CDC Breastfeeding Report: Many Babies Stop Earlier Than Recommended

Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicates that while a high percentage of infants in the United States begin their lives breastfeeding, many do not continue the practice for the duration recommended by health organizations.

According to the 2018 Breastfeeding Report Card, 83.2 percent of the approximately 4 million babies born in 2015 started out breastfeeding. However, the report highlights a significant decline in breastfeeding rates as infants age.

Breastfeeding Trends and Duration

The 2018 report found that 46.9 percent of infants born in 2015 were exclusively breastfeeding at 3 months of age. By 6 months, 57.6 percent of infants were still breastfeeding, but only 1 in 4 infants were breastfeeding exclusively.

By 12 months of age, the breastfeeding rate dropped further, with only 35.9 percent of infants still breastfeeding. These figures underscore a gap between initial intentions and the ability to maintain breastfeeding over time.

More recent data for infants born in 2022 shows some shifts in these indicators. For those born in 2022, 85.7 percent were ever breastfed, 62.1 percent were breastfeeding at 6 months, and 40.8 percent were breastfeeding at 1 year.

Regarding exclusive breastfeeding for infants born in 2022, 47.6 percent were exclusively breastfed through 3 months, and 27.9 percent remained exclusively breastfed through 6 months.

Health Guidelines and Objectives

The U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2020-2025, as well as the World Health Organization and the American Academy of Pediatrics, recommend that infants be exclusively breastfed for approximately the first 6 months of life.

Following the first 6 months, these organizations recommend continuing breastfeeding while introducing appropriate complementary foods. The U.S. Dietary Guidelines suggest this continue for 1 year or longer, while the World Health Organization and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend continuing up to 2 years of age or older.

To address these gaps, Healthy People 2030 has set specific breastfeeding objectives based on 2015 baseline rates:

• Increase the proportion of infants breastfed exclusively through 6 months from a baseline of 24.9 percent to a target of 42.4 percent.
• Increase the proportion of infants breastfed at 1 year from a baseline of 35.9 percent to a target of 54.1 percent.

Clinical Benefits and Support Systems

Breastfeeding is associated with several health advantages for both the infant and the mother. For infants, breastfeeding is linked to reduced risks of:

• Asthma
• Obesity
• Type 2 diabetes
• Ear and respiratory infections
• Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)

For mothers, the practice can help lower the risk of hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and ovarian and breast cancer.

Support systems play a role in whether mothers can meet their breastfeeding goals. The 2018 report noted that 49 percent of employers provided worksite lactation support programs.

The more we support breastfeeding mothers, the more likely they will be able to reach their breastfeeding goals.

Ruth Petersen, MD, MPH, director of CDC’s Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity

Regional Variations and Reporting Changes

Breastfeeding rates vary by geography and urbanization. Infants living in the Southeast United States are less likely to be breastfed at 6 months compared to other regions. Infants in non-metropolitan areas are less likely to ever breastfeed than those in metropolitan areas.

The CDC has updated its reporting methods to provide a broader view of child health. The Breastfeeding Report Card, which provided data from 2007 to 2022, has been discontinued. It has been replaced by the 2025 Early Childhood Nutrition report.

The new Early Childhood Nutrition report expands beyond breastfeeding to include 16 indicators for children 5 years of age and younger, covering supports for infant feeding, first solid foods, healthy eating, and the affordability of nutritious foods.