100+ Fascinating Breastfeeding Facts and Statistics

May 15, 2022

Breast Milk, Breastfeeding, Milk Supply, Postpartum, Pregnancy

BY KATIE CLARK, IBCLC

There are so many interesting and cool facts about breastfeeding! Some statistics you might know, while some may be completely new to you. Keep reading to learn the top 100+ facts about breastfeeding!

What do you know about breastfeeding?

You might know a couple of facts but did you know there is SO much to learn and know? We’ve compiled a comprehensive list of interesting breastfeeding and breast milk facts and statistics. These are the top facts out there- all in one place.

So settle in, and learn something new!

Table Of Contents

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Breastfeeding Rate Statistics
Breast Milk Statistics/Facts
Breastfeeding Problems Facts/Statistics
Pumping Statistics/Facts
Breastfeeding Statistics/Facts
Cancer and Breastfeeding Facts
Breastfeeding and Work Statistics
Sources Cited
More Posts You Might Enjoy:

Breastfeeding Rate Statistics

It’s very interesting to look at breastfeeding rates around the world. Here are a few key statistics:

Worldwide, 3 in 5 babies are not breastfed in the first hour after birth
820,000 children could be saved annually with better breastfeeding rates for months 0-23
Only 41% of infants under six months are exclusively breastfed worldwide
The World Health Organization has set a goal to reach 50% by 2025.
In high income countries, more than 1 in 5 babies have never breastfed
In low and medium income countries, nearly all babies are breastfed

Countries With Highest Breastfeeding Rates

These are in reference to exclusive breastfeeding an infant younger than six months

Croatia with a a 98% rate
Rwanda with 86% with
Chile – 84%
Burundi with 82%
Sri Lanka – 82%

Countries With Lowest Breastfeeding Rates

These are in reference to exclusive breastfeeding an infant younger than six months

Chad – .11%
Suriname – 2.77%
St. Lucia – 3.50%
Domincan Republic – 4.56%
Gabon – 5.08%

United States Breastfeeding Rates

Nationwide, 74% of babies in the United States have EVER been breastfed
58% of babies are breastfed (any amount) at six months – only 25.6% are exclusively breastfed through six months
35.3% are still breastfeeding at the age of one
Oregon has the highest percentage (93.5%) of babies who are ever breastfed
Mississippi has the lowest percentage (63.4%) of babies who are ever breastfed

United Kingdom Breastfeeding Rates

I could highlight many different regions in the world, but I am frequently contacted by moms in the United Kingdom about how poor the lactation support is there. I thought it was interesting to look at these rates.

In the United Kingdom, 81% of women begin breastfeeding.
By six weeks, the rate drops of exclusive breastfeeding drops to 24% in England, 17% in the Wales, and 13% in Northern Ireland
By six months, the rate of exclusive breastfeeding is 1%
The rate of any breastfeeding in the UK at six months is 34%
The proportion of infants receiving breast milk has remained about the same through the COVID-19 pandemic

Breast Milk Statistics/Facts

Breast milk is a living substance that contains live cells, including stem cells
Breast milk is approximately 87% water, 1% protein, 4% fat, and 7% carbohydrate
You can use breast milk to replace cow’s milk in recipes once your baby starts to eat solids
Moms of preemies have breast milk with more protein, fat, and other minerals for bone and brain growth
Breast milk is not always white.
The smell and taste of your breastmilk can change depending on the foods you eat.
Your breastmilk changes as the needs of your baby changes.
The amount of breastmilk you produce has nothing to do with breast size.
Preemie babies who are fed breastmilk in their first 28 days of life have better brain development by the time they reach their original due date.
Colostrum is the first milk that your breasts produce
Breastmilk has antibodies that help your baby fight against infection
Breastmilk contains hormones such as melatonin, Leptin, Endorphins, Oxytocin, and Thyroxine
Higher perception of breast milk is positively linked to exclusive breastfeeding
Skin-to-skin and breastfeeding self-efficacy are two indicators of exlcusive breastfeeding
Drops of breastmilk can be used to help treat cuts, soothe diaper rash, or even help infants with eye and ear infections because of their antibodies.
Oxytocin and prolactin hormones are hormones released during breastfeeding that encouraging mothers to bond with their babies
1/3 of women can’t feel when their milk lets down
When colostrum is expressed during hour one after giving birth, it increased production by 130% by six weeks.
Breastmilk makes babies sleepy, this is because by the end of the day, breastmilk contains more serotonin—a hormone that helps babies sleep.
Producing breast milk consumes 25% of the body’s energy; the brain only uses 20% by comparison
Almost 75% of all moms produce more milk in their right breast, whether they are right- or left- handed
You don’t have to drink milk, to produce milk
Producing breast milk consumes 25% of the body’s energy; the brain only uses 20% by comparison.
There is an average of 15-20 lobes in a successfully lactating breast
While there has only been a few studies done, it’s estimated between 10 and 15% of women struggle with low milk supply
60% of mothers in the USA don’t breastfeed for as long as they had planned
70.5% of mothers who did not graduate from high school ever breastfed their babies
93,4% of mothers who graduated from college ever breastfeed their babies while 73.9% breastfeed for at least 6 months.

