Climate change, breastfeeding and health

Abstract

This chapter addresses the environmental impacts and implications of commercial milk formula feeding of infants in the context of the increasingly evident human health risks from climate change. These risks disproportionately threaten women, infants and children, yet the feeding of infants and young children, including by the substitution of breastfeeding with formula, is largely absent from climate change discussions. The chapter describes current global trends in diets for infants and young children, and the climate and health implications if breastfeeding were to become vestigial. Transformational pathways to a more healthy and sustainable food system for infants and young children are also discussed. These include a greater appreciation of ecological and feminist economic thought.