13 Billion Could Be Saved Every Year If New Moms Did More of This

Posted By Dr. Mercola | November 02 2011 | 66 views

A recent study found that the cost to the U.S. economy of suboptimal breastfeeding rates is $13 billion per year in 2007 dollars.   The main expenses are pediatric health cost and premature death.

The study calculated formula costs, pediatric health costs, cost of extra food for lactating women, paid leave, and additional factors. The researchers found that iIf 90% of mothers could comply with current medical recommendations around breastfeeding, the U.S. economy would save $3.7 billion in direct and indirect pediatric health costs, with $10.1 billion in premature death from pediatric disease.

According to the study, as reprinted on the website Green Med Info:

"We would spend $3.9 billion less per year on infant formula ... Even including paid leave, the net cost to our economy of our suboptimal breastfeeding rates would still be at least $8.7 billion."

Sources:

  Breastfeeding Medicine October 6, 2011 

  Green Med Info