It is known that one of the factors that can promote better health in infants is the good health of the mother. What is less well-known is that there are real dangers presented by bottle-feeding, a practice that has become very popular in developing countries. Firstly, formula milk lacks the protective properties (antibodies, enzymes, long chain fatty acids and hormones) of breast milk. Secondly, there is the danger of contamination in situations where hygiene is poorly understood or difficult to achieve. Thirdly, formula milk may be over-diluted as a way of saving on cost. Companies selling formula milk have led aggressive advertising campaigns to promote bottle-feeding; as a result, many governments in the developing world have introduced limits on or banned such marketing. More action is urgently needed throughout the developing world if we are to help women and avoid infant ill health and mortality. One estimate put the number of infant deaths in the developing world caused by bottle-feeding at 13% of all deaths.