Public Opinions About Breastfeeding
SummerStyles Survey
SummerStyles (formerly called HealthStyles) is a private, proprietary national marketing survey that annually collects health-related opinions of men and women aged 18 years or older. A wide variety of breastfeeding topics have been surveyed since 1999, such as public opinions toward breastfeeding policies, support for breastfeeding at workplaces, beliefs about the benefits of breastfeeding, and feelings of embarrassment regarding breastfeeding in public. Click the year to see the questions and results on public opinions regarding breastfeeding that year.
SummerStyles Survey Items
| Questions | # Analyzed Respondents | Agree | Neither Agree/Disagree | Disagree |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| If a mother breastfeeds her baby, she may be less likely to develop breast cancer later in her life | 4061 | 23.97% | 66.69% | 9.34% |
| If a mother breastfeeds her baby, she may be less likely to develop high blood pressure later in her life | 4060 | 15.56% | 76.00% | 8.43% |
| If a mother breastfeeds her baby, she may be less likely to develop Type 2 diabetes later in her life | 4060 | 15.43% | 74.36% | 10.21% |
| I believe women should have the right to breastfeed in public spaces | 4063 | 69.02% | 21.60% | 9.38% |
| There should be paid maternity leave for workers | 4068 | 77.50% | 17.47% | 5.03% |
| Foods that babies eat influence what they eat as older children | 4064 | 62.00% | 30.13% | 7.86% |
| Baby and toddler foods should not have added sugar | 4062 | 72.97% | 22.53% | 4.49% |
| It is safe for mothers with COVID-19 to breastfeed if they take precautions (wearing mask and washing hands) | 4056 | 28.12% | 52.03% | 19.85% |
| Physical activity during pregnancy is safe | 4061 | 80.18% | 16.55% | 3.26% |
| It is safe for a breastfeeding mother to use marijuana regularly | 4064 | 4.69% | 26.36% | 68.95% |
| Questions | # Analyzed Respondents | Agree | Neither Agree/Disagree | Disagree |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| I believe women should have the right to breastfeed in public spaces | 4,072 | 68.02% | 21.45% | 10.53% |
| Public buildings need to have a room where women could breastfeed and pump milk for their babies | 4,072 | 66.94% | 24.24% | 8.82% |
| Feeding a baby formula instead of breast milk increases the chances the baby will get sick | 4,068 | 24.05% | 43.73% | 32.22% |
| There should be paid maternity leave for workers | 4,059 | 76.75% | 17.51% | 5.74% |
| Foods that babies eat influence what they eat as older children | 4,061 | 54.28% | 33.49% | 12.23% |
| Baby and toddler foods should not have added sugar | 4,064 | 72.33% | 21.86% | 5.81% |
| If a mother breastfeeds her baby, she may be less likely to develop breast cancer later in her life | 4,071 | 25.37% | 61.98% | 12.65% |
| If a mother breastfeeds her baby, she may be less likely to develop high blood pressure later in her life | 4,068 | 14.80% | 72.61% | 12.59% |
| I believe it is acceptable for mothers to feed their baby with the breast milk obtained informally from another mother (not including pasteurized breast milk from a milk bank) | 4,072 | 34.29% | 44.79% | 20.92% |
| Have you ever heard about mothers feeding their babies with breast milk from another mother through an informal arrangement such as an internet exchange (not including pasteurized breast milk from a milk bank)? | 4,079 | Responses | ||
| Yes 39.74% | ||||
| No 60.26% | ||||
| Question | # Analyzed Respondents | Agree | Neither Agree/Disagree | Disagree | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| I am comfortable when mothers breastfeed their babies near me in a public place, such as a shopping center, bus station, etc. | 4,121 | 57.75% | 23.13% | 19.12% | |
| I believe women should have the right to breastfeed in public places. | 4,117 | 63.74% | 23.03% | 13.24% | |
