The cost-effectiveness of breastfeeding peer support

Abstract

Although many breastfeeding peer support projects have been initiated, evaluating their cost-effectiveness is difficult as a result of a paucity of data and relevant literature. However, from a review of the limited data it can be shown that breastfeeding peer support programmes can, by increasing the number of babies who are breastfed, make significant savings to the NHS. Other areas that could offer long-term savings to the NHS, but have not been fully analysed, include potential reductions in pre-menopausal cancers in mothers who have breastfed, childhood obesity, urinary tract infections and necrotizing enterocolitis. Consideration of the value-added benefits that peer support workers offer to the mothers and the community highlights the special value of breastfeeding peer support programmes.