The updated Cost of Not Breastfeeding Tool, launching during World Breastfeeding Week, highlights the need for protection, promotion, and support for breastfeeding around the world.
Ottawa, CANADA – Insufficient government protection, promotion and support for breastfeeding is costing countries around the world nearly $575 billion a year in economic and human capital losses, according to the latest data from the Cost of Not Breastfeeding Tool, developed by Nutrition International and Alive & Thrive. These losses, an average of 0.7% of a nation’s gross national income, are the combined result of increased child and maternal mortality, cognitive losses, and additional healthcare costs.
“Breastfeeding is the primary building block of a healthy food system and one of the best ways to give a child the right start in life,” said Joel Spicer, President and CEO, Nutrition International. “But women around the world…
