Positively Green

World Breastfeeding Week took place 1 to 7 August and is a great prompt to consider the sustainability benefits of breastfeeding. Breastfeeding week aims to:

• Inform people about the importance of tracking progress in breastfeeding

• Anchor breastfeeding implementation through policies and guidelines

• Engage with individuals and organisations to enhance support for breastfeeding

• Galvanise actions on improving breastfeeding protection, promotion and support using lessons learnt.

Protecting, promoting and supporting breastfeeding addresses inequalities that stand in the way of all new mothers learning and understanding about the benefits of breastfeeding . Breast milk is a readily available resource for all new mothers, regardless of socioeconomic background, and can continue to nourish babies even when families are displaced through war or natural disasters. It requires no additional resources and as such has no direct carbon emissions associated with it. As explained on the UNICEF website, it is key that breastfeeding is supported during climate change related humanitarian emergencies as well as during normal circumstances because breastfeeding is a “green” infant feeding practice compared to infant formula. When compared with breastmilk, milk production uses large amounts of water and has a high carbon footprint.  Increasing breastfeeding rates correlates to improved infant/adult health, a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and a lessened and lessened environmental impact of food alternatives. 

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015, provides a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future. At its heart are the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are an urgent call for action by all countries - developed and developing - in a global partnership. Below are some ways that breastfeeding supports the SDGs that are directly related to the environment:

• SDG 7- Affordable and clean energy. Breastfeeding entails less energy when compared to formula production industries. It also reduces the need for water, firewood and fossil fuels in the home.

• SDG 13- limit and adapt to climate change. Breastfeeding safeguards infant health and nutrition in times of adversity and weather-related disasters due to global warming.

• SDG 12- Responsible consumption and production.  Breastfeeding provides a healthy, viable, non-polluting, non-resource intensive, sustainable and natural source of nutrition and sustenance.

• SDG 14- Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development. Breastfeeding entails less waste compared to formula feeding. Industrial formula production and distribution lead to waste  that pollutes the seas and affects marine life

• SDG 15- Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss. Breastfeeding is ecological compared to formula feeding. Formula production implies dairy farming that puts pressure on natural resources and contributes to carbon emissions and climate change.

The midwives, maternity care assistants and infant feeding team at Derriford Hospital work hard to help new and expectant mothers so as to breastfeed to take advantage of the multiple co benefits. UHP are currently working towards becoming accredited with the UNICEF Baby Friendly award. The UNICEF Baby Friendly Initiative works with health care professionals to provide parents with the best support to build close and loving relationships with their baby, and to feed their baby in ways that support optimum health and development.

UNICEF and the World Health Organization recommend exclusively breastfeeding your baby for at least the first six months of their lives, followed by the introduction of family foods with the continuation of breastfeeding until two years of age. Breastfeeding can continue for as long as a mother and baby wish, beyond weaning and the introduction of family meals if you choose. To find out more, visit the UHP webpage on feeding your baby