Breast-feeding an infant for at least six months, rather than formula-feeding, can save the government millions of dollars, according to a study by UC Davis researchers. "While most health-care providers generally accept that breast-feeding is nutritionally the best method for feeding infants, many still view the feeding options as a neutral choice," says Kathryn Dewey, professor of nutrition and study co-author. "Our analysis provides evidence that breast-feeding is economically advantageous not only for individuals but also for society." Results of the study conducted by Dewey and Cynthia Reeves Tuttle, now a lecturer at the University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand, appear in the September issue of the Journal of the American Dietetic Association. The study was conducted among Hmong women in California, who usually don't breast-feed their babies or use contraceptives reliably. The study results suggest that about $500-800 per family could be saved per year if Hmong women breast-fed for at least six months. The savings for government programs such as welfare, medical coverage, Food Stamps and nutritional subsidies would result from reduced purchase of infant formula, lower medical costs due to fewer illnesses, and smaller family size due to greater birth spacing associated with breast-feeding.