| Women should be encouraged to breastfeed. | 4,117 | 62.91% | 32.55% | 4.54% | |
| Public buildings need to have a room where women could breastfeed and pump milk for their babies. | 4,120 | 57.31% | 28.88% | 13.81% | |
| A mother needs lots of support to breastfeed her baby. | 4,116 | 49.17% | 35.06% | 15.77% | |
| I believe employers should provide extended maternity leave to make it easier for mothers to breastfeed. | 4,120 | 46.67% | 33.30% | 20.02% | |
| I would support financial incentives for employers who make special accommodations to make it easier for mothers to breastfeed. | 4,115 | 41.07% | 37.84% | 21.09% | |
| There should be paid maternity leave to workers. | 4,122 | 69.72% | 20.45% | 9.83% | |
| Foods that babies eat influence what they eat as older children. | 4,114 | 60.91% | 26.57% | 12.52% | |
| Baby and toddler foods should not have added sugar. | 4,117 | 72.04% | 22.13% | 5.83% | |
| Questions | # Analyzed Respondents | Agree | Neither Agree/Disagree | Disagree |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Infant formula is as good as breast milk | 4,247 | 15.52% | 26.28% | 58.21% |
| I believe employers should provide a private room for breastfeeding mothers to pump their milk at work | 4,251 | 56.79% | 31.00% | 12.21% |
| Questions | # Analyzed Respondents | Agree | Neither Agree/Disagree | Disagree |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feeding a baby formula instead of breast milk increases the chances the baby will get sick. | 4,003 | 24.58% | 40.04% | 35.37% |
| Breast milk is specially designed to meet a baby’s nutritional needs. | 4,009 | 80.37% | 15.84% | 3.79% |
| If a child is not breastfed, she/he will be more likely to become overweight. | 4,007 | 11.06% | 45.92% | 43.02% |
| I believe employers should provide a private room for breastfeeding mothers to pump their milk at work. | 4,013 | 51.68% | 31.00% | 17.32% |
| There should be laws that protect a mother’s right to pump breast milk while at work. | 4,006 | 52.42% | 31.70% | 15.88% |
| There should be a federal law providing paid maternity leave to workers. | 4,010 | 53.74% | 26.23% | 20.02% |
| Infant formula is as good as breast milk. | 4,014 | 20.20% | 31.99% | 47.81% |
| Where have you seen, heard or read anything about breastfeeding recently? Please check all that apply. | 4,008 | Percent of those who responded positively | ||
| • TV Program 5.89% | ||||
| • TV Commercial 3.94% | ||||
| • Radio 2.05% | ||||
| • Magazines 4.79% | ||||
| • Newspapers 4.32% | ||||
| • Internet or the web 6.96% | ||||
| • Online blog 1.62% | ||||
| • Billboards or outdoor posters 0.92% | ||||
| • Some other places 3.94% | ||||
| • I have not seen anything recently 79.44% | ||||
| Have you seen or heard a campaign entitled “It’s Only Natural. Mother’s Love. Mother’s Milk”? | 4,008 | Responses | ||
| • Yes 3.92% | ||||
| • No 79.82% | ||||
| • Don’t know/not applicable 16.27% | ||||
| Questions | # Analyzed Respondents | Agree | Neither Agree/Disagree | Disagree |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feeding a baby formula instead of breast milk increases the chances the baby will get sick. | 4,158 | 25.66% | 40.86% | 33.48% |
| Breast milk is specially designed to meet a baby’s nutritional needs. | 4,152 | 82.85% | 14.31% | 2.84% |
| If a child is not breastfed, she/he will be more likely to become overweight. | 4,154 | 13.00% | 47.76% | 39.24% |
| I believe employers should provide a private room for breastfeeding mothers to pump their milk at work. | 4,151 | 52.28% | 29.87% | 17.85% |
| There should be laws that protect a mother’s right to pump breast milk while at work. | 4,157 | 51.91% | 31.66% | 16.43% |
| There should be a federal law providing paid maternity leave to workers. | 4,153 | 53.94% | 25.60% | 20.47% |
