Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the phenomenon of "parenting inflation" in China, where the introduction of government subsidies for childcare is leading to price increases in baby products, effectively negating the benefits of the subsidies for parents [4][10][12]. Group 1: Government Initiatives - The Chinese government has recently announced two significant policies: the implementation of a childcare subsidy for families with children under three years old and the gradual introduction of free preschool education [4]. - These initiatives aim to alleviate the financial burden on parents, providing a monthly subsidy of 300 yuan [10]. Group 2: Price Increases in Baby Products - Following the announcement of the subsidy, some baby product retailers have raised prices significantly. For instance, the price of Beiyinmei infant formula increased from 191 yuan to 269 yuan, a rise of 40% [6]. - Another example includes baby diapers, which saw a price increase from approximately 257 yuan to 318 yuan, reflecting a rise of 61 yuan [9]. - The overall increase in prices for baby products could lead to an additional monthly expenditure of 250-300 yuan for parents, which aligns with the amount of the new subsidy [9][10]. Group 3: Historical Context and Patterns - The article draws parallels with past instances where government subsidies led to price hikes in various sectors, such as agricultural inputs and consumer goods, indicating a recurring pattern of businesses capitalizing on government financial support [12][14]. - It highlights a similar situation in South Korea, where extensive government subsidies aimed at increasing birth rates have resulted in corresponding price increases in childcare services and products, creating a cycle of "parenting inflation" [16]. Group 4: Recommendations for Mitigation - To combat the issue of price inflation following subsidy announcements, the article suggests establishing a closed-loop system of "subsidy-pricing-supervision" [16]. - Recommendations include implementing price protection features on e-commerce platforms, monitoring unusual price fluctuations, and encouraging consumers to compare prices and report discrepancies [16][17].