Why It Matters

Only 1 in 4 infants is exclusively breastfed as recommended by the time they are 6 months old.

Low rates of breastfeeding add more than $3 billion a year to medical costs for the mother and child in the United States.

Black infants are 21% less likely to have ever been breastfed than white infants.

Breastfeeding is an Investment in Health, Not Just a Lifestyle Decision

Benefits for Infants

Infants who are breastfed have reduced
risks of:

Asthma
Obesity
Type 2 diabetes
Ear and respiratory infections
Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
Gastrointestinal infections (diarrhea/vomiting)
Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) for preterm infants

Benefits for Mothers

Breastfeeding can help lower a mother’s risk of:

High blood pressure
Type 2 diabetes
Ovarian cancer
Breast cancer

“Breastfeeding provides unmatched health benefits for babies and mothers. It is the clinical gold standard for infant feeding and nutrition, with breast milk uniquely tailored to meet the health needs of a growing baby. We must do more to create supportive and safe environments for mothers who choose to breastfeed.”

Dr. Ruth Petersen, Director of CDC’s Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity