Economic Benefits of Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding is in the news again! A new study published this week in the journal, Pediatrics, deserves some discussion. Researchers from the Cambridge Health Alliance and Harvard Medical School did a pediatric cost analysis comparing current costs to projected costs if families were able to exclusively breastfeed their babies for at least six months. They found that if 90 percent of U.S. families complied with the medical recommendations to breastfeed exclusively for six months, the U.S.would save $13 billion per year and prevent more than 911 deaths (mostly infants). This comes as no surprise to those of us in breastfeeding circles. We’ve known the economic benefits of breastfeeding for a long time as similar studies have indicated in the past. Still, we are thrilled to see public acknowledgment of such magnitude. The authors of this new study conclude that current U.S. breastfeeding rates are suboptimal and result in significant excess costs and preventable infant deaths. So, ladies and gents, let’s keep up the good work in providing the very best for our babies (and pocket books)!