{
  "title": "Breastfeeding Statistics 2026",
  "description": "102 verified breastfeeding statistics with the primary source of each figure.",
  "url": "https://breastfeeding-mom.com/breastfeeding-statistics/",
  "publisher": "Breastfeeding Mom",
  "dateModified": "2026-10-12",
  "license": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "licenseNote": "CC BY 4.0 covers the compilation and wording by Breastfeeding Mom; credit Breastfeeding Mom and link to the page. Each figure belongs to its original source (see source_url).",
  "citation": "Breastfeeding Mom. (2026). Breastfeeding statistics 2026. https://breastfeeding-mom.com/breastfeeding-statistics/",
  "statistics": [
    {
      "id": "s001",
      "section_id": "us-rates",
      "section": "US breastfeeding rates today",
      "statistic": "Among US infants born in 2023, 86.1% were ever breastfed, according to CDC's National Immunization Survey-Child.",
      "value": "86.1%",
      "data_year": 2023,
      "source": "CDC, National Immunization Survey-Child, Results: Breastfeeding Rates (2023 births)",
      "source_url": "https://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding-data/survey/results.html",
      "page_url": "https://breastfeeding-mom.com/breastfeeding-statistics/#s001"
    },
    {
      "id": "s002",
      "section_id": "us-rates",
      "section": "US breastfeeding rates today",
      "statistic": "62.8% of US infants born in 2023 were still receiving any breast milk at 6 months of age.",
      "value": "62.8%",
      "data_year": 2023,
      "source": "CDC, National Immunization Survey-Child, Results: Breastfeeding Rates (2023 births)",
      "source_url": "https://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding-data/survey/results.html",
      "page_url": "https://breastfeeding-mom.com/breastfeeding-statistics/#s002"
    },
    {
      "id": "s003",
      "section_id": "us-rates",
      "section": "US breastfeeding rates today",
      "statistic": "40.8% of US infants born in 2023 were still breastfed at 12 months, the same rate CDC reported for 2022 births.",
      "value": "40.8%",
      "data_year": 2023,
      "source": "CDC, National Immunization Survey-Child, Results: Breastfeeding Rates (2023 births)",
      "source_url": "https://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding-data/survey/results.html",
      "page_url": "https://breastfeeding-mom.com/breastfeeding-statistics/#s003"
    },
    {
      "id": "s004",
      "section_id": "us-rates",
      "section": "US breastfeeding rates today",
      "statistic": "Ever-breastfed rates for US babies born in 2023 ranged from 94.4% in Hawaii, the highest of any state, to 73.5% in Alabama, the lowest.",
      "value": "94.4%",
      "data_year": 2023,
      "source": "CDC, Rates of Any and Exclusive Breastfeeding by State among Children Born in 2023",
      "source_url": "https://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding-data/modules/2023-rates-any-exclusive-bf-state.html",
      "page_url": "https://breastfeeding-mom.com/breastfeeding-statistics/#s004"
    },
    {
      "id": "s005",
      "section_id": "us-rates",
      "section": "US breastfeeding rates today",
      "statistic": "Healthy People 2030 aims for 42.4% of US infants to be exclusively breastfed through 6 months; the most recent value it reports is 27.9% for 2022 births, up from a 24.9% baseline for 2015 births.",
      "value": "42.4%",
      "data_year": 2022,
      "source": "Healthy People 2030 (ODPHP), objective MICH-15",
      "source_url": "https://odphp.health.gov/healthypeople/objectives-and-data/browse-objectives/infants/increase-proportion-infants-who-are-breastfed-exclusively-through-age-6-months-mich-15",
      "page_url": "https://breastfeeding-mom.com/breastfeeding-statistics/#s005"
    },
    {
      "id": "s006",
      "section_id": "us-rates",
      "section": "US breastfeeding rates today",
      "statistic": "Healthy People 2030 sets a target of 54.1% of US infants breastfed to any extent at 1 year; the latest reported value is 40.8% for 2022 births, against a 35.9% baseline for 2015 births.",
      "value": "54.1%",
      "data_year": 2022,
      "source": "Healthy People 2030 (ODPHP), objective MICH-16",
      "source_url": "https://odphp.health.gov/healthypeople/objectives-and-data/browse-objectives/infants/increase-proportion-infants-who-are-breastfed-1-year-mich-16",
      "page_url": "https://breastfeeding-mom.com/breastfeeding-statistics/#s006"
    },
    {
      "id": "s007",
      "section_id": "us-rates",
      "section": "US breastfeeding rates today",
      "statistic": "In 2022, 70.0% of infants enrolled in WIC were breastfed after birth, according to USDA's WIC participant characteristics report.",
      "value": "70.0%",
      "data_year": 2022,
      "source": "USDA Food and Nutrition Service, WIC Participant and Program Characteristics 2022",
      "source_url": "https://www.fns.usda.gov/research/wic/participant-program-characteristics-2022",
      "page_url": "https://breastfeeding-mom.com/breastfeeding-statistics/#s007"
    },
    {
      "id": "s008",
      "section_id": "us-rates",
      "section": "US breastfeeding rates today",
      "statistic": "Among infants in WIC in 2022, 22.5% were breastfed at 6 months and 15.4% at 12 months, USDA reports.",
      "value": "15.4%",
      "data_year": 2022,
      "source": "USDA Food and Nutrition Service, WIC Participant and Program Characteristics 2022",
      "source_url": "https://www.fns.usda.gov/research/wic/participant-program-characteristics-2022",
      "page_url": "https://breastfeeding-mom.com/breastfeeding-statistics/#s008"
    },
    {
      "id": "s009",
      "section_id": "us-rates",
      "section": "US breastfeeding rates today",
      "statistic": "In the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2024, 245,604 infants in WIC were fully breastfed and 400,101 were partially breastfed, while 857,225 were fully formula-fed.",
      "value": "245,604",
      "data_year": 2024,
      "source": "USDA Economic Research Service, Charts of Note: Breastfeeding in WIC program continued to increase in fiscal year 2024 (April 2025)",
      "source_url": "https://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/charts-of-note/111434",
      "page_url": "https://breastfeeding-mom.com/breastfeeding-statistics/#s009"
    },
    {
      "id": "s010",
      "section_id": "us-rates",
      "section": "US breastfeeding rates today",
      "statistic": "Texas reported a 61.7% breastfeeding rate among WIC infants in fiscal year 2023, the third-highest of any WIC state agency, behind the Virgin Islands (70.7%) and American Samoa (62.0%).",
      "value": "61.7%",
      "data_year": 2023,
      "source": "USDA Food and Nutrition Service, Fiscal Year 2023 WIC Breastfeeding Data Local Agency Report (published October 2024)",
      "source_url": "https://www.fns.usda.gov/sites/default/files/resource-files/wic-fy23-bfdla-report.pdf",
      "page_url": "https://breastfeeding-mom.com/breastfeeding-statistics/#s010"
    },
    {
      "id": "s011",
      "section_id": "exclusive",
      "section": "Exclusive breastfeeding and early formula",
      "statistic": "48.5% of US infants born in 2023 were exclusively breastfed through 3 months of age.",
      "value": "48.5%",
      "data_year": 2023,
      "source": "CDC, National Immunization Survey-Child, Results: Breastfeeding Rates (2023 births)",
      "source_url": "https://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding-data/survey/results.html",
      "page_url": "https://breastfeeding-mom.com/breastfeeding-statistics/#s011"
    },
    {
      "id": "s012",
      "section_id": "exclusive",
      "section": "Exclusive breastfeeding and early formula",
      "statistic": "Only 29.8% of US infants born in 2023 were exclusively breastfed through 6 months, meaning they received only breast milk with no solids, water or other liquids.",
      "value": "29.8%",
      "data_year": 2023,
      "source": "CDC, National Immunization Survey-Child, Results: Breastfeeding Rates (2023 births)",
      "source_url": "https://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding-data/survey/results.html",
      "page_url": "https://breastfeeding-mom.com/breastfeeding-statistics/#s012"
    },
    {
      "id": "s013",
      "section_id": "exclusive",
      "section": "Exclusive breastfeeding and early formula",
      "statistic": "22.6% of breastfed US infants born in 2023 were given infant formula before they were 2 days old.",
      "value": "22.6%",
      "data_year": 2023,
      "source": "CDC, National Immunization Survey-Child, Results: Breastfeeding Rates (2023 births)",
      "source_url": "https://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding-data/survey/results.html",
