Use of coffee creamer of any kind and any brand to feed infant is a huge concern in Lao PDR. We have to understand why those mothers are so enticed to give this supplementary feeding to their infants. Lao doctors told me they were fed condensed milk as a baby. This habit is deeply rooted in the population. How many Lao mothers are currently feeding coffee creamer to their infant? This is a crucial issue that should be addressed with a specific survey dedicated to rural mothers; 72% of the Lao population lives in rural areas. As we previously stated feeding infants with coffee creamer only may lead to disastrous results that are probably underestimated in Lao PDR. The survey performed in 2008 in one Hmong village after the death of an infant revealed that 40% of mothers had fed coffee creamer to their infants [1]. This was very serious in a village where 80% of under 5 years old children were stunted. The 2007 nationwide survey showed that approximately 18 % of 1098 caregivers gave coffee creamer to their infants at a mean age of 4.7 months. After the removal of the Bear Brand coffee creamer from Lao markets, the percentage use of coffee creamer dropped to 4.3% in 2009. The inappropriate use of coffee creamer continues in Laos. Cases have been reported by physicians who actually also commented this paper, after recently visiting pediatric wards. This suggests that the few cases reported are only the tip of the iceberg. Probably much more infant from remote areas are dying or suffer of stunting without reaching the health facilities. A frequent reason for use coffee creamer in Laos is the fact that appropriate feeding practices after 6 months are not well known and remain chronically nutritionally insufficient. Besides advocating for the ban of misleading product we should provide Lao mother with proper information and education on how to feed their infants after 6 months.
Reference List

1. Slesak G, Douangdala P, Inthalad S, Onekeo B, Somsavad S et al. (2009 January) Misuse of coffee creamer as a breast milk substitute: a lethal case revealing high use in an ethnic minority village in Northern Laos. http://www.bmj.com/conten....
2. Barennes H, Andriatahina T, Latthaphasavang V, Anderson M, Srour L (2008) Misperceptions and misuse of Bear Brand coffee creamer as infant food: national cross sectional survey of consumers and paediatricians in Laos. BMJ a1379.