Marketing of infant formula must be regulated

Mother's milk, not surprisingly, is the best food for a baby and the best gift a mother can give to her child. With Mother's Day (May 12) round the corner, it's important to remind people, new mothers in particular, the importance of breastfeeding.

Mother's milk contains all the fat, vitamins, proteins and everything else that a baby needs for a healthy start. It is the ideal nutrition for infants. Yet a recent survey conducted by China Development Research Foundation shows that only 29.2 percent of the new mothers in China exclusively breastfeed their babies for the first six months. This is far below the world average of 43 percent, and even below the average of 37 percent in low-and middle-income countries.

Why?