      "page_url": "https://breastfeeding-mom.com/breastfeeding-statistics/#s013"
    },
    {
      "id": "s014",
      "section_id": "exclusive",
      "section": "Exclusive breastfeeding and early formula",
      "statistic": "Among infants born in 2022, exclusive breastfeeding for six months ranged from 36.7% in Nebraska, the top-ranked state, to 19.5% in Georgia, the lowest-ranked, against a US value of 27.9%.",
      "value": "36.7%",
      "data_year": 2022,
      "source": "America's Health Rankings (United Health Foundation), measure 'Breastfed', using CDC NIS-Child 2022 birth cohort",
      "source_url": "https://www.americashealthrankings.org/explore/measures/breastfed",
      "page_url": "https://breastfeeding-mom.com/breastfeeding-statistics/#s014"
    },
    {
      "id": "s015",
      "section_id": "exclusive",
      "section": "Exclusive breastfeeding and early formula",
      "statistic": "Between fiscal years 2014 and 2023, breastfed infants in WIC averaged 36.8% fully breastfed and 63.2% partially breastfed, meaning most breastfed WIC babies also received WIC formula.",
      "value": "36.8%",
      "data_year": 2023,
      "source": "USDA Food and Nutrition Service, Fiscal Year 2023 WIC Breastfeeding Data Local Agency Report (published October 2024)",
      "source_url": "https://www.fns.usda.gov/sites/default/files/resource-files/wic-fy23-bfdla-report.pdf",
      "page_url": "https://breastfeeding-mom.com/breastfeeding-statistics/#s015"
    },
    {
      "id": "s016",
      "section_id": "exclusive",
      "section": "Exclusive breastfeeding and early formula",
      "statistic": "Vermont's WIC program had the second-highest fully breastfed rate of all WIC state agencies in fiscal year 2023, at 34.6% of infants, after the Pueblo of Zuni tribal WIC agency (49.4%).",
      "value": "34.6%",
      "data_year": 2023,
      "source": "USDA Food and Nutrition Service, Fiscal Year 2023 WIC Breastfeeding Data Local Agency Report (published October 2024)",
      "source_url": "https://www.fns.usda.gov/sites/default/files/resource-files/wic-fy23-bfdla-report.pdf",
      "page_url": "https://breastfeeding-mom.com/breastfeeding-statistics/#s016"
    },
    {
      "id": "s017",
      "section_id": "exclusive",
      "section": "Exclusive breastfeeding and early formula",
      "statistic": "In 2024, 18% of infants in Wisconsin's WIC program were fully breastfed and 65% were fully formula-fed, compared with 13% and 77% in 2018.",
      "value": "65%",
      "data_year": 2024,
      "source": "Wisconsin Department of Health Services, WIC Infant Breastfeeding and Fully Formula Fed Rates (2018-2024)",
      "source_url": "https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/wic/state-breastfeeding-rate-summary.pdf",
      "page_url": "https://breastfeeding-mom.com/breastfeeding-statistics/#s017"
    },
    {
      "id": "s018",
      "section_id": "disparities",
      "section": "Gaps by race, education, age and place",
      "statistic": "In 2024, 76.5% of US infants born to Black mothers were breastfed between birth and hospital discharge, compared with 86.5% of infants born to white mothers.",
      "value": "76.5%",
      "data_year": 2024,
      "source": "America's Health Rankings (United Health Foundation), Breastfeeding Initiation: Black; data: CDC NCHS natality files via CDC WONDER, 2024",
      "source_url": "https://www.americashealthrankings.org/explore/measures/breastfeeding_initiation/breastfeeding_black",
      "page_url": "https://breastfeeding-mom.com/breastfeeding-statistics/#s018"
    },
    {
      "id": "s019",
      "section_id": "disparities",
      "section": "Gaps by race, education, age and place",
      "statistic": "Asian infants had the highest breastfeeding initiation of any racial group in the US in 2024, with 89.9% breastfed between birth and hospital discharge.",
      "value": "89.9%",
      "data_year": 2024,
      "source": "America's Health Rankings (United Health Foundation), Breastfeeding Initiation: Asian; data: CDC NCHS natality files via CDC WONDER, 2024",
      "source_url": "https://www.americashealthrankings.org/explore/measures/breastfeeding_initiation/breastfeeding_asian",
      "page_url": "https://breastfeeding-mom.com/breastfeeding-statistics/#s019"
    },
    {
      "id": "s020",
      "section_id": "disparities",
      "section": "Gaps by race, education, age and place",
      "statistic": "In 2024, 77.6% of American Indian/Alaska Native infants in the US were breastfed between birth and hospital discharge, well below the all-infant rate of 85.4%.",
      "value": "77.6%",
      "data_year": 2024,
      "source": "America's Health Rankings (United Health Foundation), Breastfeeding Initiation: American Indian/Alaska Native; data: CDC NCHS natality files via CDC WONDER, 2024",
      "source_url": "https://www.americashealthrankings.org/explore/measures/breastfeeding_initiation/breastfeeding_aian",
      "page_url": "https://breastfeeding-mom.com/breastfeeding-statistics/#s020"
    },
    {
      "id": "s021",
      "section_id": "disparities",
      "section": "Gaps by race, education, age and place",
      "statistic": "Breastfeeding initiation among Black infants varied widely by state in 2024, from 93.1% in Idaho to 48.1% in Arkansas.",
      "value": "48.1%",
      "data_year": 2024,
      "source": "America's Health Rankings (United Health Foundation), Breastfeeding Initiation: Black, state table; data: CDC WONDER natality, 2024",
      "source_url": "https://www.americashealthrankings.org/explore/measures/breastfeeding_initiation/breastfeeding_black",
      "page_url": "https://breastfeeding-mom.com/breastfeeding-statistics/#s021"
    },
    {
      "id": "s022",
      "section_id": "disparities",
      "section": "Gaps by race, education, age and place",
      "statistic": "Across US states in 2024, the share of infants breastfed between birth and hospital discharge ranged from 94.0% in Oregon to 68.3% in Mississippi.",
      "value": "68.3%",
      "data_year": 2024,
      "source": "America's Health Rankings (United Health Foundation), Breastfeeding Initiation; data: CDC NCHS natality files via CDC WONDER, 2024",
      "source_url": "https://www.americashealthrankings.org/explore/measures/breastfeeding_initiation",
      "page_url": "https://breastfeeding-mom.com/breastfeeding-statistics/#s022"
    },
    {
      "id": "s023",
      "section_id": "disparities",
      "section": "Gaps by race, education, age and place",
      "statistic": "Among US children born in 2023, 74.2% of those whose mothers had not finished high school were ever breastfed, versus 92.2% of those whose mothers were college graduates.",
      "value": "74.2%",
      "data_year": 2023,
      "source": "CDC, National Immunization Survey-Child, Rates of Any and Exclusive Breastfeeding by Socio-demographics (children born in 2023)",
      "source_url": "https://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding-data/modules/2023-rates-any-exclusive-bf-socio-dem.html",
      "page_url": "https://breastfeeding-mom.com/breastfeeding-statistics/#s023"
    },
    {
      "id": "s024",
      "section_id": "disparities",
      "section": "Gaps by race, education, age and place",
      "statistic": "Among US children born in 2023, 82.4% of those living outside metropolitan areas were ever breastfed, compared with 86.6% of those in metropolitan areas.",
      "value": "82.4%",
      "data_year": 2023,
      "source": "CDC, National Immunization Survey-Child, Rates of Any and Exclusive Breastfeeding by Socio-demographics (children born in 2023)",
      "source_url": "https://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding-data/modules/2023-rates-any-exclusive-bf-socio-dem.html",
      "page_url": "https://breastfeeding-mom.com/breastfeeding-statistics/#s024"
    },
    {
      "id": "s025",
      "section_id": "disparities",
      "section": "Gaps by race, education, age and place",
      "statistic": "Breastfeeding initiation varied from 22% to more than 90% across US counties for babies born in 2018 and 2019, with lower rates concentrated in Appalachia and along the Gulf Coast.",
      "value": "22%",
      "data_year": 2019,
      "source": "Grubesic T, et al. Spatial inequalities in breastfeeding initiation in the United States: a multiscale analysis of county-level determinants. PLOS Global Public Health, 2026",
      "source_url": "https://journals.plos.org/globalpublichealth/article?id=10.1371/journal.pgph.0005659",
      "page_url": "https://breastfeeding-mom.com/breastfeeding-statistics/#s025"
    },
    {
      "id": "s026",
      "section_id": "disparities",
      "section": "Gaps by race, education, age and place",