Breastfeeding Problems Facts/Statistics

Early Breastfeeding Problems

The following statistics are from a study conducted by UC Davis.

92% of mothers report breastfeeding problems by day three. Of those concerns:
- 52% were concerning baby struggling to breastfeed at the breast
- 44% reported pain
- 40% were concerned about their milk supply
Infant feeding difficulty and milk quantity are the top reasons for stopping breastfeeding prematurely.
Between 4-10% of babies are born with tongue-tie, which makes it difficult to latch. They are three times more likely to be bottle fed at one week.

Breastfeeding Pain

In one study that focused on breastfeeding pain…
- 57% of issues related to pain were resolved in about 18 days
- Nipple pain was the reason for 36% of cases
- The most common reason for nipple pain was incorrect positioning and attachment
- The next most common reasons (in order) were tongue tie, infection, palatal anamoly, flat/inverted nipples, mastitis, and vasospasms

Pumping Statistics/Facts

77% of breastfeeding/pumping moms get outside help from lactation consultants
Many breast pumps are free through insurance
Breastfeeding in addition to pumping can help increase your milk supply
Breast pumps from years ago used to resemble turkey basters
Hand expressing is one way to express milk if your breast feel exceptionally full
85% of women use a pump at least some of the time

Breastfeeding Statistics/Facts

Breastfeeding burns between 500-600 calories a day
Breastfeeding lowers your baby’s risk of illnesses, including ear infections, respiratory infections, gastroenteritis, and Necrotizing Enterocolitis
The amount of breast milk you are able to produce has nothing to do with your breast size but the capacity.
Mothers who breastfeed have a lower risk of having postpartum depression
Mothers who breastfeed have a lower risk of developing heart disease, stroke, type-2 diabetes
The longer a woman breastfeeds in her lifetime, the more protection she receives from certain ailments and diseases.
1/3 of women make the decision to breastfeed during pregnancy
Breastfeeding lowers your child’s risk of common ailments.
Breastfeeding can help to shrink the uterus back to its pre-pregnancy size.
Babies in urban areas are more likely to be breastfed than those in rural areas.
In the U.S. mothers who are over age 30 are more likely to breastfeed (86.3%) than mothers aged 20-29
A lactating mother can leak milk when she thinks about her baby or if she hears another baby cry.
Social media has been linked to increased breastfeeding rates
In the U.S., mothers who are over age 30 are more likely to ever breastfeed (86.3%) than mothers aged 20-29 (80%)
When breastfeeding women may have decreased cycles of ovulation
Babies breastfeed until their full, not when the breast is empty
Breastmilk sprays out of many holes, not just one.
Breastfeeding parents are less likely to be diagnosed with post partum depression
Many women tend to eat more nutritious foods and follow healthier lifestyles (limit smoking and alcohol use) while breastfeeding
Breastfeeding saves a family approximately $2 to 4 thousand dollars annually (compared to cost of formula)
Breastfed infants are at lower risk for sudden infant death syndrome
Women with PCOS appear to have lower breastfeeding initation rates

Cancer and Breastfeeding Facts

Mothers who breastfeed have a lower risk of developing breast cancer and ovarian cancer.
For every year that a mother breastfeeds, her risk of breast cancer is reduced by 6%
Breastfeeding while undergoing breast cancer treatments is not recommended because therapies used to treat breast cancer can be passed on to the nursing baby through breastmilk.
It is generally okay to get a mammogram while breastfeeding.
Women can develop breast cancer at any time – including while breastfeeding or pumping – however, there is no known increase in risk during that time
Breastfeeding a baby girl actually reduces her lifetime risk of breast cancer by 25%

Breastfeeding and Work Statistics

49% of employers in the U.S. currently provide an on-site lactation/mother’s room.
78.9% of mothers breastfeeding when they returned to work attempting to pump
The median time for expressing milk at work is 6.3 months, with an average infant age of about 9 months when mom stopped pumping
10% of mothers working full-time still breastfed their babies at six months.
Significant predictors of continued breastfeding past six months for working moms were higher education level, lower work load, a dedicated lactation room, breast pumping breaks, and encouragement from co-workers and supervisors.
Black women are more likely to return to work earlier
In one study that focused on partner support with breastfeeding when a mom returned to work, it found:
- 60.2% of partners initally supported breastfeeding
- 86.7% were willing to share household responsibilities
- 55.4% of employed moms had partners that encouraged them to use a lactation room at work
- 81.9% of partners encouraged them to take pumping breaks
- 85.2% of mothers felt that partner support would increase breastfeeding

Helpful resource for breastfeeding and working moms: The Ultimate Guide to Breastfeeding as a Working Mom: Tips, Schedules and More

Sources Cited

Welcome ToThe Breastfeeding Mama

Hi! I’m Katie Clark – mom of three and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant. Over the past eight years, I’ve dedicated my life to helping thousands of breastfeeding moms around the world overcome their breastfeeding problems and find peace in their journey. I can’t wait to help you!