DATA · BREASTFEEDING

Breastfeeding statistics.

How many parents start breastfeeding, how long they continue, how many breastfeed exclusively, and what leading health authorities recommend — compiled from CDC and WHO data.

Compiled by the Whispie Research Team · Updated July 2026

The headline numbers

At a glance.

83.2%

of U.S. infants are ever breastfed (born 2019)

CDC

55.8%

still receive any breast milk at 6 months

CDC

24.9%

are exclusively breastfed at 6 months

CDC

~6 months

of exclusive breastfeeding recommended

WHO · AAP

U.S. breastfeeding rates

Rates by milestone.

Milestone	Percentage of infants
Ever breastfed	83.2%
Any breast milk at 6 months	55.8%
Exclusively breastfed at 6 months	24.9%

CDC National Immunization Survey data for infants born in 2019 (2022 Breastfeeding Report Card). Rates decline steadily month to month.

What the experts recommend

Official guidance.

Recommendation	Body
Exclusive breastfeeding for about the first 6 months of life	WHO · AAP
Continue breastfeeding with complementary foods up to age 2 or beyond	WHO
Introduce iron-rich complementary foods at around 6 months	AAP

Sources

Where these numbers come from.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Breastfeeding Report Card, United States, 2022 (infants born 2019). cdc.gov
World Health Organization (WHO). Infant and young child feeding — breastfeeding recommendations. who.int
American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Breastfeeding recommendations (HealthyChildren.org). healthychildren.org

Cite this page:
Whispie Research Team. "Breastfeeding Statistics (2026)." Whispie. https://www.whispieapp.com/breastfeeding-statistics/

Journalists and educators are welcome to reference or link to these statistics. For the underlying data or an interview, email [email protected]

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Breastfeeding statistics.