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