles:

• - Many express gratitude for the elimination of the time-consuming process of preparing powdered milk, especially during nighttime feedings, allowing them to connect more with their children.
• - Others note how having access to liquid milk reduces stress during outings, enabling them to focus on their kids rather than logistics.
• - Parents have shared that utilizing these resources has made both feeding and emotional engagement with their children much more manageable.

The Broader Vision

Ezaki Glico’s mission extends beyond just providing a product; it aims to cultivate an environment where parents raising multiples feel supported. This initiative, together with community outreach and the growth of support networks, strives to establish a society where multiple birth families can thrive without undue hardship.

For more information about the Icreo Baby Milk initiative and support services, visit Glico’s official site or its Instagram page.