Economic review of breastfeeding promotion policies around the world

Many women do not initiate breastfeeding or breastfeed to the duration recommended by professional associations or public health officials. This is despite epidemiological evidence suggesting substantial positive breastfeedingrelated health effects for children and women. Countries and states have initiated many policies including leave and wage support that can help women to offset some of the career costs that limit breastfeeding initiation and duration. However, the economics of policy do not always suggest that comprehensive policy will be efficient. Efficient policy should be based on the best scientific evidence that the maternal positive health behaviour within the targeted population is low at present and has a high likelihood of changing in ways that have a large impact maternal and child health.