The US government is right to let out the word that, all things being equal, mothers should breast-feed their babies. The paediatricians cite “strong evidence” that breast milk reduces the incidence and severity of a wide range of infectious diseases, including diarrhoea, respiratory infections and ear infections.

But some women still find breast-feeding is far more difficult and painful than expected and decide that the stress is bad for their relationship with the new baby. Others find it difficult to pump breast milk while at work. Society should encourage employers to provide secure, private places where women can pump their milk and store it for later use. But it should not be in the business of hounding those who decide they do not want to go there.

The equation might change if it became clear that breast-feeding could protect babies from serious illnesses later in life. But some studies find no such protective impact. For right now, the science comes down hard on behalf of educating women about the clear advantages of breast-feeding. But that is no license to imply that mothers who cannot breast-feed or choose not to are putting their babies in grave danger. Experts on both sides agree that formulas are safe and nutritious. Millions of mothers have thrived on them and are doing quite nicely.