yes, i heard most of that report this morning. it was predictable; the
reporter made comments that seemed to indicate that formula feeding was the
only possible solution to the "problem." problem being that women somehow
didn't want to know their HIV status and didn't want to quit breastfeeding.
there was even a discussion of "cultural reasons" why "these women" breastfeed
for "up to two years!" it began to sound like racist bullhockey to me,
frankly.

they did then have a clip from a woman in zimbabwe, who patiently elaborated
on why breastfeeding should continue, and mentioned points such as formula
costing as much as one month's income, and no clean water to prepare it,
diarhhoeal illnesses and increases mortality. i'm not sure what she said,
since it wasn't blatant, was enough to overcome the negative impression of the
reporter's portion of the story. i am anxious to read the report on the
website to recall exactly what was said. i felt negative about it overall, but
then, i heard it fairly early, in the shower, after only one cup of coffee.
there seemed to be some mention of factors such as the cost of AZT being far
beyond what can be afforded in that country, and social factors concerning who
is HIV positive and why.

i also want to read it because my recollection is that the claims that were
made regarding rates of infection from mother to baby were exaggerated.

carol brussel IBCLC