Breastfeeding is a powerful tool for improving child survival, maternal health, and national economic outcomes. By investing in breastfeeding support, Ghana could save lives, reduce healthcare costs, and improve human capital development. Implementing the recommended policies and practices will yield a high return on investment for the country’s future.
This report highlights the significant social, health, and economic consequences of inadequate breastfeeding practices in Ghana. It provides a data-driven analysis of how suboptimal breastfeeding impacts child and maternal health, healthcare systems, and the country’s economy, while making a strong case for investing in breastfeeding promotion and support.
Key Findings on Nutrition and Health
- Impact on Child Health:
- Breastfeeding is essential for child survival and development:
- Exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life reduces vulnerability to diarrhoea and pneumonia—the leading causes of child mortality.
- Optimal breastfeeding practices could prevent 3,774 child deaths annually, making a significant contribution to reducing under-five mortality.
- In Ghana, only 52% of infants are exclusively breastfed for six months, leaving many children susceptible to preventable illnesses.
- Breastfeeding is essential for child survival and development:
- Impact on Maternal Health:
- Increased breastfeeding rates can prevent 302 maternal deaths annually from conditions like breast cancer and type II diabetes.
- Each year of breastfeeding reduces the risk of invasive breast cancer by 6% for mothers.
- Healthcare System Costs:
- Inadequate breastfeeding results in over 1 million avoidable cases of diarrhea and pneumonia annually.
- Healthcare costs associated with treating these conditions amount to over US$5.8 million per year in Ghana.
- Families also face indirect costs such as transportation, lost wages, and time spent seeking treatment.
- Cognitive and Economic Losses:
- Poor breastfeeding practices lead to cognitive development losses in children, affecting their ability to learn and earn in adulthood.
- Ghana loses US$360 million annually in future earnings due to reduced cognitive potential linked to inadequate breastfeeding.
- Formula and Marketing Costs:
- Infant formula is a costly alternative to breastfeeding:
- Families may spend up to 29% of their monthly income on formula, which diverts resources from other essential needs.
- Aggressive marketing of breastmilk substitutes undermines breastfeeding efforts and contributes to these expenses.
- Infant formula is a costly alternative to breastfeeding:
Policy Recommendations to Improve Breastfeeding in Ghana
- Policies and Practices in Health Facilities:
- Integrate breastfeeding promotion, including the “10 Steps to Successful Breastfeeding,” into hospital standards and accreditation systems.
- Train health workers to support mothers with breastfeeding initiation and continuation.
- International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes:
- Enact and enforce legislation to regulate the marketing of formula and other substitutes that discourage breastfeeding.
- Strengthen penalties for companies that violate these regulations.
- Paid Leave and Workplace Policies:
- Expand paid family leave for all workers, including those in the informal sector.
- Mandate workplace breastfeeding-friendly policies, such as lactation rooms and flexible working hours.
- Social and Behavior Change Communication (SBCC):
- Use community networks, local leaders, and multiple communication channels to promote breastfeeding.
- Educate families on the benefits of breastfeeding and debunk myths that discourage its practice.
- Investments in Breastfeeding Programs:
- Increase public funding for breastfeeding promotion and support initiatives.
- Scale up community-based support programs for mothers.
Additional Details
- Key Partners: The study was commissioned by Alive & Thrive, with support from organizations such as the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Irish Aid, Tanoto Foundation, and UNICEF.
- Global Context: Globally, improving breastfeeding could save 820,000 lives annually, with 87% of these being infants under six months.
