The Impact of Breastfeeding on the Environment
Carene “We observed 35–72% lower impact of breastfeeding than feeding with infant formula for the five impact categories.”
Green isn’t just a color, it is how we envision life. It seems the more we conform to this fast-paced life, the more we are forced to feed the industry, and subsequently we steal more life from our planet. Turning the lively green to a dull gray. In today’s world, conversations about sustainability often revolve around renewable energy, waste reduction, and eco-friendly consumer choices. Yet, one of the most natural and impactful contributors to environmental sustainability is rarely discussed: breastfeeding. Beyond its well-known health benefits for both mother and child, breastfeeding has a profound positive effect on the environment.
Breastfeeding is a Zero Waste Feeding method
Breast milk is produced by a mother’s mammary gland, i.e. the breasts. It provides all the essential nutrients for optimal growth, hydration, neurodevelopment and other immune modulating factors around the clock. Breast milk is the ultimate “zero waste” food. It is produced naturally, requires no packaging, and is delivered directly to the baby, eliminating the need for bottles, formula tins, plastic scoops, and single-use sachets. Formula feeding, on the other hand, often generates large amounts of waste through packaging, transportation, and preparation. Infant formula is an ultra-processed food, requiring highly complex global supply chains. There are constant upgrades, adaptations and even recalls which further contribute to carbon emissions and waste produced. By breastfeeding, families reduce reliance on products that contribute to landfill and plastic pollution.
According to research published by the British Medical Journal (BMJ), in terms of waste, at least “550 million infant formula cans, comprising 86,000 tons of metal and 364,000 tons of paper are added to landfills every year.”
Breastfeeding has a Reduced Carbon Footprint
“Exclusive formula use for the first six months used around 21 kg of formula and around 150 kg of greenhouse gas emissions to feed a baby.”
Infant formula production is resource intensive. It requires the farming of dairy cows (or soy), processing plants, and global transportation networks. There are only one or two locally produced infant formula products, while most of the larger and well-known brands are imported. This results in increased greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation, and significant energy use. Studies have shown that the formula industry contributes millions of tons of CO₂ annually. In South Africa, the use of infant formula is thought to produce approximately 113 million kg in carbon emissions during the first 6 months of infant feeding (greenfeedingtool.org, 2025). In contrast, breastfeeding is a renewable resource, requiring no factories, transport, or refrigeration, making it a low-carbon way of feeding infants. Some professors in the field even refer to breastfeeding as a carbon offset, helping to reduce carbon emissions.
Breastfeeding can save on Water and Energy
Breastfeeding is naturally efficient. The only additional water required is that of the breastfeeding mother. The fluid a breastfeeding mother consumes in addition to her normal bodily functions may be anything from 0 to 2 liters per day. The additional energy consumed by mothers has been estimated to be around 240 to 500 calories per day. Both sources vary greatly between women. The increased food intake by a breastfeeding mother was found to have an insignificant effect on the carbon footprint compared to that of infant formula. Formula production requires vast amounts of water, not only for cow rearing but also for processing, cleaning, and preparation. It is estimated that about 4000 liters of water is required to produce just 1kg of formula powder. Only to be reconstituted again before feedings. Families using formula also consume household energy and water to sterilize bottles, boil kettles, and store milk. Breastfeeding avoids this environmental cost by being ready-made, always at the right temperature, and completely safe when practiced exclusively.
“1 kg ready-to-feed infant formula will provide six servings and require 6 L of water for sterilization.”
Breastfeeding is an effective contingency in emergency situations
Breastfeeding is recommended as a life-saving intervention in emergency situations. When we consider the limited resources, lack of hygiene and infrastructure with disaster stations, breastfeeding just makes sense. However, the first thing to be donated and shipped to these countries is infant formula. Often with no safe way to prepare the formula and discouraging breastfeeding, this can lead to various infant illnesses such as diarrhoea and vomiting. This narrative became very real with the lootings in Kwazulu-Natal during 2021. I remember seeing the pleas of mothers when they could not get formula for their infants, while seeing people buying formula in bulk to send. A situation we would not want any mother to experience. Being able to breastfeed in these situations not only provides surety that you would be able to continue feeding your baby without interruptions, while also protecting the baby against common illnesses.
Breastfeeding Protects Ecosystems
“We observed 35–72% lower impact of breastfeeding than feeding with infant formula for the five impact categories.”
Large-scale dairy and soy farming can disrupt ecosystems through deforestation, pesticide use, water wastage and biodiversity loss. Choosing breastfeeding over formula reduces demand for these agricultural practices, helping to protect vulnerable ecosystems and wildlife habitats.
Breastfeeding Supports Sustainable Development Goals
If you have been working in the health care industry, you would be familiar with the drive towards these goals. There are 17 Sustainable Development goals, all aimed at ending poverty, protecting the planet and ensuring peace and prosperity. Breastfeeding aligns with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including good health and well-being (SDG 3), responsible consumption and production (SDG 12), and climate action (SDG 13). By promoting breastfeeding, societies not only support healthier children and mothers but also contribute to a more sustainable planet.
Challenges and Considerations
It’s important to acknowledge that not all mothers are able to breastfeed, and alternatives are necessary in certain cases. Formula has its place as a valuable and sometimes lifesaving option when medically indicated. However, where breastfeeding is possible, encouraging and supporting mothers can have meaningful environmental as well as health benefits. This requires supportive policies in workplaces, skilled healthcare, and supportive communities.
Breastfeeding is more than a personal or health decision—it’s an environmental one too. By reducing waste, lowering carbon emissions, and conserving resources, breastfeeding contributes quietly but significantly to the health of our planet. As global efforts to combat climate change grow, recognizing and supporting breastfeeding as a sustainable practice is an essential step toward a greener future.
References:
aliveandthrive.org. (2021, November). Retrieved from https://www.aliveandthrive.org/en/news/qa-the-manufacture-of-breastmilk-substitute-products-is-pumping-tons-of-co2-into-the-atmosphere#:~:text=And%20we’ve%20also%20recently,an%20environmental%20point%20of%20view.
Ellen Cecilie Andresen, A.-G. R. (2022). Environmental Impact of Feeding with Infant Formula in Comparison with Breastfeeding. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.
greenfeedingtool.org. (2025). Retrieved from https://greenfeedingtool.org/#/preloaded-data
Samantaray, I. M. (2023). Breastfeeding and Environmental Consciousness: A Narrative Review of Environmental Implications and Potential Contributions to Reduce Waste and Energy Consumption. Cureus.
