News article

New National Breastfeeding Data from the CDC

August 15, 2004

Recently, the Centers for Disease Control announced the results of breastfeeding data from the National Immunization Survey. This survey, conducted by the CDC, includes breastfeeding data in addition to vaccination data. Prior to this survey, detailed national data on breastfeeding practices came from the formula industry, and had methodologic flaws and was subject to commercial bias.

Massachusetts figures show that 70.6% of infants experience breastfeeding for varying lengths of time. Exclusive breastfeeding at 3 months is 39% and at 6 months is 14%. Even though many infants are put to breast early in life, breastfeeding is soon supplemented or abandoned, removing disease protection and access to the nutrients that contribute to optimal cognitive and developmental outcomes. All states, including Massachusetts, are far from supporting mothers to breastfeed exclusively for any substantial length of time. For example, only one state, Oregon, achieved an exclusive breastfeeding rate above 25% at six months, even though six months of exclusive breastfeeding is the recommendation set by the American Academy of Pediatrics, The American Academy of Family Physicians, and the World Health Organization.

This CDC data will help health instituions and policy makers document where we are and where we need to go in order to assure that mothers and babies in Massachusetts receive the support needed to reach the federal breastfeeding goals set by Healthy People 2010. The best summary of the NIS breastfeeding data is located on the CDC website.