Economically Friendly http://www.wearsthebaby.com/benjamin.htm

By Dawn Friedman

August 1-7 is World Breastfeeding Week. Celebrated throughout more than 120 different countries, this special week was formed by the World Alliance of Breastfeeding Action (WABA) in 1992. Each year, a different theme is chosen to help raise public awareness. This year's theme is named "Breastfeeding: The Best Investment." 

The focus on economical benefits melds into the many health benefits of breastfeeding. Perhaps it is difficult to separate the two. This is apparent when you look at the health costs of formula feeding. The use of artificial breastmilk has been widely associated with an increased risk of many illnesses and diseases such as: diarrhea, ear infections, respiratory illnesses, allergies, meningitis, and diabetes - just to name a few. 

Here are some facts: 

A study done by Kaiser Permanente health maintenance organization estimated that the average additional health care cost of a formula-fed infant over those of a breastfed infant was $1,400 for the first year alone. The U.S. would save about 1.4 billion dollars each year in expenditures on formula and health care costs if 1 million additional babies were breastfed. 

Disease attributable to artificial feeding in the USA costs $291 million/year for infant diarrhea; $225 million for respiratory syncytial virus; $660 million for otitis media, and $10-125 million for insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM). 

Government programs such as W.I.C. and Medicare spend over $600 million dollars per year to give formula away to parents who are either not educated about breastfeeding (usually the case, despite W.I.C.'s efforts), can't nurse because of their job, or choose not to. It has been estimated that W.I.C. spends twice as much on formula as it does on food for nursing mothers. 
How the savings effect families everyday: 

A typical family would save money on the cost of formula and bottlefeeding paraphernalia. Imagine how much formula it takes to feed an infant for an entire year. Add that to the cost of bottles, rubber nipples, cleaning utensils, and the water used to sterilize equipment and mix with formula. These are just the regular costs a formula-feeding family spends, but what happens when you add expenditures that are not so predictable? 

For instance, how much money does one adult in your family lose by missing a day of work? Because illnesses are more common in bottle-fed babies, doctor and hospital visits are more frequent in these families. Add that loss of income to the additional health care costs, and you have a fairly large sum of money being added to formula costs during your baby's first year of life. 

And if families would save money by not missing so much work, wouldn't that in turn mean companies also save money? The companies who participated in corporate breastfeeding support programs in the USA found a 27% decrease in absenteeism and a 36% decrease in health care costs. It pays to provide an atmosphere where working mothers are given support and the opportunity to nurse their children. 

After reviewing some of the large costs of formula feeding, it is important to also consider something that does not have economic value: the contribution of a mother's resources. Breasts are made to feed babies. A mother's body is designed to nourish her child after being in the womb. It is a way to wean a child into the realities of this world, and the emotional, social and spiritual values of breastfeeding cannot be measured by a dollar amount. 

Recognizing each of the many benefits is just the first step to helping our society become more breastfeeding-friendly. This World Breastfeeding Week, share your knowledge with others. Tell an expecting friend about the health benefits and money savings. Speak to a woman's group about these benefits. Above all, support the nursing women you know, and be proud of yourself for giving the very best to your baby.