A Systematic Review of the Maternal Economic Costs of Breastfeeding

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  • January 25, 2020
Creator
  • Jackson, Christine
    • Affiliation: Gillings School of Global Public Health, Public Health Leadership Program
Abstract
  • Introduction: Despite the maternal and child health benefits associated with breastfeeding, feeding decisions are multi-faceted and personal for each woman following the birth of her child. With the number of women in the labor force on the rise, obtaining and synthesizing evidence of the economic and professional consequences of breastfeeding is important to inform breastfeeding promotion programs and policies. Methods: We searched PubMed and Web of Science from April 2007 to April 2017 for studies reporting on breastfeeding exposure and short-term (i.e. time use, maternity leave duration) or long-term maternal economic outcomes (i.e. income trajectory). Relevant data was abstracted from each included study using a standardized instrument and the risk of bias was assessed using an adaptation of the ROBINS-I tool. Results: The search produced 1156 titles and 3 studies ultimately met final inclusion criteria, all of which were prospective cohort studies rated as having serious risk of bias. Each included study reported on different economic outcomes: time spent on infant feeding, trajectory of annual income, and duration of any work leave following childbirth. Across the three studies, heterogeneity was substantial with respect to population, time frame, breastfeeding exposure/comparators and outcomes evaluated. Though methodological limitations exist, the evidence suggests that mothers who breastfeed dedicate more time to infant feeding, take a longer leave from work and are subject to a depressed income trajectory in the five years following the birth of their child. Discussion: Additional research is necessary to produce stronger empirical evidence on whether economic and professional losses are associated with breastfeeding in the current political and sociocultural climate.
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  • In Copyright
Note
  • Paper type: Systematic review
  • Track: HC&P
Advisor
  • Feltner, Cynthia
Reviewer
  • Urrutia, Rachel
Degree
  • Master of Public Health
Academic concentration
  • Public Health
Degree granting institution
  • University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Graduation year
  • 2017
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  • ed968303-55b4-42d8-b422-28b9d98b13e2

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