Aug. 5, 2004 -- The number of new mothers who start breastfeedi
Aug. 5, 2004 -- The number of new mothers who start breastfeeding their infants and stick with it for six months or more varies widely from state to state in the U.S., according to a new CDC report.
The study shows the national average for exclusive breastfeeding for six months in 2003 was 14.2%, and only Oregon had an exclusive-breastfeeding rate of more than 25% at six months.
It's the first time the CDC has released state-by-state data on breastfeeding rates.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that babies be breastfed exclusively -- with no baby formula -- for the first six months of life. To see how your state fared on this recommendation, see the table below.
| State | Exclusive Breastfeeding1 |
| Alabama | 11% |
| Alaska | 20% |
| Arizona | 17% |
| Arkansas | 7% |
| California | 16% |
| Colorado | 15% |
| Connecticut | 15% |
| Delaware | 10% |
| District Of Columbia | 13% |
| Florida | 14% |
| Georgia | 14% |
| Hawaii | 21% |
| Idaho | 24% |
| Illinois | 11% |
| Indiana | 12% |
| Iowa | 12% |
| Kansas | 16% |
| Kentucky | 10% |
| Louisiana | 7% |
| Maine | 19% |
| Maryland | 17% |
| Massachusetts | 14% |
| Michigan | 13% |
| Minnesota | 22% |
| Mississippi | 5% |
| Missouri | 12% |
| Montana | 21% |
| Nebraska | 13% |
| Nevada | 12% |
| New Hampshire | 17% |
| New Jersey | 18% |
| New Mexico | 13% |
| New York | 14% |
| North Carolina | 12% |
| North Dakota | 16% |
| Ohio | 15% |
| Oklahoma | 9% |
| Oregon | 27% |
| Pennsylvania | 13% |
| Rhode Island | 13% |
| South Carolina | 14% |
| South Dakota | 15% |
| Tennessee | 12% |
| Texas | 12% |
| Utah | 22% |
| Vermont | 24% |
| Virginia | 16% |
| Washington | 21% |
| West Virginia | 7% |
| Wisconsin | 16% |
| Wyoming | 13% |
1 Exclusive breastfeeding is defined in this study as only breastmilk and water - no solids or other liquids.
Source: 2003 National Immunization Survey, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Department of Health and Human Services
"With this new information, state health departments can compare the breastfeeding rates in their states and communities with national objectives," says Donna Stroup, PhD, acting director of the CDC's Coordinating Center for Health Promotion, in a news release. "The information will help agencies concentrate their efforts where they are most needed and develop targeted programs to promote breastfeeding."
Breastfeeding by State
The information in the report was gathered from the CDC's 2003 National Immunization Survey which surveyed mothers in 50 states, the District of Columbia, and selected geographic regions within the states.
According to the survey, only six states -- Hawaii, Idaho, Oregon, Utah, Vermont, and Washington -- met all of the following Healthy People 2010 objectives for breastfeeding:
- 75% of new mothers initiate breastfeeding.
- 50% continued to breastfeed for at least six months.
- 25% continued to breastfeed for at least 12 months.
Fourteen states met the first objective of having at least 75% of new mothers initiate breastfeeding. The top five states in this category were Oregon (88%), Washington (88%), Utah (85.5%), Idaho (83.8%), and California (83.7%).
Eight states met the second goal of having 25% or more of mothers continuing to breastfeed for at least 12 months. The top states in this category were Hawaii (31%), Vermont (30%), and Alaska (28.9%).
Researchers also found that lower-income mothers and non-Hispanic black mothers had consistently lower rates of breastfeeding compared with others.
Breastfeeding Benefits Mother and Baby
"It's important for new and expectant mothers to know that breast milk is the ideal food for newborns and young babies. It's inexpensive, convenient, and it's uniquely tailored to meet all of a baby's nutritional needs for the first six months of life," says William Dietz, MD, director of CDC's division of nutrition and physical activity, in the release. "Also, breastfed babies tend to gain less unnecessary weight that can contribute to overweight and obesity later in life."
Researchers say breast milk contains valuable antibodies that can protect infants from infection. Babies who are breastfed also have less frequent diarrhea and fewer ear infections and respiratory infections.
Mothers who breastfeed also burn more calories, which makes it easier for them to return to their pre-pregnancy weight. Research also shows women who breastfeed have lower rates of certain breast and ovarian cancers.