      "statistic": "In 2016–2019 PRAMS data from 43 states and DC, only 25.5% of mothers under 20 were still breastfeeding at 6 months or at the time of the survey, among the lowest rates of any group.",
      "value": "25.5%",
      "data_year": 2019,
      "source": "Diaz LE, Yee LM, Feinglass J. Rates of breastfeeding initiation and duration in the United States: data insights from the 2016-2019 PRAMS. Frontiers in Public Health, 2023;11:1256432",
      "source_url": "https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1256432/full",
      "page_url": "https://breastfeeding-mom.com/breastfeeding-statistics/#s026"
    },
    {
      "id": "s027",
      "section_id": "disparities",
      "section": "Gaps by race, education, age and place",
      "statistic": "In 2016–2019 PRAMS data from 43 states and DC, 36.3% of non-Hispanic Black mothers were breastfeeding at 6 months or at the time of the survey, one of the lowest six-month rates of any group.",
      "value": "36.3%",
      "data_year": 2019,
      "source": "Diaz LE, Yee LM, Feinglass J. Rates of breastfeeding initiation and duration in the United States: data insights from the 2016-2019 PRAMS. Frontiers in Public Health, 2023;11:1256432",
      "source_url": "https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1256432/full",
      "page_url": "https://breastfeeding-mom.com/breastfeeding-statistics/#s027"
    },
    {
      "id": "s028",
      "section_id": "trends",
      "section": "Trends over time",
      "statistic": "Among 167,842 US infants born between 2009 and 2015, overall breastfeeding initiation rose by 7.1 percentage points and breastfeeding at 12 months by 11.3 percentage points.",
      "value": "7.1 percentage points",
      "data_year": 2015,
      "source": "Li R et al., 'Breastfeeding Trends by Race/Ethnicity Among US Children Born From 2009 to 2015', JAMA Pediatrics, 2019",
      "source_url": "https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapediatrics/fullarticle/2753035",
      "page_url": "https://breastfeeding-mom.com/breastfeeding-statistics/#s028"
    },
    {
      "id": "s029",
      "section_id": "trends",
      "section": "Trends over time",
      "statistic": "Exclusive breastfeeding through 6 months rose by 9.2 percentage points among US infants born from 2009 to 2015, based on National Immunization Survey-Child data.",
      "value": "9.2 percentage points",
      "data_year": 2015,
      "source": "Li R et al., 'Breastfeeding Trends by Race/Ethnicity Among US Children Born From 2009 to 2015', JAMA Pediatrics, 2019",
      "source_url": "https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapediatrics/fullarticle/2753035",
      "page_url": "https://breastfeeding-mom.com/breastfeeding-statistics/#s029"
    },
    {
      "id": "s030",
      "section_id": "trends",
      "section": "Trends over time",
      "statistic": "Exclusive breastfeeding through 6 months among US infants climbed from 25.4% for 2016 births to 29.8% for 2023 births.",
      "value": "25.4%",
      "data_year": 2023,
      "source": "CDC, National Immunization Survey-Child, Results: Breastfeeding Rates (2016-2023 births)",
      "source_url": "https://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding-data/survey/results.html",
      "page_url": "https://breastfeeding-mom.com/breastfeeding-statistics/#s030"
    },
    {
      "id": "s031",
      "section_id": "trends",
      "section": "Trends over time",
      "statistic": "Breastfeeding initiation among 6- to 13-month-old infants and children in WIC rose after 2004, peaked at 72% in 2018 and stood at 70% in 2022.",
      "value": "72%",
      "data_year": 2022,
      "source": "USDA Food and Nutrition Service, WIC Participant and Program Characteristics 2022",
      "source_url": "https://www.fns.usda.gov/research/wic/participant-program-characteristics-2022",
      "page_url": "https://breastfeeding-mom.com/breastfeeding-statistics/#s031"
    },
    {
      "id": "s032",
      "section_id": "trends",
      "section": "Trends over time",
      "statistic": "From fiscal year 2014 to 2023, the share of WIC infants who were breastfed showed a national increase of 7.8%, which USDA describes as a 26.4% growth rate over the period.",
      "value": "26.4%",
      "data_year": 2023,
      "source": "USDA Food and Nutrition Service, Fiscal Year 2023 WIC Breastfeeding Data Local Agency Report (published October 2024)",
      "source_url": "https://www.fns.usda.gov/sites/default/files/resource-files/wic-fy23-bfdla-report.pdf",
      "page_url": "https://breastfeeding-mom.com/breastfeeding-statistics/#s032"
    },
    {
      "id": "s033",
      "section_id": "trends",
      "section": "Trends over time",
      "statistic": "After the 2022 US infant formula shortage began, breastfeeding initiation saw a peak increase of 3.20 percentage points in June 2022 (87.18% vs 83.98%), according to a Pediatrics study of 2016-2022 birth certificates from 47 states and DC.",
      "value": "3.20 percentage points",
      "data_year": 2022,
      "source": "American Academy of Pediatrics news release on Seoane Estruel L, Andreyeva T, 'Breastfeeding Trends Following the US Infant Formula Shortage', Pediatrics, January 2025",
      "source_url": "https://www.aap.org/en/news-room/news-releases/pediatrics2/2024/u.s.-infant-formula-shortage-led-to-increase-in-breastfeeding-initiation-rates",
      "page_url": "https://breastfeeding-mom.com/breastfeeding-statistics/#s033"
    },
    {
      "id": "s034",
      "section_id": "trends",
      "section": "Trends over time",
      "statistic": "In the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2024 the number of fully breastfed infants in WIC was 45 percent higher than in the first quarter of fiscal year 2022, while fully formula-fed infants fell 6 percent.",
      "value": "45 percent",
      "data_year": 2024,
      "source": "USDA Economic Research Service, Charts of Note: Breastfeeding in WIC program continued to increase in fiscal year 2024 (April 2025)",
      "source_url": "https://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/charts-of-note/111434",
      "page_url": "https://breastfeeding-mom.com/breastfeeding-statistics/#s034"
    },
    {
      "id": "s035",
      "section_id": "trends",
      "section": "Trends over time",
      "statistic": "The share of Wisconsin WIC infants receiving any breast milk rose from 23% in 2018 to 35% in 2024.",
      "value": "35%",
      "data_year": 2024,
      "source": "Wisconsin Department of Health Services, WIC Infant Breastfeeding and Fully Formula Fed Rates (2018-2024)",
      "source_url": "https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/wic/state-breastfeeding-rate-summary.pdf",
      "page_url": "https://breastfeeding-mom.com/breastfeeding-statistics/#s035"
    },
    {
      "id": "s036",
      "section_id": "global",
      "section": "Breastfeeding around the world",
      "statistic": "Worldwide, only about 47% of infants aged 0–6 months were exclusively breastfed, according to WHO data covering 2018–2025.",
      "value": "47%",
      "data_year": 2025,
      "source": "World Health Organization, Infant and young child feeding fact sheet",
      "source_url": "https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/infant-and-young-child-feeding",
      "page_url": "https://breastfeeding-mom.com/breastfeeding-statistics/#s036"
    },
    {
      "id": "s037",
      "section_id": "global",
      "section": "Breastfeeding around the world",
      "statistic": "The global share of infants exclusively breastfed in their first six months rose from around 37 per cent in 2012 to over 47 per cent, according to a July 2026 joint WHO and UNICEF statement.",
      "value": "37 per cent",
      "data_year": 2025,
      "source": "WHO/UNICEF joint statement for World Breastfeeding Week, 31 July 2026",
      "source_url": "https://www.who.int/news/item/31-07-2026-countries-urged-to-strengthen-breastfeeding-support-and-health-systems-to-give-every-child-a-healthy-start-in-life",
      "page_url": "https://breastfeeding-mom.com/breastfeeding-statistics/#s037"
    },
    {
      "id": "s038",
      "section_id": "global",
      "section": "Breastfeeding around the world",
      "statistic": "Over the past five years, the global share of children still breastfed at two years of age rose from 38 per cent to 50 per cent, WHO and UNICEF reported in July 2026.",
      "value": "50 per cent",
      "data_year": 2025,
      "source": "WHO/UNICEF joint statement for World Breastfeeding Week, 31 July 2026",
      "source_url": "https://www.who.int/news/item/31-07-2026-countries-urged-to-strengthen-breastfeeding-support-and-health-systems-to-give-every-child-a-healthy-start-in-life",
