| Statistics |
| National Statistics |
- Breastfeeding initiation rate - 70.9%
- Breastfeeding continuance at 6 months - 36.2%
- *Exclusive breastfeeding at 6 months - 14.2%
- Breastfeeding continuance at 12 months - 25%
- *Exclusive breastfeeding defined as only breastmilk and water: no solids or other liquids
- CDC: Breastfeeding: Data and Statistics: Breastfeeding Practices - Results from the 2003 National Immunization Survey
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| South Carolina Statistics |
- Ever breastfed - 57.4%
- Exclusive breastfeeding at 3 months - 34.25%
- Any breastfeeding at 6 months - 27.3%
- Exclusive breastfeeding at 6 months - 13.6%
- Any breastfeeding at 12 months - 12.3%
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| Benefits of Breastfeeding for the state of South Carolina |
- SC annual health care savings of $22,618,635 by meeting Healthy People 2010 breastfeeding goals.
- Fewer infant and childhood infections = Medicaid cost savings of $400/year per child.
- Reduction of WIC food costs by at least $400/child/year.
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| Benefits of Breastfeeding for Children |
- Less Obesity Among Children Who Were Breastfed
- Children given formula in their first three months are 52% more likely to develop IDDM
- Exclusive breastfeeding for at least 4 months protects against development of diabetes.
- Breastfeeding reduces the risk of NIDDM (type 2 diabetes)
- Treatment of diabetes uses one of every $7 of health care dollars, costing the US $130 billion annually (not including the costs of complications from diabetes)
- Improved cognitive, motor and language development
- 20-30% reduction in childhood leukemia.
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| Benefits of Breastfeeding for Mothers |
- Reduced risk of Urinary tract infections (as long as breastfeeding continues)
- Protection against osteoporosis (bone mineral density increases with each child breastfed)
- Reduced risk of developing breast cancer (both pre and post menopausal)
- Breastfeeding reduces the risk of NIDDM (type 2 diabetes)
- Lower risk of ovarian cancer & endometrial cancer
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| Business Benefits by Supporting Breastfeeding Employees |
- Savings of $240 thousand per year in healthcare expenses for breastfeeding mothers and their children
- Annual savings of $60 thousand because of reduced absenteeism among breastfeeding mothers
- Pharmacy costs for breastfed children are lower because they require 62% fewer prescriptions
- UCLA Study of CIGNA Corporate Lactation Program Proves that Helping Working Moms Breastfeed is Good Business
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| Benefits To Employers Are Supportive |
- Increased employee loyalty
- Mothers more likely to return following leave, preserving valuable skills and experience
- Improved productivity
- Reduced absenteeism from work (7 times lower than mothers of babies fed formula)
- Enhanced public image for the company
- Lowered health care costs
- Less illness in breastfed infants
- Lower hospitalization rates
- Savings apparent at all socioeconomic levels
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