An attempt is made to analyze the ascendancy of formula feeding of infants in terms of the conflicting ideologies of Marxism and capitalism. The decline of breastfeeding is traced, and is linked with the interrelated phenomena of free market economics and the domination of women by men in Western society. The monograph has two sections: a"mainstream" analysis and a Marxist analysis. The term "mainstream" means that the analysis does not attack capitalism. Mainstream criticism of the Nestle corporation is raised on two grounds. First, statements by Nestle claiming that the company has provided a necessary service are not supported by appropriate data. Second, bottle feeding is not "cost-effective" for poor people living in poor nations. The Marxist criticism emphasizes that the historical process of the development of the capitalist mode of production has been responsible for the widespread shift to bottle feeding. Specific topics addressed are the Nestle corporation and imperialism, the historical role of women in production and reproduction, the effects on women of transitions from primitive to state societies, women and the medical profession, the "commoditization" of motherhood and other relationships, imperialism and public health, and the "insufficient milk syndrome." (RH)