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U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion

Increase the proportion of infants who are breastfed exclusively through age 6 months — MICH‑15

Status: Little or no detectable change

  
Little or no detectable change
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Most Recent Data:
25.4 percent (2020)

Target:
42.4 percent

Desired Direction:
Increase desired

Baseline:
24.9 percent of infants born in 2015 were breastfed exclusively through 6 months of age

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Increase the proportion of infants who are breastfed exclusively through 6 months of age

Target-Setting Method
Projection

Data Source:  National Immunization Survey - Child (NIS-Child), CDC/NCIRD

Learn more about data measurement for this objective

Summary

Breastfeeding is linked to a reduced risk for many illnesses in children and mothers. Exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life is linked to health benefits for infants. Although breastfeeding initiation rates are high in the United States, most women don’t breastfeed exclusively for the first 6 months. Strategies like peer support, education, longer maternity leaves, and breastfeeding support in the hospital, workplace, and community may help more women breastfeed exclusively.

Topics:  Infants, Child and Adolescent Development, Nutrition and Healthy Eating

Workgroup: Maternal, Infant, and Child Health Workgroup

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