People should have the right to choose, I don't think anyone denies that. But I think that part of the problem is that too many mothers who wish to bf give up due to lack of support/information and ease of access to formula. It does make sense to throw more resources into providing good support and information for breastfeeding mums (and education to pregnant women and the community in general so that the first time you know anything about bfing isn't after your baby is born). And to consider reducing the availability of artificial baby milk. The low rate of bfing in Australia atm IS costing our community - we know that ff babies have more doctor visits and more hospital stays, that they are more likely to be obese during childhood, to have juvenile diabetes and a range of other, some very serious, illnesses. We know that working parents of ff babies have more sick days. It does cost the community. So no, we shouldn't stop people buying artificial baby milk altogether, but we should consider putting more resources into things that will help those who wish to bf, to overcome problems and do so.
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