Why Breastfeeding is Green
July 13, 2009 – 10:21 pm by MarinaHanes
Living a more natural lifestyle and raising your baby this way too can help you pinch your pennies and keep you less reliable on store bought goods. When comparing the costs of breastfeeding and using infant formula, the difference is significant. For one baby, formula adds up to almost $2,000 per year. On the other hand, the expenses from breastfeeding per year average around $300. The monetary benefits of breastfeeding are apparent, but the health and environmental benefits are even more considerable.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) encourages breastfeeding mainly because of health benefits for the child. Not only does the mother’s milk provide proper nutrients, it’s easy for the baby to digest and it builds up the immune system. Studies have shown that breastfed babies are less likely to suffer from infectious diseases, because their immune systems are stronger. In the U.S., postneonatal infant mortality has also decreased in breastfed babies. In most situations, breastfeeding is ideal, unless the mother has HIV or other concerning health issues.
In addition to the health benefits, breastfeeding is less wasteful than formula. In order to produce formula, several resources such as water, fuel, ink, animals, etc. are used, and the process causes more pollution. To breastfeed, you need a breast pump, specialized undergarments and maybe a few bottles if you need to refrigerate or freeze the milk. Remember to choose BPA-free plastic bottles or glass bottles than can be recycled.
According to the AAP, breastfeeding is ideal for various reasons (health, costs and environmental). However, it’s possible to raise a healthy, happy baby on infant formula. This is a more costly alternative (about $2,000 per year), which produces more waste, but if you choose this option, try to reduce your waste by buying glass bottles and maybe alternating between breastfeeding and formula if you’re able to.
Tags: breastfeeding, breastfeeding versus formula, eco-friendly breastfeeding