Results: Breastfeeding Rates
National Immunization Survey (NIS)
Breastfeeding Among U.S. Children Born 2009–2016, CDC National Immunization Survey
1Data from 2009 to 2015 births were based on landline and cellular telephone sampling and data for 2016 births were based on cellular telephone sampling only. See survey methods for details.
2Data from U.S. territories are excluded from national breastfeeding estimates to be consistent with the analytical methods for the establishment of Healthy People 2020 targetsexternal icon on breastfeeding
3Exclusive breastfeeding is defined as ONLY breast milk — NO solids, water, or other liquids.
| Percentage of U.S. Children Who Were Breastfed, by Birth Year, National Immunization Survey, United States (Percentage ± half 95% Confidence Interval)1,2, 3 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birth Year | ||||||||
| 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | |
| Ever Breastfed | 76.1±1.0 | 76.7±1.2 | 79.2±1.2 | 80.0±1.2 | 81.1±1.1 | 82.5±1.1 | 83.2±1.0 | 83.8±1.2 |
| At 6 months | 46.6±1.2 | 47.5±1.4 | 49.4±1.5 | 51.4±1.5 | 51.8±1.4 | 55.3±1.4 | 57.6±1.4 | 57.3±1.6 |
| At 12 months | 24.6±1.0 | 25.3±1.3 | 26.7±1.3 | 29.2±1.4 | 30.7±1.3 | 33.7±1.3 | 35.9±1.3 | 36.2±1.5 |
| Exclusively through 3 months | 35.9±1.1 | 37.1±1.4 | 40.7±1.5 | 43.3±1.6 | 44.4±1.4 | 46.6±1.4 | 46.9±1.4 | 47.5±1.6 |
| Exclusively through 6 months | 15.6±0.9 | 17.2±1.2 | 18.8±1.2 | 21.9±1.4 | 22.3±1.1 | 24.9±1.3 | 24.9±1.2 | 25.4±1.3 |
| 1Data from 2009 to 2015 births were based on landline and cellular telephone sampling and data for 2016 births were based on cellular telephone sampling only. See survey methods for details. 2Data from U.S. territories are excluded from national breastfeeding estimates to be consistent with the analytical methods for the establishment of Healthy People 2020 targetsexternal icon on breastfeeding 3Exclusive breastfeeding is defined as ONLY breast milk — NO solids, water, or other liquids. |
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| Breastfeeding Rates by State1 and Socio-demographics | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| “Any” and “Exclusive” Breastfeeding Rates | Birth Year | |||||||
| -by States | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 |
| -by Socio-demographics | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 |
1Because of changes in the sampling frame in 2011 and in 2018 (See survey methods for details) and small sample sizes, states should use caution when comparing prevalence estimates from year to year.
1Data from 2009 to 2015 births were based on landline and cellular telephone sampling and data for 2016 births were based on cellular telephone sampling only. See survey methods for details.
2Data from U.S. territories are excluded from national breastfeeding estimates to be consistent with the analytical methods for the establishment of Healthy People 2020 targetsexternal icon on breastfeeding
3Formula supplementation is defined as supplementation of breast milk with formula (with or without other supplementary liquids or solids) among infants breastfed before the age specified (2 days, 3 months, or 6 months). See survey methods for details.
| Percentage of U.S. Breastfed Infants Who Were Supplemented with Infant Formula, by Birth Year, National Immunization Survey, United States
(Percentage +/- half 95% Confidence Interval)1,2, 3 |
||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birth Year | ||||||||
| 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | |
| Before 2 days | 23.3±1.1 | 22.8±1.4 | 19.4±1.3 | 19.1±1.3 | 17.1±1.2 | 15.5±1.0 | 17.2±1.2 | 16.9±1.3 |
| Before 3 months | 35.9±1.5 | 35.4±1.8 | 31.5±1.8 | 29.3±1.8 | 29.2±1.6 | 27.8±1.5 | 28.8±1.5 | 29.1±1.7 |
| Before 6 months | 43.4±1.7 | 42.8±2.2 | 37.9±2.0 | 35.4±2.1 | 34.9±1.8 | 33.8±1.7 | 34.5±1.7 | 33.5±1.9 |
|
1Data from 2009 to 2015 births were based on landline and cellular telephone sampling and data for 2016 births were based on cellular telephone sampling only. See survey methods for details. |
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1Data from 2009 to 2015 births were based on landline and cellular telephone sampling and data for 2016 births were based on cellular telephone sampling only. See survey methods for details.
2Data from U.S. territories are excluded from national breastfeeding estimates to be consistent with the analytical methods for the establishment of Healthy People 2020 targetsexternal icon on breastfeeding
3Exclusive breastfeeding is defined as ONLY breast milk — NO solids, water, or other liquids.
| Rates of Any and Exclusive Breastfeeding by Age Among Children Born in 2016 (Percentage +/- half 95% Confidence Interval)1,2, 3 |
||
|---|---|---|
| U.S. National Breastfeeding Rates, 2016 Births | ||
| Child Age | Breastfeeding (n=17604) |
Exclusive Breastfeeding (n=17059) |
| At birth | 83.8±1.2 | |
| 7 days | 82.9±1.2 | 64.7±1.6 |
| 14 days | 82.2±1.2 | 62.8±1.6 |
| 21 days | 80.9±1.2 | 60.0±1.6 |
| 28 days | 80.0±1.2 | 59.2±1.6 |
| 1 month | 79.6±1.2 | 58.8±1.6 |
| 2 month | 75.2±1.4 | 53.0±1.6 |
| 3 month | 71.0±1.4 | 47.5±1.6 |
| 4 month | 64.8±1.5 | 39.8±1.5 |
| 5 month | 60.1±1.5 | 31.5±1.4 |
| 6 month | 57.3±1.6 | 25.4±1.3 |
| 7 month | 49.8±1.6 | |
| 8 month | 47.4±1.6 | |
| 9 month | 44.0±1.5 | |
| 10 month | 40.4±1.5 | |
| 11 month | 38.1±1.5 | |
| 12 month | 36.2±1.5 | |
| 18 month | 15.6±1.2 | |
1Data from 2009 to 2015 births were based on landline and cellular telephone sampling and data for 2016 births were based on cellular telephone sampling only. See survey methods for details.
2Data from U.S. territories are excluded from national breastfeeding estimates to be consistent with the analytical methods for the establishment of Healthy People 2020 targetsexternal icon on breastfeeding
3Exclusive breastfeeding is defined as ONLY breast milk — NO solids, water, or other liquids.
