How does breastfeeding benefit society?

Society benefits overall when mothers breastfeed.

• Breastfeeding saves lives. Recent research shows that if 90% of families breastfed exclusively for
  6 months, nearly 1,000 deaths among infants could be prevented.
• Breastfeeding saves money. The United States would also save $2.2 billion per year — medical care costs are lower for fully breastfed infants than never-breastfed infants. Breastfed infants usually need fewer sick care visits, prescriptions, and hospitalizations.
• Breastfeeding also helps make a more productive workforce. Mothers who breastfeed miss less work to care for sick infants than mothers who feed their infants formula. Employer medical costs are also lower.
• Breastfeeding is better for the environment.Formula cans and bottle supplies create more trash and plastic waste. Your milk is a renewable resource that comes packaged and warmed.