Research commissioned by UNICEF UK has revealed that low breastfeeding rates in the UK are costing the NHS millions of pounds. A report into Preventing diseases and Saving Resources , looks at how raising breastfeeding rates could save money through improving health outcomes. The authors’ calculations show that moderate increases in breastfeeding could see millions in potential annual savings to the NHS – and that figure might only be the tip of the iceberg. The report findings show that for just five illnesses, moderate increases in breastfeeding would translate into cost savings for the NHS of £40 million and tens of thousands of fewer hospital admissions and GP consultations. In addition, analyses on three conditions – cognitive ability, childhood obesity and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) – indicate that modest improvements in breastfeeding rates could save millions of pounds and, in the case of SIDS, children’s lives. For many breastfeeding is not always an option as the experience can be painful and impractical for them. Problems such as Mastitis can occur when the milk ducts can become blocked, causing a painful infection. For others they find a stigma attached to breastfeeding in which they may find it uncomfortable to breastfeed in public places, causing sever insecurities for the mother. But these issues can be resolved or assisted by your local midwife or health visitor whom can help you understand better the resolutions of painful breastfeeding or whether breastfeeding is right for you. This report may suggest that more women should be breastfeeding, however they shouldn’t be forcing women into making decisions that can affect their health physically or mentally especially at a time where they are dealing with a newborn or first experiences of mother hood, a time that should be enjoyed.