Sharon says: Yes, there are many
hazards to using formula - but in this country, will they outweigh even a
small percentage chance that the baby will contract HIV?

I tend to agree with Sharon's  implied opinion, here - ie that here's a
case where a baby 'can't' or 'oughtn't' to be breastfed. But that's not
really the point - mothers shouldn't have others making this decision for
her, given the degree of uncertainty about the risk of HIV transmission. It
is *her* choice.

Mothers also have the right to make 'wrong' choices. There are very few
cases where the heavy hand of the state should intervene - you could start
a debate (not on this list, though....too off topic!) about what those
might be.

Heather Welford Neil
NCT bfc Newcastle upon Tyne UK