Birth, Breastfeeding & Before

Risk Reduction for

Childhood Illnesses with Breastfeeding

Disease % Reduction

Acute Otitis Media 50%

Atopic Dermatitis 42%

Gastrointestinal Infection 64%

Lower Respiratory Infection, 72%

Hospitalization Rate

Asthma 27%

Overweight 4% for every month

Type I Diabetes 27%

Type II Diabetes 37%

Childhood Leukemia 19%

Breastfeeding is an effective and low cost preventive health measure. Government agencies and most major health organizations recommend exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months followed by continued breastfeeding after the introduction of complementary foods.

Breastfeeding Recommendations of Professional Organizations Agency or Organization*  

National Business Group on Health                   At least a year

American Academy of Pediatrics                                At least 1 year and beyond as long as mutually desired by mother & child

American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists                                                            Longer than 6 months and as long as possible

 American Association of Family Physicians                                                  Breastfeeding beyond the first year should be supported as long as mutually desired

International Lactation Consultant Association                                                                 2 years or more is normal. Women should breastfeed as long as they wish

American Public Health                                        At least 1-2 years and beyond

All recommend at least 6 months of exclusive Breastfeeding.

Maternal Risk Reduction from

Breastfeeding

Disease Risk Reduction

Diabetes15 12%

Metabolic Syndrome16 8.4%

Ovarian Cancer17 21%

Breast Cancer18 4.3%

Coronary Artery Disease19 23%

Aortic Calcifications20 22%

Coronary Calcifications21 15%

What is the economic cost of not breastfeeding?

The cost of formula feeding to society is profound. If 90% of US families complied with the medical recommendations to breastfeed exclusively for 6 months $13 billion could be saved annually and approximately 900 infant deaths could be prevented each year.

Cost burdens for suboptimal breastfeeding rates include the following:

• In 2001, the USDA estimated that $3.6 billion would be saved annually on the treatment of otitis media, gastroenteritis, and necrotizing enterocolitis if the breastfeeding rates were moderately improved to meet the Healthy People 2010 goals of 75% initiating breastfeeding and 50% breastfeeding at 6 months.

• Assuming a 2-28% insulin dependent diabetes mellitus rate attributable to not breastfeeding, a low estimate of $1.19 billion, or a high estimate of $1.3 billion could be saved annually by improving breastfeeding rates, duration, and exclusivity.

• $850 million per year in federal funds are spent by WIC to buy formula for families who could be breastfeeding.

Utilization of IBCLCs for breastfeeding support is a cost effective solution.

They provide safe and effective care with resulting improvements in breastfeeding initiation, duration, and exclusivity—all of which result in reduced health care claims. Research has shown that IBCLCs have a positive effect on breastfeeding success (Table 4) and can provide their services at a significantly lower rate than physicians.Their clinical competencies encompass a broad range of lactation care and services.