I just had to write in response to Molly Espey's letter (summer 1997) in which she states that breast-feeding is not cost effective for employed mothers because "breast-feeding can take time away from work and decrease work productivity." I think she underestimates the financial benefits of breast-feeding for families who pay for their own food and health care. Studies have shown that employed mothers who breast-feed their infants are absent from work less often than their formula-feeding counterparts!
Also, the health benefits (although I feel that it's hard to put a price on good health) are substantial and do influence most employed mothers financially. Formula-fed infants have three times as many ear infections, see the pediatrician twice as often for illness, and have a greater risk of allergies, asthma, childhood cancers, diabetes, gastrointestinal infections, urinary tract infections, pneumonia and SIDS.
Breast-feeding may be a challenge during the first months, but then babies feed less frequently and spend less time during feedings. Most moms who stick with breast-feeding greatly appreciate all the benefits.
Diana Elaine Raabe Kelly '85
Sunnyvale
