Breastfeeding Benefits & Barriers: Breastfeeding Statistics in the United States

The Surgeon General's Goal for Healthy People 2010 is that:

• 75% of women breastfeed their infants at hospital discharge,
• 50% breastfeed their infants at 6 months of age, and
• 25% breastfeed their infants at 12 months (1 year) of age.

In 2001, under the direction of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Immunization Survey (NIS) began collecting data on breastfeeding as part of the annual NIS. Data from recall of breastfeeding history was obtained from a subset of infants 19-35 months of age at the time of the survey. The analysis of the survey results is weighted to represent the US population. Breastfeeding questions included: Was the child ever breastfed? How many months was the the child exclusively breastfed up to 6 months of age? How many months was the child receiving any breast milk up to 12 months of age? ( Ruowei, 2003 ).

Nationwide in 2003, of the infants who were now 19-35 months of age,

• 71% were breastfed at birth,
• 36% were breastfed at 6 months,
• 17% were breastfed at 12 months,
• 41% were exclusively breastfed at 3 months,and
• 14% were exclusively breastfed at 6 months.

NIS results:

• Fourteen states have greater than 75% of women breastfeeding at hospital discharge.
• Six states have greater than 50% of their infants being breastfed at 6 months of age.
• Eight states have greater than 25% of their infants being breastfed at 1 year of age.
• The six states of Hawaii, Idaho, Oregon, Utah, Vermont, and Washington have achieved all of the Healthy People 2010 objectives on breastfeeding. Over 50% of mothers of all racial/ethnic groups, all ages, and of all educational levels are initiating breastfeeding. Only teen-age mothers, black or African American mothers, and unmarried mothers have less than 60% of their members initiating breastfeeding.

To see how your state ranks in breastfeeding and for further information on the socio-demographic factors associated with breastfeeding, visit the CDC website ( Breastfeeding Practices: Results from the 2003 National Immunization Survey ).