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High and Increased Positive Public Opinions About Supports for Breastfeeding, United States, 2015-2024

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Because breastfeeding behaviors are influenced by social norms, we examined public opinions toward societal supports for breastfeeding using data from the 2015 and 2024 SummerStyles surveys (N = 4127 and N = 4371, respectively, from the noninstitutionalized US population). In 2024, 81.9% of respondents agreed "there should be paid maternity leave for workers," 73.5% believed "women should have the right to breastfeed in public places," 66.9% agreed "women should be encouraged to breastfeed," and 65.9% agreed "a mother needs a lot of support to breastfeed her baby"-up 12, 11, 5, and 17 percentage points, respectively, from 2015. High and increased positive public opinions about supports for breastfeeding suggest heightened approval for breastfeeding-supportive programs and policies.

Source: Public Health Reports

DOI: 10.1177/00333549251405742

Authors: Kristin J. Marks, Mary Ellen Grap, Jian Chen, Dallas S. Shi, Ruowei Li

Institutions: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, United States Public Health Service, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health

Language: English

Topic: Breastfeeding Practices and Influences

Subfield: Epidemiology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

OpenAlex ID: W7123355937

FWCI: 4.471

Cites: 7

Cited by: 1

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