Along with the health benefits it provides to mothers, children and families, breastfeeding also improves the health of our planet. If you’re hoping to reduce your carbon footprint- here are some ways that breastfeeding can do it for you!
Fewer Food Miles
Breastmilk brings new meaning to the idea of locally sourced food. It provides all the nutrients your baby needs for the first six months of life and a significant proportion of their nutrients thereafter, all within arms reach of your baby. There is no need for any advertising or transport of your milk which makes it one of the most environmentally sound foods available.
No Packaging
Your milk does not require any packaging, which saves energy used in the manufacturing of cans or cartons and also saves the waste of the empty cans and packets. This reduces the waste burden on the planet. Every breastfeed makes a difference, even one breastfeed a day adds up over time and will save energy and reduce waste.
Reduced Carbon Footprint
A 2019 study showed that compared with formula feeding, breastfeeding for six months saves an estimated 95-153kg of CO2 equivalent per baby.* This is due to the above factors and also the environmental impact of production, processing, marketing and transport of breastmilk substitutes as well as the extra items needed for formula such as cans and scoops, extra bottles and teats, etc.
Fuelling A New Generation
Every family is different and every breastfeed makes a difference, whether the journey lasts for many years or just one day it could have a lasting positive impact on the environment as well as you and your baby.
Breastmilk is the ultimate sustainable, renewable, locally sourced energy for your little one- the perfect fuel for the next generation!
*Joffe, N., Webster, F. and Shenker, N. Support for breastfeeding is an environmental imperative. The BJM, 2019.
Keep Abreast 