by A recent study published in the PLOS ONE journal sheds light on the health and economic benefits of breastfeeding, particularly in promoting equitable child health and reducing healthcare costs. Conducted by Tomi Ajetunmobi of the Glasgow Center for Population Health, Scotland, and colleagues, the study analyzed data from 502,948 infants born in Scotland between 1997 and 2009.
Breastfeeding has long been recognized for its role in infant development and disease prevention. However, disparities in breastfeeding rates between economically deprived and affluent areas have contributed to health inequalities in early childhood. Previous efforts to promote child health through government policies have yielded limited results, making it essential to gather more evidence on the effectiveness of interventions.
The researchers used administrative datasets to examine the relationship between breastfeeding and childhood mental health outcomes. Data included whether infants were exclusively breastfed, mixed-fed, or formula-fed during the first 6-8 weeks of life, as well as the occurrence of ten common childhood conditions from birth to 27 months and details on hospital admissions, primary care consultations, and prescriptions.
Out of the total number of infants studied, 27% were exclusively breastfed, 9% were mixed-fed, and 64% were formula-fed during the initial 6-8 weeks. Exclusively breastfed infants accounted for 45% of the population in the least deprived areas but only 13% in the most deprived areas.
By quantifying the health and economic benefits of breastfeeding, this study underscores the importance of promoting and supporting breastfeeding initiatives, particularly in economically disadvantaged communities. This not only leads to better health outcomes for children but also results in significant cost savings for healthcare systems.