| Infant formula is as good as breast milk. | 4,148 | 20.08% | 31.46% | 48.46% |
| Where have you seen, heard or read anything about breastfeeding recently? Please check all that apply. | 4,144 | Percent of those who responded positively | ||
| • TV Program 14.72 | ||||
| • TV Commercial 6.44% | ||||
| • Radio 4.39% | ||||
| • Magazines 13.18% | ||||
| • Newspapers 9.03% | ||||
| • Internet or the web 14.14% | ||||
| • Online blog 2.34% | ||||
| • Billboards or outdoor posters 2.08% | ||||
| • Some other places 4.83% | ||||
| • I have not seen anything recently 61.41% | ||||
| Have you seen or heard a campaign entitled “It’s Only Natural. Mother’s Love. Mother’s Milk”? | 4,153 | Responses | ||
| • Yes 7.44% | ||||
| • No 87.02% | ||||
| • Don’t know/not applicable 5.54% | ||||
| Questions | # Analyzed Respondents | Agree | Neither Agree/Disagree | Disagree |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| I believe employers should provide a private room for breastfeeding mothers to pump their milk at work. | 4,034 | 56.02 | 27.81 | 16.16 |
| Infant formula is as good as breast milk. | 4,026 | 18.08 | 24.64 | 57.28 |
| I believe employers should provide flexible work schedules, such as flexible break times, for breastfeeding mothers. | 4,030 | 64.39 | 24.49 | 11.12 |
| Questions | # Analyzed Respondents | Agree | Neither Agree/Disagree | Disagree |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feeding a baby formula instead of breast milk increases the chances the baby will get sick. | 3,980 | 26.37 | 35.41 | 38.23 |
| Infant formula is as good as breast milk. | 4,003 | 20.53 | 30.80 | 48.68 |
| One-year-old children should not be breastfed by their mother. | 4,021 | 30.44 | 35.27 | 34.29 |
| A mother who breastfeeds has to give up too many lifestyle habits like favorite foods, cigarette smoking, and drinking alcohol. | 4,035 | 48.19 | 21.39 | 30.42 |
| I believe women should have the right to breastfeed in public places. | 4,109 | 58.64 | 23.42 | 17.94 |
| Public buildings need to have a room where women could breastfeed and pump milk for their babies. | 4,082 | 55.18 | 29.62 | 15.20 |
| I believe employers should provide flexible work schedules, such as additional break time, for breastfeeding mothers. | 4,099 | 43.79 | 33.14 | 23.07 |
| I believe employers should provide extended maternity leave to make it easier for mothers to breastfeed. | 4,071 | 36.16 | 35.88 | 27.96 |
| I believe employers should provide a private room for breastfeeding mothers to pump their milk at work. | 4,087 | 45.13 | 30.43 | 24.44 |
| There should be a federal law providing paid maternity leave to workers. | 4,087 | 46.08 | 30.40 | 23.52 |
| It is embarrassing for a mother to breastfeed in front of others. | 4,070 | 32.08 | 35.71 | 32.20 |
| Breastfeeding is healthier for babies than formula feeding. | 4,079 | 72.88 | 21.97 | 5.14 |
| Questions | # Analyzed Respondents | Agree | Neither Agree/Disagree | Disagree |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| I believe employers should provide flexible work schedules, such as additional break time, for breastfeeding mothers. | 4,508 | 56.0% | 30.2% | 13.8% |
| I would support tax incentives for employers who make special accommodations to make it easier for mothers to breastfeed. | 4,459 | 25.3% | 35.9% | 38.8% |
| I believe employers should provide a private room for breastfeeding mothers to pump their milk at work. | 4,479 | 45.5% | 30.5% | 24.0% |
| I believe employers should provide extended maternity leave to make it easier for mothers to breastfeed. | 4,490 | 46.7% | 36.3% | 17.1% |
| Breastfeeding or pumping milk at work is a personal choice, not something a manager should have to deal with. | 4,446 | 40.6% | 33.5% | 25.8% |
| It is inconvenient for others at work when women take time to breastfeed or pump milk during work hours. | 4,462 | 26.4% | 39.5% | 34.1% |
