* Excludes twins and higher-order multiple births.
The percentage of infants ever breastfed increased from 55% among those born during 1990--1993 to 67% among those born during 1997--2000, bringing the levels of breastfeeding initiation closer to the Healthy People 2010 objective of 75% among mothers in all racial/ethnic groups. Substantial progress toward meeting this goal has been observed among Hispanic (75%) and non-Hispanic white (69%) mothers. In addition, breastfeeding initiation nearly doubled among non-Hispanic black mothers, from 25% of infants born during 1990--1993 to 47% of infants born during 1997--2000.
Data Source: Chandra A, Martinez GM, Mosher WD, Abma JC, Jones J. Fertility, family planning, and reproductive health of U.S. women: data from the 2002 National Survey of Family Growth. Vital Health Stat 2005;23(25).
For more information, see the CDC breastfeeding site: http://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/.
Citation:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. QuickStats: Percentage of Infants Born During 1990--1993 and 1997--2000 Who Were Ever Breastfed, by Race/Ethnicity of Mother --- United States. MMWR 2006;55:1155