Investment in breastfeeding could save NHS money: new study

NCT is one of the authors of a UNICEF-funded report published in October 2012 which shows that investing in breastfeeding support could save the NHS millions of pounds.

'Preventing disease and saving resources: the potential contribution of increasing breastfeeding rates in the UK' was led by Professor Mary Renfrew and takes a detailed look at the costs of not breastfeeding in the UK.

We know that the majority of women stop breastfeeding before they wanted to; a shocking 90% of women in the first six weeks. This not only causes distress and increases costs for families, it also costs the NHS through more hospital admissions and GP consultations.

The study looked at just a few of the illnesses where breastfeeding is linked to a reduction in risk  It found potential savings to the NHS from a moderate increase in breastfeeding of about £40 million each year, although the true cost savings are likely to be much higher. 

Some of the key findings were as follows:

If 45% of babies were exclusively breastfed for four months, and 75% of babies were breastfed on discharge from neonatal units, each year there would be:

• 5,916 fewer babies in hospital with respiratory illness, and 22,248 fewer GP consultations, saving around £6.7 million
• 3,285 fewer babies in hospital with gastroenteritis and 10,637 fewer GP consultations, saving more than £3.6 million
• 21,045 fewer ear infection GP visits, saving £750,000
• 361 fewer cases of necrotising enterocolitis (NEC), saving more than £6 million

If half of first time mothers each year who currently don’t breastfeed were to do so for up to 18 months in their life, there would be:

• 865 fewer cases of breast cancer
• Cost savings to the NHS of over £21 million
• Improved quality of life equating to more than £10 million   

If the proportion of babies receiving breastmilk rose by 1% this could lead to a small increase in IQ so that, across the whole population, more than £278 million could be gained in economic productivity each year.  

A very modest increase in exclusive breastfeeding rates could lead to at least three fewer cases of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome annually, avoiding the loss of life and profound consequences for families and saving around £4.7 million.

Increasing breastfeeding rates could lead to around a 5% reduction in childhood obesity, which would save around £1.6million each year.

NCT is joining UNICEF UK in calling UK Government and policy makers to recognise that:

• Breastfeeding is a major public health issue
• Low breastfeeding rates results in significant costs to the NHS

And respond accordingly by:

1 Ensuring public services are fit for purpose
2 Strengthening legislation to protect breastfeeding
3 Supporting further research into the impact of breastfeeding on health

The full report can be found at http://www.unicef.org.uk/Documents/Baby_Friendly/Research/Preventing_disease_saving_resources.pdf?epslanguage=en

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