BREASTFEEDING
From TODAY, News
Thursday August 7, 2008
Ong Dai Lin
dailin@mediacorp.com.sg
Picture: Not only are there health benefits, but breastfeeding can be cheaper, too. TODAY file photo
THE health benefits have long been touted. Now, amid inflation woes, the financial advantages of breastfeeding are coming to the fore. The Consumers Association of Singapore (Case) has revealed that mothers who exclusively breastfeed their baby during the first six months can save an average of $710.
A price survey on breastfeeding kits may not be one of its usual food and grocery surveys, but the association was approached by the Breastfeeding Mothers’ Support Group (Singapore), said Case vice-president Lim Biow Chuan — this is Breastfeeding Awareness Week — and “we found that consumers can save a lot if they decide to breastfeed”.
Case calculated the prices of nine formula powder brands and 12 pieces of breastfeeding equipment and estimated that the average cost of buying milk powder would be around $735, while breastfeeding equipment costs as little as $25.50.
The survey focused on infant formula powder (0-6 months) because the World Health Organization recommends that infants under six months should be exclusively breastfed. WHO estimates a baby would otherwise need 20 kg of milk powder.
The survey also showed that prices of formula milk powder vary widely, for example, from $10.70 for a 400g tin of Wyeth Nursoy to $19.15 for Enfalac A milk powder.
When asked if the cost savings would motivate more mothers to breastfeed, BMSG vice-president Alderline Wong said: “It may affect the decision of the mother, if she is earning a lower income or if she is cost-conscious.” She added: “Through this survey, we also hope to create more awareness of breastfeeding and encourage more mothers to breastfeed their baby.”
Lactation consultant Doris Fok told Today there is no study to show that costs are a major factor influencing the decision of lower-income mothers to breastfeed. Nonetheless, these mothers are less likely to breastfeed than higher-income mothers.
“These mothers tend to return to the workplace earlier after giving birth, as they usually have a shorter periods of maternity leave and their respective companies may not have proper facilities for them to pump breast milk,” said Ms Fok.
Customer service officer June Yee is one of those who found it too time consuming to exclusively breastfeed her baby. But, the mother of a 17-month-old boy may consider it if she has a second child, she added, “because of the health benefits it can bring to the baby — not because of costs.”
The health benefits are said to include a lower risk of skin rash and asthma for babies, as well as a reduced risk of diabetes and ovarian cancer for mothers.
From TODAY, News
Thursday August 7, 2008
Ong Dai Lin
dailin@mediacorp.com.sg
Picture: Not only are there health benefits, but breastfeeding can be cheaper, too. TODAY file photo
THE health benefits have long been touted. Now, amid inflation woes, the financial advantages of breastfeeding are coming to the fore. The Consumers Association of Singapore (Case) has revealed that mothers who exclusively breastfeed their baby during the first six months can save an average of $710.
A price survey on breastfeeding kits may not be one of its usual food and grocery surveys, but the association was approached by the Breastfeeding Mothers’ Support Group (Singapore), said Case vice-president Lim Biow Chuan — this is Breastfeeding Awareness Week — and “we found that consumers can save a lot if they decide to breastfeed”.
Case calculated the prices of nine formula powder brands and 12 pieces of breastfeeding equipment and estimated that the average cost of buying milk powder would be around $735, while breastfeeding equipment costs as little as $25.50.
The survey focused on infant formula powder (0-6 months) because the World Health Organization recommends that infants under six months should be exclusively breastfed. WHO estimates a baby would otherwise need 20 kg of milk powder.
The survey also showed that prices of formula milk powder vary widely, for example, from $10.70 for a 400g tin of Wyeth Nursoy to $19.15 for Enfalac A milk powder.
When asked if the cost savings would motivate more mothers to breastfeed, BMSG vice-president Alderline Wong said: “It may affect the decision of the mother, if she is earning a lower income or if she is cost-conscious.” She added: “Through this survey, we also hope to create more awareness of breastfeeding and encourage more mothers to breastfeed their baby.”
Lactation consultant Doris Fok told Today there is no study to show that costs are a major factor influencing the decision of lower-income mothers to breastfeed. Nonetheless, these mothers are less likely to breastfeed than higher-income mothers.
“These mothers tend to return to the workplace earlier after giving birth, as they usually have a shorter periods of maternity leave and their respective companies may not have proper facilities for them to pump breast milk,” said Ms Fok.
Customer service officer June Yee is one of those who found it too time consuming to exclusively breastfeed her baby. But, the mother of a 17-month-old boy may consider it if she has a second child, she added, “because of the health benefits it can bring to the baby — not because of costs.”
The health benefits are said to include a lower risk of skin rash and asthma for babies, as well as a reduced risk of diabetes and ovarian cancer for mothers.
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