| There should be a federal law providing paid maternity leave to workers. | 4,462 | 44.7% | 29.0% | 26.3% |
| Questions | # Analyzed Respondents | Agree | Neither Agree/Disagree | Disagree |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mothers who breastfeed should do so in private places only. | 4,326 | 35.8% | 26.0% | 38.2% |
| I am comfortable when mothers breastfeed their babies near me in a public place, such as a shopping center, bus station, etc. | 4,350 | 44.1% | 24.6% | 31.3% |
| I believe women should have the right to breastfeed in public places. | 4,321 | 52.0% | 23.8% | 24.2% |
| Infant formula is as good as breast milk. | 4,163 | 20.2% | 27.2% | 52.6% |
| Questions | # Analyzed Respondents | Agree | Neither Agree/Disagree | Disagree |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| I believe employers should provide flexible work schedules, such as additional break time, for breastfeeding mothers. | 5,142 | 50.6% | 31.5% | 17.8% |
| I believe employers should provide extended maternity leave to make it easier for mothers to breastfeed. | 5,100 | 49.4% | 31.3% | 19.3% |
| I believe employers should provide a private room for breastfeeding mothers to pump their milk at work. | 4,982 | 47.2% | 28.7% | 24.0% |
| I would support tax incentives for employers who make special accommodations to make it easier for mothers to breastfeed. | 4,911 | 30.3% | 34.1% | 35.6% |
| Questions | # Analyzed Respondents | Agree | Neither Agree/Disagree | Disagree | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feeding a baby formula instead of breastmilk increases the chances the baby will get sick. | 4,748 | 21.4% | 32.5% | 46.2% | |
| If a child is not breastfed, she/he will be more likely to get ear infections. | 4,705 | 20.7% | 34.3% | 45% | |
| If a child is not breastfed, she/he will be more likely to get respiratory infections, such as bronchitis, or pneumonia. | 4,720 | 19.1% | 32.7% | 48.2% | |
| If a child is not breastfed, she/he will be more likely to become overweight. | 4,697 | 9.6% | 32.5% | 57.9% | |
| If a child is not breastfed, she/he will be more likely to get diarrhea. | 4,686 | 7.1% | 32.2% | 60.7% | |
| Infant formula is as good as breastmilk. | 4,730 | 28.3% | 29.1% | 42.6% | |
| Babies should be breastfed at least for the first 6 months. | 4,699 | 49.1% | 32.3% | 18.6% | |
| Babies should be exclusively breastfed (fed only breastmilk) for the first 6 months. | 4,686 | 27.6% | 36.4% | 36% | |
| In the past month, have you seen an advertisement on TV that shows pregnant women riding mechanical bulls or in a log rolling competition? | 4,753 | Responses | |||
| • Yes 4.8% • No 89.5% • Not Sure 5.7% |
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| Have you seen, heard or read anything about breastfeeding anywhere recently? Please check all that apply. | 4,730 | Percent of those who responded positively | |||
| • TV Program 10.5% • TV Commercial 9.4% • Radio 3.3% • Magazines 21.6% • Newspapers 7.6% • Internet or the web 6.3% • Billboards or outdoor posters 3.7% • Some other places 9.1% • Nothing recently 65.2% |
|||||
| How safe is the flu shot for women who are breastfeeding? | 4,090 | % Responding | |||
| Very safe: 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 Not at all safe: 1 |
11.1% 3.4% 5.6% 4.3% 6.6% 31.2% 6.1% 6.6% 6.0% 19.2% |
||||
| Questions | # Analyzed Respondents | Agree | Neither Agree/Disagree | Disagree |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feeding a baby formula instead of breast milk increases the chances the baby will get sick. | 4,275 | 23.3% | 31.0% | 45.7% |
| If a child is not breastfed, she/he will be more likely to get ear infections. | 4,273 | 18.5% | 33.5% | 48.1% |
