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Promoting Breastfeeding: A Vital Step Toward Healthier Communities

Increasing the number of mothers who are successful at breastfeeding is a critical first step in improving the health of our children, our mothers, and ultimately, our communities and nation.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), among infants born in 2019 (from the Alabama breastfeeding report 2023):

• 83.2% began life receiving some breast milk.
• 78.6% were still receiving some breast milk at 1 month.
• At 3 months, fewer than 45% were exclusively breastfeeding.
• By 6 months, only 55.8% continued to receive any breast milk, and just 24.9% were exclusively breastfed.

The numbers are even more concerning in Alabama, where only 37.7% of mothers are still partially breastfeeding at 6 months—and just 21% are exclusively breastfeeding.

These statistics reflect the many barriers that exist in establishing and maintaining a successful breastfeeding relationship. Despite strong evidence supporting the health benefits of exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months, few mother-infant pairs in the United States meet this recommendation.