Artificial Infant Formula Consumption and Breastfeeding Trends in Ecuador, A Population-Based Analysis from 2007 to 2014

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to analyze trends in infant breastfeeding and artificial infant milk consumption in Ecuador from 2007 to 2014.

METHODS: This descriptive observational study includes all the available data collected and adapted from the National Health and Nutrition Survey of Ecuador, ENSANUT, the Ecuadorian National Institute of Census and Statistics, the national report of the International Marketing Services and data from Enfarma EP. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to determine sociodemographic distribution and temporal trends.

RESULTS: In Ecuador 54% of children initiate breastfeeding during the first hour of life, and 43% of children aged five months are breastfed exclusively. 76% of children under one month of age and 60% of children under six months consume artificial infant formula. Over the last 8 years infant formula consumption has tripled in Ecuador reaching 59.6 million units sold at a cost of $530,100,000 USD from 2007 to 2014.

CONCLUSIONS: Breastfeeding practices in Ecuador are not complying with WHO recommendations and infant milk formulas consumption has risen significantly since 2007, despite active campaigns by the public health sector to educate women as to the benefits of breastfeeding.