| If a child is not breastfed, she/he will be more likely to get respiratory infections, such as bronchitis, or pneumonia. | 4,282 | 16.5% | 36.6% | 46.9% |
| If a child is not breastfed, she/he will be more likely to become overweight. | 4,281 | 7.3% | 30.4% | 62.3% |
| If a child is not breastfed, she/he will be more likely to get diarrhea. | 4,261 | 5.7% | 28.9% | 65.4% |
| Infant formula is as good as breast milk. | 4,247 | 26.4% | 32.0% | 41.6% |
| Babies should be breastfed at least for the first 6 months. | 4,259 | 48.2% | 35.2% | 16.6% |
| Babies should be exclusively breastfed (fed only breast milk) for the first 6 months. | 4,264 | 28.6% | 35.5% | 35.9% |
| In the past month, have you seen an advertisement on TV that shows pregnant women riding mechanical bulls or in a log rolling competition? | 4,290 | Responses | ||
| • Yes 5.4% • No 87.2% • Not Sure 7.5% |
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| Have you seen, heard, or read anything about breastfeeding anywhere recently? Please check all that apply. (Not a likert scale question) | 4,233 | • TV Program 9.7% • TV Commercial 7.4% • Radio 3.2% • Magazines 19.5% • Newspapers 6.9% • Internet or the Web 4.6% • Billboards or outdoor posters 2.1% • Some other places 8.9% • Nothing recently 67.8% |
||
| Questions | # Analyzed Respondents | Agree | Neither Agree/Disagree | Disagree |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feeding a baby formula instead of breast milk increases the chances the baby will get sick. | 3,969 | 24.4% | 35.9% | 39.6% |
| If a child is not breastfed, she/he will be more likely to get ear infections. | 3,960 | 19.3% | 37.9% | 42.8% |
| If a child is not breastfed, she/he will be more likely to get respiratory infections, such as bronchitis, or pneumonia. | 3,953 | 18.6% | 39.2% | 42.2% |
| If a child is not breastfed, she/he will be more likely to become overweight. | 3,945 | 7.4% | 35.2% | 57.4% |
| If a child is not breastfed, she/he will be more likely to get diabetes. | 3,917 | 4.0% | 33.1% | 62.9% |
| Infant formula is as good as breast milk. | 3,958 | 25.7% | 31.5% | 42.8% |
| Mothers who breastfeed should do so in private places only. | 3,976 | 37.0% | 26.7% | 36.3% |
| Babies should be breastfed at least for the first 6 months. | 3,916 | 48.9% | 35.9% | 15.2% |
| I am comfortable when mothers breastfeed their babies near me in a public place, such as a shopping center, bus station, etc. | 3,976 | 48.1% | 21.6% | 30.3% |
| Have you seen, heard or read anything about breastfeeding anywhere recently? Please check all that apply. | 3,969 | Not a likert scale question | ||
| • TV Program 8.0% • TV Commercial 6.9% • Radio 2.9% • Magazines 19.8% • Newspapers 7.2% • Internet or the Web 4.5% • Billboards or outdoor posters 2.2% • Some other places 7.3% • Nothing recently 67.3% |
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| Questions | # Analyzed Respondents | Agree | Neither Agree/Disagree | Disagree |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Breastfeeding doesn’t come naturally – it needs to be learned. | 4,253 | 29.0% | 38.3% | 32.8% |
| A mother needs lots of support to breastfeed her baby. | 4,281 | 41.0% | 39.4% | 19.6% |
| A mother’s friends have a lot of influence on whether or not she breastfeeds her baby. | 4,313 | 30.8% | 39.4% | 29.8% |
| A mother’s mother has a lot of influence on whether or not she breastfeeds her baby. | 4,261 | 38.5% | 39.2% | 22.2% |
| A mother’s decision to breastfeed is influenced by what she sees others do. | 4,262 | 25.1% | 46.7% | 28.3% |
| A father can feel left out if the mother breastfeeds their baby. | 4,276 | 18.9% | 31.2% | 49.8% |
| A father has a lot of influence whether or not his baby is breastfed. | 3,943 | 26.1% | 39.5% | 34.3% |
| Doctors look down on a mother if she bottle-feeds her baby. | 4,247 | 7.4% | 37.1% | 55.4% |
