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Breastfeeding: a course for health professionals
S Moxley1, N Sims-Jones, A Vargha
1School of Nursing, University of Ottawa.
The Canadian Nurse
|October 1, 1996
Summary
Breastfeeding offers significant health and economic benefits for infants and mothers, including reduced illness and healthcare costs. Despite these advantages, its prevalence among Canadian mothers remains a concern.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Pediatrics
- Health Economics
Background:
- Breastfeeding is recognized as a fundamental aspect of health promotion.
- Documented benefits for both infant and maternal health are extensive.
- Recent studies link breastfeeding to reduced Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) risk and enhanced cognitive development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the significant health benefits of breastfeeding for infants and mothers.
- To underscore the economic advantages of breastfeeding for families and society.
- To investigate the reasons behind the lower prevalence of breastfeeding among Canadian mothers despite known benefits.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of existing research on breastfeeding benefits.
- Analysis of economic data related to infant feeding practices.
- Exploration of factors influencing breastfeeding rates in Canada.
Main Results:
- Exclusive breastfeeding for four months can yield substantial cost savings, e.g., over $862,000 annually in Ontario by reducing otitis media treatment.
- Hospitalization costs for gastroenteritis in bottle-fed infants are significantly higher compared to exclusively breastfed infants.
- Breastfeeding is associated with prevention of SIDS and improved cognitive function.
Conclusions:
- Breastfeeding provides substantial, well-documented health and economic advantages.
- The cost-effectiveness of breastfeeding in preventing common infant illnesses is evident.
- Further research is needed to understand and address barriers to breastfeeding prevalence in Canada.