      "page_url": "https://breastfeeding-mom.com/breastfeeding-statistics/#s038"
    },
    {
      "id": "s039",
      "section_id": "global",
      "section": "Breastfeeding around the world",
      "statistic": "WHO member states have set a global goal of raising exclusive breastfeeding in the first 6 months of life to at least 60% by 2030, compared with about 47% today.",
      "value": "60%",
      "data_year": 2030,
      "source": "World Health Organization, Infant and young child feeding fact sheet",
      "source_url": "https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/infant-and-young-child-feeding",
      "page_url": "https://breastfeeding-mom.com/breastfeeding-statistics/#s039"
    },
    {
      "id": "s040",
      "section_id": "global",
      "section": "Breastfeeding around the world",
      "statistic": "In England, 55.6% of infants were being breastfed at their 6 to 8 week check in the 2024 to 2025 financial year, up from 52.7% the year before and the highest since the data series began in 2015 to 2016.",
      "value": "55.6%",
      "data_year": 2025,
      "source": "Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (GOV.UK), Breastfeeding at 6 to 8 weeks 2024 to 2025: statistical commentary",
      "source_url": "https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/breastfeeding-at-6-to-8-weeks-data-for-2024-to-2025/breastfeeding-at-6-to-8-weeks-2024-to-2025-statistical-commentary",
      "page_url": "https://breastfeeding-mom.com/breastfeeding-statistics/#s040"
    },
    {
      "id": "s041",
      "section_id": "global",
      "section": "Breastfeeding around the world",
      "statistic": "In England's 2024 national Infant Feeding Survey of mothers who gave birth in August and December 2023, 86% of mothers initiated breastfeeding.",
      "value": "86%",
      "data_year": 2023,
      "source": "Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (GOV.UK), Infant feeding survey 2024: summary of main findings",
      "source_url": "https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/infant-feeding-survey-in-england-2024/infant-feeding-survey-2024-summary-of-main-findings",
      "page_url": "https://breastfeeding-mom.com/breastfeeding-statistics/#s041"
    },
    {
      "id": "s042",
      "section_id": "global",
      "section": "Breastfeeding around the world",
      "statistic": "In Scotland, 51% of babies were receiving some breast milk at the 6-8 week health visitor review in 2024/25 (34% exclusively and 17% mixed fed), the first time since records began in 2002/03 that more babies were breastfed than formula fed only.",
      "value": "51%",
      "data_year": 2025,
      "source": "Public Health Scotland, Infant feeding statistics, financial year 2024 to 2025",
      "source_url": "https://publichealthscotland.scot/publications/infant-feeding-statistics/infant-feeding-statistics-financial-year-2024-to-2025/",
      "page_url": "https://breastfeeding-mom.com/breastfeeding-statistics/#s042"
    },
    {
      "id": "s043",
      "section_id": "global",
      "section": "Breastfeeding around the world",
      "statistic": "In Canada, 38% of parents breastfed exclusively for at least 6 months according to the 2022 Canadian Community Health Survey, up from 35% in 2017-2018.",
      "value": "38%",
      "data_year": 2022,
      "source": "Public Health Agency of Canada, Canada's breastfeeding dashboard (2024 edition), Canadian Community Health Survey data",
      "source_url": "https://health-infobase.canada.ca/breastfeeding/",
      "page_url": "https://breastfeeding-mom.com/breastfeeding-statistics/#s043"
    },
    {
      "id": "s044",
      "section_id": "global",
      "section": "Breastfeeding around the world",
      "statistic": "In Australia, 37.5% of children aged 0–3 years in the 2022 National Health Survey had been exclusively breastfed to 6 months, up from 29.1% in 2017–18.",
      "value": "37.5%",
      "data_year": 2022,
      "source": "Australian Bureau of Statistics, Breastfeeding, 2022 (National Health Survey)",
      "source_url": "https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/health/health-conditions-and-risks/breastfeeding/2022",
      "page_url": "https://breastfeeding-mom.com/breastfeeding-statistics/#s044"
    },
    {
      "id": "s045",
      "section_id": "global",
      "section": "Breastfeeding around the world",
      "statistic": "In Sweden, 65 percent of babies were still breastfed (fully or partly) at six months of age in 2021, compared with just over 93 percent at one week, according to the National Board of Health and Welfare.",
      "value": "65 percent",
      "data_year": 2021,
      "source": "Socialstyrelsen (Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare), Statistik om amning",
      "source_url": "https://www.socialstyrelsen.se/statistik-och-data/statistik/statistikamnen/amning/",
      "page_url": "https://breastfeeding-mom.com/breastfeeding-statistics/#s045"
    },
    {
      "id": "s046",
      "section_id": "global",
      "section": "Breastfeeding around the world",
      "statistic": "In Bangladesh, the share of newborns breastfed within one hour of birth fell from 46.6 per cent in 2019 to 30.4 per cent in 2025, according to the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) 2025.",
      "value": "30.4 per cent",
      "data_year": 2025,
      "source": "UNICEF Bangladesh and WHO, press release on World Breastfeeding Week 2026 (Bangladesh MICS 2025)",
      "source_url": "https://www.unicef.org/bangladesh/en/press-releases/beyond-world-breastfeeding-week-2026-who-and-unicef-call-strengthened-action-protect",
      "page_url": "https://breastfeeding-mom.com/breastfeeding-statistics/#s046"
    },
    {
      "id": "s047",
      "section_id": "hospitals",
      "section": "Hospitals and support at birth",
      "statistic": "US hospitals earned a national total score of 82 out of 100 on CDC's 2024 mPINC survey of maternity care practices, which reflects 2023 hospital data from 2,070 participating hospitals.",
      "value": "82 out of 100",
      "data_year": 2023,
      "source": "CDC, Maternity Practices in Infant Nutrition and Care (mPINC) 2024 national results",
      "source_url": "https://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding-data/mpinc/national-report.html",
      "page_url": "https://breastfeeding-mom.com/breastfeeding-statistics/#s047"
    },
    {
      "id": "s048",
      "section_id": "hospitals",
      "section": "Hospitals and support at birth",
      "statistic": "Only 27% of US hospitals gave the ideal response that few breastfeeding newborns receive infant formula during their stay, according to CDC's 2024 mPINC survey (2023 hospital data).",
      "value": "27%",
      "data_year": 2023,
      "source": "CDC, mPINC 2024 national results, feeding practices",
      "source_url": "https://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding-data/mpinc/national-report.html",
      "page_url": "https://breastfeeding-mom.com/breastfeeding-statistics/#s048"
    },
    {
      "id": "s049",
      "section_id": "hospitals",
      "section": "Hospitals and support at birth",
      "statistic": "More than 400 hospitals in the United States hold Baby-Friendly designation, spread across all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, according to Baby-Friendly USA in 2026.",
      "value": "More than 400 hospitals",
      "data_year": 2026,
      "source": "Baby-Friendly USA, About the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative",
      "source_url": "https://www.babyfriendlyusa.org/about/",
      "page_url": "https://breastfeeding-mom.com/breastfeeding-statistics/#s049"
    },
    {
      "id": "s050",
      "section_id": "hospitals",
      "section": "Hospitals and support at birth",
      "statistic": "Worldwide, more than 20,000 maternity facilities in 150 countries have earned Baby-Friendly designation, Baby-Friendly USA reports.",
      "value": "more than 20,000 maternity facilities",
      "data_year": 2026,
      "source": "Baby-Friendly USA, About the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative",
      "source_url": "https://www.babyfriendlyusa.org/about/",
      "page_url": "https://breastfeeding-mom.com/breastfeeding-statistics/#s050"
    },
    {
      "id": "s051",
      "section_id": "hospitals",
      "section": "Hospitals and support at birth",
      "statistic": "In 2018, more than 25% of US births took place in over 500 Baby-Friendly designated facilities, up from less than 3% of births in about 60 facilities in 2007, according to Baby-Friendly USA.",
      "value": "more than 25% of US births",
      "data_year": 2018,
      "source": "Baby-Friendly USA, Find a Baby-Friendly hospital or birthing center",
