The cost of choice

The recent UNICEF publication ‘Preventing disease and saving resources: the potential contribution of increasing breastfeeding rates in the UK’ ¹ has publicised the cost to the NHS of not breastfeeding.

When published research is on an emotive topic, such as breastfeeding, there is often a backlash. The backlash against breastfeeding information delivered in a neutral tone is often strident and couched in terms of blame.

Blame is directed towards those who support and help breastfeeding mothers. They may even be labelled as ‘Breastapo’ or ‘Lactivists’ and blamed for making mothers feel guilty. The writers of such criticism frequently state that they themselves are pro-breastfeeding, and pro-choice, only trying to be realistic in the face of very real difficulties experienced by themselves or mothers they know. They seem oblivious to their hidden message – appropriate help and support was missing when sorely needed. Defending the use of formula and bottle feeding as a solution to breastfeeding problems compounds the very real sense of loss many women feel when breastfeeding goes wrong.

The tone and content of articles and reports that defend a woman’s right to choose her baby’s feeding method, is often patronising to women and assumes an inherent conflict and tension. There is a feeling that a baby’s right to be breastfed is in conflict with a mother’s right to choose otherwise. They forget that mothers are also exposed to health risks when they do not breastfeed. Mothers and babies are on the same side: Mothers too have a right to breastfeed! All mothers want the best for their babies and deserve acceptance and support alongside unbiased, good quality information to enable them to make an informed feeding choice. Those who later discover that basic, factual information was withheld, on the grounds that they may feel guilty, actually feel patronised and are angry.

Each mother is unique, as are the circumstances in which she makes her choice about feeding her baby; and yet the vast majority of mothers choose to breastfeed. The preliminary results from the 2010 infant feeding survey ² show that in England the breastfeeding initiation rates have increased from 78% in 2005 to 83% in 2010.

Breastmilk provides so much more than nutrition. It provides inbuilt control mechanisms that develop babies’ immune systems and appetite control. Hormones in the mother help her to cope with the day to day activity of caring for her baby. Breastfeeding is an experience that many mothers treasure long after their child has moved on from that stage. Knowing that breastfeeding should be a comfortable and pleasant experience and that there is specialist help available can help more mothers achieve a satisfying and rewarding breastfeeding relationship.

Optimal health is only possible with optimal care and nutrition, so it is not really that surprising that health costs arise when babies are not breastfed. Modified cows milk formula, whatever the claims of the manufacturer, is by no means optimal nutrition, even when fed with love and care. The recent report has shown that the cost of specialist help for breastfeeding could easily be met by the saving in health care costs achieved.

Anne

1.    http://www.unicef.org.uk/Documents/Baby_Friendly/Research/Preventing_disease_saving_resources.pdf?epslanguage=en

2.    http://www.ic.nhs.uk/webfiles/publications/003_Health_Lifestyles/IFS_2010_early_results/Infant_Feeding_Survey_2010_headline_report2.pdf