August is Breastfeeding Month

Published in Women's Health on July 29, 2020

August 1-7 each year is World Breastfeeding Week. Additionally, August is celebrated as National Breastfeeding Month all month long. This year’s World Breastfeeding Week focuses on how breastfeeding can improve the environment and climate change.

According to the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA), 720,450 metric tonnes of milk formula sold annually in 6 Asian countries generated almost 2.9 million metric tonnes of greenhouse gases. This is equivalent to nearly 7,000 million miles driven by car or 1.03 million metric tonnes of waste sent to the landfill. It is estimated that more than 4,000 liters of water are needed to produce 1 kilogram of breastmilk substitute powder. This is just an example of baby formula in 6 Asian countries and doesn’t include North America at all. More information on the environmental impacts of formula can be found here.

Breastmilk is a natural, renewable food that is environmentally safe. It is produced and delivered without pollution, packaging or waste. Not only is breastmilk sustainable, it also promotes baby health by ensuring food security and providing high quality nutrients. For more information on the benefits of breastmilk, follow World Breastfeeding Week on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram and follow #WBW2020.

Does your business currently cater to the mother/baby community by providing breast pumps, supplies or mother/baby retail items? If not, you may want to consider adding mother/baby products, especially breast pumps or nursing bras to your business offering. As a women’s health provider in your community, many women already trust you with their sensitive post-mastectomy needs. You could expand your client base to include another demographic of women.

You may already have insurance contracts that include breast pumps. The Affordable Care Act requires most group health insurance plans to allow breastfeeding equipment. Essentially Women has manufacturer options that offer profitable margins. You can help build your insurance business by saying yes to more referrals. In addition, during uncertain market conditions, one constant is babies coming into the world with mothers in need of breast pumps. Interested in learning more? Check out Essentially Women’s Breast Pump Guide.