Breastfeeding is thought to be the most natural thing in the world, but have you ever thought how it affects the planet? It is part of a sustainable feeding system that doesn’t rely on dairy cattle for production, emits no greenhouse gases and needs no transport or packaging. It is truly a green infant feeding practice.
“Breastfeeding requires less water and natural resources than infant formula and emits a lower carbon footprint,” Binns (2021).
In the last 12 years, the number of infants breastfed to six months has increased by 10%. But still, less than half the worlds infants (48%) are exclusively breastfed to six months, as recommended by WHO/UNICEF. The health benefits to both mother and baby are well known, and increasing breastfeeding rates by 2030 is even one of the Sustainable Development goals of the UN. Breastfeeding is a public health and climate justice issue of global concern.
In Western Europe, rates of ‘any breastfeeding at six months’ was 44.5% in 2019, whilst in West and Central Africa it was 96.9%. Breastfeeding is one of the few positive health activities that is more often found in poor countries than rich countries.
For breastfeeding to be successful, women need access to skilled breastfeeding counsellors. Mothers need to be supported both to start and sustain breastfeeding, to extend the duration of and to promote exclusive breastfeeding. This support can come from skilled breastfeeding counsellors, or skilled mothers, aunties and family members. Every mother needs access to this support to empower her to give her baby the best possible start in life.
In this era of climate change, especially in areas where natural disasters are prevalent, the antibodies in breastmilk protect babies against illness and death, which is particularly important during emergencies. Healthier populations end up using less healthcare resources, which in turn is better for the environment.
In India, the proportion of infants below six months who have been breastfed exclusively has increased from 31.3% during the 2015-2016 survey to 43% during the 2019-2021 survey. Mothers from tribal communities who had delivered at public health facilities and had four or more antenatal visits during pregnancy were more likely to breastfeed their baby for up to six months. In particular, further support was found to be needed for younger mothers and those with low birth weight babies, and mothers need to be encouraged to feed within the first hour of birth, if at all possible.
The WHO has set a new goal for 70% of infants to be exclusively breastfed to six months by 2030. This is a huge goal, but we are getting there slowly.
“Breastmilk requires no packaging, shipping or disposal and has a negligible water footprint. It does not create pollution, nor waste scarce resources. It is a free and safe resource uniquely suitable for human babies which helps to minimise environmental impact. Breastfeeding populations are also more resilient in emergencies. No other health behaviour has such a broad-spectrum and long-lasting impact on public health. Breastfeeding protection, support and promotion helps to safeguard planetary and human health by minimising environmental harm.”
Sally Goodwin-Mills BFIqL, Baby Friendly Qualified Leader, Advanced Health Improvement Specialist, Public Health, Leeds City Council
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