      "source_url": "https://www.babyfriendlyusa.org/find-facilities",
      "page_url": "https://breastfeeding-mom.com/breastfeeding-statistics/#s051"
    },
    {
      "id": "s052",
      "section_id": "hospitals",
      "section": "Hospitals and support at birth",
      "statistic": "The United States had 21,185 International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs) as of January 22, 2026, according to IBLCE.",
      "value": "21,185",
      "data_year": 2026,
      "source": "IBLCE, Current Statistics on Worldwide IBCLCs (data as of January 22, 2026)",
      "source_url": "https://iblce.org/about-iblce/current-statistics-on-worldwide-ibclcs/",
      "page_url": "https://breastfeeding-mom.com/breastfeeding-statistics/#s052"
    },
    {
      "id": "s053",
      "section_id": "hospitals",
      "section": "Hospitals and support at birth",
      "statistic": "There were 39,374 IBCLC-certified lactation consultants worldwide as of January 22, 2026, IBLCE reports.",
      "value": "39,374",
      "data_year": 2026,
      "source": "IBLCE, Current Statistics on Worldwide IBCLCs (data as of January 22, 2026)",
      "source_url": "https://iblce.org/about-iblce/current-statistics-on-worldwide-ibclcs/",
      "page_url": "https://breastfeeding-mom.com/breastfeeding-statistics/#s053"
    },
    {
      "id": "s054",
      "section_id": "hospitals",
      "section": "Hospitals and support at birth",
      "statistic": "The US holds 53.8% of the world's IBCLCs as of January 2026 (21,185 of 39,374, our calculation from IBLCE data).",
      "value": "53.8%",
      "data_year": 2026,
      "source": "IBLCE, Current Statistics on Worldwide IBCLCs (data as of January 22, 2026)",
      "source_url": "https://iblce.org/about-iblce/current-statistics-on-worldwide-ibclcs/",
      "page_url": "https://breastfeeding-mom.com/breastfeeding-statistics/#s054"
    },
    {
      "id": "s055",
      "section_id": "work",
      "section": "Work, pumping and leave",
      "statistic": "In March 2026, 49% of US private industry workers had access to paid family and medical leave, according to the BLS National Compensation Survey.",
      "value": "49%",
      "data_year": 2026,
      "source": "US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employee Benefits in the United States, March 2026 (news release, September 25, 2026)",
      "source_url": "https://www.bls.gov/news.release/archives/ebs2_09252026.htm",
      "page_url": "https://breastfeeding-mom.com/breastfeeding-statistics/#s055"
    },
    {
      "id": "s056",
      "section_id": "work",
      "section": "Work, pumping and leave",
      "statistic": "Among US state and local government workers, 57% had access to paid family and medical leave in March 2026, BLS reports.",
      "value": "57%",
      "data_year": 2026,
      "source": "US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employee Benefits in the United States, March 2026 (news release, September 25, 2026)",
      "source_url": "https://www.bls.gov/news.release/archives/ebs2_09252026.htm",
      "page_url": "https://breastfeeding-mom.com/breastfeeding-statistics/#s056"
    },
    {
      "id": "s057",
      "section_id": "work",
      "section": "Work, pumping and leave",
      "statistic": "Under the older BLS definition, 27% of US civilian workers had access to paid family leave in March 2023, up from 9% in March 2008, while 90% had access to unpaid family leave.",
      "value": "27%",
      "data_year": 2023,
      "source": "US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Family leave benefits fact sheet",
      "source_url": "https://www.bls.gov/ebs/factsheets/family-leave-benefits-fact-sheet.htm",
      "page_url": "https://breastfeeding-mom.com/breastfeeding-statistics/#s057"
    },
    {
      "id": "s058",
      "section_id": "work",
      "section": "Work, pumping and leave",
      "statistic": "In 2025, 61.9% of US mothers whose youngest child was under 1 year old were in the labor force, according to BLS.",
      "value": "61.9%",
      "data_year": 2025,
      "source": "US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Characteristics of Families, Table 6 (2025 annual averages)",
      "source_url": "https://www.bls.gov/news.release/famee.t06.htm",
      "page_url": "https://breastfeeding-mom.com/breastfeeding-statistics/#s058"
    },
    {
      "id": "s059",
      "section_id": "work",
      "section": "Work, pumping and leave",
      "statistic": "Paid parental leave was offered by 46% of US employers in 2026, up seven percentage points from 2025, according to SHRM's survey of 5,472 organizations.",
      "value": "46%",
      "data_year": 2026,
      "source": "SHRM, 2026 Employee Benefits Survey (news article, June 17, 2026)",
      "source_url": "https://www.shrm.org/topics-tools/news/benefits-compensation/paid-parental-leave-increases-shrm-benefits",
      "page_url": "https://breastfeeding-mom.com/breastfeeding-statistics/#s059"
    },
    {
      "id": "s060",
      "section_id": "work",
      "section": "Work, pumping and leave",
      "statistic": "Paid maternity leave beyond what the law requires was offered by 44% of US employers in 2026, up six percentage points in a year, SHRM found.",
      "value": "44%",
      "data_year": 2026,
      "source": "SHRM, 2026 Employee Benefits Survey (news article, June 17, 2026)",
      "source_url": "https://www.shrm.org/topics-tools/news/benefits-compensation/paid-parental-leave-increases-shrm-benefits",
      "page_url": "https://breastfeeding-mom.com/breastfeeding-statistics/#s060"
    },
    {
      "id": "s061",
      "section_id": "work",
      "section": "Work, pumping and leave",
      "statistic": "Onsite lactation rooms were offered by 67% of US employers in SHRM's 2026 Employee Benefits Survey, a drop of 5 percentage points from the year before.",
      "value": "67%",
      "data_year": 2026,
      "source": "SHRM, 2026 Employee Benefits Survey, Executive Summary (PDF)",
      "source_url": "https://www.shrm.org/content/dam/en/shrm/topics-tools/research/employee-benefits/2026_employee-benefits_executive-summary.pdf",
      "page_url": "https://breastfeeding-mom.com/breastfeeding-statistics/#s061"
    },
    {
      "id": "s062",
      "section_id": "work",
      "section": "Work, pumping and leave",
      "statistic": "As of June 2026, 14 states and the District of Columbia had enacted mandatory paid family leave programs, and 9 more states had voluntary systems run through private insurance, according to SHRM.",
      "value": "14 states and the District of Columbia",
      "data_year": 2026,
      "source": "SHRM, 'Paid parental leave increases' (June 17, 2026)",
      "source_url": "https://www.shrm.org/topics-tools/news/benefits-compensation/paid-parental-leave-increases-shrm-benefits",
      "page_url": "https://breastfeeding-mom.com/breastfeeding-statistics/#s062"
    },
    {
      "id": "s063",
      "section_id": "work",
      "section": "Work, pumping and leave",
      "statistic": "Under the federal PUMP Act, US employees covered by the FLSA have the right to reasonable break time and a private space to pump breast milk for up to one year after the child's birth.",
      "value": "one year",
      "data_year": 2025,
      "source": "US Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division, Fact Sheet #73 (revised December 2025)",
      "source_url": "https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/fact-sheets/73-flsa-break-time-nursing-mothers",
      "page_url": "https://breastfeeding-mom.com/breastfeeding-statistics/#s063"
    },
    {
      "id": "s064",
      "section_id": "work",
      "section": "Work, pumping and leave",
      "statistic": "US employers with fewer than 50 employees are not subject to the PUMP Act's break time and space requirements if compliance would cause undue hardship, according to the Department of Labor.",
      "value": "fewer than 50 employees",
      "data_year": 2025,
      "source": "US Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division, Fact Sheet #73 (revised December 2025)",
      "source_url": "https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/fact-sheets/73-flsa-break-time-nursing-mothers",
      "page_url": "https://breastfeeding-mom.com/breastfeeding-statistics/#s064"
    },
    {
      "id": "s065",
      "section_id": "work",
      "section": "Work, pumping and leave",
      "statistic": "Among US first-time mothers whose child was born between 2014 and 2022, 49.1% took paid leave, according to the Census Bureau's 2022 Survey of Income and Program Participation.",
      "value": "49.1%",
      "data_year": 2022,
      "source": "US Census Bureau, America Counts: 'Share of Women Who Worked Before Their First Birth Rose' (May 13, 2025), SIPP 2022",
