I would be wary about making generalisations about Chinese
and other Asian breastfeeding practices.  I too have heard the
stories about discarding colostrum, but I have also heard that many
of these countries are now streaking ahead of us in their breastfeeding
practices.  China now has *many* hospitals accredited as Baby
Friendly, which means that the babies are going to the breast within
half an hour of birth, are breastfeeding frequently, and are rooming in.

It may be that the huge education programs are enabling changes to
"traditional" practices.  I was in Thailand last year, where nearly
100% of hospitals are Baby Friendly.  This is the culmination of
years of active breastfeeding promotion at every level and some good
strategies.  The Thais have managed to change mothers' feeding
practices so that colostrum is now valued.  Even in the
villages, the mothers knew more benefits of breastfeeding (eg
reduces risk of cancer) than most western health professionals will
ever know.  Maybe migrants to western countries are out of touch with
practices in their countries or origin.

One interesting thing I learned was that HIV+ mothers in Thailand
(an alarming percentage) are encouraged not to breastfeed and are
given free formula.  It has got to the point where, if a mother is
seen bottle feeding people assume she must be HIV+.  Tragic for
these mothers, but it sure is an incentive not to abandon
breastfeeding if you want to protect your reputation!

Ros Escott
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