| Doctors don’t always support a mother’s decision to breastfeed her baby. | 4,283 | 15.8% | 46.2% | 38.0% |
| Doctors have a lot influence on whether or not a mother breastfeeds her baby. | 4,266 | 31.7% | 45.6% | 22.7% |
| Questions | # Analyzed Respondents | Agree | Neither Agree/Disagree | Disagree |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| I believe employers should provide flexible work schedules, such as additional break time, for breastfeeding mothers. | 3,691 | 49.7% | 31.8% | 18.5% |
| I believe employers should provide extended maternity leave to make it easier for mothers to breastfeed. | 3,647 | 47.4% | 32.3% | 20.3% |
| I believe employers should provide a private room for breastfeeding mothers to pump their milk at work. | 3,668 | 43.1% | 30.9% | 26.0% |
| I would support tax incentives for employers who make special accommodations to make it easier for mothers to breastfeed. | 3,657 | 27.0% | 32.7% | 40.2% |
| I believe women should have the right to breastfeed in public places. | 3,680 | 43.1% | 28.6% | 28.2% |
| Shopping malls should provide private places to help women breastfeed their babies. | 3,679 | 52.1% | 28.7% | 19.2% |
| Public buildings need to have a room where women could breastfeed and pump milk for their babies. | 3,681 | 40.7% | 33.1% | 26.2% |
| I believe breastfeeding education should be available as part of a high school health education curriculum. | 3,670 | 33.5% | 30.4% | 36.1% |
| It is appropriate to show a woman breastfeeding her baby on TV programs. | 3,624 | 27.9% | 32.5% | 39.6% |
| Questions | # Analyzed Respondents | Agree | Neither Agree/Disagree | Disagree |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Babies ought to be fed cereal or baby food by the time they are three months old. | 2,273 | 31.1% | 37.7% | 31.2% |
| One-year-old children should not be breastfed by their mother. | 2,322 | 30.6% | 32.6% | 36.8% |
| A mother can’t breastfeed her baby and work or go to school. | 2,300 | 10.4% | 11.9% | 77.7% |
| Women commonly have problems making enough milk for their babies. | 2,276 | 12.5% | 51.2% | 36.3% |
| Breastfed babies do not feel as close to their fathers and grandparents as bottle fed babies. | 2,314 | 6.5% | 24.6% | 68.9% |
| A mother who breastfeeds has to give up too many lifestyle habits like favorite foods, cigarette smoking, and drinking alcohol. | 2,296 | 44.6% | 20.3% | 35.1% |
| Breastfeeding is painful to the mother. | 2,277 | 7.6% | 28.3% | 64.2% |
| Breastfeeding will tie the mother down and interfere too much with her social life. | 2,319 | 9.0% | 18.5% | 72.6% |
| Breastfeeding a baby correctly is hard to learn. | 2,295 | 9.1% | 27.4% | 63.5% |
| Breastfed babies cry a lot more than bottle fed babies. | 2,261 | 4.9% | 29.0% | 66.1% |
| It is embarrassing for a mother to breastfeed in front of others. | 2,254 | 26.8% | 26.6% | 46.6% |
| Breastfeeding will spoil a baby. | 2,321 | 2.8% | 12.0% | 85.2% |
| Questions | # Analyzed Respondents | Agree | Neither Agree/Disagree |
Disagree |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Breastfeeding is healthier for babies than formula feeding. | 2,588 | 67.6% | 25.0% | 7.3% |
| Feeding a baby formula instead of breast milk increases the chances the baby will get sick. | 2,557 | 21.7% | 36.9% | 41.4% |
| Infant formula is as good as breast milk. | 2,552 | 14.3% | 33.7% | 51.9% |
| I am comfortable when mothers breastfeed their babies near me in a public place, such as a shopping center, bus station, etc. | 2,600 | 49.9% | 22.1% | 28.0% |
| Mothers who breastfeed should do so in private places only. | 2,607 | 34.8% | 26.2% | 38.9% |
| If a close friend or relative was having a baby, I would recommend she breastfeed | 2,573 | 52.4% | 34.6% | 12.9% |
| Women should be encouraged to breastfeed. | 2,608 | 55.2% | 35.2% | 9.7% |
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