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Breastfeeding among U.S. children born 2000–2009,
CDC National Immunization Survey

Percent of U.S. children who were breastfed, by birth yeara
Any breastfeeding. For data, see below. Exclusive breastfeeding. For data, see below.

aHealthy People 2020 objectives for breastfeeding in early postpartum period, at 6 months, and 12 months are 81.9%, 60.6%, and 34.1%, respectively. Healthy People 2020 objectives for exclusive breastfeeding through 3 and 6 months of age are 46.2% and 25.5%, respectively. National data about exclusive breastfeeding are not available for children born before 2003. See survey methods for details on study design.

bExclusive breastfeeding is defined as ONLY breast milk—NO solids, no water, and no other liquids.

Percentage of U.S. children who were breastfed, by birth year, National Immunization Survey, United States (percent ±half 95% Confidence Interval).

  2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
(provisionala)
Early postpartum 70.9±1.9 71.6±1.0 71.4±0.9 72.6±0.9 73.1±0.8 74.1±1.0 74.0±0.9 75.0±0.9 74.6±0.9 76.9±1.2
At 6 months  34.2±2.0  36.9±1.2  37.6±1.0 39.1±0.9 42.1±0.9 42.9±1.1 43.5±1.1 43.8±1.1 44.4±1.1 47.2±1.5
At 12 months 15.7±1.5 18.2±0.9 19.0±0.8 19.6±0.8 21.4±0.8 21.5±0.9 22.7±0.9 22.7±1.0 23.4±1 25.5±1.3
Exclusively through 3 months       29.6±1.5 31.5±0.9 32.1±1.0 33.6±1.0 33.5±1.0 34.3±1.1 36.0±1.5
Exclusively through 6 months       10.3±1.0 12.1±0.7 12.3±0.7 14.1±0.8 13.8±0.8 14.6±0.8 16.3±1.2

aInterviews with caregivers of children born in 2009 will continue through December 2012. Provisional rates for children born in 2009 will be updated with final estimates once data becomes available in August 2013. See survey methods for details on study design.

 

Percentage of breastfed U.S. children who are supplemented with infant formula, by birth yeara
Percent of U.S. breastfed children who are supplemented with infant formula, by birth year. For data, see below.

aFormula supplementation is defined as supplementation of breast milk with formula (with or without other supplementary liquids or solids) among infants breastfed at the age specified (2 days, 3 months, or 6 months).  National data on formula supplementation are not available for children born prior to 2003. ­­­See survey methods for details on study design.

Percentage of breastfed U.S. children who are supplemented with infant formula, by birth yeara

Percentage of breastfed U.S. children who are supplemented with infant formula, by birth yeara by birth year, National Immunization Survey, United States (percentage ± half 95% Confidence Interval)

  2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
(provisional)a
Before 2 days 22.3±1.6 23.5±1.0 24.9±1.1 24.2±1.1 25.6±1.2 25.1±1.2 24.6±1.6
Before 3 months 38.1±2.2 37.4±1.3 38.1±1.4 36.7±1.4 37.1±1.5 37.1±1.5 36.9±1.9
Before 6 months 47.4±2.6 44.5±1.5 45.9±1.7 43.6±1.6 43.8±2.0 43.6±1.7 42.6±2.2

aInterviews with caregivers of children born in 2009 will continue through December 2012. Provisional rates for children born in 2009 will be updated with final estimates once data becomes available in August 2013. See survey methods for details on study design.

 

Provisional rates of any and exclusive breastfeeding by age among children born in 2009, National Immunization Surveya,b
Provisional Rates of Any and Exclusive Breastfeeding by Age among Children Born in 2009, National Immunization Survey For data, see below.

a Interviews with caregivers of children born in 2009 will continue through December 2012. Provisional rates for children born in 2009 will be updated with final estimates once data becomes available in August 2013.  See survey methods for details on study design.

bExclusive breastfeeding is defined as ONLY breast milk — NO solids, no water, and no other liquids.

Provisional rates of any and exclusive breastfeeding by age among children born in 2009 (percent +/- half 95% confidence interval)a,b

U.S. National Breastfeeding Rates, 2009
Child Age Breastfeeding
(n=13,757)		 Exclusive Breastfeeding (n=13,514)
At birth 76.9±1.2  
7 days 76.1±1.2 53.9±1.5
14 days 75.3±1.2 51.7±1.5
21 days 73.5±1.3 49.4±1.5
28 days 72.5±1.3 48.4±1.5
42 days 68.4±1.4 43.1±1.5
1 month 72.0 ±1.3 47.7±1.5
2 month 66.5±1.4 41.8±1.5
3 month 61.3±1.5 36.0 ±1.5
4 month 54.2±1.5 28.8±1.4
5 month 50.0 ±1.5 21.0 ±1.3
6 month 47.2±1.5 16.3±1.2
9 month 33.7±1.4  
12 month 25.5±1.3  
18 month 9.0±0.9  

aInterviews with caregivers of children born in 2009 will continue through December 2012. Provisional rates for children born in 2009 will be updated with final estimates once data becomes available in August 2013.  See survey methods for details on study design.

bExclusive breastfeeding is defined as ONLY breast milk — NO solids, no water, and no other liquids.

Source: National Immunization Survey, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Department of Health and Human Services

Sample sizes appearing in the NIS breastfeeding tables are slightly smaller than the numbers published in other NIS publications due to the fact that in the DNPAO breastfeeding analyses, the sample was limited to records with valid responses to the breastfeeding questions.

Tables and Maps

Breastfeeding data shown below are stratified by sociodemographic and geographic characteristics. Provisional data for 2009 and final data for 2007-2008 will be added later when all tables and maps in this series will be released in a new interactive format.

Tables Birth Cohorts
Any breastfeeding rates
  -by socio-demographic factors 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000
  -by state and local areas 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000
Exclusive breastfeeding rates
  -by socio-demographic factors 2007 2006 2005 2004  
  -by state and local areas 2007 2006 2005 2004  
Formula supplementation rates
  -by socio-demographic factors 2007 2006 2005 2004  
  -by state and local areas 2007 2006 2005 2004  
Breastfeeding rates
  -by child's age 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000
 
Maps Birth Cohorts
  -Percent of children ever breastfed by state 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000
  -Percent of children breastfed at 6 months of age by state 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000
  -Percent of children breastfed at 12 months of age by state 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000
  -Percent of children exclusively breastfed through 3 months 2007 2006 2005 2004  
  -Percent of children exclusively breastfed through 6 months 2007 2006 2005 2004  
Note:The sample size was insufficient to present estimates by sociodemographic or geographic characteristics for the 1999 births.  Similarly, data on exclusive breastfeeding and formula supplementation were available on too few of children born in 2003 to enable sociodemographic or geographic breakdowns (survey methods).

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