Hi, gang,

I don't have the citation, but there was a study performed at the Kaiser
Permanente health maintenance organization in Durham, North Carolina on the
relative medical care costs for breastfed and formula-fed infants.  It found
that the average formula-fed infant incurred an additional health care
cost of $1,400 for the first year of life, compared with the average breastfed
infant.

If any other Lactnetters have the citation, I'd surely appreciate it.  I'd
also really
appreciate more information on the savings to employers as a result of
BFing.  I'm currently working to justify establishment of baby-friendly policies
at the corp. where I work.

On Thu, 2 May 1996 11:11:27 -0400, David Louder wrote:
>   Some may know that the Dept of Defense is beginning to switch to a "managed
>care" paradigm. I have a very specific question: how to calculate health care
>costs associated with formula-feeding versus breast.  We all can discuss *the
>benefits* of breastfeeding, or better yet *the disadvantages* of formula, but
>how can I demonstrate a medical cost savings on a per patient basis?  My hope
>is to cost justify further lactation support and equipment.

Jonathan
****************************************
*       L. Jonathan Kramer, P.E.       *
* Graduate Breastfeeding Counselor and  *
*    Student Lactation Consultant      *
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