Spoon feeding.

This programme in the Eat Up series deals with maternal and infant diet. Professor D.J.P. Baker (University of Southampton and Medical Rearch Council) and Wendy Doyle (Institute for Brain Chemistry) stress the importance of a good diet before conception as well as during the pregnancy. Dr Robert Fraser points out that mothers with poor diets are also often smokers and both factors contribute to low birth weight babies. The programme explores the link between low income and poor diets. Tracey Batchelor, a mother on benefits, talks about her struggle to feed her family. Breast feeding is discussed. Two mothers explain their decision to bottle feed their babies. A nutritionist, Gabrielle Palmer, criticises the lack of support for breast feeding. Several mothers and two fathers talk about the challenges of breast feeding their babies. Dr. Tim Lobstien (The Food Commission) and others express concern about the promotion of formula milk and the content of many baby foods. The programme concludes with instructions on making chicken and potato cakes, which are suggested as suitable food for small children.