[Monetary value of breast milk in Bolivia]

Abstract

Objective: To estimate the volume of breast milk consumed by Bolivian children under 36 months of age, and the monetary value of replacing that volume of breast milk with commercial substitutes.

Methods: The analysis took into account the distribution of the infant population by age groups, the prevalence of breast-feeding practices (exclusive or partial) in every age group, the average volume of breast milk consumed by the infants of a given age group, and the cost of breast milk production and replacement.

Results: Bolivian infants annually consume more than 161 million liters of breast milk, which represents an average volume of 573 mL/day per infant under 1 year of age. The monetary value of breast milk consumed by the Bolivian infants amounts to US$ 274 million annually. The average cost of replacing breast milk with commercial substitutes for an infant adequately breast-fed for the first year of life would be US$ 407.

Discussion: For the formulation and consolidation of policies and programs to protect, promote, and support breast-feeding to become a reality, it is necessary that the political leaders of Bolivia be aware of the enormous monetary value of breast milk.