Economic value of breastfeeding in Belize

This study used a workbook first tested in Guatemala (where it revealed major savings deriving from breastfeeding) to analyze the economic value of breastfeeding in Belize. The study presents information on the costs and savings associated with current levels of both breastfeeding and bottle feeding at the national, public sector, hospital, and household levels; the potential net benefit of extending breastfeeding to a full year for the entire newborn population is also discussed. The economic value of breastfeeding was calculated by measuring the costs that would be incurred if all women breastfed minus the present costs of breastfeeding promotion. Results reveal compelling evidence of the economic value of breastfeeding in Belize. Without breastfeeding, annual costs for breast milk substitutes would increase from $1.2 million to over $2 million for households and from $175,000 to over $1 million for Belize City Hospital. Household and health care center costs for diarrhea and acute respiratory infection would also increase. The current cost of breastfeeding promotion in Belize through the Breast is Best League and the Ministry of Health is about $14 per birth. Savings of about $350 per birth through breastfeeding make promotion of the practice a highly cost-effective preventive health measure.