Wed, 2010-04-28 13:33

A latest research has revealed that New Zealand could save a projected $245 million a year, if 90% of infants were solely breast fed.

A United States cost study has stated that special breastfeeding for the first half of the year in an infant's life is projected to save the lives of nearly 900 infants, including $US13 billion annually.

According to Women's Health Action Trust spokeswoman Cathie Walsh says, the inferred savings for the populace of New Zealand would be about $245 million a year.

Cathie Walsh, stated, "Breast-fed babies get sick less often and they're much less likely to get the common childhood illnesses of gastro and respiratory infections. So, therefore there are less health care costs, less hospitalizations, doctor's prescriptions, hospital treatment, and, in some cases, deaths”.

She said that the number of $245 million also comprised the possible loss of income of children who died.

Walsh said that there is major scientific proof from middle class populace in urbanized nations, which showed the wide defensive and helpful health effects of breastfeeding.

It is said that if a toddler is not breastfed then both the child's and the mother's health is compromised.