Breast-feeding Bargain

Re the breast-feeding study by UC Davis researchers [spring 1997 issue]: I was glad to see a study pointing out the savings that could be achieved through breast-feeding. However, it is important to differentiate between saving the government millions of dollars and being "the most economical" option for everyone. The monetary savings attributed to breast-feeding, reduced formula, health-care expenses and smaller family sizes are more significant socially when someone else is footing the bill (the federal government, through the Women, Infants and Children program, and Medicare) and when the opportunity cost of the mother's time is close to zero. For working mothers, breast-feeding can take time away from work and decrease work productivity, a cost that needs to be balanced against the potential health benefits, reduced formula expenses and possible added birth control expenses. I breast-fed my son for six weeks, but as a university professor, I found the time cost and inconvenience were just not worth the potential benefits beyond that for me. However, I would certainly recommend it for those who are not working or even for those who work part time.

Molly Espey '88, M.S. '89, Ph.D. '94
Reno, Nev.