Economic Benefits Of Breast Milk Essay

Breast milk provides essential nutrients and benefits to both the infant and the mother. Breastfeeding is linked to many benefits such as to reducing risk of diabetes, certain forms of cancers, bacterial and viral infections respiratory illnesses, and obesity in children. For mothers, breastfeeding lowers risk of certain cancers, the incidence of type 2 diabetes, developing osteoporosis, the occurrence of postpartum depression as well as reduce rates of obesity by increasing postpartum weight loss. Breastfeeding also has economic benefits. Infant formula costs the average family between $1200-1500 per year, and if families breastfed it can save in healthcare costs and lost wages due to reduced child illness and care. A study from the Journal …show more content…
(Delta Directions, 2014) The reason for this is, mothers in the state having a lack of knowledge of breastfeeding benefits and lack of support to breastfeed. Often times, mothers believe formula is just as beneficial to the baby as breast milk. Mothers also are not knowledge of the rights they hold as a breastfeeding mother. According to an article from, Communities and Hospitals Advancing Maternity Practices, “Although states, like Mississippi, provide certain rights to breastfeeding mothers, many women are unaware of these rights and are left without the tools to advocate for themselves and their children in public, medical, and workplace environments which threaten their breastfeeding relationship.” (Delta Directions, 2014) Also due to social norms, mothers are not as comfortable to breast feed as they should be. According to a report, “Infant formula has become the norm in many places, such as Mississippi, and social pressures for mothers to cover up or hide themselves while breastfeeding makes mothers feel embarrassed and fearful of being stigmatized.” (Delta Directions, 2014) This information alone, should not be true and steps to for change is