Why Did the Tainted Baby Formula Scandal Hit China So Hard?

Whether it's problems with toys, school safety, or baby formula, any quality control issue that affects children is especially troublesome for parents.  For Chinese dairies, regaining the public's trust after the melamine milk scenario will be a daunting challenge.  /span>

While this type of situation would create public outrage in any nation, it's been especially difficult in China/st1 :country-region>, where the majority of women do not breastfeed.  About 77% of U.S./st1 :country-region> mothers breastfed in 2006, versus only 47% of Chinese women.  /span>

According to Ivy Makelin, a leader of La Leche in China/st1 :country-region>, many large companies have heavy advertisements encouraging women to give formula to their babies.  For many women, particularly those in rural areas, using formula can be a status symbol, and a sign that they're using the latest technology to feed their children.  You can watch the video to hear more of Makelin's insights on these developments./span>

It will be interesting to see how this breech of consumer confidence will affect both the rise of breastfeeding, and foreign formula sales.  2008 is considered to be a lucky year in China/st1 :country-region>, resulting in a birthrate that's higher than usual.  Since most Chinese parents have just one child, many like to make sure he or she has a prosperous birth date.  /span>

While some can afford expensive foreign formulas to pamper their only children, I would also expect an increase in the sales of breast pumps./span>