The economic impact of breastfeeding

Breastfed infants experience fewer illnesses, costing our health care system less money, than do formula-fed infants. The medical economics of breastfeeding are reviewed, along with available cost data from the unique perspectives of employers, health care payers, and society. Significant savings in health fare costs are likely to result from increasing the initiation and duration of breastfeeding in the United States. Greater expenditures devoted to improving the promotion of breastfeeding in our society would be a healthy and financially prudent investment.