      "source_url": "https://www.census.gov/library/stories/2025/05/parental-leave.html",
      "page_url": "https://breastfeeding-mom.com/breastfeeding-statistics/#s065"
    },
    {
      "id": "s066",
      "section_id": "work",
      "section": "Work, pumping and leave",
      "statistic": "About 14% of US first-time mothers quit or were let go from their job around the birth of their first child, a share that has not changed significantly across birth cohorts, Census Bureau SIPP 2022 data show.",
      "value": "About 14%",
      "data_year": 2022,
      "source": "US Census Bureau, America Counts: 'Share of Women Who Worked Before Their First Birth Rose' (May 13, 2025), SIPP 2022",
      "source_url": "https://www.census.gov/library/stories/2025/05/parental-leave.html",
      "page_url": "https://breastfeeding-mom.com/breastfeeding-statistics/#s066"
    },
    {
      "id": "s067",
      "section_id": "stopping",
      "section": "Why parents stop and common problems",
      "statistic": "In England's 2024 Infant Feeding Survey, 72% of mothers who had stopped breastfeeding by the time their baby was 4 to 6 months old said they would have liked to breastfeed for longer.",
      "value": "72%",
      "data_year": 2024,
      "source": "Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, Infant Feeding Survey in England 2024: summary of main findings",
      "source_url": "https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/infant-feeding-survey-in-england-2024/infant-feeding-survey-2024-summary-of-main-findings",
      "page_url": "https://breastfeeding-mom.com/breastfeeding-statistics/#s067"
    },
    {
      "id": "s068",
      "section_id": "stopping",
      "section": "Why parents stop and common problems",
      "statistic": "Among mothers in England who had stopped breastfeeding by 4 to 6 months in 2024, 45% gave the baby not latching on or rejecting the breast as a reason, and 44% said they felt they did not have enough milk.",
      "value": "45%",
      "data_year": 2024,
      "source": "Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, Infant Feeding Survey in England 2024: summary of main findings",
      "source_url": "https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/infant-feeding-survey-in-england-2024/infant-feeding-survey-2024-summary-of-main-findings",
      "page_url": "https://breastfeeding-mom.com/breastfeeding-statistics/#s068"
    },
    {
      "id": "s069",
      "section_id": "stopping",
      "section": "Why parents stop and common problems",
      "statistic": "73% of mothers in England who had ever breastfed reported at least one breastfeeding difficulty in the 2024 Infant Feeding Survey, with engorgement (42%) the most common.",
      "value": "73%",
      "data_year": 2024,
      "source": "Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, Infant Feeding Survey in England 2024: summary of main findings",
      "source_url": "https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/infant-feeding-survey-in-england-2024/infant-feeding-survey-2024-summary-of-main-findings",
      "page_url": "https://breastfeeding-mom.com/breastfeeding-statistics/#s069"
    },
    {
      "id": "s070",
      "section_id": "stopping",
      "section": "Why parents stop and common problems",
      "statistic": "56% of mothers in England who had ever fed breast milk to their baby in the 2024 Infant Feeding Survey reported pain from breastfeeding, such as sore nipples or painful breasts.",
      "value": "56%",
      "data_year": 2024,
      "source": "Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, Infant Feeding Survey in England 2024: summary of main findings",
      "source_url": "https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/infant-feeding-survey-in-england-2024/infant-feeding-survey-2024-summary-of-main-findings",
      "page_url": "https://breastfeeding-mom.com/breastfeeding-statistics/#s070"
    },
    {
      "id": "s071",
      "section_id": "stopping",
      "section": "Why parents stop and common problems",
      "statistic": "Among mothers in England who wanted to breastfeed for longer, 53% said help with getting the baby to latch on better would have helped them continue (2024 Infant Feeding Survey).",
      "value": "53%",
      "data_year": 2024,
      "source": "Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, Infant Feeding Survey in England 2024: summary of main findings",
      "source_url": "https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/infant-feeding-survey-in-england-2024/infant-feeding-survey-2024-summary-of-main-findings",
      "page_url": "https://breastfeeding-mom.com/breastfeeding-statistics/#s071"
    },
    {
      "id": "s072",
      "section_id": "stopping",
      "section": "Why parents stop and common problems",
      "statistic": "In the US Infant Feeding Practices Study II (2005–2007), about 60% of 1,177 mothers who stopped breastfeeding did so earlier than they had wanted.",
      "value": "60%",
      "data_year": 2007,
      "source": "Odom EC et al., 'Reasons for Earlier Than Desired Cessation of Breastfeeding', Pediatrics 2013 (PMC full text)",
      "source_url": "https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4861949/",
      "page_url": "https://breastfeeding-mom.com/breastfeeding-statistics/#s072"
    },
    {
      "id": "s073",
      "section_id": "stopping",
      "section": "Why parents stop and common problems",
      "statistic": "In the US Infant Feeding Practices Study II (2005–2007), 57.8% of mothers who stopped breastfeeding earlier than desired rated not having enough milk as an important reason, compared with 29.9% of those who met their goal.",
      "value": "57.8%",
      "data_year": 2007,
      "source": "Odom EC et al., 'Reasons for Earlier Than Desired Cessation of Breastfeeding', Pediatrics 2013 (PMC full text)",
      "source_url": "https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4861949/",
      "page_url": "https://breastfeeding-mom.com/breastfeeding-statistics/#s073"
    },
    {
      "id": "s074",
      "section_id": "stopping",
      "section": "Why parents stop and common problems",
      "statistic": "A systematic review of global studies found a pooled lactational mastitis incidence of 11.1 episodes per 1,000 breastfeeding weeks between birth and week 25 postpartum, with the highest incidence in the first four weeks.",
      "value": "11.1 episodes per 1,000 breastfeeding weeks",
      "data_year": 2019,
      "source": "Wilson E, Woodd SL, Benova L, 'Incidence of and Risk Factors for Lactational Mastitis: A Systematic Review', Journal of Human Lactation 2020 (Institute of Tropical Medicine Antwerp repository PDF)",
      "source_url": "https://pure.itg.be/ws/portalfiles/portal/12944233/2020jhla0001.pdf",
      "page_url": "https://breastfeeding-mom.com/breastfeeding-statistics/#s074"
    },
    {
      "id": "s075",
      "section_id": "stopping",
      "section": "Why parents stop and common problems",
      "statistic": "A meta-analysis of 71 studies published in the Journal of the American Dental Association in 2022 found tongue-tie (ankyloglossia) prevalence of 7% in infants and 5% overall, ranging from 2% to 20% depending on the assessment tool used.",
      "value": "7%",
      "data_year": 2022,
      "source": "ADA News, report on JADA meta-analysis of ankyloglossia prevalence (October 2022)",
      "source_url": "https://adanews.ada.org/ada-news/2022/october/november-jada-finds-prevalence-of-tongue-tie-varies-based-on-how-its-diagnosed/",
      "page_url": "https://breastfeeding-mom.com/breastfeeding-statistics/#s075"
    },
    {
      "id": "s076",
      "section_id": "impact",
      "section": "Health and economic impact",
      "statistic": "WHO estimates that nearly 400 000 deaths of children under 5 could be prevented every year worldwide if all infants were exclusively breastfed for six months and breastfed up to two years or beyond.",
      "value": "400 000",
      "data_year": 2026,
      "source": "World Health Organization, Infant and young child feeding fact sheet",
      "source_url": "https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/infant-and-young-child-feeding",
      "page_url": "https://breastfeeding-mom.com/breastfeeding-statistics/#s076"
    },
    {
      "id": "s077",
      "section_id": "impact",
      "section": "Health and economic impact",
      "statistic": "Scaling up breastfeeding could prevent around 140 000 maternal deaths each year worldwide, alongside almost 400 000 child deaths, according to WHO and UNICEF in July 2026.",
      "value": "140 000",
      "data_year": 2026,
      "source": "WHO/UNICEF joint statement for World Breastfeeding Week, 31 July 2026",
