They say proposed restrictions would make it difficult for mothers with children over the age of six months to be fully informed about their choices, and that banning advertisements and the release of information about milk formula for children under the age of three will not help to raise the breastfeeding rate. Their studies found that more than 60 per cent of parents disagreed that manufacturers should be prohibited from advertising and marketing, while a further 70 per cent objected to banning public relations activities such as seminars and baby crawling competitions.

On the other side of the debate are organisations such as La Leche League, which is fiercely supportive of a total ban on advertising formula. "Advertising is out of control in Hong Kong, and makes all sorts of claims - think of images of toddlers wearing mortar boards, drinking follow-on formula," says Caroline Carson, a leader at La Leche League. "A staggering number of Hong Kong parents think formula provides nutrition that is not available in other foods, and that clearly comes from advertising. From our point of view, advertising or promotion of formula directly affects breastfeeding rates. Breast is best, and breastfeeding is the normal way to feed your baby; everything else is suboptimal.

"Breastfeeding provides better immunity for your baby and means he/she is less likely to get sick when young, is less likely to be obese. It also lowers rates of breast cancer." Manufacturers spend a fortune on advertising, she says, "and we need a more level playing field - the legislation will help with this".

It's a view shared by Dr Marie Tarrant, associate professor at HKU's School of Nursing, who says she fully supports the government's proposal to ban the marketing of infant formula. "Infant formula manufacturers use marketing to mislead parents into thinking these expensive formulas are somehow more beneficial for their children than either mothers' own milk or, after one year of age, regular cow's milk. If parents do choose to formula feed, they can obtain unbiased, scientific information from their doctor, midwife, or the Maternal and Child Health Centres."

Tarrant says that before six months, babies need only breast milk. After six months, it is appropriate to start introducing complementary foods, and over 12 months - once breastfeeding is finished - they can be fed cow's milk.

"The range for introducing solids is between four and six months; there has been a lot of discussion over the past few years on whether it should be nearer four or six, but the general feeling is the longer you can exclusively breastfeed, the better. Again, if you have any questions or concerns, consult your paediatrician."

Children over a year old simply need a well-balanced diet adapted to their age and body weight, and not special or follow-on formulas, she says. They can get all the nutrients they need from vegetables, fruit, meat and so on.

Tarrant adds that cow's milk is perfectly acceptable after one year, and if parents are concerned about nutritional deficiencies, they should get advice from their paediatrician.

"Purely using supplemental formula milk in a child [who is failing to thrive], may not be targeting their nutritional deficiency."