Hi, 
Below is my letter to editor published today,  in response to your earlier post of a column published in SCMP of Hong Kong: Earthquake shakes up baby formula delivery chain by Enoch Yiu on Mar 15 2011.

http://www.scmp.com/portal/site/SCMP/menuitem.2af62ecb329d3d7733492d9253a0a0a0/?vgnextoid=3bd61ad5dc3de210VgnVCM100000360a0a0aRCRD&ss=Letters+to+the+Editor&s=Opinion

Heidi, Hong Kong, La Leche League Leader

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SCMP Monday March 21, 2011
Letters to the Editor

Breastfeeding the best option

I refer to Enoch Yiu's column ("Earthquake shakes up baby formula delivery chain", March 15).

There are better means to help mothers than ensuring formula supply. Breastfeeding is the biological norm to protect and nourish babies and young children.

Lots of mothers in Hong Kong continue to breastfeed their babies after going to work. It is possible to do so, even though there are challenges such as too-short maternity leave and lack of pumping or nursing breaks.

The public needs to know that formula is an inferior choice of nutrients. Research has shown that infant morbidity and mortality are higher in formula feeding. Babies fed with formula have more bouts of sickness and a lower IQ. And now with a supply threat of formula from Japan and an unknown threat of radiation, mothers are even more concerned.

It is time to think about how we can give our offspring better protection.

We already have what nature has given us - breast milk. For those mothers who want to keep on breastfeeding, there are mother support groups in the city, like La Leche League-Hong Kong, which will help them to achieve their breastfeeding goals. Human babies need human milk, not cows' milk.

The government must ensure mothers are given the support they need to breastfeed their babies.

Heidi Lam, Discovery Bay

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