Who breastfeeds?

When I teach breastfeeding classes I always mention that in recent years the rate of breastfeeding initiation - giving breastfeeding a try - has been hovering around 70% in the U.S. 

But that number hides some significant differences in breastfeeding rates in this country. 

So, in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. day, I thought I'd write about the relationship of breastfeeding to race, income, education, maternal age, and region.

Since Dr. King died in 1968 there has been tremendous progress the rate of breastfeeding in the U.S.  In 1970, the rate of breastfeeding initiation was only 25%. 

Despite this progress, some significant differences among subgroups of women remain.  According to the CDC, in 2005, the rates of mothers "ever breastfeeding," varied by:

Race.  Rates of breastfeeding were 81% for Asian Americans, 79% for Hispanics/Latinas, 75% for Whites, 67% for Native Americans, and 59% for African Americans.

Mothers' age.  50% of women under 20 breastfed, 68% of women between 20 and 29 breastfed, and 77% of women 30 and over breastfed.

Education.  63% of women with less than a high school diploma breastfed, while 84% of college graduates breastfed.

Income.  Women living below the federal poverty line breastfed at the rate of 63%, and women living at 350% of the poverty level breastfed at the rate of 82%.

WIC participation.  65% of women receiving WIC subsidies breastfed, while women who were ineligible (due to higher income) breastfed at the rate of 77%.

Geography.  The CDC map to the right, "Percentage of Children Ever Breastfed by State, 2005," shows which regions had the highest and lowest rates of breastfeeding.

Some good news:  Between 1992 and 2002 the rate of breastfeeding among African American women, WIC participants, and mothers younger than 20 years showed some of the fastest gains.  The increase for African American women was the highest, increasing almost 26% over ten years.

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Comments

[Angela]

Fascinating! It always bothers me to read the statistics showing that the people who would benefit the most from breastfeeding (due to the cost of formula and the lack of health care) have lower rates of breastfeeding. It seems though that the trends start from the wealthiest class and trickle down, so hopefully breastfeeding rates are still on the upswing.

[Tanya Lieberman]

My thoughts exactly!

[tiny-dog]

I'm really interested to know how *long* people breastfeed, statistically.

[Tanya Lieberman]

Hi tiny-dog,

Here are some rates at different ages from the 2005 CDC study:

Ever breastfed: 73%
Any breastfeeding at 3 months: 53%
Exclusive breastfeeding at 3 months: 39%
Any breastfeeding at 6 months: 39%
Exclusive breastfeeding at 6 months: 14%
Any breastfeeding at 1 year: 20%
Any breastfeeding at 18 months: 7%

Breastfeeding beyond that age wasn't measured. For more detailed information, see this page:

http://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/data/NIS_data/data_2005.htm

Happy to track down more information if what you see here doesn't answer your question!

- Tanya

[Lauren]

Sometimes I get that feeling that I'm the only mother in my whole community that nurses her baby and now I know why. Many thanks to LLL and this blog (and those it links to) for your much-needed support!

Imagine the effects on society if even 50% of babies were still breastfed at 12 months. Better health for moms and babies, incomparable nutrition and long-term immunity for children, more public and workplace acceptance of nursing mothers, the effects of higher prolactin levels on mothers' bonding instincts and fertility rates...

[Tanya Lieberman]

Lauren,

The funny thing about this is that in some communities you can feel like the only one, and in others you can feel like no one doesn't breastfeed! In my area you can drive for 15 minutes and be in two different communities that see it really differently.

I also think that we tend to compare ourselves mostly to our peer group, which can also affect your impression. Interesting stuff.

Good for you for doing even though there aren't many around you who do!

Tanya

[Heather]

My sister received WIC assistance with both her children. They paid for her formula so she had no financial incentive to breastfeed. She also had no higher education or training and worked as a waitress. No opportunity or support to pump. Unfortunately it doesn't appear that lower income mothers are given the education and resources to choose breastfeeding.

[Natural Parenting]

Not only are lower income women not given the education to breastfeed, they are also handed out formula. It is much easier to take the formula than to figure out how to breastfeed, especially if you are not aware of the benefits. It is really tragic.