Breastfeeding could save the NHS millions

UNICEF UK has claimed that the NHS would save around £40 million a year if more women breastfed their babies.  The organization claims that breast milk boosts the immune system of babies and offers protection from more than 50 infant and adult illnesses, including respiratory illnesses, gastroenteritis and ear infections to a degree unattainable by other foodstuffs.

Unfortunately, however, although the recommended period for breastfeeding is at least six months and more than 80% of British women begin breastfeeding after giving birth, less than half continue beyond six weeks. This is one of the lowest durations for breastfeeding in the world. According to UNICEF UK, if women extended the six-week period to four months the outcome would be that nearly 10,000 fewer young children would need hospital treatment and there would be more than 50,000 fewer visits to GPs.

According to UNICEF UK Deputy Director Anita Tiessen, the vast majority of these women would prefer to have continued but give up in the face of lack of support. Ms Tiessen would like to see breastfeeding acknowledged as a major public health issue with investment and legislation introduced to improve the experience for mothers. She notes that any financial investment would reap a rapid return. 

For her part Sue Ashmore, Programme Director of the UNICEF UK Baby Friendly Initiative, would like to see breastfeeding become something that is seen around us every day. 

Professor Mike Kelly, Director of the Centre for Public Health Excellence at the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence, agrees that supporting breastfeeding is a simple idea that could help reduce health inequalities and save money, two of the most urgent problems facing the NHS.