      "source_url": "https://www.who.int/news/item/31-07-2026-countries-urged-to-strengthen-breastfeeding-support-and-health-systems-to-give-every-child-a-healthy-start-in-life",
      "page_url": "https://breastfeeding-mom.com/breastfeeding-statistics/#s077"
    },
    {
      "id": "s078",
      "section_id": "impact",
      "section": "Health and economic impact",
      "statistic": "Underfunding of breastfeeding programmes causes estimated global economic losses of US$ 339 billion each year, equal to 0.32% of global gross national income, according to WHO.",
      "value": "US$ 339 billion",
      "data_year": 2026,
      "source": "World Health Organization, Infant and young child feeding fact sheet",
      "source_url": "https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/infant-and-young-child-feeding",
      "page_url": "https://breastfeeding-mom.com/breastfeeding-statistics/#s078"
    },
    {
      "id": "s079",
      "section_id": "impact",
      "section": "Health and economic impact",
      "statistic": "Globally, every US$ 1 invested in breastfeeding promotion is estimated to generate US$ 59 in economic returns, through lower health-care costs, better cognitive development, higher educational attainment and higher lifetime earnings, according to WHO and UNICEF in 2026.",
      "value": "US$ 59",
      "data_year": 2026,
      "source": "WHO/UNICEF joint statement for World Breastfeeding Week, 31 July 2026 (Global Investment Case for Improved Breastfeeding)",
      "source_url": "https://www.who.int/news/item/31-07-2026-countries-urged-to-strengthen-breastfeeding-support-and-health-systems-to-give-every-child-a-healthy-start-in-life",
      "page_url": "https://breastfeeding-mom.com/breastfeeding-statistics/#s079"
    },
    {
      "id": "s080",
      "section_id": "impact",
      "section": "Health and economic impact",
      "statistic": "A 2019 global modelling study estimated that 595 379 deaths a year among children aged 6 to 59 months from diarrhoea and pneumonia can be attributed to not breastfeeding.",
      "value": "595 379",
      "data_year": 2017,
      "source": "Walters, Phan & Mathisen, 'The cost of not breastfeeding: global results from a new tool', Health Policy and Planning, 2019",
      "source_url": "https://academic.oup.com/heapol/article/34/6/407/5522499",
      "page_url": "https://breastfeeding-mom.com/breastfeeding-statistics/#s080"
    },
    {
      "id": "s081",
      "section_id": "impact",
      "section": "Health and economic impact",
      "statistic": "In the United States, suboptimal breastfeeding was estimated to cause 3,340 excess deaths a year, 78% of them among mothers, comparing 2012 breastfeeding rates with a scenario in which 90% of infants were breastfed as medically recommended.",
      "value": "3,340",
      "data_year": 2012,
      "source": "Bartick et al., 'Suboptimal breastfeeding in the United States: Maternal and pediatric health outcomes and costs', Maternal & Child Nutrition, 2017 (PMC6866210)",
      "source_url": "https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6866210/",
      "page_url": "https://breastfeeding-mom.com/breastfeeding-statistics/#s081"
    },
    {
      "id": "s082",
      "section_id": "impact",
      "section": "Health and economic impact",
      "statistic": "A 2025 National Academies committee concluded that existing evidence points to annual US national losses from suboptimal breastfeeding of between $17 billion and over $100 billion.",
      "value": "$17 billion",
      "data_year": 2024,
      "source": "National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, Breastfeeding in the United States: Strategies to Support Families and Achieve National Goals (2025), Chapter 2, Conclusion 2-2",
      "source_url": "https://www.nationalacademies.org/read/29118/chapter/4",
      "page_url": "https://breastfeeding-mom.com/breastfeeding-statistics/#s082"
    },
    {
      "id": "s083",
      "section_id": "impact",
      "section": "Health and economic impact",
      "statistic": "An AHRQ-commissioned systematic review (Patnode et al., 2025, literature to August 2024) found an approximately 33% reduced risk of ear infections (otitis media) in children who were ever breastfed versus never breastfed, as summarised by the National Academies.",
      "value": "33%",
      "data_year": 2024,
      "source": "National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, Breastfeeding in the United States (2025), Chapter 2, Table 2-1 (summarising Patnode et al., Pediatrics 2025)",
      "source_url": "https://www.nationalacademies.org/read/29118/chapter/4",
      "page_url": "https://breastfeeding-mom.com/breastfeeding-statistics/#s083"
    },
    {
      "id": "s084",
      "section_id": "donor-formula",
      "section": "Donor milk, formula and milk sharing",
      "statistic": "The nonprofit member milk banks of the Human Milk Banking Association of North America (HMBANA) dispensed a record 13 million ounces of pasteurized donor human milk in 2025, 12% more than in 2024.",
      "value": "13 million ounces",
      "data_year": 2025,
      "source": "HMBANA press release, 5 February 2026",
      "source_url": "https://www.hmbana.org/news/blog.html/article/2026/02/05/nonprofit-milk-banks-dispense-record-13-million-ounces-of-donor-milk-in-2025",
      "page_url": "https://breastfeeding-mom.com/breastfeeding-statistics/#s084"
    },
    {
      "id": "s085",
      "section_id": "donor-formula",
      "section": "Donor milk, formula and milk sharing",
      "statistic": "HMBANA had 31 member nonprofit milk banks in North America as of February 2026, all operating under the association's safety and clinical standards.",
      "value": "31",
      "data_year": 2026,
      "source": "HMBANA press release, 5 February 2026",
      "source_url": "https://www.hmbana.org/news/blog.html/article/2026/02/05/nonprofit-milk-banks-dispense-record-13-million-ounces-of-donor-milk-in-2025",
      "page_url": "https://breastfeeding-mom.com/breastfeeding-statistics/#s085"
    },
    {
      "id": "s086",
      "section_id": "donor-formula",
      "section": "Donor milk, formula and milk sharing",
      "statistic": "HMBANA milk banks dispensed more than 11.6 million ounces of donor milk in 2024, and nearly one quarter of that volume went to outpatients as surplus milk rather than to hospitals.",
      "value": "11.6 million ounces",
      "data_year": 2024,
      "source": "HMBANA, updated statement on milk supply for small, vulnerable newborns (22 September 2025)",
      "source_url": "https://www.hmbana.org/news/blog.html/article/2025/09/22/hmbana-updated-statement-on-milk-supply-for-small-vulnerable-newborns",
      "page_url": "https://breastfeeding-mom.com/breastfeeding-statistics/#s086"
    },
    {
      "id": "s087",
      "section_id": "donor-formula",
      "section": "Donor milk, formula and milk sharing",
      "statistic": "In 2023, HMBANA member milk banks distributed a total of 9,949,042 ounces of donor human milk, serving 1500 hospitals.",
      "value": "9,949,042 ounces",
      "data_year": 2023,
      "source": "HMBANA press release, 8 February 2024",
      "source_url": "https://www.hmbana.org/news/blog.html/article/2024/02/08/hmbana-member-milk-banks-dispense-nearly-10-million-ounces-of-life-saving-milk",
      "page_url": "https://breastfeeding-mom.com/breastfeeding-statistics/#s087"
    },
    {
      "id": "s088",
      "section_id": "donor-formula",
      "section": "Donor milk, formula and milk sharing",
      "statistic": "In a US study of 1,909 first-time mothers who intended to breastfeed (enrolled 2021–2022 in 39 states), 3.7% fed their infant informally shared human milk from friends, family or milk-sharing networks.",
      "value": "3.7%",
      "data_year": 2023,
      "source": "Demirci et al., 'Informal Human Milk Sharing Among US Mothers', JAMA Network Open, November 2025",
      "source_url": "https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.42036",
      "page_url": "https://breastfeeding-mom.com/breastfeeding-statistics/#s088"
    },
    {
      "id": "s089",
      "section_id": "donor-formula",
      "section": "Donor milk, formula and milk sharing",
      "statistic": "During the US infant formula shortage, 34.7% of households with babies under 1 reported difficulty obtaining infant formula in the past seven days in fall 2022 (Sept. 14–Oct. 17), falling to 19.8% by summer 2023.",
      "value": "34.7%",
      "data_year": 2023,
      "source": "US Census Bureau, Household Pulse Survey (America Counts story, April 2024)",
      "source_url": "https://www.census.gov/library/stories/2024/04/infant-formula-shortage.html",
