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Unconditional Cash Transfer May Increase Breastfeeding Rates

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on May 29, 2025.

By Elana Gotkine HealthDay Reporter

THURSDAY, May 29, 2025 -- Unconditional cash transfers (UCTs) through U.S. social programs may increase breastfeeding rates, including in persons with low income, according to a study published online May 27 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

Sahar A. Choudhry, M.P.H., from Boston Medical Center, and colleagues summarized evidence on UCTs and postpartum outcomes in the United States using data for 11 reports from six studies. Four quasi-experimental (QE) studies examined three social programs, two of which targeted low-income populations, and seven reports from two randomized controlled trials (RCTs) examined direct cash transfers to postpartum persons with low income.

The researchers found an increase in breastfeeding rates with UCTs (high strength of evidence: two RCTs, two QE studies), while little or no difference was seen in postpartum mood (high strength of evidence: one RCT, two QE studies). For all other associations, low strength of evidence or insufficient evidence was seen.

"Evidence suggests that associations between UCTs and other postpartum outcomes are either neutral or inconclusive," the authors write. "We found no evidence of harm. However, data are lacking on key outcomes along the theoretical pathway from UCTs to postpartum health and survival."

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Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.

© 2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved.

Posted May 2025

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