Purely in health terms, using milk powder to replace breast milk has a negative effect on the physical condition of babies. Experts also point out that if babies are fed milk powder, they are unlikely to try breast milk at a later stage. And as Jin Yingqiao reports that can mean letting go of the nutrition, babies need in their early years.

Breast feeding, the healthiest way to feed newborns.

Yu Shasha, chief physician of Capital Medical University Affiliate Hospital, said, "Mothers don’t feed their babies themselves only if they have a medical condition. If that is the case, some substitutes may be needed. Otherwise, doctors will not let mothers feed their babies with milk powder."

Experts say breast milk within 7 days after babies' birth can help them build an anti-bacterium protection screen. If milk powder is used at this stage, babies will miss out on the nutritious breast milk.

Yu said, "Some babies refuse to have breast milk again if they try milk powder. That’s because milk powder is easy to eat, and more delicious."

Denied mother’s milk, the immune system of the newborns may not be as strong as it should be. Common conditions such as diarrhoea can then trouble them.

Gao Jinsong, chief physician of Peking Union Medical College Hospital, said, "The mother’s intestinal tract is similar to the baby’s. Babies can absorb immune globulin if they are breast fed. It’s the ideal protection for babies."

With the experts’ word behind it, breast feeding is by far the best way to feed newborns.