I am surprised that a subscriber to Lactnet is not aware that giving
free formula in relief situations has been shown to be very dangerous
in the short term and the long term.

In the short term, babies die. This is because the water used to mix
the powder is in short supply and is not clean, and the supply of
formula may be unreliable.

In the long term, breastfeeding cultures are threatened, with the
attendant impact on family income, infant and maternal health and
support networks.

Mothers in dire situations manage to breastfeed their babies.
Stressed, threatened and frightened, they manage....if you were a
mother in an emergency or refugee situation, imagine the added stress
of ensuring a regular supply of formula, plus the fuel to heat the
water, and even the water itself....not to mention bottles and teats,
and the means to keep them clean.

Of course some formula will be needed, and this is why there are
internationally-agreed  protocols to ensure that its distrubution of
formula is done in a fair, safe and controlled manner.

I feel very sad for the members of Lactnet who felt understandably
distressed at the tone and other contents of this post.

Heather Welford Neil
NCT bfc Newcastle upon Tyne UK

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