Environmental Implications of Breastfeeding and Its Role in Attaining the United Nations SDGs

Breastfeeding is widely recognized for its numerous health benefits for both infants and mothers. Remarkably, increasing breastfeeding to a universal level could potentially save up to 823,000 infant lives and prevent breast cancer in approximately 20,000 mothers each year. However, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) did not specifically highlight breastfeeding as a target. More specifically, its potential role in promoting environmental sustainability has been largely overlooked. This paper aims to delve into the environmental impact of breastfeeding and its contribution towards achieving the SDGs. It will bring to light the often-ignored links between breastfeeding and environmental impact. In situations where breastfeeding is not prevalent, infant formula serves as a replacement. However, the production, packaging, distribution, and consumption of these substitutes pose various environmental challenges. Additionally, the challenges in strengthening the implementation of the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes and the need for global funding to promote breastfeeding practices are discussed as well. In a nutshell, joint effort and the strong role of government intervention in achieving the Global Breastfeeding Collective's target of a 70% exclusive breastfeeding rate by 2023, could impose a significant contribution into a broader sustainable development agenda.