ATLANTA (AP) — The U.S. breast-feeding rate has hit its highest mark in at least 20 years, with more than three-quarters of new mothers nursing their infants, according to a government report released yesterday.
About 77 percent of new mothers breast-feed, at least briefly, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said.
“It looks like it is an all-time high” based on CDC surveys since the mid-1980s, said Jeff Lancashire, a CDC spokesman.
Researchers attributed the rise to education campaigns that emphasize that breast milk is better than formula at protecting babies against disease and childhood obesity. A changing culture that accommodates nursing mothers also may be a factor.
The percentage of black infants who were ever breast-fed rose most dramatically, to 65 percent in the new study from 36 percent according to 1993-94 statistics.
For whites, the figure rose to 79 percent, from 62 percent. For Mexican-Americans, it increased to 80 percent, from 67 percent.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.