Global Economy Could Benefit from Breastfeeding To The Tune Of $300 Billion

The latest study conducted by a group of scientists showed that breastfeeding does not only benefit mothers and babies, it also benefits the global economy. Now there is more reason to advocate breastfeeding in all corners of the world.

The Lance Breastfeeding Series has published a report concerning the global impact that the decision not to breastfeed brings. Babies who were not or had minimal time to be breastfed resulted in having lower cognitive ability, which the scientists attached a cost of $300 billion annually. This amount is almost at par with the value of the pharmaceutical market, Fox News reported.

Dr. Cesar Victora, professor emeritus from the University of Pelotas, Brazil, said that "Supporting breastfeeding makes economic sense for rich and poor countries, and this latest breastfeeding study proves it."

Eureka Alert reported that by improving the number of breastfeeding women, approximately 820,000 child deaths under the age of 5 may be prevented. Twenty thousand breast cancer related deaths are already prevented by breastfeeding annually, and the number could double if breastfeeding rates would go up.

In terms of the cognitive development of children, it was found that breastfed babies have three points higher IQ compared to non-breastfed babies. This was then translated into the child's long-term earnings and better productivity.

Dr. Victora further added that, "Breastfeeding is a powerful and unique intervention that benefits mothers and children, yet breastfeeding rates are not improving as we would like them to- and in some countries, are declining."

Countries with the lowest rate of breastfeeding include Denmark, Ireland and United Kingdom. Here, only about one to three percent of the children are breastfeed at 12 months. In the United States, a 2011 survey showed that 27 percent of babies at this age were breastfed.

The authors of the study came to a conclusion that by increasing breastfeeding rates to 90 percent in three of the most populated countries in the world like Brazil, China and the United States, it could save $6 million, $223.6 million, and $2.45 billion respectively. On the other hand, a 45 percent rate increase in the United Kingdom can lead to a savings of $29.5 million. These numbers certainly highlight the benefits of breastfeeding.