      "page_url": "https://breastfeeding-mom.com/breastfeeding-statistics/#s089"
    },
    {
      "id": "s090",
      "section_id": "donor-formula",
      "section": "Donor milk, formula and milk sharing",
      "statistic": "In summer 2023, 32.6% of US households with infants reported getting formula from friends, family or others as a way of coping with formula supply problems.",
      "value": "32.6%",
      "data_year": 2023,
      "source": "US Census Bureau, Household Pulse Survey (America Counts story, April 2024)",
      "source_url": "https://www.census.gov/library/stories/2024/04/infant-formula-shortage.html",
      "page_url": "https://breastfeeding-mom.com/breastfeeding-statistics/#s090"
    },
    {
      "id": "s091",
      "section_id": "donor-formula",
      "section": "Donor milk, formula and milk sharing",
      "statistic": "Infants in USDA's WIC program consumed an estimated 56 percent of all infant formula used in the United States in 2018, down slightly from 58 percent in 2005.",
      "value": "56 percent",
      "data_year": 2018,
      "source": "USDA Economic Research Service, Chart of Note (23 May 2022)",
      "source_url": "https://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/charts-of-note/103970",
      "page_url": "https://breastfeeding-mom.com/breastfeeding-statistics/#s091"
    },
    {
      "id": "s092",
      "section_id": "donor-formula",
      "section": "Donor milk, formula and milk sharing",
      "statistic": "Three manufacturers accounted for 83 percent of US infant formula sales in 2022, compared with 99 percent in 1987.",
      "value": "83 percent",
      "data_year": 2022,
      "source": "USDA Economic Research Service, Chart of Note (9 April 2024)",
      "source_url": "https://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/charts-of-note/108933",
      "page_url": "https://breastfeeding-mom.com/breastfeeding-statistics/#s092"
    },
    {
      "id": "s093",
      "section_id": "donor-formula",
      "section": "Donor milk, formula and milk sharing",
      "statistic": "Rebates paid by formula manufacturers under WIC contracts saved US states about $1.6 billion in fiscal year 2023, and as of August 2024 two manufacturers held almost all WIC infant formula contracts.",
      "value": "$1.6 billion",
      "data_year": 2023,
      "source": "US Government Accountability Office, GAO-25-106503 (January 2025)",
      "source_url": "https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-25-106503",
      "page_url": "https://breastfeeding-mom.com/breastfeeding-statistics/#s093"
    },
    {
      "id": "s094",
      "section_id": "donor-formula",
      "section": "Donor milk, formula and milk sharing",
      "statistic": "As of September 2022, FDA import flexibilities during the US formula shortage covered imported or planned imports estimated by companies at 403 million 8 oz. bottles (18.9 million cans) of infant formula.",
      "value": "403 million",
      "data_year": 2022,
      "source": "FDA, Infant Formula Supply infographic (September 2022)",
      "source_url": "https://www.fda.gov/media/161688/download",
      "page_url": "https://breastfeeding-mom.com/breastfeeding-statistics/#s094"
    },
    {
      "id": "s095",
      "section_id": "mental-health",
      "section": "Mental health after birth",
      "statistic": "In 2023, 11.9% of US women with a recent live birth reported postpartum depressive symptoms, according to PRAMS data compiled by America's Health Rankings.",
      "value": "11.9%",
      "data_year": 2023,
      "source": "America's Health Rankings (United Health Foundation), Postpartum Depression measure; data: CDC PRAMS 2023 via HRSA MCHB Federally Available Data",
      "source_url": "https://www.americashealthrankings.org/explore/measures/postpartum_depression",
      "page_url": "https://breastfeeding-mom.com/breastfeeding-statistics/#s095"
    },
    {
      "id": "s096",
      "section_id": "mental-health",
      "section": "Mental health after birth",
      "statistic": "Among states reporting 2023 PRAMS data, postpartum depressive symptoms ranged from 7.2% of recent mothers in Louisiana to 17.1% in Mississippi.",
      "value": "17.1%",
      "data_year": 2023,
      "source": "America's Health Rankings (United Health Foundation), Postpartum Depression measure; data: CDC PRAMS 2023",
      "source_url": "https://www.americashealthrankings.org/explore/measures/postpartum_depression",
      "page_url": "https://breastfeeding-mom.com/breastfeeding-statistics/#s096"
    },
    {
      "id": "s097",
      "section_id": "mental-health",
      "section": "Mental health after birth",
      "statistic": "The National Maternal Mental Health Hotline (1-833-TLC-MAMA) received 33,720 calls and texts in federal fiscal year 2025 (October 2024 to September 2025), about 65 percent of them calls.",
      "value": "33,720",
      "data_year": 2025,
      "source": "US Government Accountability Office, GAO-26-109046, HHS and VA Hotlines briefing (2026)",
      "source_url": "https://www.gao.gov/assets/gao-26-109046.pdf",
      "page_url": "https://breastfeeding-mom.com/breastfeeding-statistics/#s097"
    },
    {
      "id": "s098",
      "section_id": "mental-health",
      "section": "Mental health after birth",
      "statistic": "Monthly answer rates for calls and texts to the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline stayed between 92 and 95 percent throughout fiscal year 2025, GAO found.",
      "value": "92 and 95 percent",
      "data_year": 2025,
      "source": "US Government Accountability Office, GAO-26-109046, HHS and VA Hotlines briefing (2026)",
      "source_url": "https://www.gao.gov/assets/gao-26-109046.pdf",
      "page_url": "https://breastfeeding-mom.com/breastfeeding-statistics/#s098"
    },
    {
      "id": "s099",
      "section_id": "mental-health",
      "section": "Mental health after birth",
      "statistic": "Among Kaiser Permanente Southern California patients, the share of pregnancies followed by a postpartum depression diagnosis doubled from 9.4% in 2010 to 19.0% in 2021, based on 442,308 pregnancies.",
      "value": "19.0%",
      "data_year": 2021,
      "source": "Trends in Postpartum Depression by Race, Ethnicity, and Prepregnancy Body Mass Index. JAMA Network Open, November 2024 (Kaiser Permanente Southern California)",
      "source_url": "https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2826508",
      "page_url": "https://breastfeeding-mom.com/breastfeeding-statistics/#s099"
    },
    {
      "id": "s100",
      "section_id": "mental-health",
      "section": "Mental health after birth",
      "statistic": "A 2023 meta-analysis of nine studies using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale found that women with postpartum depression had 2.25 times the odds of not breastfeeding exclusively compared with women without it.",
      "value": "2.25",
      "data_year": 2023,
      "source": "Breastfeeding in Women with Postpartum Depression: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Ethiopian Journal of Health Sciences, 2023",
      "source_url": "https://www.ethjhealths.org/node/2025",
      "page_url": "https://breastfeeding-mom.com/breastfeeding-statistics/#s100"
    },
    {
      "id": "s101",
      "section_id": "mental-health",
      "section": "Mental health after birth",
      "statistic": "In 2018 PRAMS data from 31 US sites, 87.4% of women with a recent live birth said a health care provider asked them about depression at their postpartum checkup, but the share fell to 50.7% in Puerto Rico.",
      "value": "87.4%",
      "data_year": 2018,
      "source": "Bauman BL, Ko JY, Cox S, et al. Vital Signs: Postpartum Depressive Symptoms and Provider Discussions About Perinatal Depression - United States, 2018. MMWR 2020;69(19):575-581 (PMC full text)",
      "source_url": "https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7238954/",
      "page_url": "https://breastfeeding-mom.com/breastfeeding-statistics/#s101"
    },
    {
      "id": "s102",
      "section_id": "mental-health",
      "section": "Mental health after birth",
      "statistic": "In 2018 PRAMS data, 15.6% of US mothers who breastfed for less than 8 weeks reported postpartum depressive symptoms, compared with 11.8% of those who breastfed for 8 weeks or longer.",
      "value": "15.6%",
      "data_year": 2018,
      "source": "Bauman BL, Ko JY, Cox S, et al. Vital Signs: Postpartum Depressive Symptoms and Provider Discussions About Perinatal Depression - United States, 2018. MMWR 2020;69(19):575-581 (PMC full text)",
      "source_url": "https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7238954/",
      "page_url": "https://breastfeeding-mom.com/breastfeeding-statistics/#s102"
    }
  ]
}