Formula milk.

THIS refers to the article 'What to do when they cry?' (March 6), which lamented the rising price of powdered baby milk. Actually, we must do our best to promote mother's milk. It is species-specific, ideal for the growth of the babies and their brain development. It protects them from diarrhoea, pneumonia and much else as well. Besides, breastmilk also protects the mothers from breast cancer and, to some extent, in birth spacing.

The said write-up argued that babies on formula milk are facing malnourishment due to the rising prices and over-dilution. That, professionally speaking, is just one aspect.

Even well-to-do, educated mothers are not careful about the sterilisation of the bottle, leading to frequent episodes of diarrhoea and malnutrition among the infants.

The argument about impoverished mothers being too weak to breastfeed is also flawed, because that is not usually the case.

A pregnant woman needs 300 calories more than the usual, and a lactating mother needs just 200 calories more than a pregnant woman does.

These 200 calories can also be supplied by a large roti of 125gm of flour. A fancy, expensive diet is not needed.

Doctors and family members must be supportive and guide mothers around them to breastfeed.

Family...