I have seen that photo before, it was published in the Big Issue, a paper sold by homeless people in the UK (to help them get on their feet without having to beg/solicit) in around 1996. I was revolted then as i am now. The mother (as far as i remember from the report, which shocked me enough to stick in my mind - i was looking for it when i saw your blog link Fiona) had been told that she couldn't feed both children at once with breastmilk and to feed one on formula. That the girl got the formula and the boy got the breast is a cultural indicator - these people often lose babies and due to their social system sons are worth more to the future of the family than girls. The mother (as far as i recall, i've searched the web but i can't find the article anywhere) was offered formula as an option to leaving the baby girl to expose at birth. This is why she continued with formula when she saw the baby was ill - it was that or cease feeding at all.

There was another photo in the article, which i cut out but can't find now, or i'd blog it for you to see, of an African woman with a toddler (who only looks about 4 months old) in her arms, emaciated to the point of being skeletal, and in the background, about 3 feet away, 4 vultures patiently waiting. It is horrific and disgusting that companies would offer formula to women who have no way of getting clean water.

These babies die to make Nestle $$$. I agree that formula is an important resource for those unable to breastfeed, but it is NO OPTION in places where clean water is unobtainable.

Hana