Breastfeeding Rates in the United States in 2005-2006
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[edit] Total Percentage of Infants who were ever Breastfed
The percentage of infants who were ever breastfed increased from 60% among infants who were born in 1993-1994 to 77% among infants who were born in 2005-2006.
[edit] Impact of Race and Ethnicity on Breastfeeding Rates
In the 2005-2006 birth cohort group, 65% of non-Hispanic black infants were breastfed compared with 80% of Mexican American and 79% of non-Hispanic white infants.
Although breastfeeding rates were significantly lower among non-Hispanic black infants, significant increases in breastfeeding rates have occurred in this group.
The percent of non-Hispanic black infants who were ever breastfed increased from 36% for those born in 1993-1994 to 65% for those born in 2005-2006.
[edit] Impact of Income on Breastfeeding Rates
Breastfeeding rates were examined by income status group. Income status was defined using the poverty income ratio (PIR), an index calculated by dividing family income by a poverty threshold that is specific for family size. Low income was defined as PIR less than or equal to 1.85, and high income was defined as PIR greater than 1.85. For the total population, the proportion of infants who were ever breastfed was lower among infants whose families had lower income (57%) compared with infants whose families had higher income status (74%).
[edit] Impact of Maternal Age on Breastfeeding Rates
Breastfeeding rates increased significantly with increasing maternal age overall and for all race-ethnicity groups. The breastfeeding rates of mothers who were under 20 years of age (43%) were lower compared with mothers who were 30 years and older (75%) or 20 to 29 years of age (65%).
Within maternal age groups, there were race-ethnicity differences in breastfeeding rates. Mexican-American infants who were born to mothers who were less than 20 years of age had a significantly higher breastfeeding rate (66%) compared with non-Hispanic white (40%) and non-Hispanic black infants (30%). Non-Hispanic black infants whose mothers were 20–29 years or 30 years and older were significantly less likely to be breastfed than their non-Hispanic white and Mexican American counterparts.
[edit] Breastfeeding Rates at 6 months of Age
36% of babies are breastfed through 6 months. There was no significant change in the rate of breastfeeding at 6 months of age for infants born between 1993 and 2004.
[edit] Impact of Race and Ethnicity on Breastfeeding Rates at 6 months
Overall, the rates of breastfeeding at 6 months of age were significantly higher among Mexican-American (40%) and non-Hispanic white infants (35%) compared with non-Hispanic black infants (20%), but the rates for Mexican-American and non-Hispanic white infants were not significantly different.
