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In all countries of the world it is cheaper to breast feed
a baby than to feed the baby formula.
In the United States, one day's supply of a cow's milk based
formula costs approximately $2.50.
Women who are breastfeeding need about 500 extra
kilocalories per day in their diet.
This can be supplied by a peanut butter sandwich and 8
oz. of milk.
In the developing world,
actual formula costs are comparable to those in the United States,
but the family's income may be only
the equivalent of $200 US per month.
Formula for one infant could thus require around 40% of the family
income.
In a study from Scotland and the United States,
infants who were exclusively breastfed for the first three months
of life are estimated to save $330 to $475 in health care costs
during the first year of life (
Ball, 1999
).
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