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The husband of a New Westminster womanfound dead two months ago has written an emotional plea on Facebook encouraging women who can’t breastfeed to seek help.

“For all the new moms experiencing low mood or anxiety, please seek help and talk about your feelings,” said Kim Chen, husband of Florence Leung, who disappeared Oct. 25, about two months after giving birth to a son and whose body was found Nov. 16 in the water near Bowen Island. Police did not suspect foul play.

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“You are Not alone,” added Chen in the Facebook page dedicated to his wife’s memory. “You are Not a bad mother. Do not EVER feel bad or guilty about not being able to ‘exclusively breastfeed’, even though you may feel the pressure to do so based on posters in maternity wards, brochures in prenatal classes, and teachings at breastfeeding classes.

“Apparently the hospitals are designated ‘baby-friendly’ only if they promote exclusive-breastfeeding. I still remember reading a handout upon Flo’s discharge from hospital with the line ‘Breast Milk Should Be the Exclusive Food For the Baby for the First Six Months.’ I also remember posters on the maternity unit ‘Breast is Best.’ While agreeing to the benefits of breast milk, there NEED to be an understanding that it is OK to supplement with formula, and that formula is a completely viable option. I will talk more about this in the future.”